Florida Gators Spring Football Preview: Offense

The Gators open spring football camp March 15 under first-year coach Billy Napier and his staff. UF will have 15 practices including the spring game on April 16.

Ahead of the first practice Tuesday, Gators Online previews Florida’s offensive side of the ball.

Quarterbacks

Departures: None

Returners: Emory Jones, Anthony Richardson, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Jalen Kitna 

Newcomers: Jack Miller (Ohio State transfer)

Signees: Max Brown (summer enrollee)

2021 production

A year removed from producing the nation’s top passing offense with Heisman Trophy finalist Kyle Trask, the Gators ranked No. 46 nationally and sixth in the SEC last season with an average 254.2 yards per game. 

Emory Jones started 12 of Florida’s 13 contests with a 6-6 record, throwing for 2,734 yards (210.3 YPG) and 19 touchdowns while leading the team in rushing with 759 yards and four scores on 143 carries. 

Jones was turnover-prone all season, with multiple picks in four games and a league-worst 13 interceptions on the year. He was also benched against LSU and FSU for Anthony Richardson. 

Richardson appeared in eight games last season, throwing for 529 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 401 yards and three scores on 51 carries. He made his first career start against No. 1 Georgia, but left the game with a concussion. 

Richardson did not receive significant snaps again until replacing Jones vs. FSU, leading the Gators to a 24-21 win. However, he suffered a torn meniscus against the Seminoles and missed the bowl game after minor surgery. He was also sidelined for the Alabama and Tennessee games with injuries. 

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna both redshirted as true freshmen. 

Spring preview

The Gators bring back all four quarterbacks from last year including Jones, who said he planned to enter the transfer portal after the season but never did. 

Jones is on track to graduate in April and could still opt to transfer after getting his degree, but he has participated in offseason workouts and will now practice with the team. 

If Jones wants to remain the Gators’ starter, he’ll have to show significant strides this spring and while also learning a new offense under Napier, who’s also his position coach. 

It will be interesting to see how reps are split up between Jones, Richardson (coming off surgery) and Ohio State transfer Jack Miller, who will compete with both quarterbacks for the starting job. 

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Miller was beat out last season at OSU by C.J Stroud, a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021. Miller appeared in five games, completing 7 of 14 pass attempts for 101 yards and rushing seven times for 22 yards and a touchdown. 

Richardson (knee) is expected to be limited in practice, but can he show enough to surpass Jones and fend off the others? If Richardson can’t participate in some portions, it will be an opportunity for Del Rio-Wilson and Kitna to make a move. 

Bottom line

Regardless of Jones’ future or Richardson’s availability, the Gators must get more consistent play from this position in 2022 and Napier won’t settle on a starting quarterback or depth chart until fall training camp.

Running backs

Departures: Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis

Returners: Nay’Quan Wright, Lorenzo Lingard, Demarkcus Bowman

Newcomers: Montrell Johnson (Louisiana transfer)

Signees: Trevor Etienne (summer enrollee)

2021 production

The Gators had one of their most productive rushing attacks in program history last year, but didn’t feed lead tailback Dameon Pierce nearly enough carries. 

Florida finished the season with the No. 23 rushing offense in the FBS and the No. 13 rushing attack in the Power Five (208.7 YPG). UF averaged 5.5 yards per carry, the fourth-highest mark in program history, and ranked fourth in the FBS and third in the Power Five behind only Utah and Ohio State.

Pierce, who graded as the top RB in the nation with a 92.0 rating by Pro Football Focus, led all UF backs with 574 yards. His 13 rushing touchdowns in 2021 ranks fifth all-time for a single season in school history, tied with Kelvin Taylor (2015), Fred Taylor (1997) and Emmitt Smith (1987). 

K. Taylor (259 carries), F. Taylor (214) and Smith (229) all had more than 200 carries in those three seasons, but Pierce received half that amount last fall. 

Despite averaging 5.7 yards per carry, he finished with only 100 carries in 13 games (7.69 average) and didn’t get double-digit carries in a game until the final two contests of the season — after Dan Mullen had been fired. 

Malik Davis had his best year since his freshman campaign, rushing for 487 yards and five scores on 92 carries. Nay’Quan Wright ran the ball 76 times last season for 326 yards and a touchdown. 

Spring preview

Wright is the top returner at the position, but suffered a foot injury in the regular season finale against Florida State and will likely be limited in spring practice. 

That presents a big opportunity for five-star transfers Lorenzo Lingard Jr. and Demarkcus Bowman to receive more reps at the running back position.

Lingard had little impact in his first two seasons at UF, rushing for 32 yards on five carries in 2020 and 43 yards on 11 carries last fall. Bowman had 14 carries for 81 yards in 2021, his first year with the Gators. 

With the departures of Davis and Pierce and Wright’s injury, Bowman and Lingard can cement themselves in the rotation with strong showings this spring. 

They will have some competition, however, with the addition of Louisiana transfer Montrell Johnson. As a freshman, he led the Ragin’ Cajuns last season with 12 rushing touchdowns and ranked second on the team in rushing yards (838).

Despite being new to Florida and the SEC, Johnson has already played for Napier and knows his offense. He’ll have to use that to his advantage early in camp while Wright is limited and Bowman and Lingard are still learning the system. 

Bottom line

Carries were hard to come by last season for Pierce and others, but this year’s group won’t have that problem. There will be plenty of carries to go around in Billy Napier’s offense, but his running back rotation and distribution of carries is to be determined.

Wide receivers

Departures: Jacob Copeland (transferred to Maryland), Rick Wells

Returners: Justin Shorter, Trent Whittemore, Xzavier Henderson, Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Ja’Markis Weston, Marcus Burke, Daejon Reynolds, Jordan Pouncey

Newcomers: None

Signees: Caleb Douglas (summer enrollee) 

2021 production

Following a breakout season from Kadarius Toney in 2020, the Gators’ production at the position took a step back last year. 

The team’s leading receiver was Jacob Copeland, who finished with 642 yards on 41 catches with four touchdowns. He had a pair of 100-yard performances against South Florida (175 yards) and Missouri (102), but just 365 yards receiving in his other 11 games played. 

Copeland’s 41 receptions tied him for the team high with Justin Shorter, who had 550 yards receiving with three touchdowns. Shorter’s best game came at LSU, where he caught six passes for 113 yards and two scores including a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. 

Florida’s top three receivers after Copeland and Shorter all had less than 300 yards on the season: Xzavier Henderson (26 catches for 277 yards and two TDs), Rick Wells (24 catches for 259 and three TDs) and Trent Whittemore (19 catches for 210 yards and a touchdown). 

The three receivers behind them — Ja’Markis Weston, Ja’Quavion Fraziars and Marcus Burke — combined for 12 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, while true freshman Daejon Reynolds redshirted.

Spring preview

Shorter decided to come back for his redshirt senior season, giving the Gators two returning starters at receiver. Shorter started 12 games last year, while Whittemore made nine starts in the slot. 

Shorter and Whittemore will resume their roles as the (X) and (Y), while Henderson is expected to earn the nod at the (Z) spot. Henderson had three starts in 2021 and recorded career highs for receptions (7) and receiving yards (60) against Samford. 

Beyond Shorter, Whittemore and Henderson, Florida only has a handful of scholarship players for depth. Weston and Fraziars are big, 6-foot-3 receivers who will be more involved in the rotation this year after scoring their first touchdowns last season. Burke flashed as a freshman against South Carolina and could be another deep threat for the Gators. 

It remains to be seen, however, who else will emerge in the slot with Whittemore. UF doesn’t have a fast, elusive receiver on the roster like Toney or Freddie Swain, so new position coach Keary Colbert will be looking for a different kind of mismatch inside.  

Fraziars, Henderson or Jordan Pouncey could potentially provide another option in the slot. Florida also needs to get some contributions from Reynolds this year. 

Bottom line

The Gators return a couple starters, but they only have eight scholarship receivers and most of them are unproven. Some of those underclassmen need to establish themselves this spring as players who can be counted on come fall.

Tight ends

Departures: Kemore Gamble (transferred to UCF)

Returners: Keon Zipperer, Nick Elksnis, Jonathan Odom, Gage Wilcox 

Newcomers: None

Signees: Tony Livingston, Hayden Hansen (summer enrollees)

2021 production

With Kyle Pitts leaving for the NFL after his record-setting season, the torch was passed to Kemore Gamble last year and he made the most of the opportunity. 

After making 10 receptions in 2020 as Pitts’ backup, Gamble tripled that catch total last year. He caught 31 passes for 414 yards, ranking third on the Gators in both categories, with a team-high four touchdowns. 

Gamble also ranked fourth in the SEC among tight ends for receptions and receiving yards. He set single-game career highs for catches (6) and yards (122) with two touchdowns against Samford. 

Keon Zipperer had 11 catches last season for the second straight year, finishing with 133 receiving yards and no touchdowns after two scores in 2020 and one as a true freshman. 

Zipperer’s best game in 2021 came vs. No. 1 Alabama. He had a career-high 51 receiving yards on four catches against the eventual SEC champions. 

Jonathan Odom did not record any stats last season, playing in eight games primarily in a special teams role and reserve tight end. Nick Elksnis and Gage Wilcox both redshirted as true freshmen, appearing in four games and two games, respectively. 

Spring preview

Gamble had the option to return to Florida for a sixth season, but opted to transfer to UCF instead. 

That opens the door for Zipperer to become the starter at tight end. He should capitalize on this moment after developing for the last two years and learning from Pitts and Gamble.

Zipperer is a versatile player at the position who can flex into an H-Back role or line up in the slot. He also has the ability to make plays on tight end screens and shovel passes, which he has caught in the past. 

Zipperer’s biggest competition at the position is Nick Elksnis, who impressed coaches and teammates as a true freshman. He only appeared in four games, but made a ton of plays in practice throughout the year. 

At 6-foot-6, 232 pounds, Elksnis could emerge as a weapon for the Gators in the red zone and was targeted for a touchdown last season against USF. 

With Florida expected to run the ball more under new coach Billy Napier, Odom also has an opportunity to earn more snaps with his blocking ability. Gage Wilcox is an athletic, pass-catching tight end who could provide another option in the passing game. 

Bottom line

Getting Gamble back would have been huge, but this is Zipperer’s year to shine as a junior. He still needs to take the next step in his game and play with more consistency this spring. If he can’t, Elksnis will be pushing him for playing time. 

Offensive line

Departures: Jean Delance, Stewart Reese, Gerald Mincey (transferred to Tennessee)

Returners: Josh Braun, Kingsley Eguakun, Richard Gouraige, Ethan White, Michael Tarquin, Austin Barber, Will Harrod, Richie Leonard, Yousef Mugharbil, Riley Simonds, Jake Slaughter

Newcomers: O’Cyrus Torrence (Louisiana transfer), Kamryn Waites (Louisiana transfer)

Signees: David Conner, Jalen Farmer, Christian Williams (summer enrollees)

2021 production

From a statistical standpoint, Florida had one of the nation’s best offensive lines last season in pass protection and run blocking. 

The Gators allowed 14 sacks in 13 games, which ranked No. 1 in the SEC and was tied for fifth nationally. Their O-line gave up just three sacks through the first six games, but surrendered 11 sacks in the last seven contests. 

The unit also opened up holes for Florida’s backs in the run game. UF averaged 5.5 yards per carry, the fourth-highest mark in program history, and ranked first in the SEC and fourth in the FBS.

Kingsley Eguakun emerged at the center position and started all 13 games. Left tackle Richard Gouragie and right tackle Jean Delance both made 12 starts, with Gouraige missing the Vanderbilt game and Delance out against South Carolina. 

Offensive tackle Michael Tarquin started in place of Gouraige vs. Vandy and replaced Delance at USC. 

Ethan White started the first seven games at left guard before a high-ankle sprain sidelined him for the final five regular season games. Josh Braun took over for White after his injury and also started against Tennessee for right guard Stewart Reese, who made 11 starts last season.

Spring preview

Delance and Reese have moved on and Gerald Mincey decided to transfer to Tennessee after appearing in 10 games last season. With those departures, the Gators have 13 scholarship offensive linemen for spring ball. 

Eguakun (center), Gouraige (left tackle) and White (left guard) will likely resume their starting roles, while Braun is expected to switch to right tackle after contributing primarily at the guard position his first two years. 

Braun and Tarquin will presumably battle for the starting spot opposite Gouraige, and one of the two transfers from Louisiana should lock down the right guard position. 

O’Cyrus Torrence made 13 starts as a freshman in 2019 and started all 22 games the past two seasons, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020 and first-team honors in 2021. He should immediately step in and earn the starting spot vacated by Reese.

Interior lineman Richie Leonard and offensive tackle Yousef Mugharbil are two more linemen who could also push for playing time in 2022. Leonard appeared in eight games last season and made his first career start against Missouri. 

Bottom line

Eguakun will anchor an offensive line that should be solid on the left side with Gouraige and White back. Torrence could be an upgrade at right guard, but the Gators have to determine whether Braun or Tarquin will start at right tackle.