GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Stop by any player-run-practice the Gators have had this offseason, and you might notice something a little different. It's something more than a few veteran players have picked up on.

The offense is winning the one-on-one matchups more.

As Florida has worked through the offseason and done some passing with quarterbacks and receivers, working against some of the best defensive backs in the country, those receivers are actually getting open. They're making plays.

"I would say that I feel like they're ready to play right now," All-American cornerback Jalen Tabor said. "We've got some very talented young guys that can come in and contribute early, and that's what you expect at the University of Florida. Guys who can come in and play."

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Florida signed five receivers this winter, and at least a few are expected to play right away. Junior college transfer Dre Massey will compete for the starting job in the slot, while freshman Tyrie Cleveland should compete for time outside after coming in as the No. 2 receiver in the country.

More than just those two have had their bright spots in player-run-practices this summer, though.

"You could see them a couple times, you see a Tyrie Cleveland going down the field and beating the deep safety or whatever and you're like 'wow,'" fourth-year linebacker Alex Anzalone said. "Or a guy like Rick Wells, Freddie Swain, Joshua Hammond. Not only do they look the part and have the speed and the size, they know what's really going on. It's different."

That's the thing that has stood out most about these freshmen, according to multiple players. Not only do they physically not resemble freshmen, but you also wouldn't know who they were if you stumbled out on the field and had to pick them out.

Perhaps the guy who sounded most impressed with his new targets at Florida's media day Wednesday? That would be quarterback Luke Del Rio. He heaped praise on the staff for the recruiting haul that could very well make his job a whole lot easier this fall.

"They did a really good job of getting five young, really athletic and smart guys that are going to play pretty early," Del Rio said. "I think the biggest thing is that they're listening, they're learning. They know that they don't know it all, and that will take them further than any 40 test or catch and run."

While no offseason hype has ever guaranteed success -- Florida has had plenty of receivers hyped in the spring or fall camp who fizzled on the field in the fall -- it's certainly hard to remember a year recently where there was this much potential in the unit.

The Gators really do believe they'll be much better. Not only because of the influx of talent, but because of the job the veterans have done bringing along the young guys they're counting on to make a difference.

"A lot better. Light years," Tabor said. "Lightning speed from where we were at last year, because we have another year in the system. Everybody feels comfortable with the system."

And the system certainly sounds like it's got some shiny new parts.

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Contact Thomas Goldkamp by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @ThomasGoldkamp.