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Jake McGee showed no signs of anxiousness as he sat before a swarm of media members. Entering his sixth season, there's little left that can unsettle the 6-foot-6, 249 pound tight end.

He smiled occasionally, answered mostly in monotone, and fended off prying questions about the quarterback on the wrong end of a pick six by All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III in practice.

This reserved behemoth may be the perfect role model for a Florida Gators squad fielding a sophomore, two redshirt freshmen and a true freshman at tight end.

"We've got a lot of young faces and a lot of new faces who haven't played a lot of college football," McGee said. "So it's sort of, at least for me personally, it's my job as a guy who has been playing in college for awhile now to sort of help the other guys come along and grow and really each day get better and better with each practice to be the best that they can be."

This is important for a team that's been beaten down over the past couple of seasons, especially on the offensive side of the ball. In 2013, the Gators ranked 117th in total offense and 110th in passing and receiving. Last season featured an "improvement" to 104th and 107th, respectively. A team littered with blue chip recruits cannot repeat these numbers in 2015 and hopes to compete in the SEC East.

To avoid this, the Gators must adapt to a new system, a third offense in as many years, after Brent Pease's highly touted spread from Boise State failed to convert down south and Kurt Roper's array of swings and screens fizzled against the rugged opposition of the SEC.

The tumult might shake greenhorns, but McGee has seen more change than just about anyone. Over his six seasons, he has seen three head coaches: first Mike London at Virginia, then Will Muschamp and now Jim McElwain at Florida.

He was an unheralded two-star quarterback prospect committed to the University of Richmond, before eventually following Mike London to Virginia. Switching to tight end, he led the Cavaliers in receiving as a junior before transferring to Florida after graduating with a year of eligibility. Misfortune struck as he broke his fibula and tibia early in the second quarter of the season-opener against Eastern Michigan.

McGee and his parents battled the NCAA for an albatross that is a sixth year, one that was finally granted on Jan. 20, more than four months after his injury. He rehabilitated himself, a process that included the insertion of a titanium rod and six screws into his leg. Finally on Sept. 5, McGee hopes to run out onto Florida Field to play meaningful football.

After overcoming so much adversity, McGee is in a perfect position to once again disprove naysayers and nonbelievers. When asked about entering the season as substantial underdogs and being picked to finish fifth in the SEC East, he said that'll serve as motivation.

"As an offense, that's something that we've sort of quietly got together and you hear it," McGee said. "You sort of stay focused on what you do in the rooms, but there's not a lot of people expecting a lot from us. That's something that you put in the back of your head and build on it. You do the best as you can as a player and get ready for game day to really show what you've been doing."

Florida has not had a proficient tight end since Jordan Reed declared for the NFL Draft in 2012. Other than McGee, not a single tight end on Florida's roster has so much as a reception. It will be imperative for McGee, who last played a full season in 2013 when he led Virginia with 43 receptions and accounted for 395 yards, to become a safety valve for young quarterbacks Will Grier and Treon Harris. McGee must also shoulder the load of molding the future that is budding redshirt freshman C'yontai Lewis and sophomore DeAndre Goolsby.

"I think they've done great," noted McGee. "I've enjoyed being with them. They're really fun guys. I think they're coming along great and I'm excited what they're going to bring to the field in the fall. They're talented players and they're two guys I've tried to help as much as I can to get them as good as they can be with whatever impact I can have with them."

McGee will turn 24 on Sept. 19. He is the oldest player on the team.

For a team frequently described as young and inexperienced, he is the sage who, for one last season, will impart his knowledge and experience to the Gators.