HOW IS THE OL DEVELOPING?

I agree about the jump from Freshman to Soph year. That jump sometimes comes just from being in a high-level S&C program.

It becomes a bit more subjective when you say we are "talented" but may have under-performed due to coaching (or other systemic problems). Unfortunately that ignores the possibility that they just might not be that talented after all. Hopefully an extra year in program along with new coaches will be able to get more out of Cam, Dexter, and the young guys. I think we may have some indication to that effect when Dexter steps on the scales for his pre - spring drills weigh-in.

 

I look at guys as they play like Collins, Searcy, Lyons, and Banks, and I don't think for a second that they are untalented. Raw, inexperienced, maybe undisciplined at times. But not really talented? Nah. There's a lot between the ears that is necessary for someone to reach their potential. They flash a lot. Now they need consistency.

 

This is not encouraging. Some things never change.

 

Why so gloomy? Slaughter was already an upgrade over Eguakun. BCD and Manuel are an upgrade over Hudson and Hermann. Farmer was not going to play over the other young OG, and Leonard and Mazz were not making our OL stable. Getting the young guys into starting roles is a step in the right direction. Our OL recruits weren't top but improved over the previous classes.

 

What clown wrote this?
We are better by getting two new OTs.

 

Time will tell. We have results in the books for the last 2 years. All we have now for 2024 is speculation and hope. The roster for our O-line appears to be better, but it has to be proven on the field.

 

Oline performance was not the same for the past two years 22 was better Than 23. So we have one ok year and one pretty bad year. We have a 3rd year with a different line. Things always have to be proven on the field and with so many different pieces this year its just speculation to say we are better or worse off than last year either way. What is wrong however is to say definitively that we are worse off which is what that trash analysis in the article does.

 

Where did I say that O-line performance was the same in 2022 and 2023? All I said was that the results are in the books. And I agree that 2022's line was better than the 2023 line. Not sure how/why @Donzo can disagree with what I said, but whatever. How can someone disagree with saying that our 2024 line appears to be better, but that it has to be proven on the field. That article says our 2024 line is worse, which is stupid because they haven't even had spring or fall practice, let alone played a game to show what they can/will do. We can all have our opinions, but that's all they are until games are played in the fall. I think you and I are in agreement here.

 

I didn't say you did. I brought up the differences between years to illustrate that each year is its own. I could have elaborated that better but the point was that all the 2 years of results has shown is that we don't know what year three will be as well as the fact that the "failed" 2 coach method has produced...mixed results so far.

 

Wibur Napier's ideal OL man is a 6-6 390 lb mastodon who can't run 40 yards who is slow afoot but fast a buffet.

 

I’ve been posting in five different OL threads for about six weeks, so I left this thread a few days ago. You “summoned” me, so I thought I’d reply.



If you’re going to make blanket statements, without nuance, about “hope and speculation” and “it has to be proven on the field”, then that applies to everything and anything. You can’t just pinpoint the Gator's 2024 OL.

I also wonder if you know what you’re talking about, or are you coming from a place of ignorance?!? My guess is it would be the latter; I could be wrong though. I’ll ask ya just one question to see if you have any knowledge of the Gators 2023/2024 OL comparison.

Are you saying it’s just “hope speculation” that the Gators' three man (3-man) OT rotation going into spring is better than the 3-man OT rotation the Gators suffered through the last two games of 2023?

 

2022's OL was "OK"?

If "ok" = good to very good, then I agree.

 

They were solid and obviously torrence was a force at his position but Richardson's mobility contributed to our success as he used his wheels to escape pressure quite a bit. Most likely comtributed to the running success as well. Maybe it was the schemes they ended up at but i dont believe tarquin did very well at USC and white sadly is out of football for reportedly non foot all related issues? It's not a slight on the line from 22 and the reason we lost as many games as we did was once again...the defense.

 

Richardson’s freelancing and inaccuracy caused almost as many issues for the OL as his foot speed helped it. Was he the only one running well behind the OL?

White not playing in 2023 is no reflection on his very good 2022 season with the Gators. The White/Torrence OG combo was as good as any combo in CFB in 2022. Gouraige had a very good year at LT. Weighing 304 lbs is what hurt his draft stock. Tarquin's play for USC had nothing to do with his play for UF in 2022. He was solid, better than average at RT in 2022. Barber also played significantly at RT in 2022, and played well. Equakin had his best year at OC in 2022. Leonard and Slaughter playedsome, they were OK.

Those eight guys played more than 95% of the snaps on the OL. Three of them (Tarq, Leonard & Slaughter) were “OK”. The other five were good, to very good to All American good. Add that up and it’s way ahead of “ok” as a group.

 

The O-Line was a mess at the end of 2023 and I would certainly hope that it will be better and deeper going into the spring. Certainly looks better on paper. But you nor anyone else knows that it will, in fact, be better until they go through the process of building and developing the line. Also, until we see if there are any injuries or transfers between now and the fall and how they end up playing together as a unit, no one can know whether or not they will be better than 2023. And of course that applies to every other position group on the team. No one knows how any facet of this team or any other team is going to perform until they actually go through the workouts, practices and scrimmages and then, when the starters and back-ups are determined, work to together as a unit against competition. I've been a Gator fan and close follower of virtually ALL Florida sports for most of my 72 years and have been posting on several boards and threads for many years. I've been to literally hundreds of games and watched hundreds more of all Gator sports on TV over the years. I am a Gator sports fanatic. I didn't "summon" you - I just simply stated that I didn't understand what I said that would cause a Disagree/Bacon and I still don't. But you just come back and attack and call me ignorant. You're a special person, there Donzo.

 

This has to be AI generated e-waste. Says Austin Barber was better at RT in 2024??

 

Dang, freedomgator, that’s just how this old man feels. I’m doing plenty of talking but, not getting through.

 

Yet the ones starting last year were nowhere close to 390

 

Comparing Florida’s offensive line transfer additions to the 2023 roster via PFF | GatorCountry.com