Florida Football: Will Gators take another step forward in 2019?
Feleipe Franks and Florida’s offense can become elite
Expectations in Gainesville never slumber.
After recording a respectable year on the offensive side of the ball in 2018 for the first time in a decade, Gator Nation now expects Florida to improve even further and enter the ranks of the offensive elites in 2019.
The outcome of the offense lays squarely on the shoulders of the much aligned – yet more confident than ever – Feleipe Franks. Having orchestrated a potent offensive attack the final four games of the 2018 season, Franks appears positioned for another breakout, with this one lasting for the entire season.
No doubt, Franks saw improvements in his decision-making and management of the offense, but much of his improvement last season can be contributed to the improvement of the offensive line.
Florida’s offensive line wasn’t just good in 2018; they were one of the best in the country giving up only one sack per game. The line gave Franks the time he needed to be smart with the ball and opened plenty of holes for the running backs to spearhead a balanced rushing game.
Resting on last year’s laurels won’t help these Gators, however. With only one returning starter from last year’s stellar unit, the offensive line has much to prove early in the season.
If the line gives Franks the time necessary to make smart decisions, Florida could find itself in the middle of another offensive renaissance thanks to the weapons stockpiled at the skill positions. John Hevesy, the Gators quiet offensive line coach, shared that the entire offensive unit is “as talented as I’ve been around. It’s awesome.”
From Hevesy – a former assistant during the Urban Meyer years which boasted some of the greatest offenses in college football history – that comment should ring in Gator fans’ ears.
The Gators return playmakers like Lamical Perine, Van Jefferson and Kadarius Toney, but they also add improved and possible stars in Malik Davis at running back and Trevon Grimes at receiver. With such an embarrassment of riches, Dan Mullen and the offensive coaching staff will have their work cut out for them in dividing the touches – a problem they’ll gladly accept.
Overall, if the offensive line can measure closely to the performance of last year’s unit and Franks proves he’s improved from last season, Florida’s offensive should thrive and flourish under the leadership of Dan Mullen’s masterful play calling mind. If the cards fall into place as they should in 2019, expect to find Florida’s offense hovering somewhere around the top ten in the important statistical categories.