(Quinton Dunbar)
GAINESVILLE -- The lights were on, the field was wet and Florida’s revamped offense actually won the practice Tuesday morning.
Despite the inclement weather, the rain didn’t dampen UF’s effort, as Tuesday 14-session workout was much crisper than Monday’s practice.
The Gators focused on plenty of positional drills and special teams work, but they also concentrated on short-yardage, goal line and red zone drives -- with their offense winning their fair share of battles.
A number of players returned to practice following Sunday’s physical scrimmage, highlighted by Vernon Hargreaves III. The sophomore cornerback (knee bruise) wore a non-contact jersey and participated in minimal drills. Defensive end Jon Bullard (ankle) was back in action too, while offensive lineman Trip Thurman (shoulder) and defensive tackle Leon Orr (undisclosed) practiced both with the team and in “the pit.”
Marcus Maye, J.C. Jackson, Alex McCalister and Bryan Cox Jr. all worked out in non-contact jerseys, and unlike recent days, freshman tight end DeAndre Gooslby no longer wore orange.
Tailbacks Matt Jones (knee swelling), Kelvin Taylor (hamstring) and Adam Lane (undisclosed), along with linebacker Matt Rolin (knee) and freshmen corners Jalen Tabor (undisclosed) and Duke Dawson (shoulder) pulled sleds, tossed medicine balls and rode bikes in the pit.
Now, Tuesday’s quick-hitting observations from Florida’s ninth day of training camp…
-- Freshman quarterback Treon Harris has struggled for much of camp, but the athletic signal caller produced his best practice yet. Harris was decisive, accurate (noticeably so) and converted three consecutive first downs with his legs in a Wildcat package during short-yardage work. When the coaches forced Harris (and Will Grier) to go live, he further excelled. Unlike previous practices, Harris demonstrated an ability to hit wideouts in stride -- either on crossing patterns (top highlight: a sweet throw to Raphael Andrades) or deep balls (Chris Thompson, Ahmad Fulwood).
Grier also did some nice things, with a beautiful sideline throw to Demarcus Robinson [when the offense was backed up inside its own 1-yard line] his best play of the morning. Compared to Harris, Grier clearly has a better understanding of Kurt Roper’s offense, but he continues to struggle with decision-making and ball security lapses.
-- Receivers Quinton Dunbar and Latroy Pittman had their best (open) practice of camp. Dunbar, who's probably been UF's most consistent (albeit unspectacular) wideout in camp thus far, snagged a pair of touchdowns in red zone 7-on-7 work. Dunbar had the day's highlight play: a gorgeous finger-tip snag in the corner of the end zone as he was drapped by Nick Washington.
Meanwhile, Pittman, who has battled dropsies much of camp, was solid in pass skeleton drills. The rest of Florida’s wideouts had so-so days, as the slick balls did players little favors. C.J. Worten and Valdez Showers were forced to work with the JUGGS machine after practice due to too many drops. During one skeleton drill, Andrades, Thompson and Alvin Bailey whiffed three straight attempts.
-- Starting left tackle D.J. Humphries continues to underwhelm in camp. One day it’s drills, the next it’s scrimmage snaps. On Tuesday, the junior -- who is clearly a team leader among the offensive linemen -- was beaten off the edge too often, as Dante Fowler Jr. (A monster yet again. Drink), Neiron Ball and Jon Bullard all won 1-on-1 scrimmage battles. Fowler straight rag-dolled Humphries on one play, beating him inside and meeting tailback Mack Brown in the hole. Florida's junior end, who also abused right tackle Chaz Green multiple times Tuesday, leveled Brown and stripped the ball at the same time.
-- Surprisingly, Florida’s offense (namely No.1’s-vs-No.1’s) got the best of its defense during the goal line (backed up inside own 1-yard line) and short-yardage situations. Misdirection plays were key in both drills, springing Dunbar open for two huge gains on short throws.
-- Others who showcased well Tuesday: WR Fulwood, DE Gerald Willis, DT Caleb Brantley, RB Brandon Powell, C Max Garcia
-- Others who did not: OG Antonio Riles, DB Maye (who seems to be the frontrunner for coaches’ whipping boy), DB Marcell Harris, RB Mark Herndon, C Cam Dillard, OT Rod Johnson
THIS & THAT
Muschamp rocked a cut-off pullover with “I © Hard Counts” stitched across the front. … Walk-on wideout Ryan Parrish has taken over Dominique Easley’s dancing duties. Parrish showcased his moves on such hits as “Party in the USA” and “Classic.” … WR Andre Debose (knee swelling) was not at practice.
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