Florida Spring Game: Top Positional Battles to Track in Gainesville

After a disappointing 7-6 season in 2011, the Florida Gators are chomping at the bit to makes strides in 2012.

Quarterback will undoubtedly be a position to keep track of with John Brantley gone, but there are plenty of other positional battles to check out when the Gators kick off their spring game on Saturday.

Here's a look at the top positional battles to keep an eye on in Gainesville.

Receiver

This competition for the receiving starting spots appears to be the most open of the positional battles this spring. Quinton Dunbar and Andre Debose appear to be the favorites, while freshman Latroy Pittman has a shot.

Dunbar had a relatively disappointing year in 2011. He caught 14 balls for 216 yards and two touchdowns. But his athletic ability is tremendous, and if he can stay focused and learn the game more, he has a great shot at making an impact.

Head coach Will Muschamp said:

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Quinton's always worked extremely hard and he had a great offseason. Now he's a year older. I challenged him in front of the entire team and said ‘you're not a freshman anymore. It's time to take the next step as a football player.'

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Debose was the Gators' leading receiver last season, racking up 432 yards and four touchdowns (both team highs). But, according to CBSSports.com, he hasn't looked particularly good in the spring.

Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said that he hoped Debose would kick it into gear.

“I would hope (he would), but I haven't seen that. He's working through some offseason injuries,” Pease said.

If Debose doesn't get things together, that could open up the starting spot to Pittman, who has reportedly been impressive during camp.

Muschamp said (via GatorSports.com):

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He does some nice things vertically down the field (and) he blocks. We just got to get him to learn how to line up sometimes, but that's part of the deal.

He's passing some guys up. He understands every-down performance, blocking and doing things you've got to do to be successful, and reading coverages and seeing coverages. He goes out and makes plays.

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You can bet that all three guys will be looking to make an impact on Saturday.

Cornerback

Starter Marcus Roberson hasn't been cleared for contact this spring yet, but you can bet his starting gig is safe after last season's performance. That leaves four cornerbacks vying for the spot opposite him: Jaylen Watkins, Cody Riggs, Brian Poole and Willie Bailey.

Watkins and Riggs both received a lot of playing time last season and have both seen their fair share of ups and downs. But Watkins does have an advantage over Riggs based on his size, as Muschamp generally prefers bigger defensive players in his physical schemes.

Watkins impressed in two open practices, notching three interceptions, and appears set for the second starting spot:

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I feel like I'm starting to separate myself as far as being physical and trying to create turnovers. Those are my two biggest things that I didn't do last year. At times, I wasn't physical, and at times I was right there and didn't make the play. That's all I focus on now, and it's starting to turn out good for me.

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Quarterback

Sophomores Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett appear to be neck-and-neck for the starting job this spring, so much so that Muschamp won't be announcing the starter after the spring game.

But that doesn't mean the spring game won't factor into the Gators' ultimate decision.

Muschamp said (via Fox Sports Florida):

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In the long run of winning the job, it certainly does [matter]. But it’s not going to be D-Day. Right now it’s too close to call as far as the competition is concerned to take one day over the others.

Would it be important? Certainly.

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Muschamp also praised both quarterbacks for their play during the offseason:

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The game has slowed down for them. Both guys have done some nice things for us.

Both guys are competing at a high level in my opinion. They have both done outstanding things through spring. I am very pleased with their progress.

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While the spring game won't be the final factor in the all-important quarterback duel, it does have the ability to create separation between the two sophomores. This is going to be a close, exciting positional battle to watch this spring.

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