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It was an early morning for the Florida Gators as they took to the field for their second day of fall camp. Nick Savage was there to wake up anyone dragging and it didn’t take long for that energy to rub off on everyone who came through the gate.

TRENDING

Thumbs Up: Florida head coach Dan Mullen has promised special teams will be more of an emphasis and so far he’s keeping that promise. The first period of practice saw guys rotating between stations, working on blocking punts, kicks, coverage and everything in between. While blocking punts, Jon Gould was beating his defenders well; that is until a string of starters (Mullen has stated every player will have to play special teams) smothered him. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson blocked one that would allow him to score in a game while Trevon Grimes, Tyrie Cleveland and Dameon Pierce swallowed up the punts they faced.

Thumbs Down: The defensive line is still shaking itself out. Elijah Conliffe and Khairi Clark switched places as Conliffe took over as first team nose guard. Todd Grantham had to jump on TJ Slaton for not showing the proper technique on a “pursuit drill. CeCe Jefferson is still working tentatively with the second team while he recovers from injury. This line has a chance to really special, but they will have to use fall camp to sharpen their tools.

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TOP FIVE PERFORMERS

Trevon Grimes: The receiver could be a difference maker for Florida this year and Saturday’s practice showed why. His burst on routes will make him a threat on deep balls, his height helped when he needed to reach for balls and while working with Billy Gonzales on a drill to help slap away defensive backs, he completely overmanned his opponent.

Feleipe Franks: Another day, another chapter in the ongoing quarterback battle. Today it was Franks who looked a bit sharper in the periods open to media. He delivered on intermediate throws, long balls, RPO’s and the only drop he had was to a receiver that was buried deep on the depth chart.

Martez Ivey: Line coach John Hevesy was relentless about the details with his linemen this morning. He made several of them repeat drills step by step, barking he’d make them run the whole field if they didn’t sharpen up. Ivey though showed he is blossoming under Hevesy, watching every slight movement his coach wants him to make and matching him.

Dameon Pierce: To be such a bowling ball, Pierce looked surprisingly limber in RPO drills. In fact of all the running backs, he looked the smoothest during RPO’s, with a quickness that made his timing with Franks seamless.

Kyle Pitts: The freshman tight end makes our Top Five two days in a row after another impressive practice during which coaches could be heard praising him all morning. During passing drills with the quarterbacks, Pitts was consistently sharp on routes and helping the passers out when a throw was slow, coming back for the ball.

ADJUSTING TO THE HEAT

Inside the Gators was informed that up to seven players had issues dealing with the heat and humidity Friday afternoon. To that end, wide receiver Jacob Copeland spent warmups in the pit and we didn’t see him during receiver drills either. He was running around on his own so it seems to be a precautionary measure more than anything.

THIS AND THAT

Feleipe Franks was was one of the first players out at practice while Kyle Trask and Emory Jones found themselves near the back but chances are it won’t happen again. Nick Savage told them they need to be the first ones in every day or they’d have to spend time with him afterwards...During a strip drill, Mullen had a gem of a motivational quote for the guys, telling them to “get the ball like it’s a d*mn cheeseburger”...Jay Jacobs, the former Auburn AD now on the Florida staff, was out at practice today with UF AD Scott Stricklin, introducing himself to staff and media, getting to know his new school.

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FLORIDA FOOTBALL & RECRUITING