Florida Spring Game: 3 Players Who Will Emerge as Starters

Following a 7-6 season full of growing pains, Will Muschamp enters his second season as the Florida Gators head coach with some positions to fill. 

The quarterback position is by far the most well-known battles for position, as two emerging sophomores both showed potential in 2011 combined with less-than-average play. 

The departure of a large senior class and a few draft departures have made for holes in the defense that could be won decidedly at The Orange and Blue Debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday afternoon. 

Let's take a look at who will be winning starting positions in Florida's upcoming spring game.

Jeff Driskel

Driskel has been the heir apparent to John Brantley since he came on campus, and that will only be reaffirmed Saturday. 

At the start of spring practice, Driskel was taking more of the first-team snaps, according to Florida receivers. 

No. 1 quarterback in his national class, Driskel didn't get much of a chance to prove himself in 2011. He only completed 16-of-34 passes in his true freshman campaign, but saw time against Alabama and Auburn.

At 6'4", 232 pounds, his size and pocket presence are what's going to put him over the top in his race for the starting position with Jacoby Brissett. 

Leon Orr

At 6'5", 305 pounds, the redshirt sophomore Leon Orr looks to build off considerable playing time for a starting position in 2012. 

He appeared in all 13 games in 2011, so the coaches apparently like him enough to get him some reps. It wouldn't be surprising for him to be a main D-tackle in Florida's formidable front seven.

The No. 8 defensive tackle in his class, Orr has been able to develop in what has been a deep Gator roster. Now his time has come and he'll get the chance to be a starter after a strong showing Saturday. 

Mike Gillislee

The departure of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps has left a huge hole in Florida's rushing attack, but Gillislee's more power-heavy and physical running style will be a nice change on a team that's usually filled with fast-footed rushing. 

Gillislee is a seasoned senior in Florida's backfield, but still hasn't completely claimed their starting back position. Look for him to do that behind a line that is better fit for a powerful rusher. 

It's obvious that Florida's backs are going to be fairly bigger since Demps and Rainey were both under 190 and about 5'7", but it'll be interesting to see how Florida's offensive output reacts in the change.