Young across line

Sun sports writer Robbie Andreu breaks down the Gator defensive line with 13 days until the first game.

Probable depth chart

End

91-Derrick Harvey

94-Justin Trattou

6-Jerry Howard

Tackle

47-Brandon Antwine

93-Javier Estopinan

95-Torrey Davis

99-Lutrell Alford

Tackle

90-Lawrence Marsh

98-Clint McMillan

92-Terron Sanders

97-John Brown

End

49-Jermaine Cunningham

8-Carlos Dunlap

44-Duke Lemmens

The upside

Derrick Harvey. That's about as good an upside as one can ask for on a defensive line. The junior end emerged as a big-time player last season and culminated his year by earning the defensive MVP award in the BCS National Championship game with three sacks and a crucial fumble recovery in the Gators' 41-14 victory over Ohio State.

He enters the 2007 season as one of the nation's premier defensive linemen. Harvey had 11 sacks over the final 11 games last season, so he enters the season on a real roll.

He's quick enough to run around offensive tackles and big enough (6-foot-4, 262 pounds) to match up physically. True sophomore Jermaine Cunningham gained some valuable playing time as a true freshman and has been a camp standout. He was a big-time sack specialist in high school and the coaches are hopeful he will eventually become one at this level.

The Gators have two experienced, hard-working guys to show the way for the younger players at the tackle positions - senior Clint McMillan and junior Javier Estopinan, who is back to full strength after knee surgery last fall.

Redshirt freshman Lawrence Marsh almost lost his red shirt late last season because he was ready to play and the Gators had injury issues at end. Marsh has now grown into a tackle, but also can play end, making him one of UF's most versatile defensive linemen.

A huge plus has been the addition of six highly rated freshmen - ends Carlos Dunlap, Justin Trattou, Jay Howard and Duke Lemmens and tackles Torrey Davis and John Brown. Four or five of the freshmen are expected to see playing time.

The downside

Those freshmen are being pressed into immediate action because of the lack of depth and experience at every position except Harvey's. The other projected three starters - Antwine, Marsh and Cunningham - have zero starts between them. The veterans of the group - McMillan and Estopinan - haven't played much, either. McMillan played in all 14 games last season, but he has not started a game in his career. Estopinan has started two games, but he missed the 2005 season and most of the 2006 season with knee injuries. Without the freshmen, the line would have no depth at end. The line is a big part of the defensive theme this season: young and inexperienced.

Young guy to watch

Of the six talented true freshmen, end Justin Trattou is the one who has been mentioned the most by the coaches in preseason camp. He's a fast, physical end who plays with passion and has a strong work ethic. Had the heat not gotten to him at one early practice, he would have been one of the first true freshmen to have the stripe removed from his helmet. With so few numbers and so little depth at the end positions, Trattou probably will see extensive playing time.

Ranking SEC defensive lines

1. LSU

2. Auburn

3. Tennessee

4. South Carolina

5. Mississippi State

6. Georgia

7. Florida

8. Mississippi

9. Alabama

10. Arkansas

11. Kentucky

12. Vanderbilt

Robbie Andreu can be reached at 352-374-5022 or andreur@gvillesun.com.