Florida football looks destined to finally make playoff push in 2020
Kyle Trask looks to lead offense to elite level
The Gators’ offense was one of the main reasons the team has underperformed since the departure of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow after 2009. After the season-ending injury to quarterback Feleipe Franks, Gator Nation was worried about the inconsistencies that would follow.
Last season, the Gators were ranked 28th in the nation (third in the SEC) in points per game (33.2). This was due to the solid system by offensive coordinators Billy Gonzales and John Hevesy. This season, they will be led Gonzales handling the passing and Hevesy with the running game. Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is the full-time offensive coordinator for the Gators.
Kyle Trask was given a big task of having to replace the impact of Franks early in the season. After Trask took over, the Gators were more aggressive in attacking the deep passing game and taking more risks. Those risks played off he played propelled the Gators to more dominant wins. The closest win for the Gators in the regular season was their 24-13 victory over Auburn.
The Gators were ranked 16th in the nation (third in the SEC) in passing yards (300.8). Trask was named a preseason first-team All-SEC selection after a solid season of passing for 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The pressure for Trask is high this season but so is the reward if he can lead them to an SEC East title.
Running game coordinator John Hevesy has to replace the dynamic impact of Lamical Perine, who was a productive rusher and receiver. The Gators might look to use a multiple impact running backs who didn’t get a lot of carries last season. Junior backs Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis are looking to compete for the starting spot for the Gators’ more traditional running style this season.
The Gators are also looking to see the impact of former Miami Hurricanes running back Lorenzo Lingard, who was granted immediate eligibility.
It took a lot for these Gators receivers last season to adjust from a dynamic offensive scheme to a more traditional style with Trask at quarterback. The Gators will have to endure losing their two impactful wide receivers in Van Jefferson and Freddie Swann, who combined for 87 receptions, 1,174 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior Trevon Grimes returns as the lone experienced starting wide receiver after catching 33 receptions for 491 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Kadarius Toney and sophomore Jacob Copeland are expected to step up in their first season as full-time starters.
The Gators will be relying on their star senior tight end Kyle Pitts, who is a preseason first-team All-SEC selection. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 649 yards and five touchdowns.
The success of the Gators’ offense this season will be there be dependent on their offensive line. They will return three starters that gave up 25 sacks last season. Their tackles in Stone Forsythe and Jean Delance and their center in Brett Heggie will be entering into their second seasons as starters. This offensive line felt overpowered often last year as they did not get much push.
The offense was ranked 107th in the nation in rushing yards per game (129.8) last season. They would have two inexperienced young players starting at the two guard positions before the immediate transfer of former Mississippi State guard Stewart Reese. He is already providing leadership to the offensive line, which is an area they needed to address. This is the unit that needed the most training and development in the entire offseason.