Options on the O-line

Florida coach Urban Meyer stopped short of naming his starting offensive line Monday because there still are some options to consider.

The feeling is that if the season started today, here’s how the Gators would line up on the offensive front: Matt Patchan at left tackle, Carl Johnson at left guard, Maurkice Pouncey at center, Mike Pouncey at right guard and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle.

The only holdup seems to be whether to go ahead and name Patchan a starter, even though he’s been running with the No. 1 offense for two weeks now.

“The left tackle right now, he’s as talented as any offensive lineman we’ve ever coached,” Meyer said. “It’s just. … I don’t want to say this, but he almost wasted a year because we had to play him on defense (last season as a true freshman).

That’s a whole year of development at arguably the most difficult position in college sports. He’s still a little bit behind, but he’s catching up real fast.”

Meyer said the Gators are considering two other options on the line: Johnson moving to left tackle and sophomore James Wilson starting at left guard; orredshirt freshman Sam Robey starting at center, with the Pouncey twins at the two guard positions and Johnson and Gilbert at tackle.

The coaches will reveal the starting front later in the week, but all indications are Patchan will be the opening-day left tackle.