When Should Florida Realistically Contend for the SEC East?

When "McElwain Watch 2014" ended in early December, it was a breath of fresh air in Gainesville.

Gator Nation bid farewell to the days of inept offenses and welcomed with open arms McElwain—a highly accomplished offensive mind who's been successful at every stop, including as Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2008-2011.

But that 180-degree turn might take more time than it has for other coaches in the SEC.

While Florida does take up real estate in the SEC East, which is still building back to the behemoth it once was, there are still some major roster holes for McElwain to fill.

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Most notably, at quarterback.

Sophomore dual threat and returning starter Treon Harris has the experience but doesn't necessarily fit the more pro-style system that McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier typically employ. Redshirt freshman Will Grier is a better fit for the system but doesn't have a college snap under his belt.

Player	Comp./Att.	Comp. %	Yds	TDs	INTs	Sacks Taken
Treon Harris	6-of-10	60.0	94	1	0	0
Will Grier	8-of-10	80.0	136	0	0	1

Up front, Florida has the third-most inexperienced offensive line in the country with just 10 starts with the program, according to PhilSteele.com. Those 10 belong to guard Trip Thurman, who's nursing a shoulder injury and might not be ready for the fall.

McElwain had a plan, though.

"We were just thin at some areas, and that's pretty obvious," McElwain said in May. "That was the hand that we were dealt, and I look forward to piecing that thing together, and there are probably going to be some new names on the roster."

McElwain has brought in two transfers since spring practice came to a close in two-time FCS All-American graduate transfer tackle Mason Halter and freshman T.J. McCoy—who is eligible immediately after being granted a hardship waiver, according to Luis Torres of the Palm Beach Post.

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Because of those two glaring weaknesses and uncertainties, it's unrealistic for the Gators to expect to contend for the SEC East title in 2015.

After all, Missouri has proved that it can be the class of the division in spite of major roster holes of its own over the last two seasons, Tennessee has had a three-year head start on rebuilding its program, and Georgia will—at the very worst—be in the mix.

The 2016 season, though, should be one in which the Gators are legitimately in the mix well into November.

The young offensive line—which will include six freshman enrolling this summer, including 5-star stud Martez Ivey—will have plenty of experience under its belt, the quarterback situation should be somewhat stabilized, and the defense should keep the Gators in plenty of games, just as it has while the offense has struggled over the last few years.

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Sure, stud cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III will probably jump to the NFL after this year, linebacker Antonio Morrison and defensive lineman Jon Bullard will exhaust their eligibility, and there might be some other unexpected turnover based on stars who emerge in 2015.

But cornerback Jalen Tabor will still be there, as will running back Jordan Scarlett, defensive end CeCe Jefferson and versatile defensive back Duke Dawson.

Will there be questions in 2016?

Sure.

But a one-year acclimation process should get everybody in Gainesville on the same page, the youngsters familiar with the speed of the SEC and the quarterback at least consistent enough to help the Gators make a title run within the division.

McElwain is the right guy to get Florida back to division prominence, but the circumstances he was dealt this year will briefly delay that process. Once he gets the roster stocked and those players get experience under their belts, look out.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.