[gatortalk] Re: [gatornews] [SUN]: Florida position breakdown: Defensive line

6th?!?!?!?!  Um no. Noooooooo way. Very close 2nd or 3rd and not far behind 1st. 

Woody (via iPhone)

On Jul 20, 2014, at 11:51 AM, Shane Ford <goufgators@bellsouth.net> wrote:

Florida position breakdown: Defensive line

Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and Jonathan Bullard (90) will be leaders on the defensive line this season.

Matt Stamey/Staff photographer

By Robbie Andreu
Gainesville SUN Staff writer

Published: Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 7:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 6:55 p.m.

The upside

The Gators have starting experience across the defensive front, led by junior Buck linebacker/end Dante Fowler Jr., whom many think will emerge as one of the nation's elite defensive players in 2014. Fowler not only has great natural strength and athletic ability, he puts in the work to try and reach his potential. Heading into his true junior season, Fowler is looking to increase his production as a pass rusher. The Gators have another potential impact player at end, where junior Jonathan Bullard has played in 24 games, with 10 starts. Bullard also is capable of sliding inside and playing tackle, a position he played almost exclusively in the spring with UF down in numbers at DT. Bullard gives the Gators a third proven tackle, along with last year's starters — seniors Leon Orr and Darious Cummings. Three young players — Buck linebacker Alex McCalister, end Bryan Cox Jr. and tackle Joey Ivie — showed real flashes in the spring and should see extensive playing time. The coaches think McCalister, who has bulked up to 250 pounds, has a chance to be a strong pass rusher.

The downside

There is almost zero proven depth at the two tackle positions. Bostwick and Brantley were highly rated recruits coming out of high school, but showed in the spring that they are still somewhat raw and inconsistent. The coaches are expecting Bostwick and Brantley to continue to progress. That's the plan because they are going to be in the playing rotation in the fall. How much they play and spell the starters will depend on their development. The Gators also have only one proven pass rusher up front, Fowler, who will continue to see a lot of double teams unless another pass rusher emerges.

Young guy to watch

Even though he was not an early enrollee, Thomas Holley, a true freshman from Brooklyn, N.Y., has a chance to work his way into the playing rotation at tackle if he picks things up quickly in preseason camp. Also a standout basketball player in high school, Holley has the size, strength and athletic ability to be an early contributor.

Probable depth chart

Buck

6-Dante Fowler Jr.

14-Alex McCalister

17-Jordan Sherit

Nose tackle

8-Leon Orr

99-Jay-nard Bostwick

54-Khairi Clark

Defensive tackle

55-Darious Cummings

57-Caleb Brantley

91-Joey Ivie

56-Thomas Holley

Defensive end

90-Jonathan Bullard

94-Bryan Cox Jr.

92-Gerald Willis

96-Justus Reed

Ranking defensive lines

1. Alabama

2. Auburn

3. LSU

4. Georgia

5. Ole Miss

6. Florida

7. Missouri

8. Miss. St.

9. S. Carolina

10. Arkansas

11. Kentucky

12. Texas A&M

13. Tennessee

14. Vanderbilt

Sent From Shane's iPhone

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