Jim McElwain can credit his defense and its leaders for his first-year success. Stars Jon Bullard, Antonio Morrison and Vernon Hargreaves “bought in” right away, making the transition easier with the new staff. The 10-win season will be remembered as a huge building block toward the future, and these players made it happen.
I would like to add one player to the list who actually may have been the most important — wide receiver Antonio “The Playmaker” Callaway, whose immense talent provided a glimpse into the future of Gators football. I know Michael Irvin is the original “Playmaker,” but since he’s older and Callaway also is from south Florida, I don’t think he’ll mind if I borrow the title.