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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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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01:  (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01:  (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

2. Offensive line has the experience to improve the running game.

The Florida Gators were terrible in the run game in 2016. Running back Jordan Scarlett did finish the season with 889 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Next season, his production should see a huge jump as the Gators return all of their offensive lineman.

With a new offensive line coach in Brad Davis (North Texas), the unit should be one of the Gators’ biggest strengths in 2017. They gave up 28 sacks last season after giving up 46 in 2015 (last in the FBS).

As a unit that continues to improve, Martez Ivey, Tyler Jordan, Fred Johnson, Brett Heggie and Jawaan Taylor are prime for a big season and Davis has made quite the connection with the group in his short time there. While a few players above will rotate, T.J. McCoy jumped into the starting center role late last season.

In terms of recruiting, the Gators got a huge early enrollee in Kadeem Telfort. Telfort is a four-star recruit with measurements of 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, according to 247Sports.

They also signed two other lineman to their 2017 recruiting class in Tedarrell Slaton and and T.J. Moore. Slaton is probably their highest-rated lineman. He is four-star offensive guard ranked 69th overall in this past year’s recruiting cycle, according to 247Sports. Moore is a three-star offensive guard and the 249th ranked prospect from the state of North Carolina.

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