Florida football: Gator underclassmen with the most impact

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 19: Jacob Copeland #15 of the Florida Gators makes a catch over Dakereon Joyner #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators takes the field with his players prior to the start of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

1. Chris Bleich, R-Fr.

Florida football right guard Chris Bleich and the Gators offensive line has taken a lot of guff from me, you and just about everyone else in Gator Nation.

The line has been responsible for the lack of a running game — averaging just 142.4 yards per game, which is more attributable to one-off big plays as opposed to anything sustainable.

One thing to consider though is the fact that the Gators average more than 400 yards of total offense per game and have scored 34 touchdowns this season.

Just because they aren’t on the ground doesn’t mean the offensive line isn’t doing something right.

After all, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask has enough time in the pocket to average 8.18 yards per throw and strike for 21 passing touchdowns — to add context, Florida’s opponents only have eight passing touchdowns this season.

So, for what it’s worth, Bleich has done an effective job protecting Trask on the strong side, even if the running game hasn’t amounted to much this season.

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