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Florida head football coach Jim McElwain decided to keep one coach from the Will Muschamp era, offensive line coach Mike Summers. Summers was brought in last year and coached up an offensive line group that allowed the third-fewest sacks in the SEC. Not to mention the same group paved the way for Florida’s running backs to average 187.7 yards per game. Summers believes this year’s group has bought into the system.
“The guys have really locked arms and realized that every man out there has to be a part of what we are doing. They’re fighting their way through it and doing a really good job.”
The Gator offensive line lost three key guys to graduation and the draft. Max Garcia, Chaz Green and D.J. Humphries were all huge for Florida last year and their presence will be missed. Tyler Moore is gone too. There is no question this year’s group is short on depth. Summers though takes pride in the resiliency of his group.
“They fight their way through tough times and that’s how you build a foundation of a football team. That’s really what we are doing right now at all positions and it’s really exciting to watch because at some point of this season this toughness foundation is going to be what carries us.”
As for the defensive side of the ball, the line lost some important players as well. Most notably Dante Fowler Jr. left for the NFL Draft where he is projected by many experts to be a top draft pick. Others include Darius Cummings, Leon Orr and Gerald Willis III who left for various reasons. This year’s group is young and mostly inexperienced. Defensive line coach Chris Rumph shared his thoughts on the group.
“Just so young. It’s so early. They’ll flash you, they’ll fool you. I tell them they are just like a girl I dated in high school.”
Rumph is entering his first year on the Gator staff. He spent last season as the defensive line coach at the University of Texas, where he contributed to a defense that ranked 11th in the nation in sacks per game. Before that, he spent three years on the staff of the Alabama Crimson Tide at the same position. During his last year at Alabama, the defense ranked fifth nationally in total defense. Rumph believes no other conference can compare to the SEC.
“There’s nothing like the SEC…it’s very competitive. Every week you gotta to be on your game.”
The Gators are continuing to prepare for the Orange and Blue Debut scheduled for April 11th. Next practice is scheduled for Monday.
For full audio clips of quotes above and more, click below:
Summers on his players buying in
Summers’ take on his players’ resilience
