Practice observations from some people who know such things

Billy Napier discusses things with wide receiver Chime Dike (17) Photo by Chris Spears

Two weeks of practice are pretty much in the books. The Gators hold their second scrimmage today, the last one of fall camp. Next week will be the final week of training camp because the week after will be game prep for the opener against Miami August 31.

Here are observations from practice passed along by people who tend to know such things:

Graham Mertz: He has complete control of the offense, knows exactly where the ball is supposed to go and gets it there whether short, medium or long accurately. Had a deep TDP Thursday on a perfectly thrown ball that was thrown effortlessly … Incredible leadership capabilities. Nobody on the team is more respected … He was very good last year, will be better this year. How ESPN can rate him second half of the 16 SEC quarterbacks is one of life’s great mysteries. Either that or whoever did the ranking was dropped on his head too many times when he was an infant.

DJ Lagway: It’s obvious he’s still learning to make all the reads but that will come with experience. It’s also obvious that he brings serious talent to the field. There will be a place for him in the fall. Think Leak-Tebow 2006 … Big arm, throws so well on the run … Super fast and imagine trying to stop 240 pounds of freight train coming at you. Hasn’t shown happy feet tendencies, but knows how and when to run.

Montrell Johnson: Dressed out and in pads but hasn’t practiced. Really doesn’t need to. He knows the offense and is prepped for a big season. Figure he will be back for Miami.

Jadan Baugh: Should be the most physical running back the Gators have had in years. Quick enough to make a jump cut that freezes linebackers and gets him to open space. He’s going to get the football. A lot.

Treyaun Webb: With Montrell out, he’s the No. 1 back. Knows the offense and good in pass protection … Faster than he looks, stronger than he looks. Hits the hole hard. Everyone is enamored with Baugh, but Webb is a player and he will be on the field a lot even when Montrell is healthy.

Ja’Kobi Jackson: He’s another one who is going to be on the field. Very hard to bring down. Always has nice forward lean so he gets extra yards.

KD Daniels: Can they play five backs? How can you keep this guy off the field? Lightning in a bottle. Give him daylight and it’s a track meet.

Tre Wilson: Uncoverable. He runs all the routes this year, short, medium and deep …  He has to have the ball in his hands at least 10 times a game … How was he not among the top 100 players in the nation when ESPN handed out its list … He will be one of the top three or four playmaking threats in the SEC this year.   

The rest of the wide receivers: Get the ball anywhere close to Chime Dike and it’s a catch … Elijhah Badger will back the safeties up because he has deep speed … KJack will thrive over the middle … Marcus Burke will see the ball coming his way. Deceptively fast … Tank Hawkins, TJ Abrams and Aidan Mizell can burn. Mizell caught a deep pass for a TD from someone Thursday, but don’t know if it was Mertz or DJ. Hawkins is more than just a deep threat … Ja’Quavion Fraziars has been hurt … No report on Andy Jean. Hoping I can get some info.

Tight ends: Hayden Hansen is like having a third tackle. He’s monstrous at 6-7 and 280ish … Air Force transfer Caleb Rillios has been hurt … Arlis Boardingham showing real skills especially over the middle … Freshman Amir Jackson is long and lean. Great speed and hands. He’s just 228 so when he plays it will be as a flex/move guy.

O-Line: Here’s what the starting five is looking like. LT Austin Barber, LG Knijeah Harris, C Jake Slaughter, RG Damieon George Jr., RT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson … Jake Slaughter and Mertz share a brain. They are both super smart and they are super connected, which has to happen with a QB and his center. Jake will be one of the three best centers in the SEC … Austin Barber is practicing at a very high level now that he's fully healthy … Kam Waites is back at tackle, working behind Crenshaw-Dickson on the right side … Bryce Lovett has been in a non-contact jersey. He’s needed to shore up the depth at both guards … Consistency was an issue early on but progress is being made steadily … George had a good week of practice and seems to be solid as the RG.

D-Line: Losing Jamari Lyons hurt, but there is enough depth to compensate … Cam Jackson, Caleb Banks and Big Dez can be a really good NT rotation … Banks can play inside and outside … Joey Slackman had some sort of injury but nothing serious. He’s a player and a real leader … D’Antre Robinson is going to play even though he’s a freshman and still learning … Remember the name Kelby Collins … Napier likes Tarvorise Brown and Brien Taylor a lot … Michai Boireau could factor in the NT rotation, particularly if Banks spends more of his time at DT or DE.  

EDGE: Northern Illinois transfer George Gumbs gets into the backfield regularly. He’s better than anyone expected. Freaky athlete who was a wide receiver when he started his college career. Now 6-5 and 250ish … TJ McCray goes beast mode and nobody can block him. Got to get him in that mindset every single play. He’s a stud at 6-6 and maybe 270 … So good having Justus Boone back. Easy to see what a difference he could have made a year ago, both for onfield productivity and leadership capability … TJ Searcy has had several impressive practices … Kamran James will be a real stud when he becomes consistent. Tremendous potential … Tyreak Sapp is the Swiss Army knife who can play anywhere on the D-line or on the edge.

LB: Pup Howard is beastly both to look at and the way he plays. He and Shemar James are so underrated as a tandem by the SEC and national media … Derek Wingo will be in the mix. He needs to stay healthy because he could be pivotal to the success of the unit. Seriously smart guy who knows where everyone is supposed to be on the field … Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles are good enough to play as true freshmen … RJ Moten is a converted safety who will be very helpful in coverage situations … Jaden Robinson is really good but overshadowed by Howard, James and the freshmen.

Secondary: Jason Marshall and Devin Moore will start at the corners, Asa Turner and Jordan Castell at the safeties. Who’s the STAR? Right now that would seem to be Aaron Gates, Sharif Denson another one … Freshman Greg Smith is very impressive at 6-3, 210 … Turner hits a ton. Maybe the hardest hitting safety UF has had since Major Wright … Turner and Castell could be the best safety tandem since Wright and Ahmad Black … DJ Douglas is going to play a lot at both safeties and STAR … Trikweze Bridges is good enough to play but the D-backfield is crowded with talent. Same with Bryce Thornton … Cormani McClain back practicing after missing time with an eye injury … Ja’Keem Jackson will be in the corner rotation and on the field a lot.

Special teams: Crawshaw hits moonshots. Brings back memories of Chas Henry, who Urb used to tell him, “Go in there and make it wet!” … Smack doesn’t miss and he’s added some range. Consistent mid-50s now … Rocco Underwood best long snapper since James Smith ... Is there a better gunner in the SEC than Ja’Markis Weston? …  All week there was a lot of emphasis on special teams.

Assistant coaches: Strength and conditioning coordinator Tyler Miles may be the difference maker in a break even team and one that can win eight, maybe even nine with a break or two. More muscle, less fat, more quickness and speed. The Miles Effect … Joe Houston coaching special teams is a godsend. What a difference-maker he is … Russ Callaway will be in the booth as Billy’s eyes for offense ... Ron Roberts will be calling in the defense to Austin Armstrong … Roberts is the real deal. This was a big time hire. He is the real deal. This defense will be MUCH IMPROVED … Will Harris (secondary) and Gerald Chatman (D-line) are big improvement over their predecessors … Rob Sale seems very confident his O-line will get the job done this year.