![Gators Breakdown: Different on offense, attitude on defense. Reaction from SEC Media Days](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hMye2Yr367iiOZR_I7yQ0q266D0=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5TYH5H556NCPZJVPDOC4EMKITU.png)
Gators Breakdown: Different on offense, attitude on defense. Reaction from SEC Media Days
Dan Mullen, Zach Carter, and Ventrell Miller made their way to Birmingham, Alabama for the 2021 edition of SEC Media Days. While the Gators are the reigning SEC East division winners, these Gators were peppered with questions of change on the offense and a turnaround on defense.
![Gators Breakdown: TOTD - Zach Carter and Ventrell Miller heading to SEC Media Days](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/TjslBDptQY0Q4zi-taHduh591Sg=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7TEBIZVE6JELBM62QKZTFYUDFM.png)
Gators Breakdown: TOTD - Zach Carter and Ventrell Miller heading to SEC Media Days
This yearโs SEC Media Days will look a little different than yearโs past as far as the Florida Gators go. Only two players, instead of three, get to join Dan Mullen and both players are from the defensive side if the ball.
![Florida football: Spring camp concludes, where does Mullen rank among coaches?](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VQ6a6qRWD61Gpa7ol6dWj1QBU3I=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WVVMJ543SRCKPK4CY6KU3YGSGQ.jpg)
Florida football: Spring camp concludes, where does Mullen rank among coaches?
Spring football practice has officially wrapped up, and youโve got to feel good that Florida got in a full camp unlike last year. โYou would have to say yes,โ Mullen said when asked if Emory Jones is the starting quarterback going into the offseason. But Mullen also mentioned he doesnโt think about it that way because two quarterbacks need to be prepared to start. ๐ Running backs, linebackers impressed this springMullen said he feels really good about the running backs and linebackers coming out of spring. If spring is any indication, Florida has some newfound depth there as both Hopper and Wingo made plays all spring.
![AP source: Florida fires 2 assistants after defensive fiasco](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rwWWLFxF-3xkSKZ2HCNS5v1ieRs=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4D2DIKE7RNFJ3PBWWU6GVHPESA.jpg)
AP source: Florida fires 2 assistants after defensive fiasco
Florida coach Dan Mullen, center, watches play against Oklahoma during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)GAINESVILLE, Fla. โ A person familiar with the situation says Florida coach Dan Mullen has fired two defensive assistants in the wake of the unitโs worst season in more than a hundred years. The Sooners racked up a whopping 684 yards โ the most any team has ever gained against Florida โ in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night. The Gators played without three defensive starters in the Cotton Bowl. Even with those give guys, Floridaโs defense was mostly a debacle.
![Smith, Pitts are the real stars of SEC's Alabama, Florida](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Z3TaGFMudcJt4expWgm-gNlEINg=/1600x1065/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BXT6MG3UUFAVFIRR3PHQ7HZAGU.jpg)
Smith, Pitts are the real stars of SEC's Alabama, Florida
Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are the real stars of the leagues most potent offenses. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are the real stars of the leagueโs most potent offenses. โHeโs great at the point of attack.โAdded Smith: โPitts, he just makes unbelievable plays.โPitts was in the middle of a cautious and costly decision last week. Pitts is a lock for the Mackey Award given annually to college footballโs top tight end. But anyone who has watched even a little bit of Alabama and Florida this season knows who the real stars are.
![No. 5 Florida settles into normal routine, braces for chaos](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/gUSEBxP2eMzqXSNQoNRobLzb0r8=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZQZGJFIUS5CPRGMHY4PTG7QQLE.jpg)
No. 5 Florida settles into normal routine, braces for chaos
GAINESVILLE, Fla. โ Florida coach Dan Mullen is finally settling into a somewhat normal routine. Nonetheless, Mullen is still wary of what lies ahead as Florida prepares to open the season at Ole Miss on Saturday. โObviously, all the COVID stuff makes you anxious,โ Mullen said. Thatโs something Coach Mullen emphasizes at practice: everybody being ready. For now, though, the Gators are just happy to be getting ready to play.
![No. 5 Florida counting on early help from several newcomers](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DfzuFAV91D3AAcfo-ogBbB0yAaM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BAYYIDYIZZBXFIVYKMNECJG5E4.jpg)
No. 5 Florida counting on early help from several newcomers
This much is clear: Florida will rely on a number of newcomers โ some transfers, some freshmen โ as it tries to dethrone rival Georgia in the Southeastern Conferenceโs East Division. The NCAA denied his waiver request to play right away, so he ended up sitting out last season under transfer rules. โHe hasnโt played in live game situations or live football situations where people are coming, running at you to try to block the kick,โ Mullen said. Dexter visited only one school โ Florida โ before signing day. DEREK WINGOAfter losing leading tackler David Reese, who led the team with 94 stops last season, the Gators have concerns at linebacker.