College Football 2011: 5 Florida Gators Predictions on Offense for Next Season

It's only May—early May at that. Still, that doesn't mean we can't take a look ahead to what could happen with perennial power Florida in Will Muschamp's first season as head coach.

Despite last season's un-Gatorlike 8-5 record, Urban Meyer did leave Muschamp with a great deal of talent. It's just that much of that talent was very young in 2010.

Now, having already experienced what it is like to suit up against the Alabamas, LSUs, South Carolinas and Florida States of the college football world, those players will be more prepared for the tasks in front of them.

I'm not going to pick games (that will come in a couple of months), but I'm not beyond making some player predictions. Today will be the offense, and Friday will be defense.

Here goes.

1. John Brantley will contend for All-SEC honors.

No doubt, Brantley's junior year was a disappointment. Praised as a better pure passer than the man he succeeded, 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Brantley struggled in Meyer's offensive system and wound up throwing 10 interceptions and just nine touchdowns.

It was acknowledged well before the season began that Brantley wasn't a great fit for the spread. But that also was said about Chris Leak, who led UF to the 2006 BCS national championship running a variety of the same offense with a few tweaks.

Brantley has better foot speed than Leak and actually might be more accurate. However, Leak had a corps of veteran receivers and a freshman phenom named Percy Harvin to assist him.

Now, Charlie Weis has come to Gainesville, bringing a pro-style offense with him. That will allow Brantley to work under center and do the five- and seven-step drops inside of a pocket that are more conducive to his skill set. Look for him to thrive.

2. Xavier Nixon will be a legitimate early-round NFL prospect following the 2011 season.

The son of two military parents, two seasons ago Nixon became the first freshman to start at left tackle for the Gators since Reggie Green in 1993.

He's had his ups and downs at UF, but the 6'6", 290-pound junior has continued to improve. 

Nixon has a frame that probably could add 20 pounds without seeing him lose any of the quick footwork that makes him unique for a player his size. I'm guessing he has a big 2011 and then at least looks into the idea of turning pro early.

3. Jeff Demps will have at least two runs of 70-plus yards.

OK, so this one really isn't a stretch.

After all, Demps, a senior, has four runs of 60-plus yards in his career, doubling the highest total of any other Gator since 1993. But if I know that, and you know that, then defensive coordinators definitely know that. So stopping college football's fastest player will be high on the agenda when those coaches game-plan for the Gators.

Still, like with fellow burner Chris Rainey, all Demps needs is a crease, and it isn't long until he has reached top speed.

Then, after the season is over, Demps will have a choice to make: playing in the NFL or attempting to earn a spot on the United States Olympic team as a sprinter.

4. Stephen Alli will become a serious red-zone threat.

At 6'5", 220 pounds with a 36-inch vertical leap, Alli looks the part of a candidate to win many end-zone jump balls. However, after three years on campus, he has a grand total of three receptions for 17 yards with no touchdowns.

In fairness, Alli was a 3-star prospect who only had 14 catches as a junior at Toronto's Proctor Academy in 2009. He was considered a project when Meyer signed him. But now that he is a redshirt sophomore, it is time for him to produce.

A great place to start could be in the red zone, where he can use his height and athleticism to catch passes over the top of smaller cornerbacks. And if Alli isn't ready for the role, perhaps 6'4" incoming recruit Ju'Juan Story will be.

5. The Gators will have quality depth at tight end.

Not since 2007, when Cornelius Ingram had his final healthy season on campus and teamed with Aaron Hernandez, have the Gators had two major threats at tight end.

That could change this year.

Back at the position after a late-season stint at quarterback in 2010, Jordan Reed has just six career receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. But like Ingram, he was a high school quarterback who was moved to tight end, so a learning curve was expected. His growth there also couldn't have been helped by him constantly being asked to shift positions.

Muschamp hasn't closed the door on Reed playing some quarterback, but with Tyler Murphy, Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett on board as young and talented backups to Brantley, the 6'3", 237-pound redshirt sophomore from New London, Conn. (the same state as Hernandez) should be able to spend more time focusing on blocking and catching than in the past.

Coaches also are very excited about the potential of true freshman A.C. Leonard, a 6'4", 245-pound former Under Armour All-American who arrived on campus in January. The product of Jacksonville's University Christian is UF's top signee at the position since Hernandez, now a New England Patriot, four years ago.