Florida Football: 5 Most Important Redshirt Freshmen and Transfers

Will Muschamp is working towards rebuilding a program that had become a national power in the four years prior to his hiring.

The Gators have learned that it is a long fall from the top, but should be optimistic about their chances in 2012.

Since Muschamp has taken over the team there has been a mass exodus of players leaving Gainesville. The Gators have had 11 players transfer since Muschamp took over and Gator fans should look at those transfers in a positive light. Muschamp is getting rid of the players who do not fit his scheme and have not bought into his coaching style. It is better to have fewer players on the team than to have a full roster that doesn't buy into your system.

For all the losses the Gators have had they are still building and working towards 2012. Muschamp had only a couple of months to build a recruiting class in 2011, but still managed the 12th rated class according to Rivals. That class of 19 players saw two players transfer to other schools and four players take a redshirt.

Let's take a look at those redshirt freshmen as well as a transfer who will be a big part of the football program.

Max Garcia

Highly sought after transfer Max Garcia choose the Florida Gators recently. Garcia, a 6'4'', 290-lb offensive tackle, will have to sit out the 2012 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will provide the Gators with more depth in practice. Depth is something the Gators have lacked on both sides of the line and having extra bodies in at practice will really benefit the Gators in 2012.

Garcia will be eligible to play in 2013 and with the graduation of Xavier Nixon, could be in the mix for a starting job along the line.

Valdez Showers

Coming into Florida as a four-star recruit doesn't mean that you will play right away.

Valdez Showers took a redshirt his freshman year and has made the transition from cornerback to safety for his sophomore season.

For some reason after starting seven games a year ago, De'Ante "Pop" Saunders has lost favor with the coaches and fallen down the depth chart. This has created room at free safety and Showers took advantage of that. After a very good spring practice he has risen to the backup free safety spot behind senior, Josh Evans. Evans appears to have the job for know, but Showers is a young hungry player who will see plenty of playing time this season.

Showers has above average coverage ability and could also be used as a nickel back in some packages.

Damien Jacobs

Damien Jacobs is a junior college transfer who will have two years of eligibility at Florida.

Jacobs originally committed to Florida State university but failed to qualify academically. Jacobs spent the past two seasons playing for East Mississippi Community College.  Jacobs choose UF over Tennessee and will make an immediate impact for the Gators this fall.

Jacobs will play along the defensive line, primarily at tackle, but could also shift outside and play end in some 3-4 packages.

Tommy Jordan

The Gators are weak at offensive guard. Jon Halapio has earned a starting spot at the right huard position and sixth-year senior James Wilson has earned the starting spot at left guard.

You don't become a sixth-year senior if you have not been susceptible to injury in your career. Wilson's name is merely penciled in at the starting left guard position and redshirt freshman Tommy Jordan could be a player to replace the senior if he were to fall to another injury.

Jordan was redshirted his freshman year after having shoulder surgery, but had remained healthy since then.

Like Garcia, Jordan will give the Gators much needed depth and an extra body in practice. Unlike Garcia, Jordan is eligible to play in 2012 and could see time on the offensive line and on special teams.

Ja'Juan Story

The biggest position of need for the Gators on offense is wide receiver.

The Gators are so thin at receiver that any player who shows promise and reliability will be given their fair share of playing time. Andre Debose and Frankie Hammond Jr. are the elder statesmen at the position but neither player was consistent enough during the spring to warrant being named a starter.

Debose still lacks consistency and he showed that in the spring game, catching just one pass albeit for 44 yards. Hammond has played in more games, 31, than any other receiver on the team but he was consistently outplayed by Latroy Pittman this spring.

Ju'Juan Story has the perfect size for what the Gators are looking for at receiver and had a year off to better learn the position as he made the switch from quarterback. Story didn't have as good of a spring as Pittman or Dunbar but with the lack of consistency and reliability at the position he will still have a chance to earn playing time this fall.