Speed, depth and experience.
Stability, more speed and a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback.
Everything seems to be in order for a run at a national championship this season for the Florida Gators as practice begins Monday.
Oh, and the Gators are really, really fast.
Nearly four years ago, Urban Meyer set out to make Florida the fastest team in college football. The coach might have his wish on offense when fall camp commences at 6 a.m. When the two fastest offensive weapons on the team don't include Percy Harvin, a claim as the fastest team in the country seems almost legitimate.
The first week of camp is open to the public, and all eyes will undoubtedly be on redshirt freshman Chris Rainey and freshman Jeffrey Demps, two of the fastest players around. A footrace between the players is apparently planned for this week, according to UF strength coach Mickey Marotti.
Demps, dubbed the fastest teenager in America by the nation's track community, nearly qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the 100-meter dash after running a 10.01 at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. According to Meyer, Rainey recently beat Demps in a 40-yard sprint behind a UF dormitory. Rainey ran a 4.24 in the 40 before the Gators' spring football game.
"Chris nudged [Demps] out,"
Meyer said. "So we got some speed."
Devising plays for Rainey and Demps will be just one of the tasks for Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen in the coming weeks, when closed practice begins Aug. 9. Mullen and the Gators' offensive staff have a wealth of talent at their disposal. Florida led the Southeastern Conference in scoring (42.5 points per game) in 2007, and eight offensive starters return this season, including four offensive linemen.
"Offensive line is our greatest team strength,"
Meyer said.
DIFFERENT LOOKS
The offensive staff will use fall camp to work on two added wrinkles to the Gators' spread-option: a no-huddle look and a power formation featuring two tight ends. Florida began implementing the no-huddle during the spring, and the tight ends set will be unveiled this week. The Gators' tight ends are senior Cornelius Ingram, who passed on the NFL Draft in April, and sophomore Aaron Hernandez.
"We have a luxury this year,"
Meyer said. "We have two very good tight ends, two guys that are going to be playing football for a living if they stay healthy. So you'll see two tight ends in the game at the same time quite often because they're both dynamic receivers."
The Gators appear to have ample options at the receiver position as well. Harvin is considered a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, and senior Louis Murphy is projected by NFL Draft analysts to be one of the top receiver prospects in 2009.
Junior Riley Cooper is primed for a breakout season, and Belle Glade native Deonte Thompson, a redshirt freshman, is considered a rising talent.
Florida also bolstered its roster with the addition of junior college transfer Carl Moore, considered one of the best recruiting prospects in 2007.
DEFENSIVE QUESTIONS
Although all of Florida's starting offensive positions are accounted for, the Gators' defense will have a few spots up for grabs. The defense returns nine starters, but the depth chart is unclear at both defensive tackles.
Adding intrigue to the battle for playing time along the defensive line will be the return of Ronnie Wilson, the Pompano Beach native who was kicked off the team before last season for firing an assault rifle into the air near a downtown Gainesville nightclub.
Wilson said he has been given permission to walk on and will practice with the defensive line. He played at guard in 2006.
