Focus shifts to players making strides

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

I've spent much of my time throughout the spring focusing on players who needed to take advantage of the practice time impressing upon the Florida coaching staff that they could be counted on to compete when drills begin in August. Today, I'll focus on a few of those very players, so that during ESPN's telecast of the Orange and Blue Game you can conduct your own assessment of their play.

Let’s take a look at these players….
ORANGE

6- DE Jaye Howard 6’3 262
Howard has really come on over the past two weeks or so of spring drills. He told me that Coach Urban Meyer had a conversation with him recently and told him that he needs to turn up the energy on the field. He responded and has played much better. Again, it’s one of those clichés’ that can never be stated often enough- you must play defensive football with emotion.

He plays well rushing the passer and in backside pursuit of the ballcarrier. Watch Howard against the run. He needs work in that area. When defenses run at him, he has struggled. Howard told me that he will be working this summer to improve in that area.

35-DB Ahmad Black 5’9 177
Black has been one of the most pleasant surprises this spring. He has recently seen quite a bit of time working out with the first string defense at safety. Just as he did at Lakeland High School and year and a half ago, Black has demonstrated a real nose for the football. He plays the run extremely well and has been solid in open field tackling. The one area to watch is how he plays when the Blue team tries to run receivers Riley Cooper or Carl Moore deep. Does he prevent them from getting behind him?

66-G James Wilson 6’4 308
To be or not to be…that was the question? And that one that was resoundingly answered early in the drills. As we all know, Wilson was considering transferring to Wake Forest where several of his former teammates now play. Coach Meyer correctly pointed out that Wilson has been injured and never able to even practice with the Gators. He was a bit aloof the first day or so of drills, but quickly warmed up to things and his teammates warmed up to him too.

The guy is a beast and will play some football for the Gators. Wilson is a powerful run blocker, who earnestly tries to drive his man into the ground. And once shaking off of the rust was proven to be a capable pass blocker too. Once he locks on, you’re finished.

6-WR Deonte Thompson 5’11 188
The speculation that Thompson would exit for the University of Miami before the conclusion of the fall semester was incorrect. The high profile recruit struggled to accept that a redshirt was in his best interest. Regardless, he can flat play football.

Thompson moves effortlessly through the secondary, has proven to have good hands, and runs very well after the catch. It appears that working on his blocking is the one aspect of Thompson’s game that might need addressing. Watch to see how he works to get behind the secondary.

BLUE

27-RB Mon Williams 6’1 214
Williams began to get his feet back under him and gain confidence the past two weeks. Last week, he really turned it loose and impressed the Florida coaches with his solid play. Williams said that he is up to 214 and feeling very good. He is reacting and running very strong with flashes of avoiding defenders. He has consistently run strong each time that he touches the football.

97-DT John Brown 6’1 285
Brown has begun to make some strides, but has been unable to control the line of scrimmage. He still has a long way to go and Florida really needs a noseguard who can consistently get a push inside. With the Pouncey’s expected to play on each side in this game, it will be interesting to see if Brown has any measure of success. If they’re on the Blue squad or split up, it will be easier for him, that’s for sure.

8-DL Carlos Dunlap 6’6 290
Dunlap has been one of those who made the biggest splash this spring. He has that tremendous size and athleticism. Dunlap has, for the most part, been consistently good. That is especially true of the past two-and-a-half weeks. Watch how quickly Dunlap sheds a blocker and gets to the football.

18-LB Jerimy Finch 6’1 215
Finch has made some great plays from his outside linebacker position. He plays smart and has the athleticism to cover as well. Finch has not been as consistent as the coaches probably would have liked, but the Gators desperately need depth at linebacker and he is going to play a lot of football.

31-FS Bryan Thomas 6’1 197
Thomas has been playing with the second string safeties. He is looking a bit like he has shaken the rust off after getting off to a tough start in his Florida career with injuries. He really needs an abundance of reps and to become more consistent in his play.

8-RB Chris Rainey 5’9 177
There are so many impressive aspects to Rainey’s performance. He has tremendous patience in allowing his blockers to create a crease for him and explosively hitting the hole. Rainey has been another one of those who has absolutely superb this spring. Watch for him to break off a few long runs.
UNATTACHED

G- Jim Barrie and C- Corey Hobbs
Barrie and Hobbs have both come on pretty strong. Coach John Hevesy said that they are getting better. Barrie has seen a little bit of time with the first group after injuries to Jim Tartt and Maurkice Pouncey. Barrie looked pretty good and is currently running with the second group.

Who knew what to expect from Hobbs? He has reshaped his body quite a bit and much more so resembled the powerful, aggressive offensive lineman that the coaches expected him to be. Both will play with the Orange and Blue squads in this game.