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Position Group Status After Gasparilla Bowl

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by Donzo, Dec 21, 2024 at 11:59 AM.

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  1. Dec 23, 2024 at 11:35 AM #41
    Donzo

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    Gates doesn’t appear to have chronic injury issues. He got popped on the knee, which sucks, but it happens. Hopefully he’s back for spring.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2024 at 11:42 AM
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  2. Dec 23, 2024 at 11:42 AM #42
    Donzo

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    Nice break down. My one big disagreement is the OL.

    What misses have cost the OL? I like the young talent.

    Barber and George were up and down- really? The OL was better than capable this year, they were a good unit. Especially good with BCD at RT.

    Next year the OL looks to be much better than middle tier. The one question is RT. Until we know otherwise it looks like Manuel is the starting RT, which would fine. If not then he would need to be replaced by an equal talent ready to start.

    A starting group of Barber, Harris, Slaughter, George, Manuel is a dynamic OL. Four 5th SRs and a 3rd year NFL type LG is about as good setup as you could ask for. This group could be as good as any OL in the country in 2025.

    We’ll see.
     
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  3. Dec 23, 2024 at 11:49 AM #43
    Donzo

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    Westphal is a bull. He’s like an upgraded bigger version of Barber- Barber 2.0

    He played in the spring. He had some issues which were to be expected. He was a high school kid going against college vets. He looked better in the bowl game. With Barber coming back he’s in perfect position to play some next year to get ready to start in 2026.


    He didn’t burn his redshirt. The bowl was his 4th game.
     
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  4. Dec 23, 2024 at 11:51 AM #44
    Donzo

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    Jackson played a little in the bowl. We want to see what they do with him in the spring.

    At RB I was just looking at the rotation for next year. Watson and Rubio definitely made the last half of the 4th quarter a lot of fun.
     
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  5. Dec 23, 2024 at 11:59 AM #45
    Donzo

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    Even though Zandamela was a top rated prospect, he’s a project. Not a lot of experience. He also came to UF late, so he didn’t play this year. Looking forward to seeing what he does this spring.

    Grimsley started playing late and looked good against FSU. He was injured and missed the bowl. He’s in position to compete for PT at CB next year.
     
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  6. Dec 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM #46
    fox

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    And bowls/playoff games don't count towards the 4.
     
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  7. Dec 23, 2024 at 12:10 PM #47
    Donzo

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    Good break down. My comments:

    WR- May be some questions, but not concerned. There’s enough experience and a lot of talent there.

    TE- The group is kinda average, but not bad. They’re functional and get the job done. We’ll see what Jackson brings as a receiver.

    OL- RT is the one question. If Manuel returns and is healthy, they're good to go. They’re goal should be, to be as good as any OL in the country in 2025.

    DL: Very good two deep at DT and edge. Got one edge from the portal. Thinking they need one more edge and DT to solidify the depth.

    CB- Marshall is essentially already replaced since he missed the last half of the season. It’s a very deep position. A lot of returning talent that has already had some level of success. Hanks adds to the depth. We just need the cream to rise to the top.

    S- Castell and Thornton look to be a strength. Hopefully when Gates comes back he’s the same player he was before the injury. He became a playmaker.
     
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  8. Dec 23, 2024 at 12:13 PM #48
    Donzo

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    I din't know that- thanks. I thought CBN was keeping some guys at three games so they could play in bowl.
     
  9. Dec 23, 2024 at 12:33 PM #49
    2oldgator

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    Thanks for the update Donzo.
     
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  10. Dec 23, 2024 at 12:56 PM #50
    Matherly87

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    I would add next year's OL needs some depth to push the starters. George got better in the second half of the season. Manuel might be the answer at RT. These two especially need that extra push thru the off season to bring it all together. Lovell, Kearney, and Jones are the ones to look at but you have to hope youngsters like Zandamela and Westphal are ready. I'll be hoping we roll the Dice on freshman Tavaris and incorporate him in the rotation as well. Waites is still a wait and see but his ship may have already sailed.
     
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  11. Dec 23, 2024 at 2:01 PM #51
    Agator88

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    I could be mistaken; but I thought he redshirted due to a torn ACL. Maybe it was a different knee, but having 2 in 3-4 years is tough physically and mentally to come back from. Hoping for the best though, he was a monster this year.
     
  12. Dec 23, 2024 at 2:32 PM #52
    Gatorologist

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    Got a little carried away.....

    OL: As a former center I'm a little biased but in football it all starts on the LOS. I think our interior 3 are going to be stellar. Harris, Slaughter and George are going to be another year bigger, stronger and smarter. We should be able to run between the tackles at will. The tackles will be a work in progress. I think a combination of Barber, Lovett and Westphal will be serviceable at the beginning with Westphal having the biggest room.for improvement towards the middle of the season. I think we are building good depth, but will be weakest at OT.

    DL I agree with what's already been said so I won't repeat. I have high expectations for Asare after 8 months in program, hope we find another edge in the portal and get Searcy back with a positive chip on his shoulder. Need someone to step up as Jack. Biggest?


    QB. DJ could be great if the OL and WRs step up, but I doubt he goes through the season without missing some time due to injury. This is not a knock on DJ just the nature of the game and dual threat style. When and how long he is out is a significant factor in our season. Hopefully Purdie can come in and give us serviceable snaps.

    WR Young, talented and varied. Unit that will benefit most from early enrollments and the two early games. If they pan out the combinations are mind boggling and something we haven't had in awhile.

    RB Wow! Most proven and deep unit. If OL steps up we will grind people into the ground!

    TE: Possibly weakest unit given those on roster and recruits. Would love to get a TE in portal who can block.and catch. Doesn't have to be a superstar. But it might be difficult since there are only so may balls/snaps.

    LB: I'm psyched to see these LBs meet the enemy at the LOS and blow them up! Again agree with most of what has been said.

    DB: This is the unit that is the biggest overall question mark. Who will be/stay healthy? They could develop into a top tier SEC unit. Or they could be a MASH unit that makes me scream bad things at my TV. If Gates and Grimsely come back with a year of progress I'll feel more confident. Thornton is a playmaker but inconsistent and Castell needs to be more aggressive. Safety is solid, CB scary especially if we don't have the same pass rush.

    ST Smack is a stud. We should have a deep pool of players to return kicks and Dorman should be able to step in to fill Crenshaws shoes. Hopefully we can continue to make progress on execution.

    That's all folks.....that's enough ;)
     
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  13. Dec 23, 2024 at 2:59 PM #53
    Gatorologist

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  14. Dec 23, 2024 at 3:10 PM #54
    95Gator

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    Indeed we can. :)
     
  15. Dec 23, 2024 at 3:51 PM #55
    Gatorrick22

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    Bowl games (as long as they are not playoff games) do not count towards eligibility. I doubt he burned his red-shirt.
     
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  16. Dec 23, 2024 at 3:54 PM #56
    Gatorrick22

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    Bowl games do NOT count towards your 4 game limit, unless they are part of the playoffs.
     
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  17. Dec 23, 2024 at 5:37 PM #57
    Donzo

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    I don't know, I don't remeber him getting hurt last year. I thought he played 3 or 4 games in 2023 to keep his redshirt. Then was a healthy starter this year until he hyperextended his knee against Ole Miss.
     
  18. Dec 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM #58
    Gatorologist

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    I'll definitely be interested in that analysis.

    Side note: Donzo I can't see what you attached
     
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  19. Dec 23, 2024 at 6:05 PM #59
    Donzo

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    I don't know what that is, lol. I didn't attach anything. I went to edit it out but I don't see anything.

    Edit: I went in to try and delete the mystery file again. I ended up deleting it and reposting it below.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2024 at 6:16 PM
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  20. Dec 23, 2024 at 6:07 PM #60
    Donzo

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    Some time after Christmas we’ll have to do a 2025 OL thread with specific breakdowns. There may be a question at RT that may or may not need an addition from the portal. I think the rest of the OL is as strong as it has been since the CM championship years.
     
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