What to watch for in fall practice

With so many stars returning, led by quarterback Tim Tebow and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, the Gators are pretty much settled (and stacked) at just about every position. For a team that likely will start the season at No. 1 in the nation, there are not many obvious holes or potential weak spots. On offense, two important playmakers (Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy) have moved on to the NFL, but most of the other key players return, led by Tebow. On the other side of the ball, every starter (and basically all the backups) return from a unit that held powerful Oklahoma to a mere 14 points in the national championship game. The Gators appear locked and loaded for their title defense. But here are some key things to watch for during preseason practice:

1. Searching for the next Percy

Sophomore speedster Jeff Demps is expected to get the first crack at taking over the Harvin role in the offense. He certainly has the speed to do some of the same things as a runner, but he's pretty unproven as a receiver. True freshman Andre Debose also will get a close look here, and could be a real factor if he is quick to pick up the offense. In general, the wide receiving corps appears to be the one question mark about this team at this stage. Harvin is gone, Murphy is gone, and the Gators are low in numbers and experience. Developing the young receivers (Debose, Frankie Hammond Jr., T.J. Lawrence and Omarius Hines) will be a priority.

2. Trying to stay healthy

After losing five players (including starters Cornelius Ingram and Dorian Munroe) to ACL injuries last preseason, staying healthy is a priority this August. The Gators pride themselves in their tough, all-out practices, and that approach likely won't change (it's simply part of the Meyer way). But Meyer has said the coaches need to be aware of when it's time to pull back a little to give the players a chance to make it to the season without a lot of major injuries. Two positions where the Gators really need to stay healthy are tight end and the No. 2 quarterback spot, where John Brantley is coming off ankle surgery. Brantley's backup is a true freshman (Jordan Reed). It's the same situation at tight end, where the No. 2 guy behind Aaron Hernandez is true freshman Desmond Parks.

3. Settling on a starting five on the OL

With three starters returning (Maurkice and Mike Pouncey and Carl Johnson), the Gators could go two ways here. In the spring, the coaches were so impressed with redshirt freshman Sam Robey that they were considering starting him at center and moving Maurkice Pouncey back to guard, which would make Johnson the starting left tackle (after being the starting left guard a year ago). But here's a more likely scenario: Pouncey stays at center, Johnson moves back inside to guard, and sophomore Matt Patchan starts at left tackle. This, of course, depends on Patchan. An undersized defensive tackle a year ago, he is up to almost 290 pounds, and the coaches love his work ethic and tenacity — and his athletic ability. The other tackle would be junior Marcus Gilbert, who started two games last year.