Now, we will take a look at the wideouts for the Gators. The 2009 receiving core will be without top playmaker Percy Harvin, along with Louis Murphy, which will defiantly hurt the receivers in 2009. But, like every good team does, the Gators receivers of 2009 will need to elevate their game to mitigate the loss of their top two wideouts from 2008. The Gators’ receivers have raw talent and playmaking ability, but none of them have showed it on the field…yet. Who will rise up to the challenge and be Tim Tebow’s go-to-guy in the 4^th quarter?

The first WR we’ll take a look at is Deonte Thompson. The 6’0” wideout appeared in every game in 2008, and ranked fourth on the squad in receiving yards. In the upcoming season, he should improve upon his statistics, and with his track-and-field speed, he could be the deep threat in 2009. His best game against the Gamecocks, where he had a 46 yard TD reception, which was the longest catch of the night for the Gators. Thompson must enter the 2009 season with full confidence, as he will be Tebow’s first option in the early weeks of the season.

Next up is David Nelson. The 6’5” Senior had 5 TD’s on just 12 receptions in 2008, and was on the receiving end of Tebow’s jump pass in the BCS National Championship. After that play, we may see Nelson develop into Tebow’s 3^rd down wideout, as he has already shown confidence in the big man. Nelson has also proven his value on the special teams, after recovering a crucial onside kick against Florida State on the road. For Nelson in 2009, he will look to have a great season to finish is career, and hopefully get another ring in his final season.

The next wideout to discuss is Riley Cooper. The two-sport athlete ( football/baseball ) has been a reliable option for the Gators in past seasons. Last season, he made a huge catch on a 3^rd-and-12 in the BCS National Championship, and he also made the most important block on Jeff Demps’ 61 yard TD run against Kentucky. Cooper can block well, and has very good hands. He will not make spectacular plays, but he will always make the play, whether it’s a catch across the middle or a fade route in the end zone, he always seems to be able to haul it in.

Moving down the depth chart, we come across Carl Moore, T.J. Lawrence, and Andre Debose. The Senior Carl Moore appeared in every game last season, except the National Championship game. Moore average 13.1 yards per reception in 2008, and scored his first career TD in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. T.J. Lawrence and Andre Debose both are Freshman, but could provide huge help in the receiver core. Both played in the Under Armour All-Star Game, and they both have received many honors in high school. Debose has a great burst of speed of the line, which could provide good help in the latter part of the season. Lawrence can use his basketball skills in the redzone, and he might see some balls thrown his way down in the end zone.

Going into 2009, the Gators receiving core is loaded with “potential”. There’s no spectacular playmaker on the roster as we have seen in the past with Percy Harvin, but all the receivers can provide a good set of hands to Tebow. None of the receivers may end up being Tebow’s go-to-guy, as it may be another member of the Gators. Who is this “other” member? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s next installment, as we take a look at the Tight End position.