The Athletic ($)
theathletic.com
“Offensive line
Projected starters:
LT Austin Barber (6-foot-6, 312 pounds, Soph.): He subbed in last season when right tackle Michael Tarquin was hobbled, made five starts, appeared on 630 snaps and displayed a nasty disposition for finishing blocks. Now that Tarquin transferred to USC, Barber could find himself on the right side again. Based upon his knowledge of the system and that high-revving motor, he’s the best option at left tackle, where Richard Gouraige has graduated.
LG Richie Leonard (6-2, 318, Jr.): A bit squatty by SEC offensive line standards, Leonard played 216 snaps in 2022, primarily spelling Ethan White. Leonard also made one start at right guard against LSUwhen O’Cyrus Torrence was sidelined by a knee injury. Now that White followed Tarquin to the West Coast, Leonard gets bumped up at left guard. He’s likely the top backup at center as well.
C Kingsley Eguakun (6-3, 301, Jr.): Counting the COVID-19 2020 season, he’s a fifth-year player who enters the spring with a string of 26 consecutive starts, 40 career appearances and a desire to rebound from an inconsistent 2022.
RG Micah Mazzccua (6-5, 322, Jr., Baylor transfer): A mauler whose profile soared after starting 10 games for the Bears at left guard last season, Mazzccua chose the Gators over Auburn and Nebraska. He arrives in Gainesville with three seasons to play two. We’ll forecast him on the right side, where he’s a natural fit to fill the hole vacated by projected NFL first-rounder Torrence.
RT Damieon George (6-6, 339, Jr., Alabama transfer): Love his size and potential, although George never got rolling with the Tide. His stretch of three consecutive starts late in 2021 ended with a rough performance in the Iron Bowl. Last season his only offensive action was 20 second-half snaps in a 55-0 romp against Utah State. Like Mazzccua, he transfers in with three seasons to play two.
Damieon George transferred from Alabama to Florida with two seasons of eligibility remaining. (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
Top backups:
T Kiyaunta Goodwin (6-7, 359, Soph., Kentucky transfer): Even though his freshman season with the Wildcats essentially was a washout, the four-star top-40 recruit from 2022 possesses the most natural ability among the Gators’ linemen. Watch to see if he wrestles a starting job away from George.
G Kamryn Waites (6-8, 373, Soph.): Still large and still raw, he suffered an Achilles injury in January that Napier said will sideline him until August. While Waites struggled at left guard in the Las Vegas Bowl — forced into his first start by injuries and opt-outs — he has plenty of long-term upside.”
Allan Taylor article
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Sunbelt Billy comment:
——_____………….___
Will be very surprised if this approach works in the SEC.
Run off or can’t hold what you have and taking a tin can and cane to beg from the portal.
Projecting the Gators' spring depth chart on offense
With spring practice slated to open on March 4, it’s time to take a shot at arranging the depth chart. We lead off with the offense.
theathletic.com
Projected starters:
LT Austin Barber (6-foot-6, 312 pounds, Soph.): He subbed in last season when right tackle Michael Tarquin was hobbled, made five starts, appeared on 630 snaps and displayed a nasty disposition for finishing blocks. Now that Tarquin transferred to USC, Barber could find himself on the right side again. Based upon his knowledge of the system and that high-revving motor, he’s the best option at left tackle, where Richard Gouraige has graduated.
LG Richie Leonard (6-2, 318, Jr.): A bit squatty by SEC offensive line standards, Leonard played 216 snaps in 2022, primarily spelling Ethan White. Leonard also made one start at right guard against LSUwhen O’Cyrus Torrence was sidelined by a knee injury. Now that White followed Tarquin to the West Coast, Leonard gets bumped up at left guard. He’s likely the top backup at center as well.
C Kingsley Eguakun (6-3, 301, Jr.): Counting the COVID-19 2020 season, he’s a fifth-year player who enters the spring with a string of 26 consecutive starts, 40 career appearances and a desire to rebound from an inconsistent 2022.
RG Micah Mazzccua (6-5, 322, Jr., Baylor transfer): A mauler whose profile soared after starting 10 games for the Bears at left guard last season, Mazzccua chose the Gators over Auburn and Nebraska. He arrives in Gainesville with three seasons to play two. We’ll forecast him on the right side, where he’s a natural fit to fill the hole vacated by projected NFL first-rounder Torrence.
RT Damieon George (6-6, 339, Jr., Alabama transfer): Love his size and potential, although George never got rolling with the Tide. His stretch of three consecutive starts late in 2021 ended with a rough performance in the Iron Bowl. Last season his only offensive action was 20 second-half snaps in a 55-0 romp against Utah State. Like Mazzccua, he transfers in with three seasons to play two.
Damieon George transferred from Alabama to Florida with two seasons of eligibility remaining. (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
Top backups:
T Kiyaunta Goodwin (6-7, 359, Soph., Kentucky transfer): Even though his freshman season with the Wildcats essentially was a washout, the four-star top-40 recruit from 2022 possesses the most natural ability among the Gators’ linemen. Watch to see if he wrestles a starting job away from George.
G Kamryn Waites (6-8, 373, Soph.): Still large and still raw, he suffered an Achilles injury in January that Napier said will sideline him until August. While Waites struggled at left guard in the Las Vegas Bowl — forced into his first start by injuries and opt-outs — he has plenty of long-term upside.”
Allan Taylor article
——————————-/-
Sunbelt Billy comment:
——_____………….___
Will be very surprised if this approach works in the SEC.
Run off or can’t hold what you have and taking a tin can and cane to beg from the portal.
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