Will
Muschamp has been closely following the Florida basketball team’s
successful run in the NCAA Tournament. He even opened his Friday news
conference congratulating Billy Donovan and the Gators for their victory
over Marquette. But he admitted he did not stay up for the entire game.
“We will be watching at 4:30 on Saturday, I can tell you that,” Muschamp said.
Muschamp
had an excuse for falling asleep before the end of the basketball
team’s Sweet 16 victory Thursday night. He and the Gators had an early
wake-up call Friday. They arrived in the locker room at 5:15 a.m. for a 6
a.m. practice.
The early start apparently agreed with the Gators.
“The
guys were ready to go,” Muschamp said. “I think it was a very
productive day. We worked on situations and third down. We worked on
some no-huddle. We worked on a lot of red zone, which is something we
obviously need to improve on as we move forward.
“I’m very pleased with today.”
Muschamp
said UF practiced early Friday so the players would have time to
recover for the first major scrimmage of the spring this morning.
“Tomorrow’s
scrimmage should create some separation,” Muschamp said. “The defensive
coaches will not be on the field at all. Offensively, we’re still
working through some things, so obviously they’ll be involved as far as
getting some guys aligned in some situations, make sure the huddle
procedure is right, the quarterbacks are managing the huddle and
managing our football team.
“Situations
come up and not having a coach tell you this is a third down period,
understand that when third down comes up and how you play. Playing the
game. So we need to get off and let our players play, which is what
we’re going to do.”
Muschamp said Friday he’s pleased with the overall progress the Gators have made through six practices.
“We’ve
had a good week,” he said. “Wednesday was probably our most physical
practice since I’ve been here. It was good to finally hear some pads
popping and running the ball downhill and playing blocks and finishing
blocks and tackling decently.”
Muschamp said Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel continue to make strides in their battle for the starting quarterback role.
“I
think both guys have done some very positive things, but they need to
continue to get a grasp offensively of what we’re doing,” Muschamp said.
“I think we’re seeing some very encouraging things, some very good
things with what they’ve tried to do. I’m very pleased with that
progress.”
The
quarterbacks will have a limited number of wide receivers to throw to
in the scrimmage. Stephen Alli (groin), Solomon Patton (groin) and
Ja’Juan Story (ankle) will not participate, leaving the Gators with only
four healthy scholarship wide receivers — Quinton Dunbar, Andre Debose,
Frankie Hammond Jr. and true freshman Latroy Pittman.
“(Wide receivers coach) Aubrey Hill is going to line up for us,” Muschamp said. “We’re a little short there.”
Muschamp
said Omarius Hines, who has been practicing at tailback, and fullback
Trey Burton will see some playing time at wide receiver.
“Unfortunately,
you have some injuries, but then you’ve got to practice so you’ve got
to find different ways, move some guys around, put them in different
spots,” Muschamp said. “It creates depth on your team, creates guys to
be exposed to different positions in different situations. You’ve have
to look at it as a positive thing.”
Muschamp said one of the positives on defense has been an improved pass rush, led by Ronald Powell and Sharrif Floyd.
“I
think Ronald Powell’s been a guy that’s rushed the passer better than
he has in the past,” Muschamp said. “I think he’s been more consistent.
Sharrif Floyd is having a good spring. Those would be the two that would
jump out at me up front.
“Obviously,
not having Dominique (Easley) in spring is ... he’s a very disruptive
player for us in a good way as far as pass rush is concerned. Then
Lerentee (McCray) is a guy that gives you a lot of pass rush that’s not
going through spring. Then hopefully getting Neiron Ball back here in
the fall.
“Those are some guys that we feel like can give us some pass rush that aren’t there right now.”
Muschamp said some good things are happening on the offensive line as well.
“I’ve
been very pleased,” he said. “(Center) Jon Harrison has made some
improvements in his lower body strength. I think we’re getting more
movement at times.
“We’ve
repped Kyle Koehne in there as well. Sam Robey. I think all three of
those guys at times have shown some things. At guard, Jon Halapio is
having a very solid spring. James Wilson is having a solid spring at
left guard. Those two guys have kind of distanced themselves.”
Muschamp
said the two true freshmen — tackle D.J. Humphries and guard Jessamen
Dunker — and senior tackle Xavier Nixon, sophomore tackle Chaz Green and
junior tackle Matt Patchan also are having a good spring thus far.
“D.J.
Humphries is a guy, he’s a high school senior, and he’s doing a really
good job and he’s working and he’s athletic. He’s got great feet, he’s
got great feel, he’s very mature,” Muschamp said. “He understands what
it takes to be successful as a football player, so I’m very pleased with
that.
“And
Jessamen Dunker is a guy that’s very talented, can move his feet, he’s
315 pounds, 318 pounds and can anchor and move and get movement. Both of
those guys are swimming right now just mentally as far as what is going
on.”
