Gators preparing for next phase of transition as camp nears
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In his opening remarks at SEC Football Media Days a week ago, new SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey referenced Bob Dylan's song "The Times They Are A-Changin' " to emphasize the current shift in the conference, college football and society in general.
Sankey could have added the Gators to his speech and remained on point.
Florida is the only school in the SEC that brought a new coach to last week's festivities in Hoover, Ala.
Jim McElwain enters his first season assigned a two-pronged task: turn around a Gators program that is 37-26 the past five years, and do it with an offense that fans can get excited about. Only time will tell how that mission works out.
For now, McElwain will take a clear-cut starting quarterback to emerge prior to the Sept. 5 home opener against New Mexico State.
He'll have a month to evaluate the competition.
The Gators officially report to camp Aug. 5 and start fall practice on Aug. 6. The team's first day in full pads is scheduled Aug. 10. And if you missed it, Florida Football Fan Day is Aug. 15.
On the team's report day, McElwain and the Gators will host media day (details TBA) that afternoon as they turn their full attention to the 2015 season following a summer of conditioning and getting to know each other better.
"Our guys have done one heck of a job in the transition," McElwain said. "A lot of the things we tried to implement, they were open arms and I think did a really good job with it."
The Gators have spent the past three months under the direction of strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Kent and his staff. The returning players were joined by the freshman class late last month as the first-year players arrived on campus to start classes.
The biggest question looming as fall camp approaches is how the battle between sophomore Treon Harris and redshirt freshman Will Grier plays out at quarterback.
"They practice hard every day, work out hard every day," said senior defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. "There's a good competition going. We've got some new guys to step in. Hopefully they can help us on both sides of the ball.
"We're just going hard, head first, trying to be the best we can be."
McElwain said he has seen physical improvement since the Gators concluded spring practice in April.
"Really excited to see how they've affected all the young guys we've had coming in this summer and see how far along we are," McElwain said. "I'm proud of what they've done in the weight room with the new strength staff. Those guys give nothing but glowing remarks, especially how our older guys are helping out and setting examples. That's something we like to see."
What McElwain and the Gators also want to see -- and the fans, too -- is more wins.
Florida is 11-13 over the past two seasons and needed a Birmingham Bowl victory over East Carolina in January to ensure a winning record (7-5).
Junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is ready for a fresh start. Based on the actions of the past three months, Hargreaves said his teammates want to make the most of their new opportunities under McElwain and the new coaching staff.
"I don't think we lost our confidence in winning," Hargreaves said. "Right now we are focused on the little things, like getting guys to meetings on time and workouts, and staying out of trouble. It's the little things that lead to the big picture."
