Gator goal: get more offensive

Aug 15, 2017 - 7:33 PM Through his first two years at Florida, coach Jim McElwain has won a pair of SEC East titles and recorded 19 victories, including 13 in conference play.

But for the Gators to take the next step and win the entire SEC, McElwain will need to complete what he was tasked to do when hired as an offensive-minded coach from Colorado State -- fix UF's offense.

The Gators finished 116th out of 128 FBS teams in total offense last season, averaging 344 yards per game. In McElwain's first season in 2015, Florida's offense was 112th at 334 yards per game.

"As we all know, that's what I was brought here to do, and it hasn't been done yet," McElwain said. "And yet, it's been obviously something that is continually evolving as we get to the competition phase and the roster balance on that side of the ball.

"With that being said, I was also instructed when I took this job to figure out how to win, and I guess maybe we've won a couple and nobody really thought we would. And yet in the art of coaching, in the art of business and whatever that is -- let's call it the art of poker -- whatever hand you're given, you figure out how to play that hand."

McElwain said he feels good about the experience and depth of UF's offensive line, which returns all five starters from the end of last season. There's also more depth at wide receiver and running back. The question mark is quarterback play, which has been shaky at UF since Tim Tebow left campus in 2009.

The quarterback competition in camp has come down to a three-player race between redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks, redshirt junior Luke Del Rio and Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire.

Franks started in UF's spring game, passing for 119 yards and one TD. Del Rio passed for 1,358 yards with eight TDs and eight interceptions in six starts last season, while Zaire has passed for 816 yards with six TDs and no interceptions in his three-year career with the Fighting Irish.

"Malik coming in has really elevated both Feleipe and Luke," McElwain said. "I see a real drive to get those reps."

Defensively, the Gators lost seven starters, all of whom were picked in the NFL Draft. But the Gators are looking to reload behind a talented group that includes junior defensive lineman Cece Jefferson and sophomore defensive back Chauncey Gardner Jr.

Florida gets a tough test in its opener Sept. 2 against Michigan at the AdvoCare Classic in Arlington, Texas. That has heightened the intensity at camp as well.

"The guys realize it's for real right off the bat," McElwain said.

"You know, it's an opportunity for them to go on national television in a great environment and find out who they are. I think that this is one of those games where you get to find out who you are, and yet you've also got time to recover. You also have time to learn from it and continue through the season."

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: OL Martez Ivey -- It's rare to consider an offensive lineman an impact player, but Ivey is not your typical college offensive lineman. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Ivey is a third-year junior and preseason All-SEC first-teamer who has started since his freshman season. Ivey will move from left guard to left tackle this season and will be counted on to protect the blind side of whichever QB wins the starting job for Florida this season. Ivey is the leader of UF's most improved unit, an offensive line that flourished late last season once T.J. McCoy moved into the role of starting center and Jawaan Taylor took control of the starting job at right tackle. UF's offensive line this season should be able to protect the quarterback better and open more holes in the run.

BREAKOUT STAR: DB Chauncey Gardner Jr. -- Gardner had a chance to be the next to uphold Florida's "DBU" tradition. With defensive backs Marcus Maye, Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson all departed for the NFL, the 5-foot-11, 204-pound Gardner will get a chance to emerge as the next playmaker in UF's secondary. Gardner earned Outback Bowl MVP honors as a true freshman last season, finishing with two interceptions, including one returned for a TD, in UF's 30-3 win over Iowa. Gardner is versatile enough to play cornerback and safety, and he will be counted on in the return game because of his breakaway speed.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: QB/WR Kadarius Toney -- The 5-foot-11, 180-pound true freshman was recruited to Florida as an athlete and has impressed Florida coaches in workouts with his hands and route-running ability. In UF's spring game, Toney played quarterback and had 74 yards rushing, 9 yards passing and one passing TD. Toney could be used in some direct-snap wildcat formations against Michigan and may also need to be counted on at receiver with Antonio Callaway suspended for the season opener.

--WR Antonio Callaway is one of seven players suspended for UF's season opener against Michigan due to alleged misuse of a student aid credit card during camp. Also suspended are DL Richerd Desir-Jones, DL Keivonnis Davis, LB James Houston, LB Ventrell Miller, OL Kadeem Telfort and DL Jordan Smith. "We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing," Florida coach Jim McElwain said in a statement. "Action has been taken -- they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward." Callaway had 54 catches for 721 yards and three touchdowns last season, along with one punt return for a TD and one kickoff return for a score.