Florida Football: Winners and Losers from Gators' 2016 Spring
The quarterbacks have taken the final snaps, bringing 2016 spring practice to a close for the Florida Gators football team.
During recent weeks, the mini-competition under center dominated the attention paid to Jim McElwain's team, which is working to build off of a 10-4, SEC East-winning campaign.
In order to repeat as division champions, though, the Gators must improve an offense noticeably lacking playmakers—especially due to Antonio Callaway's suspension.
However, if Florida's defense matches expectations—as it did Friday night—the program will at least challenge for another East title while hoping the offense's production catches up.
Winners: Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby
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Numerous factors affect a quarterback competition, but a key separation point is familiarity with the offensive system. Both Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby have that advantage.
According to Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports, head coach Jim McElwain said Appleby ran similar concepts while at Purdue.
However, Del Rio is a step ahead. McElwain confirmed as much, per Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee.
Sallee added the redshirt sophomore made a strong case to eventually secure the No. 1 job. Del Rio completed 10 of 11 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns against the second-string defense.
Appleby had a satisfactory outing with the No. 2 offense against the first-string defenders, connecting on 6 of 8 attempts for 44 yards (and 8 of 11 for 80 yards overall). He'll keep pushing Del Rio for the starting role, and that pressure is only a good thing.
Loser: Feleipe Franks
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Breaking: Feleipe Franks is a true freshman.
Now, let's be clear about identifying him in this category. It's not because anyone other than a select group of optimistic fans expected Franks to make a run at the starting job.
Rather, it's his three-interception performance during the spring game. Franks even found the wrong colored jersey on a post-sack heave, only avoiding a fourth pick because of whistles to protect quarterbacks from getting hit.
Franks took reps on both teams, ultimately ending his Florida debut 5-of-11 for 58 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
The freshman's future is bright, but Franks' present undoubtedly entails a redshirt season.
Winner: Duke Dawson, Nickelback
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Well before the spring game, Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports shared that Duke Dawson is slated to be the starting nickelback.
Friday's scrimmage certainly didn't hurt the experienced junior. He picked off Franks twice, returning one for a 30-yard touchdown and another 20 yards.
Dawson has appeared in 25 career games, but the 5'10", 202-pounder logged just 24 total tackles because he was serving as a backup to many talented (and some NFL-bound) players.
It's a great luxury to have starting spots locked up exiting the spring. Thanks to Dawson, the Gators can say that for the entire secondary.
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Loser: Mark Thompson
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Mark Thompson was the only Florida running back to score. The 6'2", 242-pound monster patiently waited for the counter to develop, shot through the hole and waltzed across the plane for a 26-yard touchdown.
But he was the only one to fumble, too.
Yes, C.J. Worton alertly found the pigskin and scampered into the end zone. However, any time a running back coughs up the football in the red zone, the coach's doghouse beckons.
The ESPN broadcast crew mentioned Thompson's ball security was a problem during practices, too.
Jordan Scarlett and Jordan Cronkrite are also fighting for reps. Thompson boasts a spectacular stature and aggressive running style, but the JUCO transfer won't receive important carries if he keeps dropping, quite literally, the ball.
Winner: Defensive Line
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McElwain is steadily rebuilding a shaky offensive corps, but the previous regime left him with a bounty of defensive talent—particularly up front.
Caleb Brantley thinks he's the best defensive lineman in the country, according to Zach Abolverdi of SEC Country. CeCe Jefferson was a 5-star in 2015. Jordan Sherit and Khairi Clark were 4-stars in their respective classes.
Others like Bryan Cox Jr. Keivonnis Davis and Jabari Zuniga will factor into the rotation—which, if necessary, could be as deep as 10 players.
The Gators have a few concerns on the roster, but the defensive line is far from one of them.
Loser: Lovers of Kicker Jokes
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Last season, the "F" on the program's helmets represented the grade for the specialists.
But your run is over, comedians. Florida's kicking situation was a flat-out joke in 2015, considering the team managed to convert 7 of 17 attempts—a dreadful 41.2 percent mark—and even missed five extra points.
Eddy Pineiro has come to save the day.
The nation's No. 1 JUCO kicker, Pineiro showed off a strong leg capable of burying 60-plus-yard attempts. He split the uprights from 46, 52 and 56 while missing from 52 and 53.
Although a scrimmage cannot match the intensity of 90,000 screaming fans, Pineiro is the solution to the Gators' field-goal problems.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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