Florida Gators - College Football 2019 Season Preview

The Florida Gators look to improve their 10-3 campaign of 2018 as they prepare to kick off their 2019 season. The 10 wins in 2018 were an improved of six wins over their disappointing 2017 season. The Gators have the talent to improve from 10 wins but is will not be easy in a tough SEC. The schedule is daunting with Miami and Florida State and conference foes Auburn, Georgia and LSU.

Offense Feleipe Franks has developed into a solid quarterback for the Gators. Franks has at times been daring on the field with his passes but that paid off in wins over LSU and Mississippi State and blowout victories over Michigan and Florida State. Franks threw 24 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. The offensive line lost four starters but has abundant talent ready to step in, to open holes for the running game and protect Franks when he stays in the pocket.

Lamical Perine had 996 yards from scrimmage last season as the backup tailback and this season is expected to have a big year in his final season as a Gator. The receiving corps at Florida is talented and deep. Van Jefferson, Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes are the top three in the group and will make life miserable for opposing linebackers and secondary. Defense Last season’s defense became a force in the final two games forcing five turnovers and sacking the quarterback 10 times. The Gators expect that to continue from the start of the 2019 season. The Gators defense has seven starters returning and several highly talented reserves ready to step in. The secondary will be loaded with C.J. Henderson and Marco Wilson returning at the corners, and nickel back Trey Dean III stepping up, with Brad Stewart Jr. expected to have a breakout season at safety.

The linebacker corps will have David Reese II and Amari Burney, who converted from safety, as the top two with edge players Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga ready to give opposing quarterback fits. Depth at the interior line and linebacker will be important for the Gators coaches to find amongst the returning reserves and freshmen but do not expect another less than what the defense gave over the final two games of last season.