Gators Offensive Line Remains Work in Progress

With the Florida Gators’ Orange & Blue Game less than two weeks away, football coach Jon Sumrall has seen the good, the bad and the ugly at practice.

Florida held its first intrasquad scrimmage last weekend at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, drawing a mixed review from Sumrall, who praised some position groups more than others.

“I thought the running back room as a whole gives me some hope,” Sumrall said. “The receiver room gives you some confidence, too.”

With returning players and marquee transfer portal additions in both groups, Sumrall’s praise came as no surprise. Yet, concerns remain in the trenches, specifically along the offensive line.

While complimenting the other position groups, Sumrall said the offensive line remains a work in progress. 

“(We’re) rolling a lot of different types of combinations on the offensive line,” Sumrall said. “You know it’s really hard for the offensive line to get in sync sometimes … but just really trying to evaluate individual pieces.”

Despite the inconsistency, there were some encouraging signs during the scrimmage. Most notably, TJ Shanahan Jr. stood out. The Penn State transfer followed offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to Gainesville during the offseason. 

“I think you feel TJ Shanahan at the line of scrimmage,” Sumrall said.

Shanahan is among a group competing for starting roles, alongside Fletcher Westphal, Caden Jones, Knijeah Harris, Roderick Kearney, and Harrison Moore.

However, concerns about the unit extend beyond on-field performance and into the weight room. 

During pro day, former Florida long snapper Rocco Underwood outlifted Damieon George Jr., a three-year starter on the offensive line. While Underwood was a key special teams contributor last season, it raises concerns when a long snapper, nearly 140 pounds lighter, outlifts a player expected to anchor the line of scrimmage. 

“Great kudos to the long snapper, but that’s not supposed to happen,” Sumrall said. “The standards are higher than anything they’ve been exposed to, I think most recently around here. We have a lot of work to do.”

The blocking concerns don’t end with the lineman. Tight End coach Evan McKissack also said his position group’s development is ongoing. 

“We’ve got to be a lot better using our hands and keeping our heads up,” McKissack said.

The Gators’ first spring game under Sumrall kicks off at noon April 11 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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