GAINESVILLE, Fla.- The No. 8 Gators have released their depth chart for their season opener on Saturday against Miami.
Feleipe Franks will start the season at quarterback for second consecutive year after leading the Gators to a 10-3 mark and a No.6 final ranking in the USA Today Coaches' Poll a season ago. The redshirt junior threw for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns while becoming the first Gator quarterback since John Brantley in 2010 to start in every game throughout the season.
Kyle Trask and
Emory Jones will both serve as back-ups and will bring experience after taking snaps throughout the 2018 campaign.
Arguably the deepest position group on the team, the receiver corps returns almost every contributor from a season ago.
Van Jefferson,
Tyrie Cleveland,
Trevon Grimes,
Josh Hammond and
Freddie Swain all sit atop of the depth chart. In addition,
Kadarius Toney will be used in a variety of ways all over the field.
The Gators' leading rusher returns from last season as
Lamical Perine will look to be a work horse in the backfield. He totaled a team-high 134 carries for 826 yards and seven touchdowns in all 13 contests last season.
Malik Davis makes his return from an injury that cost him the majority of last season to help take the load off Perine while
Dameon Pierce and
Iverson Clement all look to add depth and help keep each other fresh.
Kyle Pitts and
Lucas Krull are listed at the top of the depth chart for Tight Ends and will rotate with
Kemore Gamble and
Dante Lang for snaps.
Defensively, the Gators look for production from
Jabari Zuniga,
Kyree Campbell,
Adam Shuler, Louisville transfer
Jonathan Greenard and
Jeremiah Moon on the front line.
David Reese II will lead the defense from the middle linebacker spot with both
Amari Burney and
Ventrell Miller rotating beside him.
CJ Henderson,
Jeawon Taylor,
Donovan Stiner,
Trey Dean III,
Brad Stewart Jr. and
Shawn Davis all bring veteran experience to the secondary.
Marco Wilson, coming off a season-ending injury, will get the start at corner opposite of Henderson. The group will look for their trio of freshman corners to make an impact as well.
A look at the complete depth chart:
