The Very Early 2009 Florida Gators Season Preview

After a team wins a national title, there usually isn't anywhere to go but down.

Unless, of course, they repeat.

I know it's something that rarely happens (Nebraska was the last team to repeat, doing so in 1994 and 1995), but this Florida Gators team has as good a chance as any to pull it off. They return Tim Tebow, and the entire defense--two deep, no less. Young players like Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey will be a year older and wiser in the offense, and the defense, led by 1st Team All-American Brandon Spikes, will be poised to become even better than they were this year. Will they be able to win it all?

Offense: General

Key Losses:
Louis Murphy- WR
Percy Harvin- WR
Phil Trautwein- OT
Jason Watkins- OT

Key Additions:
Andre Debose- WR
Xavier Nixon- OL
Nick Alajajian- OL

Strengths: Relative experience, Tim Tebow's leadership and level of play, abundance of speed

Weaknesses: Lack of proven WRs

The four losses really hurt the Gators; Murphy was a dependable deep threat at receiver, and Harvin was one of the most electrifying players in the country. If there's a question mark at any position for this team coming into next year, it's wide receiver. Riley Cooper's career has been inconsistent thus far, Deonte Thompson didn't get many touches, and Carl Moore was unable to live up to the hype. However, the Florida run game should help to take the pressure off of the receivers; Rainey and Demps were effective when they got touches, and Tebow is still a threat to run with the ball as well. In terms of recruiting, the biggest need was along the offensive line, and the Gators did an outstanding job of filling that need by signing five linemen. The Pouncey twins will anchor the line along with Carl Johnson, who played extremely well after being inserted into the starting lineup mid-season. After them, freshmen Xavier Nixon and Nick Alajajian could compete for time along the front five. Overall, the offense, which finished 4th in the country in scoring offense, shouldn't suffer a big dropoff with the weapons that they return.

Offense: Position Specific

QB:
When you have Tim Tebow leading the charge, everything else is a lot easier. At this point, there's no need to talk about what Tebow brings to the Gators; we all know how effective he can be. Beyond him, John Brantley has shown that he can lead the offense as well, going 18-28 for 235 yards with 3 TDs in relief of the Heisman-winning QB. Florida should be in safe hands once Tebow leaves. Behind Brantlet, however, is a big question mark; backup Cameron Newton was suspended during the year after a theft charge, and he is set to transfer. Florida filled his open spot by signing Jordan Reed with this year's recruiting class, but he's far from being a proven commodity at this point. Fortunately, he should have a year to adjust to Meyer's offense with Tebow being the team's unquestioned starter at QB.
Combined Stats from 2008: 211-329 (64.1 completion percentage), 33 TDs, 5 INTs
Grade: B+
Projected Starter: Tim Tebow

RB:
Florida finished the year 10th in the nation in rushing offense, led by redshirt freshman Chris Rainey and true freshman Jeffrey Demps. Both made an impact for the team during Florida's game against Arkansas, in which both players ran for over 100 yards. Both have a penchant for the big play, as they ripped off runs of 44, 75, 42, 73, and 38 yards during the year. As a tandem, they averaged over 7 yards per carry. Losing Harvin hurts here because he made such a big impact on the offense; he caused matchup issues for the defense, and made it easier for Demps and Rainey to make plays. However, Tebow is still a capable runner, as he led the team in rush yards with 673; he should take the pressure off of the duo. What is not known at this point is how Emmanuel Moody will fit into the equation; after a solid game against Tennessee, the back was used sparingly for the rest of the season. With Demps and Rainey emerging as playmakers, where does that leave the USC transfer? That remains to be seen. The Gator's depth at the position took a bit of a hit with the losses of Kestahn Moore (graduation) and Mon Williams (transfer), but with Demps, Rainey, Moody, and a fourth RB in incoming recruit Mike Gillesee, the Gators are still fine at tailback.
Combined Stats from 2008: 234 carries, 1733 yards (7.4 yards per carry), 13 TDs
Grade: A
Projected Starters: Chris Rainey and Jeffrey Demps

WR/TE:
With the departures of Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin, the Gators are going to have some big shoes to fill at wide receiver. Redshirt sophomore Deonte Thompson, Riley Cooper, and David Nelson are going to have to become more reliable targets for Tim Tebow; JUCO senior Carl Moore-- who was hyped as a tremendous recruit for Meyer last year--is going to have to live up to the hype. Otherwise, it's going to be on a group of receivers who hasn't played a single down in college football, a group that includes last year's recruits in Omarius Hines and Frankie Hammond Jr., and a receiver Meyer landed this year in Andre Debose. Debose, who's been lauded as the next Percy Harvin, is the centerpiece of Florida's most recent recruiting class and looks to make an impact for the team this year. If Cooper, Thompson, or Nelson are unable to step up, then Debose could definitely see important playing time. On a positive note, however, the three made the most of their playing time this year, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging over 16 yards per catch. Additionally, tight end Aaron Hernandez emerged as a reliable target for Tebow in the absence of Cornelius Ingram; he led all SEC tight ends in receptions (34) and touchdowns (5). If the receiving corps struggles, look for him to get more touches in the offense.
Combined Stats for 2008: 96 receptions, 1323 yards (13.78 yards per catch), 17 TDs
Grade: B-
Projected Starters (WR): Riley Cooper and Deonte Thompson
Projected Starter (TE): Aaron Hernandez

Offensive Line:
Losing two seniors doesn't help things, but Florida's line was so good last year that their losses may not be as significant as with a lesser unit. Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, and Carl Johnson all played at a high level last year, helping Florida become one of the best running teams in the country and only surrendering 16 sacks. The two open positions look to be filled by the likes of Marcus Gilbert, James Wilson, Maurice Hurt, as well as the incoming freshmen Florida has signed this year. One of those recruits, Xavier Nixon, is highly regarded and could see early playing time this year. With the Pouncey twins to anchor the line, however, the front five should be fine.
Grade: B+
Projected Starters: Xavier Nixon, Maurice Hurt, Mike Pouncey, Maurkice Pouncey, and Carl Johnson

Overall Grade for the Offense: A-

Defense: General

Key Losses: None

Key Additions:
Joshua Evans- DB
Jelani Jenkins- LB
Gary Brown- DT

Strengths: No losses on defense, abundance of talent and experience

Weaknesses: None

Florida's defense could very well be the best of 2009; the unit returns everyone two-deep this year, including First Team All-American Brandon Spikes. Spikes, the leader of the defense, anchors a defensive team with talent and experience brimming at every position, and that's probably the most scary thing about them: there's no one person you can gameplan for. Along the defensive line, it's not just about Carlos Dunlap or Lawrence Marsh, you also have to worry about Terron Sanders and Torrey Davis. At linebacker, Spikes might be the most intimidating figure, but you also have to contend with Ryan Stamper, Brandon Hicks, and Dustin Doe. As for the defensive backfield, Major Wright might lay the wood if you come over the middle, but Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden aren't going to let you throw it to the sidelines, either. Simply put, the defense is stacked. They were top 10 in scoring defense last year, and held the highest scoring team in college football history to 14 points; this year, with the new players they have, they could be even better.

Defense: Position Specific

Defensive Line: This time last year, I said Florida's front four was a potential liability. This year, they might be the strongest part of the defense. They were top 10 against the run last year, and they were able to pressure the quarterback better than they did the year before. Carlos Dunlap led the SEC with 9.5 sacks--despite splitting time of the position with Justin Trattou. Marsh and Sanders took up space in the middle and were able to become good run stoppers last year, and with the talent available this year, defensive line coach Dan McCarney might have the line even better this year. Torrey Davis looks to build off of a strong showing in the national title game, and could see more playing time; Omar Hunter, who was one of Florida's most cherished recruits last year, could also see the field for the first time. At to that other players such as Brandon Antwine, Tory Epps, and incoming freshman Gary Brown, and you could have a stable of talented players all vying for playing time.
Grade: A
Projected Starters: Carlos Dunlap, Lawrence Marsh, Terron Sanders, Jermaine Cunningham

Linebackers: Just as Tim Tebow leads the Gator offense, Brandon Spikes leads the Gator defense. Whenever Florida needed a big play, Spikes delivered; see his interceptions against LSU and South Carolina, as well as his big hit on Georgia's Knowshon Moreno as proof of his big-play ability. His contributions to the team last year don't need to be explained again. Beyond him, though, other players stepped up as well; Stamper may be the defense's most versatile player given his ability to play all three linebacker spots, and other guys like Brandon Hicks, Dustin Doe, and AJ Jones all played well in their playing time. This year, others such as Brendan Beal, Lerentee McCray, and William Green all look to see the field more, and will push the guys above them on the depth chart even more. All of them are speedy, talented, and eager to play; the end result of this? A higher level of play.
Grade: A+
Projected Starters: Brandon Hicks, Brandon Spikes, Ryan Stamper

Defensive Back: Last year, this was undoubtedly the biggest question mark of the team. Florida was 98th in pass defense in 2007, and Joe Haden and Major Wright had more low moments than high ones. Last year, though, Haden and Wright stepped up their play; Haden became a good corner, and Wright became a more consistent enforcer over the middle (though he still struggles in pass coverage). However, it was two new additions that solidified the back four; Ahmad Black, who many thought would be the temporary starter until then-freshman Will Hill matured, finished second in the country in interceptions and became a major force on defense. Freshman Janoris Jenkins quickly became the team's best cornerback, using his speed and ball instincts to make play after play. This year, all four return, and with guys like Will Hill (who played very well during the second half of the year) and newcomers in Dee Finley and Joshua Evans, the defensive backfield should be even better this year.
Grade: A
Projected Starters: Janoris Jenkins, Joe Haden, Ahmad Black, Major Wright

Overall Grade for the Defense: A

Potential Breakout Player on Offense: Andre Debose

Potential Breakout Player on Defense: Brandon Hicks

Season Schedule and Outlook:
Charleston Southern
Troy
Tennessee
at Kentucky
at LSU
Arkansas
at Mississippi State
Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Vanderbilt
at South Carolina
Florida International
Florida State

The OOC games minus FSU are cake, and Florida has an easy home schedule. Tennessee seems to be in rebuilding mode, and Arkansas still has some kinks to work out before being able to compete with the SEC's best. Florida has three tough games on its schedule: FSU, LSU, and South Carolina. FSU loses Everette Brown, but returns the majority of their starters in what could be a trap game for Florida. LSU was young last year, but should be better this year; with the talent they bring in this year, they could pose a threat, particularly in Death Valley. South Carolina brings in talent, and should also field another stout defense as the Gators come into Columbia. Those three games should be tough, but Florida's blend of talent, speed, experience, and good coaching should be enough to get the Gators through the schedule with a top 10 ranking and a SEC Championship berth. And if it's not going too far out on a limb, I'll say.........





The Gators run the table next year. All the way. 14-0.