GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Being both a former head coach and defensive coordinator, Ron English boasts a proven track record on the defensive side of the ball, and is looking impose his views on a UF safeties group filled with youth but also promise.
"You know what, we're all learning and we're all inexperienced players," English said. "So right now, I couldn't tell you that; but we are getting better. We're getting better. We need a lot of reps. We need a lot of reps because we're young and inexperienced but we're getting better."
When there's a change of scenery at the top, you can always expect some on-field hiccups to follow, especially when switching up defensive schemes. But at the same time, the group is taking steps in the right direction and English got a glimpse of that in the recent scrimmage.
"You know what, I thought we played decent the last scrimmage; better than I expected us to play, because you put in a whole new system and there's a whole new set of demands. Not only just in terms of effort, but I'm talking about execution. I'm talking there's a lot more calls to make, a lot more checks to make.
"I thought we played hard. Some guys showed today we play hard. We got our hands on some balls, and most of the guys tackled decent."
Brad Stewart is a player who's flashed potential all throughout spring, but as noted above, English says it remains a learning curve from the No. 1 guy down to the last player on the depth chart. It remains somewhat of a wait-and-see approach with this group, but their attention to detail and effort are not to question.
"He's athletic, he's athletic," English said of Stewart. "He can move around and stuff. He's got to learn what to do a little bit better so he can really play. See, a lot of these guys are so young and inexperienced that, you know, they're consumed with learning right now. They're just trying to figure out how to put the right foot in front of left foot. As we continue on, I expect him to continue to play faster and get better.
"You know, he's a good size guy who can run and cover. He's got really good, in coverage, eye discipline. I think with all these kids, it's important to them, so they work at it, so they're trying to do exactly what you're asking them to do, and I think it's just a matter of time and reps. I think Brad's a guy who's going to be able to cover and I think as he gets more reps and learns better technique, he'll be able to strike you too."
Shawn Davis, a Miami native who chipped in with roughly a dozen tackles as a freshman, is another up-and-comer who has drawn positive reviews during his short stay in Gainesville. English has took notice of his bright spots as well, but also wants to see much more from him.
"He's got to get a lot better," English said of Davis. "Just with everything. He's a young and immature guy, so he's got to get better with just execution, he's got to get better doing what he's told to do; he's got to get better. And we all do. I'm not just picking on Shawn Davis."
English also provided an on-field update on Jeawon Taylor, who has been sporting a non-contact jersey for much of spring.
"He's getting better," English said. "He's got to learn to practice with a red jersey on, which means he can still go full speed, he can still get around the ball. He just has to avoid contact. And initially I think he more concerned with somebody touching him than playing fast and getting around the ball. So he's got to get better at getting to the ball, but he's, I think, hopefully today was better. I got to look at the tape and see, but I've been on him about that."
One positive note that English pointed out was the group's communication. Spring football allows you to work out the kinks, so English would rather see any type of chatter over silence and not working together as a team.
"Good, these guys will talk and that's, honestly we had a couple guys last year that wouldn't say a word, so these guys will talk," English said. "They're young guys, and I try to tell them, do not, if you say the wrong thing, I don't care, but say something. So we're saying something."
English envisions his group being more well-rounded by the time the season kicks off, but says the potential is certainly there.
“I gotta see some more," English said when asked about the team's tackling. "We have one guy that missed several tackles in the last scrimmage. Most of the guys maybe missed one. But I think our ball skills are good, and I think our athleticism is really good. So we’ll have a chance to get some balls.”
You have a flurry of programs across the map claiming their program as "DBU," including Florida, and English says the previous Gator DBs should do nothing but embrace that.
"I was telling the players, I think that Florida has a right to claim that," English said. "I think that over the years, there’ve been many, many defensive backs that have come here and had great success at the next level. I certainly am happy to be here. I take pride in coaching defensive backs here, and I think it’s something that all Florida men should take pride in.”
If English has his way, his squad will be hard-nosed but also in the moment and playing with their emotions in check.
“Aggressive, tough, determined," English said when asked about the mentality he wants his players to have. "And really, to be able to play one snap at a time. Just play one snap at a time. Don’t worry about the last play or the next play. It’s like that (Rudyard) Kipling poem: those two imposters, you’ve gotta treat them just the same, whether it’s success or failure. It doesn’t matter."
