GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida brought in four true freshman receivers in the 2016 recruiting class, hopeful that at least one or two would emerge in fall camp and quickly become a contributor on an offense desperately needing playmakers.

After national signing day, most assumed Tyrie Cleveland would be the one to make that jump. The No. 2 receiver in the nation out of high school, Cleveland had the speed to get behind defenses and really be a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.

However, after being hampered by legal trouble and a hamstring injury in fall camp, Cleveland has watched as another true freshman has quietly emerged as the most likely breakout contributor. Former four-star prospect Freddie Swain.

"Having spring ball under their belt it’s really shown their comfort," coach Jim McElwain said of the freshman receivers. "In fact, Freddie, it was probably about Practice 4, I think it was, and he came out and said it's amazing how much more fun it is when you know what you're doing."

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As one of two early enrollees, Swain has improved considerably. He arrived at Florida as a terrific route-runner, with a natural ability to create separation in and out of his breaks.

Since the spring, he has started to grasp all the little wrinkles in McElwain's offense. It has shown up of late, particularly with Cleveland and fellow freshman Rick Wells sidelined with hamstring injuries and junior C.J. Worton out with a high-ankle sprain.

"His grasp on what we're trying to accomplish and the reason why you need to be somewhere when you're at depth of routes or splits or whatever that is, his comfort really shows that he's able to play a lot faster," McElwain said. "He's come up with some really big catches. Still working on that focus and consistency that all young guys deal with a little bit, but I really think I credit his development to what he was able to do during last spring."

Though he hasn't yet cracked the starting rotation, Swain seems certain to play this fall. He has consistently gotten reps with the first and second team in practice.

And the Gators will have no hesitation to play young players on offense. In fact, they embrace it.

"The good thing is we’ve got some choices from some of those spots, including some of those young guys that I think some people may have to buy some programs early to figure out who the jersey numbers are," McElwain said.

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