Since the 2019 season, Florida’s offensive line has been a bit of a limiting factor, especially when it came to run blocking. That’s why UF’s move to a more run-focused offense with Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson at quarterback was a bit striking: It was predicated on a level of offensive line play that hadn’t been present for a while.
Earlier in the season, however, things were going great. The Gators had the best non-service academy rushing attack in the nation, and the offensive line looked markedly improved. It’s likely for that reason that the group was named to the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award on Tuesday.
The Joe Moore Award is given annually to the best offensive line in college football, and UF was one of 19 lines (six of which are in the SEC) to be named to the honor roll.
The Gators definitely have a stronger front than they had the last two seasons, but things still aren’t perfect, especially not in recent weeks. They’ve dealt with injuries to their two best starters in Ethan White and Richard Gouraige, and the results have been noticeable.
The line struggled a lot in the loss to Kentucky, and it didn’t play particularly well against a weak LSU front seven despite the offense putting up 42 points in a losing effort.
It’s hard to imagine that Florida is able to ultimately come away with the Joe Moore Award this season unless the line plays markedly better down the stretch, especially with the next game coming against one of the best college football defenses in a while in the Georgia Bulldogs.
UF’s offensive line play took a step forward this year, but it’s still not quite where it needs to be.
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