Florida Football: Predicting the Gators' Top Point Scorers

The Gators are coming off a year where their offense was one of the worst in the nation and in school history. 

The offense was so bad at times that at some points in 2011, the Gators' best chance to score in a game seemed to be with a punt or kick return. 

2012 brings a new offensive coordinator and new hope for the Gators offense. Brent Pease spent the last six seasons at Boise State and served as the offensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2011.

Boise State finished with the fifth-rated scoring offense in the nation and ninth in total offense. Pease is bringing a new offense full of pre-snap motion, different sets, and of course, a little of the trickery that Boise has become famous for. 

The Gators offense cannot get much worse than it was in 2011.

Let's take a look at the players who will be doing that scoring for the Gators in 2012. 

Kent Taylor, TE

Army All-American recruit Kent Taylor makes the list due to his pass size, pass-catching ability and speed. 

Taylor was rated as the best tight end in the country according to Rivals and will certainly make an impact for the Gators as a freshman. 

At 6'5'' Taylor is too big to be covered by most defensive backs but possesses the speed to separate from linebackers. Taylor will get early playing time in two tight end sets and could even be lined up in the slot and out wide in some formations. 

Taylor is the kind of threat at tight end that the Gators haven't had since Aaron Hernandez, and he will battle Jordan Reed for playing time all season. 

Trey Burton, FB

Who holds the record for most touchdowns in a single game?

Tim Tebow? Danny Wuerrfel? Percy Harvin?

The answer is Trey Burton. As a freshman, Burton accounted for six touchdowns against Kentucky. Burton has played everything from quarterback to fullback in his time in Gainesville and will play a sort of H-Back position for the Gators this year. 

Burton will be used as a fullback who can catch passes out of the backfield, and his versatility gives the offense more options. Burton has proven that he can catch the ball consistently and is good after the catch. 

Jordan Reed, TE

Speaking of Jordan Reed, he also finds himself on this list. 

Reed caught 28 passes for 307 yards in 2011 but only found the end zone twice. Like Burton, Reed has been bounced around during his time as a Gator. Reed was a quarterback in high school but recruited to play tight end. Reed has seen time at both positions but played tight end exclusively last season. 

Having a full season of playing just one position should help Reed's progression, but he will have Taylor, A.C. Leonard and Christian Thompson all vying for playing time behind him. 

If Reed learns that he's allowed to have his feet on the ground when he catches a ball and can become more of a YAC threat, he could become one of the biggest mismatches and a real weapon for the Gators. 

Latroy Pittman, WR

Latroy PIttman may have gone under most Gator fans' radars during recruiting, but they, for sure, know about him now.

After enrolling early, Pittman was one of the most consistent receivers the Gators had this spring. Receiver is a position of need for the Gators and being a consistent, reliable threat will earn you playing time.

Pittman is a physical receiver who can not only catch, but enjoys blocking. With the kind of offense Will Muschamp wants to run, blocking is a must for any receiver who wants to see the field.

Although he's just a freshman, expect to see a lot of Latroy Pittman in 2012 for the Gators.

Andre Debose, WR

Andre Debose is the biggest home run threat the Gators offense will have in 2012. Simply put, Debose is electrifying with the ball in his hands. 

Debose caught four touchdowns in 2011 and returned a kick for a touchdown. With Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey both gone, Debose should see more time on special teams returning kicks. 

The only knock on Debose is his consistency. Debose was held catchless three times in 2011 and never caught more than three passes in a single game.

His consistency issues continued this spring, but if he can become a reliable target, the sky, and end zone, is the limit for this talented receiver. 

Mike Gillislee, RB

After waiting and waiting, and then some more waiting, it's finally Mike Gillislee's turn to be the feature back for the Gators. 

Gillislee has the size and speed that Muschamp is looking for in a tailback and will have to perform early to stay ahead of incoming freshmen Matt Jones. 

Gillislee is firmly planted as the starter and will be given every opportunity to keep that title. If Gillislee can stay healthy and the Gators stick to their plan to be a run-first team, Gilly will be in the end zone often this season. 

Quinton Dunbar, WR

After another strong spring performance, Quinton Dunbar is poised for a breakout season. 

Dunbar was heralded by the coaching staff after a strong showing last spring but struggled to make an impact during the season. 

2012 will be a new year for Dunbar, and I think that he and Pittman will become a solid one-two punch for the Gators' passing attack. 

As the offensive coordinator and play-caller for Boise State, Brent Pease had two receivers catch 62 passes with another hauling in 43.

Pease's offense will spread the ball around, but look for Dunbar along with Pittman to catch their fair share of passes and find the end zone. 

Jeff Driskel, QB

With the quarterback battle drawing out longer and longer, it's looking more and more like the Gators will feature a two-quarterback system for at least part of next season. 

Jeff Driskel is a true dual-threat quarterback who can beat defenses both with his arm and his legs. Driskel showed off his accuracy and arm going 12-of-14 passing and scored a rushing touchdown. 

Driskel will need to learn to let plays develop fully before taking off but must always remember that his mobility is an asset that can be used to take advantage of defenses.

Jacoby Brissett, QB

If the Gators do indeed use a two-quarterback system, Brissett will have his chance to find the end zone. 

Brissett is slightly smaller than Driskel but is the more of a traditional pocket passer. Although he is a pocket passer, Brissett has adequate mobility and can scramble when forced out of the pocket. 

Brissett has a rocket for an arm but might trust it a little too much. Several times last season, Brissett threw ill-advised passes into coverage rather than trying to run or even throw the ball away.

Brissett needs to learn that throwing a ball away or scrambling for a few yards is better than an interception. 

Caleb Sturgis, K

Caleb Sturgis will likely lead the Gators in scoring in 2012. Even in a down offensive year, Sturgis still connected on 22 field goals and was a perfect 31-of-31 on extra point attempts. 

The Gators will score more this season than in 2011, and every time the offense scores, Sturgis will be there to tack on an extra point or hit a field goal for the Gators.