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Florida Football: 5 reasons why Gators will get over hump in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Deatrich Wise Jr. #48 of the Arkansas Razorback tackles Luke Del Rio #14 of the Florida Gators at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Deatrich Wise Jr. #48 of the Arkansas Razorback tackles Luke Del Rio #14 of the Florida Gators at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 9: (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 9: (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

4. Coaching changes on defense should pay dividends in secondary

The Florida Gators had some coaching changes to make this past offseason. They didn’t waste any time in bringing together some familiar faces. Even if those familiar faces are only familiar with each other.

Randy Shannon takes over full-time as defensive coordinator. It’s a position he held while with the Miami Hurricanes from 2001 until the 2006 season. After that, Shannon became the Hurricanes head coach from 2007-2010.

The addition of Corey Bell as defensive backs coach should also improve the Gators recruiting efforts. Things looked to be grim after Torian Gray bolted for the Washington Redskins after one season with the Gators. Bell was the Director of Football Operations at Miami University from 2007-2010, the same time Shannon was the head coach.

Bell will need to replace starters Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and Marcus Maye in the secondary. Tabor and Wilson left early for the 2017 NFL Draft while Maye found his way to the NFL as well.

The Florida Gators have plenty of depth at the cornerback position to replace their starting trio, including Outback Bowl MVP Chauncey Gardner. Gardner snagged two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown in the Gators 30-3 romping of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Seniors Duke Dawson, Marcell Harris and Nick Washington are a few more notable names in the Florida secondary to know as well.

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