The offseason happy talk in Gainesville, she is strong.
Unfinished business.
These juniors — including running back La’ Mical Perine, wide receiver Van Jefferson, linebacker David Reese, wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland and defensive end Jabari Zuniga — are coming back to try and win a national championship in year two under coach Dan Mullen.
“I believe this team has a chance to go to the national championship game and I want to be part of something like that,” Jefferson said.
“We feel we have a legitimate shot to win it all,” Perine said.
If you’re a Dawg fan, there are some reassuring echoes from a decade or so ago, to boot.
Florida wasn’t that far off from being a championship contender in Mullen’s first season.
“Man, two games,” Reese said. “The little things. Couple of games away, a couple of different snaps away, from being a contender. The margin of error is real small.
“If we find a way to beat Georgia (this season) and get to the SEC Championship Game, we’ll give ourselves a chance to play in the national championship game. I feel like there’s an opportunity with this team. But there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Under Mullen and the new staff, the players have shown they’re willing to put in the work. Numerous players have said the turnaround season in 2018 started about a year ago in the weight room, under strength and conditioning coordinator Nick Savage and his staff.
Savage and the Gators are back at it now, laying the groundwork for the 2019 season.
“This offseason is going to get us to where we need to be,” Jefferson said. “Coach Savage is putting us through these crazy workouts. All these workouts we’re doing right now are going to pay off. Once we hit spring ball and fall camp, we’ll be ready to go.”
Yeah, real small error in a game they lost by 19 and were outgained by 150 yards. No worries, though. The S&C coach is here to save the day!
I welcome our new mentality overlords, who sound a lot like our old mentality overlords.