Denote Thompson has been a part of a lot of success during his tenure at Florida, so you can imagine it's a little tough for him to hear the dire predictions concerning the Gators and the upcoming season.

But Thompson isn't dismayed. He believes in the Gators, period.

"I expect us to be successful,'' Thompson said. "Preseason don't matter, it's all about the end of the year. This team can be really good, really good. If you think about it, we had the top recruits the last four years. We've got the talent. And I feel like the team is real close this year, so I feel like we can get it done.''

Thompson started in 12 games last season, missing two (Tennessee and Kentucky) due to injury. He was third on the team with 343 receiving yards and four touchdowns. With a new coaching staff and offensive scheme, Thompson said it's an opportunity for every player to reach his potential.

"It's like having fresh air,'' he said. "The coaching staff this year is energetic, more professional. It's not that much different just new guys, new opportunities.''

First-year receivers coach Aubrey Hill, a former Gator, has stressed unity among the receiving corps, Thompson said, which he believes will make a difference when the Gators hit the field.

"I think we're closer too, the wide receiver group is a lot closer,'' Thompson said. "Coach Hill came in there and that's one thing he's preached a lot, getting us closer and being like brothers. It's about playing together. If we can play together, we can be successful. The team is hungry. There are a bunch of young guys that want to be good, so they're hungry, very hungry. And it's a team where everybody is playing for each other right now, everybody is close. If we can stay like that, we could be successful.''