Florida Gators 2008 Position Overview: Offensive Line

After getting beaten early and often against Michigan in the Capital One Bowl in 2007, one has to question the Gator offensive line.  However, despite their lackluster pass blocking during that game, all indications so far are that this unit should be a very solid one in 2008. 

The Gators have been plagued by injuries along the offensive line for the better part of the last two years.  Hopefully for Gator fans, that will change this year. 

All-SEC Tackle Phil Trautwein returns from a stress fracture that sidelined him throughout 2007.  His return should be a huge boost to an already very talented offensive line. 

The interior of the offensive line figures to be one of the strongest corps in the nation, led by Jim Tartt, Maurkice Pouncey and Michael Pouncey.  Tartt is an experienced returning senior for the Gators and should provide ample leadership along with Trautwein. 

Maurkice Pouncey became the first Gator in over a decade and a half to start on opening day on the offensive line as a true freshman.  He will move from right guard to center during the 2008 season and his transition will be key for the Gator offensive line.  His brother, Michael Pouncey, will see his first real playing time on the offensive line, after switching to the defensive side during the latter half of the 2007 season. 

Finally, an experienced Jason Watkins will anchor the right side of the line for the Gators and Watkins should be able to cope with most SEC defensive ends.  All in all, this looks like a promising group heading into 2008 and they should provide quarterback Tim Tebow with plenty of time. 

Expect them to open huge holes for the running game consistently throughout the 2008 campaign and be one of the top ranked units in the SEC.

Phil Trautwein

Trautwein endured much criticism through the early part of his career with the Gators, before becoming the rock of the offensive line for the 2006 National Championship team.  Trautwein was sidelined throughout the 2007 season with a stress fracture. 

The Gators sought a medical redshirt for Trautwein from the NCAA and the NCAA granted it to him.  Thus, Trautwein will return for the Gators in 2008 in what will be his last season wearing the orange and blue. 

He undoubtedly has a lot of getting back into football shape to do before the season starts and the Gator coaches will monitor his progress throughout fall practice.  An early look at him during spring practice was very promising and the Gator coaches were thoroughly encouraged by his performance. 

Trautwein is easily one of the best pass blockers in the SEC and may be switched from left to right tackle before the season starts to protect quarterback Tim Tebow’s blind side.  If Trautwein’s recovery goes smoothly and he can play at the level he did before his injury, this offensive line for the Gators could be downright scary.

Jim Tartt

Similar to Trautwein, Tartt has struggled with injuries throughout his Florida career, but seems to be in the best shape of his life at the moment.  Tartt is a senior and was also a starter for the 2006 National Championship team.  That experience will be invaluable for the interior of the offensive line, which is otherwise very young. 

Tartt showed some explosiveness off the line during spring practice and the interior of the offensive line consistently manhandled the defensive line during spring ball.  Should this continue to happen against opposing SEC defenses, Florida’s offense should be virtually unstoppable. 

Tartt is an All-SEC caliber player that specializes in run blocking.  This could be very important for the Gators, who have still yet to produce a 1,000-yard rusher during Coach Urban Meyer’s tenure.  If that changes this year, Tartt will be one of the main reasons why.

Maurkice Pouncey

Maurkice Pouncey made headlines in 2007 when he became the first true freshman to start on the Gator offensive line on opening day since 1992.  He was very consistent all year long on the offensive line, en route to being named to the All-SEC Freshman Team. 

This year he will be switching from right guard to center, a transition that will be very important for the Gator offense to run smoothly.  Maurkice seemed to struggle early on in spring ball with his snaps and they were frequently either too high or too low, particularly from the shotgun set. 

However, as spring practice wore on he seemed to get a better handle on things and there was no indication of any difficulty snapping the ball during the spring game.  His charismatic personality and great athleticism should make him a great center for the Gators in 2008.

Michael Pouncey

Michael, Maurkice Pouncey’s twin brother, will start in his brother’s position last year.  Michael will fill the right guard spot and can only hope to play as well as his brother did as a true freshman.  If he is anywhere close, this offensive line should take a huge step forward in 2008. 

Michael is a powerful blocker with great technique and provided the defensive line with a big boost late in the 2007 season with his enthusiasm and seemingly endless energy. 

He will need to improve his pass blocking skills to become a better all around guard in the SEC, but he has all the potential to do so and should improve with each game.

Jason Watkins

Although entering the season as a starter on the offensive line, Jason Watkins is certainly not without some quality SEC experience at the position.  Wilson frequently rotated into the offensive line last year and looked great when he did play. 

He looked like an All-SEC tackle during spring practice and he has the size and physical attributes to manhandle some of the smaller SEC defensive ends.  The Gators will count on his long wingspan to keep quarterback Tim Tebow’s blindside free from blitzing defenders. 

Watkins seems to have a stranglehold on the starting position at this point, unless for some reason he proves inconsistent as a starter.  Even so, offensive line coach Steve Addazio may consider switching sides of the line before benching him, as Phil Trautwein is more than capable of playing tackle on the blind side.

Carl Johnson

Johnson is perhaps the leading candidate to win a starting job on the offensive line should one of the projected starters not play particularly well.  Johnson is an absolute mammoth and will undoubtedly be a mauler as soon as he hits the field in the SEC.  

He has the size to flatten some defensive linemen and is actually athletic enough to be a pretty good tackle in the SEC.  Right now, he seems to be the first one to rotate into the offensive line and will likely fill the second spot on the depth chart at right tackle. 

However, Johnson also has the skill to play on the left side and may end up there depending upon how Trautwein’s recovery progresses.  In any case, he gives the Gators a very solid option at the tackle position should they need it.

James Wilson

Wilson mulled a transfer from the University of Florida prior to spring practice and appeared to be on his way out before he shocked everyone by showing up to spring ball in full pads.  He looked great finally getting out on the field after an injury riddled true freshman year. 

He obviously still has some recovery to do on his knee injury before he will be completely ready to play in the SEC, but assuming everything goes well, he will definitely see some time in 2008 at the guard position. 

He has the ability to play either guard position, although initially he seems slated to play on the left side.  Wilson was an extremely highly sought after recruit coming out of high school and if he overcomes the injuries and plays up to that expectation, the Gator offensive line could be much deeper than expected in 2008.

Maurice Hurt, Marcus Gilbert

Both Hurt and Gilbert have a decent amount of playing time under their belts, but both have struggled with injuries since arriving at Florida.  Maurice Hurt missed most of spring ball with an injury, although he is expected to be at full strength when fall practice opens up for the Gators. 

He will likely play at the guard spot, where he saw some limited action last year.  Gilbert projects as a tackle, but can probably play inside or outside due to his versatility. 

These two should compete for the eighth spot in offensive line coach Steve Addazio’s eight-man rotation along the offensive line.  Fall practice will go a long way towards determining which of the two sees the field more in 2008.