Florida’s spring game will essentially be an open practice.
Because the Gators have only six offensive linemen available, coach Will Muschamp plans to incorporate individual work and 7-on-7 drills during Saturday’s spring game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“It’s not fair to go in a spring game situation and ask (the offensive linemen) to take 60, 70 snaps in a row,” Muschamp said Tuesday. “That’s not healthy. It’s not good. It’s not good for our football team.”
Guard Jon Halapio (knee) and tackle Chaz Green (ankle) will both miss the game after undergoing arthroscopic surgeries in January. Tackle Ian Silberman is out with a shoulder injury, and tackle Trip Thurman underwent surgery on Monday to repair a torn labrum. Guard Jessamen Dunker (Boynton Beach High) is indefinitely suspended whle facingcharges of felony grand theft auto and misdemeanor driving with a suspended license.
Guard Max Garcia, now healthy, has battled back issues during the spring, and tackle Quinteze Williams was listed at defensive tackle last season.
As a result, Saturday’s spring game will have just four periods of about eight-to-12 snaps of 11-on-11 scrimmaging.
“They will be normal football, as you watch on a Saturday afternoon,” Muschamp said.
Between segments, the Gators will run individual and position group drills for kicks, punts, red zone, offensive line, defensive line and pass rush, among others.
To accommodate fans expecting to see a traditional spring game, UF made admission free to the public. Muschamp and his assistants will also wear microphones to keep fans up to speed with the different drills.
Muschamp said the new format will keep the Gators from doing as much third-down work as he would have liked. Still, Saturday will be another opportunity to pit the offensive and defensive first teams against each other.
“I’m comfortable with this,” Muschamp said. “I really am. This is no different than if we would have a scrimmage. And to me, it’s about getting good-on-good work.”
Noteworthy: Defensive end Jonathan Bullard will miss Saturday’s spring game due to a hamstring injury. … Cornerbacks Cody Riggs (hamstring) and Jeremy Brown (groin) are day to day. … -After being listed atop the depth chart at cornerback entering spring, Jaylen Watkins will start the fall as a safety. With Loucheiz Purifoiy and Marcus Maye playing well at corner, Muschamp said the move gives Watkins a better opportunity for playing time. … Darrin Kitchens will play inside linebacker in the fall. He entered spring playing the Sam linebacker position.
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