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College football rankings: Post-spring Top 25 – Clemson, Alabama vie for top spot

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators scores a third quarter rushing touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators scores a third quarter rushing touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
  • Notable Losses: Jachai Polite, Jawaan Taylor, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Jordan Scarlett, Martez Ivey, Vosean Joseph
  • Notable Returners: Feleipe Franks, Jabari Zuniga, Van Jefferson, David Reese, C.J. Henderson, Lamical Perine
  • 2019 Recruiting Class Ranking: 9th

It’s astounding what having a real head coach can do for a football team. As Dan Mullen took over the Florida Gators, the effects were obvious for the SEC East challengers. Though they took some lumps in conference play, where all three of their losses on the year came, Florida at their best was unbelievably impressive last season, including capping the season off with a 41-15 win over Michigan in the Peach Bowl.

There aren’t a lot of departures to speak of in terms of quantity for Florida, but the quality of those is worth noting. Perhaps the team’s two best offensive linemen, Martez Ivey and Jawaan Taylor are gone, as are arguably their three best defensive players with Jachai Polite, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Vosean Joseph all declaring early for the NFL Draft.

With that said, Mullen brought in a top-10 recruiting class this season with several players that could come in and contribute right away. What will be the biggest factor for Florida in 2019, though, will continue to be quarterback Feleipe Franks. The signal-caller in Gainesville made strides with his new head coach last season, but he still has plenty of room for improvement. If the Gators are going to reach their ceiling, Franks taking another step in his progression is going to be the most pivotal factor.

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