Florida Football 2012: Predicting the Pre-Spring Two-Deep Depth Chart

If you follow the Florida Gators and their page here on Bleacher Report, you already know that the Gators were a team in transition in 2011. The shortcomings of the 2011 season have been well documented here and on other Gator blogs and websites. 

Along with that, it has been well documented that the Gators have had a very productive offseason in an attempt to correct what went wrong a season ago and return to SEC and national prominence. 

The Gators were plagued by injury a season ago and have a new strength and conditioning coordinator, Jeff Dillman, who is putting the Gators through an Olympic-style lifting program. The offense was inept from Week 5 on, and the Gators have replaced their offensive coordinator with Brent Pease.

Along with a highly rated recruiting class, head coach Will Muschamp has the drive and ambition to turn things around at Florida. Starting with spring practice, the Gators will begin to lay the foundation for a successful season in 2012. 

This slideshow will be a two-deep depth chart at every position on offense and defense. This is just a projected depth chart and, because it is for spring practice, will not include injured players or the freshmen who are not enrolled in school already. That means all but six of the incoming freshmen and Dominique Easley will not be featured here even though they will have an opportunity to start in the summer and fall. 

Quarterback

Updated 3/29

Starter: Jacoby Brissett or Jeff Driskel 

Backup: Tyler Murphy 

3/29

Coach Will Muschamp has said that neither quarterback as distanced themselves thus far and both are stil listed as the starter as they split reps in camp. 

When the actual depth chart is released, it is very likely that Pease and Muschamp list both quarterbacks as the first-string signal caller and that the two split first-team reps 50-50. 

The Gators may not want to show their hand, as has been shown by holding closed practices, making this a likely ploy for the team. 

Brissett gets the early nod based on playing time from last season. Some of the playing time Brissett enjoyed last season may have been based on being recruited and signed by the former offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis. Whatever the case may be, whichever quarterback performs during spring and summer ball will win the starting job. 

Tailback and Fullback

Tailback 

Starter: Mike Gillislee 

Backup: Mack Brown

This two-deep depth chart differs slightly from my previous depth chart. The reason for the change is that I believe that Trey Burton will be spread out too much between fullback and tailback and that he is better suited as a full back/H back type of player.

The Gators are looking to get more physical at the running back position, and Burton's lack of experience at the position will cause him to think and play slower than he needs to play to make an impact here. Burton will see a lot of playing time, but it will come mainly as a receiving threat out of the backfield. 

This isn't what the depth chart will look like come the first of September, as the arrival of Matt Jones will greatly affect the running-back depth chart.

Updated 3/29 

The fullback is listed as Trey Burton OR Hunter Joyer. This should not come to any of us as a surprise as both players will do very different things in the offense. Joyer is more of a prototypical fullback while Burton is more of an H back who gives you a receiving option out of the backfield. 

Fullback 

Starter: Hunter Joyer 

Backup: Trey Burton 

Hunter Joyer had a surprising freshmen season, in that most people didn't know what kind of impact, if any, the fullback would have as a freshman. Joyer not only was more than adequate carrying the ball, but he also was a great run blocker. Joyer is the unquestioned starter at fullback and is built like a prototypical pro-style offense blocking fullback. 

Trey Burton will be used as more of an offensive threat when he is on the field. Burton has shown the ability to handle snaps, run the option and catch the ball effectively. Burton will get a lot of playing time and provide a reliable checkdown option for his quarterback.  

Receivers and Tight Ends

Updated 3/29

"X" Receiver 

Starter: Andre Debose

Backup: Stephen Alli

Alli has found his way into a backup role. The 6'6'' receiver has mainly seen time on special teams, but the wide receiver position is so thin, that really any receiver who shows consistency during the coming camps will earn significant playing time. 

Debose will be the Gators' No. 1 receiver in 2012. He has shown flashes of brilliance and, if he can become more consistent, could be an All-American type of player. 

Dunbar was the most hyped player coming out of spring last year and then disappeared for the most part during the season. Dunbar has the potential to be a good possession receiver if he can figure things out in a new offensive scheme. 

Updated 3/29

"Z" Receiver 

Starter: Quinton Dunbar

Backup: Solomon Patton

Dunbar has found his way into the starting lineup as Frankie Hammond has not been able to show the kind of consistency the coaches are looking for in the position. As previously stated, the WR depth chart will be in a constant state of uncertainty until a player shows the coaching staff they can be a reliable weapon in the new offense.

Hammond comes into his senior season as the veteran of the receiving core. Hammond has seen time in 35 contests, making 11 starts. Hammond has the most receptions of any receiver on the roster and will definitely be looking to end his career as a Gator on a high note. 

Ja'Juan Story is a big bodied receiver who took a redshirt in his first year on campus. Story was a quarterback in high school, and he needed the extra year to become comfortable at his new position.

At 6'3'' 206 lbs, Story has the prototypical size you want at the position, but it remains to be seen if he can complete his transition and make an impact. He will be given a chance this spring. 

Updated 3/29

Tight End

Starter: Jordan Reed

Backup: Clay Burton or Omarius Hines 

Clay Burton remains on offense, most likely to fill in the gap that is the tight end position. A.C. Leonard was recently brought back to the team after serving a six week suspension, which will give the position added depth until Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson arrive. 

Jordan Reed is the elder statesman at tight end and will be the unquestioned starter during spring practice. 

With the arrest and suspension of A.C. Leonard, the Gators will be thin at tight end this spring. Help and depth are on the way in the form of Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson, but that relief will not be felt until the summer. 

Offensive Line

Updated 3/29

Left Tackle 

Starter: Matt Patchan or Xavier Nixon

Backup: D.J. Humphries (freshman)

Somehow after the kind of season he had in 2011, Xavier Nixon is still up for a starting spot. However the coaches have been impressed with the physicality of Humphries thus far. 

Updated 3/29

Left Guard

Starter: James Wilson

Backup: Sam Robey

Jessamen Dunker has impressed the coaches so far, but with James Wilson being granted a 6th year of eligibility he has moved into the starting spot at LG. 

Updated 3/29

Center

Starter: Jonotthan Harrison

Backup: Kyle Koehne

Only changes here were moving Robey to guard and Koehne to backup center. 

Updated 3/29

Right Guard

Starter: Jon Halapio

Backup: Jessamen Dunker

This move is puzzling to me because Dunker was initially slated to compete for the starting left guard position. The coaches have been impressed with his play so far in camp. The return of James Wilson for a sixth year probably has something to do with the switch. 

Updated 3/29

Right Tackle 

Starter: Chaz Green or Matt Patchan

Backup: Xavier Nixon

Patchan has been working on both sides of the line in camp. 

The right side of the line will remain intact from 2011. Halapio is the only starter on the line that started and played every game at the same position last season. Harrison didn't start at the beginning of the season but ended up the starting center. Green was probably the best offensive linemen, when healthy, from last season. 

At left guard, Dunker has a real shot to be the starter from day one and I believe he will get the starting nod. 

Matt Patchan has had a injury-riddled career at Florida and will be given the opportunity to become a starter this season. D.J Humphries was the consensus No.1 linemen in this recruiting class and will be right on Patchan's heels all through camp. If Patchan gets injured, Humphries is more than capable of stepping in and starting right away. 

Buck

Updated 3/29

Starter: Ronald Powell 

Backup: Gideon Ajagbe

Lerentee McCray is out for spring camp with a shoulder injury. Ronald Powell earned defensive player of the day honors after the Gators first spring practice and has earned praise from all the coaches for his increased focus and better play so far in camp. 

The buck position was made for Ronald Powell. He is what NFL scouts would call a "tweener"—too small to play defensive end and too big to play linebacker.

Powell excels as a pass rusher when he can stand up, but can also play physical with his hand on the ground. He came on late last season and will look to continue that strong play into spring. 

Defensive Line

Updated 3/29

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Leon Orr 

Backup: Damien Jacobs

The defensive line has been riddled with injuries this spring and the linemen are having to play various positions to fill in the gaps. 

Updated 3/29

Nose Tackle 

Starter: Omar Hunter

Backup: Nick Alajajian

Updated 3/29

Defensive End

Starter: Sharrif Floyd

Backup: Tevin Westbrook

Due to injuries Floyd is forced back to defensive end, but is seeing time at tackle as well. Earl Okine will miss the rest of spring and Westbrook will move up into the second spot on the depth chart.  

The Gators play a hybrid defense where they can line up in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.

Sharrif Floyd showed what he can do when at tackle, recording 1.5 sacks in Florida's bowl game. He is a natural tackle and should be able to stay there once the entire recruiting class arrives on campus. That being the case, there is no point in having Floyd play defensive end in the spring if you know he will be making the switch back in the summer. 

The Gators' coaching staff would love for a defensive end to stand out this spring. Earl Okine will be a redshirt senior this year and is the early favorite to win the starting position. 

Again, you may notice that Dominique Easley is not on the depth chart because he had offseason surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. Easley will not be available for spring or summer, but should be ready for the start of the season. 

Linebackers

Updated 3/29

No change here. 

Middle Linebacker (MIKE)

Starter: Jon Bostic 

Backup: Michael Taylor

Updated 3/29

No change here.

Weak-side Linebacker (WILL)

Starter: Jelani Jenkins 

Backup: Antonio Morrison (freshman)

Updated 3/29

Strong-side Linebacker (SAM)

Starter: Darrin Kitchens

Backup: Graham Stewart 

With McCray out for spring following shoulder surgery, Kitchens and Stewart move up a spot on the depth chart. The starting SAM linebacker is still McCray's to lose when he returns. 

The starting linebacker core returns in 2012. All three linebackers were starters last season and will be starters again. Bostic and Jenkins are the heart and soul of the defense and will be leaders on and off the field against this season. 

The good news here is that Darrin Kitchens has been cleared to play football again. Kitchens suffered a scary neck injury against Florida State, and he will be eager to get back on to the field and play football again. 

Cornerback

Updated 3/29

Cornerback 1

Starter: Loucheiz Purifoy 

Backup: Willie Bailey

While Roberson was partially cleared , he was not cleared for contact. So while he is still out practicing, he is not included in the depth chart and won't participate in any of the scrimmages.  

Updated 3/29

Cornerback 2

Starter: Cody Riggs

Backup: Jaylen Watkins 

No change here. 

Roberson suffered a neck injury in a loss to South Carolina that cost him the remainder of the season. Muschamp has said that Roberson will be back for spring practice  and his role as a starter is pretty much set in stone. 

The second cornerback slot will be up for grabs. Cody Riggs began the season as the starer but was replaced by Watkins towards the end of the year. Watkins and Riggs will go at it in the spring to start opposite Roberson. 

Safety

Updated 3/29

Strong Safety

Starter: Matt Elam 

Backup: De'Ante "Pop" Saunders

In an interesting development, Saunders moves over to strong safety behind Matt Elam. 

Updated 3/29

Free Safety

Starter: Josh Evans

Backup: Valdez Showers

Josh Evans is donning a new number and a new starting role. 

Saunders will be the starter to begin spring practice, but if he slips up, either on or off the field, Evans will be right on his heels waiting for an opportunity. 

If Bostic and Jenkins are the heart and soul of the defense, Matt Elam is the backbone. He has shown an ability to play up against the line of scrimmage as well as in coverage.

Elam exhibits the kind of skill that will have NFL scouts eager for the junior-to-be to leave early and enter the draft. Whether this is Elam's last season in Gainesville or not, one thing is for sure: Elam will start at strong safety. 

Special Teams

Updated 3/29

No Change here. 

Placekicker 

Starter: Caleb Sturgis

Backup: Brad Phillips

Updated 3/29

No change here. 

Punter

Starter: Kyle Christy

Backup: Todd Fennell 

Sturgis will be a finalist for the Lou Groza award come the end of the season. He is the unquestioned starter as long as he can stay healthy. Brad Phillips is the backup for spring but Austin Hardin will enroll in the summer and is the kicker of the future. 

Kyle Christy showed some promise in his first season punting for the Gators. With David Lerner out of eligibility, Christy will be the unquestioned starter at punter. 

Spring practice will begin in a few days on March 14th, with only two practices—on the 16th and 17th—being open to the public. These will be the first open practices since Will Muschamp was hired as head coach. Spring practice will culminate in the Orange and Blue Debut on April 7th at 1pm.