Florida Gators Football: 10 Players Who Will Be Key to Gators' Success

2011 was a disappointing season by all accounts for the Florida Gators. 

Despite the addition of Charlie Weis as the offensive coordinator, the Gators managed only 25.5 points per game in Will Muschamp's first season as head coach. 

Defensively, the Gators had an underwhelming pass rush and couldn't stop the run against the likes of Alabama, LSU and South Carolina. 

With a young roster and a promising incoming freshman class, the Gators have a chance to improve on last year's 7-6 campaign. 

While the defense has some key established starters, the offense needs some former top recruits to step up in 2012. 

Let's take a look at the 10 players who will be key to UF's success. 

Jonathan Bullard, Defensive End

For years, the Gators have churned out defensive linemen to the NFL.

Bullard, a 6’4”, 255-pound freshman, could be the next great pass-rusher to emerge from The Swamp.

With incumbent starter Ronald Powell sidelined with a torn ACL, Bullard should be in the mix to take over at the buck position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role that requires a player to be adept at setting the edge, dropping into coverage and getting after the quarterback.

According to his evaluation on Scout.com, Bullard’s strengths are his body control, balance, disengaging skills and strength. These qualities would translate well to the buck position, a spot where Bullard may have to play right away. 

Jaylen Watkins, Cornerback

Like the defensive line, Florida has a tradition of producing top-notch defensive backs, as Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Major Wright and Reggie Nelson were all top-75 picks.

Watkins, a Cape Coral native, has excellent size for a corner at 6’0”, 187 pounds, and he gained valuable starting experience in 2011.

His speed and ball skills suggest he could grow into a top cover corner, but he needs to become more consistent in 2012.

If he takes that next step, it will be a big boost for a secondary without a ton of established stars.  

Matt Elam, Safety

Like Wright and Nelson, Elam can be the next great safety for the Gators.

The 5’10”, 210-pounder was Scout’s Inc.’s No. 2 safety of the 2010 class, and it’s easy to see why.

Elam’s thick build and aggression make him intimidating in the secondary, but he also shows an ability to play man coverage with seven passes defended and two interceptions in 2011.

The junior is considered one of the leaders of the defense and the captain of the secondary.

If he stays healthy and continues to make impact plays, the secondary could become the team’s strength.   

Jonathan Bostic, Middle Linebacker

Playing behind Brandon Spikes seems to have done some good for the rising senior.

Hitting the weight room and gaining 19 pounds of muscle since he arrived in Gainesville doesn’t hurt, either.

With 38 appearances, including 19 starts, under his belt, Bostic is the most experienced defensive player and a beast in the middle.

Although he still has to improve his coverage skills, Bostic is an animal as a run defender, leading the team with 94 total tackles, including 10 for loss, last season.

His intensity, size and speed bode well for his NFL future. 

Jelani Jenkins, Weak-Side Linebacker

Like Bostic, Jenkins has matured into one of the most valuable players on the defensive side of the ball since he arrived in Gainesville as the top-ranked weak-side linebacker, according to Scout’s Inc.

Listed at just 200 pounds as a senior in high school, Jenkins tips the scales at a rock-solid 233 pounds as he enters his redshirt-junior season.

Despite bulking up, his trademark speed hasn’t been affected, as his sideline-to-sideline pursuit skills are some of the best in the SEC.

Jenkins has been consistent over the past two seasons, recording 76 tackles in 2010 and 75 in 2011.

As a weak-side linebacker with incredible athleticism, he needs to make more game-changing plays. 

Sharrif Floyd, Defensive Tackle

While Powell came to UF as the top recruit of the 2010 class, Floyd has far outplayed him.

This shouldn’t be a big surprise, as Floyd was the No. 1 defensive tackle that year.

However, because of a lack of depth last year, Floyd was forced to play defensive end despite his prototypical interior build (6’3”, 305 pounds).

Even though he played out of position, Floyd still recorded 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

With a strong freshman defensive end class, Floyd should return to his natural position and could challenge for All-SEC honors this fall. 

Andre Debose, Wide Receiver

Whether it’s his fault or not, Debose has always been a letdown when compared to Percy Harvin.

The player once dubbed by Urban Meyer as “the best player in America” has never lived up to his uber-recruit status.

Although he flashed big-play ability in 2011, averaging 27 yards per catch and 26.1 on kick returns, he has yet to develop into the consistent playmaker that this offense so desperately needs.

Debose’s career got off to a rocky start due to a torn hamstring, preventing him from playing his freshman year, and 2012 could be a make-or-break year for the former 5-star recruit. 

Xavier Nixon, Offensive Tackle

What started out as a promising career ended on a sour note in 2011.

After making the SEC All-Freshman team in 2009, Nixon’s play has declined, culminating in a disappointing junior campaign that was derailed by an illness that caused him to lose a good chunk of weight.

According to Robbie Andreu of Gator Sports, Nixon has put the weight back on and looked good in spring practice.

The Gators need him to solidify the offensive line and protect Jeff Driskel or Jacoby Brissett’s blind side. 

Mike Gillislee, Running Back

Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps electrified The Swamp with big plays, but the best pure running back on the team might have been on the bench.

Despite playing third fiddle to the Rainey/Demps combo, Gillislee has quietly averaged 6.3 yards on 145 carriers since 2009.

With no other experienced back on the roster, Gillislee has the chance to become Will Muschamp’s go-to guy.

In order to win in the SEC, you have to be able to run the ball and play tough defense. Gillislee needs to step up. 

Jeff Driskel, Quarterback

The success of the offense begins and ends with the quarterback.

After an unimpressive first season of spot duty, Driskel needs to take the reigns if he hopes to avoid becoming the next John Brantley.

The former Gatorade Florida Player of Year and consensus No. 1 quarterback of the 2011 class was expected to be a perfect fit for Urban Meyer’s spread offense.

Although Muschamp runs a more pro-style attack, Driskel’s physical tools should still translate to success in the SEC.

Driskel is battling fellow sophomore Brissett for the starting spot, and it would be a disappointment if the former top recruit doesn't grasp the opportunity.