Florida Gators release first fall depth chart

As Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp and his staff continue to determine the starters for the team’s opening game of the 2011 season against the Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPNU), the team released its first fall depth chart after media day on Monday to provide a slightly clearer indication of how Florida will line up.

QB: John Brantley, Jeff Driskel
HB: Jeff Demps/Chris Rainey, Mike Gillislee
WR (X): Quinton Dunbar, Andre Debose
WR (Z): Deonte Thompson, Frankie Hammond
TE: Jordan Reed, Gerald Christian
F-21: Trey Burton, Hunter Joyer
*In with two halfbacks and one tight end
F-12: Gerald Christian
*In with one halfback and two tight ends
F-11 (Z-11): Frankie Hammond, Andre Debose
*In with one halfback and one tight end

[EXPAND Click to expand the remainder of Florida’s fall depth chart.]LT: Xavier Nixon, Chaz Green
LG: Dan Wenger, Kyle Koehne
C: Jonotthan Harrison, Dan Wenger
RG: Jon Halapio, Nick Alajajian
RT: Matt Patchan, Chaz Green

Buck: Ronald Powell, Kendric Johnson
DT: Dominique Easley, Leon Orr
NT: Jaye Howard, Omar Hunter
DE: Sharrif Floyd, William Green
Sam LB: Lerentee McCray, Darrin Kitchens
Mike LB: Jon Bostic, Michael Taylor
Will LB: Jelani Jenkins, Dee Finley

CB: Marcus Roberson/Jaylen Watkins/Jeremy Brown
CB: Moses Jenkins/Cody Riggs, Louchiez Purifoy
S: Matt Elam, Josh Shaw
S: De’Ante Saunders, Josh Evans
Nickel: De’Ante Saunders, Cody Riggs

KR: Andre Debose/Solomon Patton/Jeff Demps
PR: Chris Rainey, Jordan Reed/Frankie Hammond
K: Caleb Sturgis, Zack Brust
P: David Lerner, Kyle Christy
H: John Crofoot, Tyler Murphy
LS: Drew Ferris, Christopher Guido

F POSITION: Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis‘s F position is one that changes depending on the other personnel on the field. The first number refers to the halfbacks in the formation, while the second number corresponds to how many tight ends are on the field. (Ex. 21 = two halfbacks, one tight end). The student-athlete listed at the F position is the other playmaker on the field aside from the starting HB/TE and two WRs.

BUCK POSITION: Players listed at “buck” are more commonly referred to as hybrid defensive ends/linebackers. Examples of players coached by Muschamp at this position include Jason Taylor, Calvin Pace and Sergio Kindle. Powell, for example, would play defensive end in a 4-3 formation and linebacker in a 3-4.

NOTES

» Wenger looks to have taken the lead at left guard over Koehne, who was given the nod last week by Muschamp. The position has been in flux all offseason.

» Floyd has returned to wearing No. 73 instead of No. 4.

» Injuries to Brown (knee) and Hines (hamstring) are the reasons why the former is listed as a potential starter (with the slash) and the latter is not on the depth chart.

» Saunders has supplanted Evans as the second starting safety as of press time. If he does hold that role, Riggs will likely start at nickel unless the team decides to insert Evans and shift Saunders for those plays. Riggs could also start as one of the two primary cornerbacks.

» Brust supplanted Brad Phillips, Lerner swapped spots with Christy, and Ferris took the lead over Guido in the specialist category. Additionally, Murphy becoming the back-up holder is certainly notable.[/EXPAND]