On Thursday, after the 11th practice of the spring, Florida Gators safeties coach Chris Collins, inside receivers coach Trent McKnight, and outside receivers coach Marcus Davis met with the media.
CHRIS COLLINS
The safety group is working on physicality. They ask the players when they get them if they want to be a pro, and then they practice like pros.
Collins talked about Bryce Thornton being coachable.
He said that Kaiden Hall has invested in the mental part of the game. He is trying to emulate the older players who do things the correct way. He is excited about where he is.
The skillset he wants in a safety is being able to run, tackle, change direction, and finish.
MARCUS DAVIS
Davis said that Micah Mays Jr. has the right attitude and is a smart guy. Davis said he has done some good things, but he has things to improve on as well.
As far as Saturday’s scrimmage, Davis said he wants to see more effort.
He said that the receivers don’t go to the whistle, but all the way through the whistle. He said that Vernell Brown III comes out with his hard hat on every day.
As for Davian Groce, Davis said that he is coming along, but you can tell that he is a freshman. He said he is willing. He said he needs to work on how he can continue to play better when he gets tired.
He said some of the things about Marquez Daniel.
Davis said that Dallas Wilson is definitely chomping at the bit. Talked about his good energy, and he sits at the front of the meeting room. Davis said that Wilson is running some routes.
He said that the coaches want T.J. Abrams to be more consistent. He needs some improvement in that area, but he takes coaching, and he wants to get better.
Davis said that Eric Singleton Jr. is naturally a quiet guy. He stays on him about being a leader and helping the other receivers.
He said that he is glad Bailey Stockton is a Florida Gator.
TRENT MCKNIGHT
The staff views the tape after every practice and produces a ‘loaf’ report. They grade the players based on effort on every play. The first thing the offense sees in the meeting room is the ‘loaf’ report grades. They take pride in effort and toughness. Players are able to see comments on the plays where they were given a ‘loaf’ designation. There’s no punishment for a ‘loaf’ play; it’s just pointed out for accountability purposes. And, they are called out in front of their teammates.
McKnight said that you don’t very often see a young player like Vernell Brown III be a leader and hold teammates accountable. He will be one of the receivers that moves around to all three positions.
He said that the receivers who have the ability to move around the most are Brown III, Jaden Edgecombe, and Micah Mays Jr.
He thought that there was some good for last Saturday’s scrimmage, being the first one. They want to see improvement in blocking on the perimeter. Players who stood out were Brown III, Mays Jr., Bailey Stockton, and Eric Singleton Jr.
He has been impressed with Micah Mays Jr. He has been quick to pick up the offense. He’s smart, he’s flashed. He’s a high character guy. He is impressed with his football IQ.
McKnight called Bailey Stockton a tough guy. He is a true competitor who wants to help the team however he can.
Video courtesy GatorVision | Jordyn Banks and Alyssa Britton-Harr contributed to this report
