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Florida Gators open unsettled spring football practice

 
Sophomore Treon Harris, UF’s starting quarterback at the end of last season, will face competition from Will Grier.
Sophomore Treon Harris, UF’s starting quarterback at the end of last season, will face competition from Will Grier.
Published March 15, 2015

GAINESVILLE — Jim McElwain and his football staff have spent countless hours watching film of the Florida Gators since December. Beginning today, they'll see in person what type of talent actually exists on this squad, and how well the personnel will fit with what the new coaching staff hopes to run this fall. McElwain said every player will get a fair chance.

"It's more seeing what people do individually and seeing the things that they were successful at," McElwain said of the early film study. "Without being out there with them and practicing, there really are no preconceived notions going into what we've got going on this spring. There's been a lot of film watched, believe me."

Here are five key things to watch as the McElwain era begins:

O-LINE ISSUES: Two years ago, Florida had so little depth at offensive line then-coach Will Muschamp had to alter the Orange and Blue spring game from a traditional game. McElwain is facing a similar situation. The Gators will open spring practice with just seven scholarship offensive lineman. Starting center Trip Thurman is out for the spring with a shoulder injury, and it's unclear if he can play when the season begins. With so few numbers, the Gators can ill afford injuries this spring.

WHO'S THE QB?: Treon Harris took over midseason and ended the year as the starter, but whether the sophomore will earn that job remains to be seen. Highly-recruited Will Grier, who redshirted last season, is healthy and expected to compete for the job. McElwain's forte is developing QBs and with the Gators' struggles since Tim Tebow departed after the 2009 season, this may be the most critical position battle this spring. "We're not putting a timeline on the starting quarterback,'' McElwain said. "When it's time we'll name that."

WHo wiLL RUN AND CATCH THE BALL?: With running back Matt Jones gone, is Kelvin Taylor ready to step up and be a consistent go-to player? And can Adam Lane build on his MVP Birmingham Bowl performance? And regardless of who earns the starting job at quarterback, the Gators need receivers to emerge. Demarcus Robinson showed flashes last season, with more than 800 yards receiving, but Florida is still in search of multiple receivers with proven ability to be go-to, consistent playmakers who can make things happen downfield.

WHO STEPS UP ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE?: The Gators lost three significant defensive tackles, and the loss of end Dante Fowler, a projected NFL first-rounder, is huge. Jon Bullard returns, but new pass rushers must emerge.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This unit's performance was costly many times last season, including the late-game loss to South Carolina. The Gators need kicker Austin Hardin to improve. How well will punter Johnny Townsend replace Kyle Christy? And who will emerge in the return game?

Contact Antonya English can be reached at aenglish@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.