With the start of spring practice less than two weeks away, GatorBait.net stops to take a look at each position heading in. Today, we provide an overview of the offensive line.

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Offensive Line

*** Overview: The Gators lose two major contributors from their 2015 unit, with seniors Trip Thurman and Mason Halter gone. Still, three key starters are back and a handful of younger players got major reps and even starts last year. As long as Florida continues to develop physically, there's no reason this unit shouldn't get better in 2016.

*** The Contestants:

C Cameron Dillard, RJR (6-4, 308)

OG Antonio Riles, RJR (6-4, 322)

OT David Sharpe, JR (6-6, 355)

OG Travaris Dorsey, RSO (6-2, 318)

OG Andrew Mike, RSO (6-6, 302)

OT Kavaris Harkless, RSO (6-5, 300)

OL Martez Ivey, SO (6-5, 302)

OT Fred Johnson, SO (6-6, 305)

OG Tyler Jordan, SO (6-4, 292)

OG Nick Buchanan, RFR (6-2, 285)

OG Brandon Sandifer, RFR (6-3, 357)

OT Richerd Desir-Jones, RFR (6-4, 290)

C T.J. McCoy, RFR (6-1, 302)

OT Stone Forsythe, FR (6-7, 309)

*** Analysis: The Gators have two excellent tackle prospects in Sharpe and Johnson, while Ivey is a very capable third option at tackle as he continues to develop. The size and length at the position is phenomenal, and Florida figures to have a truly massive offensive line for the first time in a while with a pair of large, lengthy bookends.

The inside is a bit more of a question mark, though two interior players return with a lot of experience in Dillard and Jordan. Jordan's upside is very high after a promising freshman campaign, and Dillard should help bring along the whole group as a veteran. Riles also offers some starting experience inside.

For Florida this spring the key will be continuing the development of those six while also identifying the next two to three players who can progress to get into the rotation. It seems a virtual certainty that Sharpe, Johnson, Ivey and Jordan will start. Now it's a matter of finding two to three other players to compete for the remaining spot and getting the actual positions of the starting five ironed out.

*** What To Watch: Two guys we really want to keep an eye on this spring are Travaris Dorsey and Nick Buchanan. The Gators need another strong interior player to emerge, and coaches were high on Dorsey before injuries really derailed his 2015 season. Buchanan has excellent strength and athleticism.

There are a handful of players in danger of falling out of contention to play altogether with so many bodies at the position. Kavaris Harkless and Andrew Mike might get their last shot to crack into the rotation this spring. Whether they can finally take a step forward will bear watching.

It'll also be interesting to see if Riles remains on the offensive line with a lack of depth at defensive tackle. He looked quite good at defensive tackle late in 2015, while Florida seemed to be favoring younger guys like Jordan over him on the interior of the offensive line anyway.

*** Our Thoughts: We think you can pretty much pencil in Sharpe and Johnson at left and right tackle, respectively. They've got plenty of experience there and flashed their upside in 2015. Another year of strength and conditioning coupled with the experience they gained last fall should lead to big jumps.

Martez Ivey is the real wild card depending on his health, and the thinking here is all three of these players will be starting next fall in some shape or form. Ivey has experience inside at guard now, so seeing him cross-training at tackle as the top backup but starting at guard wouldn't surprise us.

Inside, Tyler Jordan will likely start, it's just a matter of where. If Florida can get a quality guard to emerge from players like Dorsey, Buchanan or another young player, it's possible Jordan plays center and Dillard becomes a backup in the rotation. If not, Dillard and Jordan will likely round out the starting five as the center and right guard, respectively.

*** Projected Pre-Spring Depth Chart:

Left Tackle

OT David Sharpe, JR (6-6, 355)

OL Martez Ivey, SO (6-5, 302)

OT Kavaris Harkless, RSO (6-5, 300)

Left Guard

OL Martez Ivey, SO (6-5, 302)

OG Antonio Riles, RJR (6-4, 322)

OG Andrew Mike, RSO (6-6, 302)

OG Brandon Sandifer, RFR (6-3, 357)

Center

C Cameron Dillard, RJR (6-4, 308)

C T.J. McCoy, RFR (6-1, 302)

Right Guard

OG Tyler Jordan, SO (6-4, 292)

OG Travaris Dorsey, RSO (6-2, 318)

OG Nick Buchanan, RFR (6-2, 285)

Right Tackle

OT Fred Johnson, SO (6-6, 305)

OT Richerd Desir-Jones, RFR (6-4, 290)

OT Stone Forsythe, FR (6-7, 309)

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