09/02/10 - (WR) - Frankie Hammond, rSo, 5-11, 178 No. 4 Florida will be without reserve receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. for its season opener Saturday against Miami of Ohio. Coach Urban Meyer says Hammond, who was charged with driving under the influence this summer, could be back next week against South Florida. Meyer says Hammond’s status is “week to week.” Hammond, a sophomore from Hollywood, had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown last season. - AP Sports
09/01/10 - (QB) - John Brantley, rJr, 6-3, 218 PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB John Brantley gets his first career start in The Swamp, where his dad played quarterback and uncle played linebacker. Expect Brantley to spread the ball around to his speedy group of playmakers. Brantley has a strong-arm downfield and has established good chemistry with his receivers in camp, especially fellow redshirt junior Deonte Thompson.
09/01/10 - (CB) - Janoris Jenkins, Jr, 5-11, 186 PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Janoris Jenkins - Miami will look to establish the passing game with Dysert and a speedy group of what Meyer calls "SEC-caliber receivers." Jenkins, Florida's best cover corner, should get some early action if Miami chooses to test him and throw to his side. If not, Jenkins will have done his job in limiting Miami's pass attack to one side of the field.
09/01/10 - (WR) - Omarius Hines, rSo, 6-0, 218 Florida has moved sophomore WR Omarius Hines to the hybrid WR-TE position that former Gator standouts Cornelius Ingram and Aaron Hernandez manned in previous seasons. At 6-foot and 219 pounds, Hines is versatile enough to handle the spot. "He's like a modern-day (Cornelius Ingram), just in a smaller form," redshirt senior offensive lineman Carl Johnson said. "He's too big for corners and he's too fast for linebackers."
09/01/10 - (WR) - Frankie Hammond, rSo, 5-11, 178 Meyer would not say whether WR Frankie Hammond Jr. (DUI arrest) will be suspended for the season opener against Miami. Hammond, who had his scholarship taken away and is now a walk-on, was not listed on UF's depth chart.
09/01/10 - (DT) - Terron Sanders, rSr, 6-2, 316 OL Matt Patchan will miss the season opener with a broken wrist. DT Terron Sanders (sprained knee) is doubtful. TE Jordan Reed is questionable with a deep knee bruise. WR Stephen Alli (groin) also is questionable.
09/01/10 - (OT) - Marcus Gilbert, rSr, 6-6, 318 Starting LT Xavier Nixon will miss the opening game after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee Aug. 24. Marcus Gilbert will move to LT, with Carl Johnson at LG, Mike Pouncey at C, James Wilson at RG and Maurice Hurt at RT.
09/01/10 - (C) - Mike Pouncey, Sr, 6-5, 312 PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Mike Pouncey is the senior leader of UF's revamped offensive line. If Florida is to establish the run early, it will need Pouncey to lead the push. Pouncey also should provide excellent pass protection, keeping first-year starting quarterback John Brantley comfortable in the pocket.
09/01/10 - (QB) - John Brantley, rJr, 6-3, 218 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Miami-Ohio at Florida, Sept. 4 - Florida will usher in the John Brantley era at The Swamp, where another sellout of 90,000-plus is expected. It will serve as a chance for Florida fans to see five new starters on offense and six new starters on defense. If Florida builds a big lead at halftime, Meyer hinted that several heralded members of UF's 2010 freshman class could see the field in the second half. KEYS TO THE GAME: Show up. Florida is a 36-point favorite and has won 20 straight season openers. Florida's secondary will get a bit of a test against talented Miami quarterback Zac Dysert (2,611 yards passing, 12 TDs last season). Look for Florida to pressure Dysert early and often and force him into mistakes. Florida should have enough talent in its four-man front to accomplish that feat. On offense, expect Florida to ease Brantley into his first career start by balancing run and pass early. Backup quarterbacks Tyler Murphy and Trey Burton could be used in some direct-snap formations on short yardage or near the goal line.
09/01/10 - (OLB) - A.J. Jones, rSr, 6-1, 226 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: New defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is training his linebackers to play all three positions (strong side, middle and weak side) in camp in an effort to make them more versatile. Senior A.J. Jones has nailed down a starting job. Three other players - Brandon Hicks, Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic -- are battling for the other two spots and will rotate throughout the game. Florida may test some 3-4 alignments to get all four linebackers on the field at the same time. Meyer said he has confidence in Austin, who is taking over for long-time former UF defensive coordinator Charlie Strong. "The best coaches I've been around are the guys that motivate well, that make sure their players are ready for competitive excellence when they practice, and that's what I'm anxious to see," Meyer said. "You might see a little wrinkle here or a wrinkle there, but as far as his name, his name is going to be on that defense as far as effort and running to the football."
09/01/10 - (WR) - Chris Rainey, rJr, 5-09, 178 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Meyer said Florida will feature a little more traditional lineup on offense with the strong-armed Brantley at quarterback. Expect to see some I-formation sets. "We have a lot of confidence in our tailbacks, which is new around here," Meyer said. Tailbacks Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody and Mike Gillislee are all capable of carrying the ball. Rainey also will fill the role at slot receiver, an important position in Meyer's spread offense. Florida likes Rainey's ability to catch the ball and make plays in open space.
09/01/10 - (RB) - Jeff Demps, Jr, 5-08, 185 Florida has decided on its return specialists to replace departed senior Brandon James. Speedy junior Jeff Demps will handle kickoffs while redshirt junior Chris Rainey will return punts. The two returners will have big shoes to fill. James returned five kicks (four punts, one kickoff) for TDs during his career.
09/01/10 - (CB) - Jeremy Brown, rSo, 5-10, 182 The second starting spot opposite preseason All-SEC junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins hasn't been set yet. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremy Brown appears to have the edge over senior Moses Jenkins. Both could end up playing in nickel formations. Or Florida could turn to talented true freshman safety Matt Elam in the nickel with starting safeties Ahmad Black and Will Hill.
09/01/10 - (C) - Mike Pouncey, Sr, 6-5, 312 Florida senior center Mike Pouncey said there is no longer a division between the upperclassmen and the freshmen on the team. Earlier in camp, heralded true freshmen defensive linemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley walked out in the middle of practice for undisclosed reasons. Rumors surfaced that both Powell and Easley were transferring, but both were at practice the following day. "They responded like men," said Pouncey, who questioned the work ethic of the freshman class earlier in camp. "I wasn't calling them out to separate this team because all of them are great players." Pouncey has been named to the watch list of the Rimington Trophy (top college football center) and Lombardi Award (top college football lineman).
09/01/10 - (QB) - John Brantley, rJr, 6-3, 218 Teammates have said Brantley has already demonstrated a presence in the huddle during practices. "I think he has done a tremendous job being a vocal leader, rallying the guys and stepping forward to greatness," senior offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert said. "I look forward to John having a big successful year as a Gator." Growing up in Ocala, Fla., (about 30 miles south of UF's campus) Brantley comes from Gator bloodlines. His father, John, was a former Gator quarterback and his uncle, Scot, was a former standout linebacker who went on to an NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When asked about the pressure of replacing Tebow earlier in fall camp, Brantley proclaimed he was just "a regular dude from Ocala who is going to play quarterback for the Florida Gators." "I loved that statement," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "That's exactly who he is."
09/01/10 - (QB) - John Brantley, rJr, 6-3, 218 John Brantley admitted there will probably be some butterflies when he runs out of the tunnel of Florida Field for the first time as UF's starting quarterback. "It's going to be a little nerve-wracking running out there the first time, but if you're not nervous then there's something wrong," Brantley said. "I'm excited. I just can't wait for Saturday to come." Brantley will make his first career start Saturday against Miami (Ohio), getting his opportunity after spending three years behind Florida icon Tim Tebow. Those are huge shoulder pads to fill. Tebow won a Heisman and led Florida to a BCS title in his three years as UF quarterback. Florida went 35-6 in Tebow's 41 starts. Brantley said he welcomes the questions about how he will replace Tebow. "Tim is going to go down as one of the best players in college history," said Brantley, a redshirt junior. "I was happy to sit back and learn from him. Sit back and sit down with a Heisman Trophy winner, a national championship winner. I've learned a lot from him and I'm just going to try and keep it going." The strong-armed Brantley isn't as mobile at Tebow, but in spot duty he has shown a quick release and the ability to throw the ball accurately downfield. For his career, Brantley has thrown 10 touchdown passes and just one interception.
08/31/10 - (RB) - Jeff Demps, Jr, 5-08, 185 QB John Brantley has the difficult task of taking over at quarterback, but he proved to be solid in mop-up duty last season, completing 36 of 48 passes for 410 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Having the dynamic Jeff Demps at running back should take some of the pressure off Brantley. Demps, the NCAA champion in the 60-meter dash and the 100 meters, is dangerous in the open field. The junior has rushed for 1,350 yards and 14 touchdowns over the last two seasons, and his average of 7.6 yards per carry puts him on pace to shatter the school record of 6.4 set by Eli Williams (1994-97). “You can’t win our conference if you can’t run the ball,” said offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, one of four new coaches on Meyer’s staff. “You better be tough, you better be able to run it and you better have balance. If you don’t have those three components, you’ve got problems.” - AP Sports
08/30/10 - (C) - Mike Pouncey, Sr, 6-5, 312 Florida junior Mike Pouncey has the ability to play all five positions on the Gators’ offensive line, but Coach Urban Meyer is resisting the idea of turning the Rimington Award candidate into the team’s resident nomad. Pouncey played guard last year, but moved to center this season after his twin brother, Maurkice, departed for the NFL. But with the Gators scrambling a bit following the news their top two left tackles will sit out next Saturday’s season opener against Miami (Ohio) with injuries, Pouncey offered to shift to tackle to protect quarterback John Brantley’s blind side. Meyer hasn’t bought into the idea, saying he wants to make sure the center-quarterback exchange doesn’t become an issue. “I want the ball to hit the quarterback in the hands and not look like the Bad News Bears out there,” Meyer said, according to the Associated Press. “I don’t think we’re going to move Mike. I hope not.” - Jason Shoot, News Herald
08/30/10 - (C) - Mike Pouncey, Sr, 6-5, 312 2010 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD FALL WATCH LIST: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida, has been selected to the Official Watch List for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award. Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the official watch list by earning All-America honors, by being named to their respective all-conference first teams as selected by the conference's head coaches or by nomination sent to and reviewed by the nominations committee. - Rotary Lombardi Award
08/28/10 - (C) - Mike Pouncey, Sr, 6-5, 312 2010 RIMINGTON TROPHY FALL WATCH LIST: Mike Pouncey Florida 6'5" 312 Senior, has been selected one of 37 centers named a preseason candidate for the 2010 Rimington Trophy Award, presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $1.8 million for its benefactor, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The eleven-year old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $80 million for CF Research. - The Rimington Trophy Award
08/28/10 - (RB) - Jeff Demps, Jr, 5-08, 185 2010 DOAK WALKER AWARD WATCH LIST: Jeff Demps (Jr.), Florida, has been selected one of 49 running backs nationally to be named a preseason candidate for the 2010 Doak Walker Award. The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the 10 semifinalists on Nov. 10, while the three finalists will be announced on Nov. 22. The 2010 Doak Walker Award winner will be announced live on ESPN during the ESPNU College Football Awards show on Thursday, Dec. 9. The award, which is presented annually to the nation's top college running back, is in its 21st year and is named after SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker. - Doak Walker Award
08/28/10 - (SS) - Matt Elam, Fr, 5-10, 205 Two freshmen on the University of Florida football team were arrested over the summer for possession of alcohol under the age of 21, the Miami Herald has learned. Freshman safety Matt Elam was arrested on July 2 and freshman receiver Solomon Patton was arrested on Aug. 1. Elam was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor after being arrested for allegedly possessing a can of carbonated malt liquor in the parking lot of a bank on NW 1st Street in Gainesville, according to the arresting officer. Elam was seen holding a 23.5 ounce can of Four Loko, according to the officer. Elam pleaded no contest on July 21 and was ordered to pay a fine. The case is still open, according to Alachua County records, because Elam attempted to pay the fine with a personal check. The $121 personal check -- subject field "open container ticket" -- was returned to Elam's residence in Riviera Beach along with a letter from Alachua County requesting the fine be paid in cash or by money order. Elam has until Oct. 27 to pay the fine, according to records. Elam received public recognition from UF coach Urban Meyer on Thursday for being a leader of the freshman class. A strong safety by trade, Elam has also practiced at nickel back during the preseason and could receive playing time at the position in the Gators' season opener on Sept. 4 against Miami (Ohio). Elam will not be suspended for the season opener, according to Florida assistant coach Chuck Heater, who coaches the team's safeties. - Joseph Goodman, The Miami Herald
08/28/10 - (WR) - Omarius Hines, rSo, 6-0, 218 Every year, college football coaches look for the best ways to disrupt and confuse defenses. Some look for tricky schemes, while others come out in unusual formations. For Florida, the coaches are looking to find the best mismatches they can, wherever they can. With speed being one of the main ingredients for the Gators, Urban Meyer and his staff are experimenting with putting one of their fastest weapons on and off the line in a more hybrid role. The test subject is redshirt sophomore Omarius Hines, who at 6 feet, 219 pounds, has held his own working as both a tight end and a wide receiver in camp. "He's like a modern day (Cornelius Ingram), just in a smaller form," redshirt senior offensive lineman Carl Johnson said. "He's too big for corners and he's too fast for linebackers." Six feet might not be too daunting for a normal-sized cornerback, but the 219 pounds is quite a load. With that weight, Florida's corners have had a hard time marking Hines in practice. Redshirt sophomore corner Jeremy Brown said Hines is probably the strongest, most physical Florida receiver. - Edward Aschoff, GatorSports.com
08/27/10 - (OT) - Xavier Nixon, So, 6-5, 300 No. 4 Florida will be without starting left tackle Xavier Nixon and backup Matt Patchan for its opener. Coach Urban Meyer ruled out both players Thursday, saying he's unsure when they will return. Nixon had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. Patchan is recovering from a broken right wrist. He had a pin inserted in his wrist, which has been in a cast since early this month. It's unclear how Florida will shuffle its line to fill the void against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 4. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert moved to the left side earlier this week, and center Mike Pouncey switched to right tackle. But Meyer said he expects Pouncey to remain at center. "First game, I want the ball to hit the quarterback in the hands and not look like the Bad News Bears out there," Meyer said. "I'm not sure what it is right now, but I don't think we're going to move Mike. I hope not." Tight end Jordan Reed, linebacker Brandon Hicks and receiver Carl Moore also missed practice Thursday. Reed has a bruised right knee, Hicks has a sprained thumb and Moore had an emergency root canal. Meyer said Reed probably will miss the opener. Nixon and Patchan had been battling for the starting spot. Nixon started the final five games last season at left tackle before spraining an ankle and then hurting his knee. Patchan hasn't been able to stay healthy in three seasons, missing time because of a gunshot wound, a torn pectoral muscle and a knee injury that resulted from an on-campus scooter accident. - AP Sports
08/27/10 - (DE) - Ronald Powell, Fr, 6-4, 230 Florida freshmen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley were back at practice Thursday, two days after skipping part of a session and setting off speculation they would transfer. Coach Urban Meyer said Thursday that the highly touted defensive linemen are "all good." "They're doing great," Meyer said. "Our freshman class is doing great. I keep hearing this and I keep hearing that. Everything's in good shape." Meyer acknowledged that Powell and Easley missed part of practice Tuesday, but he refused to say why or whether they were excused. Rumors swirled the last two days about their absence, with talk ranging from the players being upset about getting yelled at during practice to them asking for their release and planning to transfer. "No. No, no, no, no, no. Never," Meyer said. "The transfer word never came out of their mouths. They're good." Powell, a defensive end from Moreno Valley, Calif., was considered the nation's top recruit. Easley, a defensive tackle from New York, was another five-star prospect. Together, they helped give Florida what many considered the nation's top class. - AP Sports
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