Friday, July 29, 2011
UF football practices closed to fans
As was the case during Florida's spring football practices under new coach Will Muschamp, the preseason workouts which start Aug. 6 will also be closed to the public and media.
UF’s showcase fails to wow recruits
Friday Night Lights is marketed as one of the nation’s grandest showcases for top-tier high school football players.
But in the days following UF’s seventh-annual rendition of Urban Meyer’s brainchild, this year’s event has gotten mixed reviews.
“I feel like the atmosphere was a good sight,” four-star offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty said. “The competition out there? Other than the receivers, I didn’t see much.”
The Fox Chapel Area High (Pa.) prospect’s observation wasn’t uncommon. Like many of the top recruits at Friday Night Lights, Bisnowaty chose to not participate in workouts, instead spectating from the sidelines.
He was joined in his inactivity by UF oral commits Matt Jones, Brian Poole Jr. and Dante Phillips. Nine other 2012 Florida pledges did not even attend.
Joining UF’s oral commits on the sidelines were four-star prospects like defensive end Jordan Jenkins, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and 2013 Georgia running back oral commit Derrick Henry, who left after about an hour.
All of the onlookers made Friday Night Lights feel more like a social event than a premier camp. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium backdrop might be becoming more of a story than the players on the field.
One of the evening’s only major standouts was Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) five-star receiver Stefon Diggs, who not only worked out but put on a show.
Diggs was accompanied by his former coach and current mentor Will Flaherty, who left Gainesville a little surprised.
“To be honest, and I’m not trying to downplay Florida, I think [Diggs] expected more,” he said.
“When I think about it now, Florida has depth, but they don’t necessarily always have the best player.”
The nation’s No. 2 receiver according to Rivals.com toyed with his defensive counterparts, lulling them to sleep with slants and comeback routes before striking deep.
“I did not expect him to dominate the way he did,” Flaherty said. “I don’t think he was underwhelmed, but he definitely felt a normal level of competition.”
Bisnowaty blamed the watered-down competition level on the fact UF is not permitted to host an invite-only camp. While Florida targets always highlight Friday Night Lights, participation is open to high school players of all abilities for a $35 fee.
“[The Gators] have 40 guys they want to come and [those guys] always tell their friends and that’s how they get all these kids in here that aren’t what they’re looking for,” the offensive tackle said. “So I think I saw a lot of those kids, especially in the O-line area.”
Bisnowaty said watching the action was his best option, so he could pay full attention to how offensive line coach Frank Verducci operates with current players.
For the first time since 2008, Florida did not net an oral commitment the day of Friday Night Lights. The only known offer of the evening went to three-star defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., son of the former NFL linebacker.
Etc.: Rivals’ No. 1 cornerback Tracy Howard was supposed to visit UF on Wednesday but canceled after being informed of the death of a Miramar teammate. Offensive guard Isaiah Laurencin collapsed Tuesday evening during conditioning drills and was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning at Hollywood’s Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Laurencin was 16 years old.
But in the days following UF’s seventh-annual rendition of Urban Meyer’s brainchild, this year’s event has gotten mixed reviews.
“I feel like the atmosphere was a good sight,” four-star offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty said. “The competition out there? Other than the receivers, I didn’t see much.”
The Fox Chapel Area High (Pa.) prospect’s observation wasn’t uncommon. Like many of the top recruits at Friday Night Lights, Bisnowaty chose to not participate in workouts, instead spectating from the sidelines.
He was joined in his inactivity by UF oral commits Matt Jones, Brian Poole Jr. and Dante Phillips. Nine other 2012 Florida pledges did not even attend.
Joining UF’s oral commits on the sidelines were four-star prospects like defensive end Jordan Jenkins, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and 2013 Georgia running back oral commit Derrick Henry, who left after about an hour.
All of the onlookers made Friday Night Lights feel more like a social event than a premier camp. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium backdrop might be becoming more of a story than the players on the field.
One of the evening’s only major standouts was Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) five-star receiver Stefon Diggs, who not only worked out but put on a show.
Diggs was accompanied by his former coach and current mentor Will Flaherty, who left Gainesville a little surprised.
“To be honest, and I’m not trying to downplay Florida, I think [Diggs] expected more,” he said.
“When I think about it now, Florida has depth, but they don’t necessarily always have the best player.”
The nation’s No. 2 receiver according to Rivals.com toyed with his defensive counterparts, lulling them to sleep with slants and comeback routes before striking deep.
“I did not expect him to dominate the way he did,” Flaherty said. “I don’t think he was underwhelmed, but he definitely felt a normal level of competition.”
Bisnowaty blamed the watered-down competition level on the fact UF is not permitted to host an invite-only camp. While Florida targets always highlight Friday Night Lights, participation is open to high school players of all abilities for a $35 fee.
“[The Gators] have 40 guys they want to come and [those guys] always tell their friends and that’s how they get all these kids in here that aren’t what they’re looking for,” the offensive tackle said. “So I think I saw a lot of those kids, especially in the O-line area.”
Bisnowaty said watching the action was his best option, so he could pay full attention to how offensive line coach Frank Verducci operates with current players.
For the first time since 2008, Florida did not net an oral commitment the day of Friday Night Lights. The only known offer of the evening went to three-star defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., son of the former NFL linebacker.
Etc.: Rivals’ No. 1 cornerback Tracy Howard was supposed to visit UF on Wednesday but canceled after being informed of the death of a Miramar teammate. Offensive guard Isaiah Laurencin collapsed Tuesday evening during conditioning drills and was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning at Hollywood’s Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Laurencin was 16 years old.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Ryan Lochte sets world record in 200 IM at worlds
SHANGHAI -- Ryan Lochte has set the first world record since high-tech body suits were banned in swimming, breaking his own mark in winning the 200-meter individual medley at the world championships.
The American finished in 1 minute, 54.00 seconds on Thursday, topping by a tenth of a second the mark he set at Rome two years ago when the suits were still allowed. They were banned at the start of 2010.
Lochte moved ahead of second-place finisher Michael Phelps after the opening butterfly leg and led after each of the backstroke and breaststroke legs before powering home in the freestyle.
Phelps finished in 1:54.16 seconds and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary took bronze in 1:57.69.
Lochte and Phelps also finished one-two in the 100 freestyle.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Pro track has to wait, Jeff Demps will play one more football season for Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE — So much for rumors.
Amid talk that Jeff Demps might turn pro in track rather than return for his senior season, the Florida Gators running back made it official on Tuesday that he will stay at Florida.
"As I stated last week in Birmingham, Jeff Demps will be joining our football program when our squad reports for camp on Aug. 5 and when we start practice on Aug. 6," UF coach Will Muschamp said. "I met with him today, and Jeff is looking forward to focusing on football for his upcoming senior season."
Demps won the NCAA indoor 60 meters this past year, but he failed to defend his outdoor title in the 100 meters when he fell short in qualifying and did not reach the finals.
He was the Gators' main running back last season, but a foot injury sustained against Tennessee hampered his season. He never really returned to top form the rest of the season. Demps has stated several times he would consider a future in track after his senior year, but his first love is football.
"When I came to Florida, I wanted to compete at a very high level in both sports, and I've done that," Demps said. "Football has been my first love, but I also love running track. All of my coaches have been supportive, and I've always been able to concentrate on whatever sport I'm competing in during that season. I concentrated on track this past spring and summer, and I'm now ready to concentrate on football. I'm looking forward to getting back together with my football teammates and having a great senior season."
Demps rushed for 551 yards on 92 rushes last season.
Amid talk that Jeff Demps might turn pro in track rather than return for his senior season, the Florida Gators running back made it official on Tuesday that he will stay at Florida.
"As I stated last week in Birmingham, Jeff Demps will be joining our football program when our squad reports for camp on Aug. 5 and when we start practice on Aug. 6," UF coach Will Muschamp said. "I met with him today, and Jeff is looking forward to focusing on football for his upcoming senior season."
Demps won the NCAA indoor 60 meters this past year, but he failed to defend his outdoor title in the 100 meters when he fell short in qualifying and did not reach the finals.
He was the Gators' main running back last season, but a foot injury sustained against Tennessee hampered his season. He never really returned to top form the rest of the season. Demps has stated several times he would consider a future in track after his senior year, but his first love is football.
"When I came to Florida, I wanted to compete at a very high level in both sports, and I've done that," Demps said. "Football has been my first love, but I also love running track. All of my coaches have been supportive, and I've always been able to concentrate on whatever sport I'm competing in during that season. I concentrated on track this past spring and summer, and I'm now ready to concentrate on football. I'm looking forward to getting back together with my football teammates and having a great senior season."
Demps rushed for 551 yards on 92 rushes last season.
Monday, July 25, 2011
UF sophomore safety Matt Elam cited for alcohol possession
GAINESVILLE — Florida safety Matt Elam, a sophomore from Dwyer High School, was cited for alcohol possession early Sunday morning, The Gainesville Sun first reported.
Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Tscharna Senn told the Sun that officers saw Elam, 19, with a plastic drinking cup, and he threw it to the ground when he saw them. They found a mix of Coca-Cola and cognac in the cup.
He was handcuffed and given a notice to appear.
Elam was caught with alcohol on July 2, 2010, and charged with a misdemeanor. He pled no contest.
Coach Will Muschamp was not available for comment late Sunday.
Florida spokesperson Steve McClain said in a message to The Palm Beach Post, "Coach Muschamp is aware of the incident and will deal with it internally."
Thus far, the only punishment Muschamp has handed out was kicking cornerback Janoris Jenkins off the team this year after a pair of marijuana-related arrests.
Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Tscharna Senn told the Sun that officers saw Elam, 19, with a plastic drinking cup, and he threw it to the ground when he saw them. They found a mix of Coca-Cola and cognac in the cup.
He was handcuffed and given a notice to appear.
Elam was caught with alcohol on July 2, 2010, and charged with a misdemeanor. He pled no contest.
Coach Will Muschamp was not available for comment late Sunday.
Florida spokesperson Steve McClain said in a message to The Palm Beach Post, "Coach Muschamp is aware of the incident and will deal with it internally."
Thus far, the only punishment Muschamp has handed out was kicking cornerback Janoris Jenkins off the team this year after a pair of marijuana-related arrests.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
UF hoping FNL buzz brings commits
Recruiting success is measured in many ways. Signings come from verbal commitments, which come from buzz.
Short of landing any pledges Friday night, the UF football team generated plenty of buzz with its Friday Night Lights showcase at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“This was the biggest camp I've been to yet,” said Stefon Diggs, a five-star wide receiver from Olney, Md. Our Lady Good Counsel. “This was one of my best visits. I feel like The Swamp is a great place to be.”
Diggs seemed to have the most fun in one-on-one battles, where he entertained a crowd of several hundred fans with creative celebrations after making difficult catches. He pretended to autograph the ball for the defensive back he beat after one catch and did several Gator chomps after another.
“It was a big stage out there tonight,” he said. “I didn't come down here for no reason. I had a feeling about Florida. I just knew it was going to be live, and that's what I love.”
Florida coaches couldn't have painted a more scenic picture of campus on a day where the humidity suddenly vanished and was replaced by an atypical breeze. About two hundred players participated with UF coaches, former Gators and current players buzzing around the field.
Diggs and his coach, Will Flaherty, flew down from Maryland just to visit UF. He was planning to spend the night with former Olney teammate and current UF linebacker Jelani Jenkins before returning to campus today to talk further with the Gator coaching staff about the future.
For a team that is itching to add a top-notch receiver to its Class of 2012, the lure of Friday Night Lights has already paid off with Diggs' high interest level.
“It carries weight all the way up to our area — everybody knows about Friday Night Lights,” Flaherty said. “This is the best of the best. If you can come down and make a name for yourself here, it means you're legit. You can play against anybody.”
Diggs was one of many elite prospects drawn to Friday Night Lights. Another, defensive end/linebacker Jordan Jenkins of Hamilton, Ga., Harris County, spent the day on campus with coaches and under the wing of current Buck linebacker Ronald Powell.
Jenkins is rated the No. 7 defensive end in the nation and a five-star prospect by Scout.com. He did not participate in the camp because of a lingering turf toe injury, but he came away from the event with Florida atop his list of favorite teams, along with Alabama.
“The coaches really rolled out the red carpet for Jordan,” dad Ron Jenkins said. “It's about players and coaches right now. He knows everybody has a good facility. He wants that good relationship. He got to spend time with Ronald Powell, and Ronald was telling him how the defense plays and how everybody works as a family here. His exact words were, ‘You'll be my little brother when you come up here.' I'm sure that sunk in real well with Jordan.”
Ron Jenkins said he feels his son is growing tired of the recruiting process and could make a decision in the near future.
Another five-star prospect at the same hybrid DE/LB position, St. Petersburg, Fla., Lakewood's Dante Fowler, came to Friday Night Lights to have fun and interact with the coaching staff. He distanced himself from the notion that he was in town to consider changing his commitment from Florida State to Florida.
“This was the last camp of my high school football career, so I just came to have fun and compete and talk to the coaches,” he said. “(The UF coaches) kept saying how much they want me. But I just had a lot of fun tonight.”
Some top players who were expected to attend did not make it to Gainesville.
Tampa, Fla., Berkeley Prep wide receiver Nelson Agholor and several others chose to go to the ESPN/Nike Gridiron Kings event at Disney World instead. Miramar, Fla., cornerback Tracy Howard, who drove in from a visit to Florida State's camp on Friday, dropped by the coaches offices during the day and left before the camp began.
Avery Young, however, wanted to attend but was not able. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound, four-star offensive tackle from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., stayed at home, disappointed.
“I really wanted to make it up there this time, but all my plans with the transportation got canceled, so that kind of was a little heart-breaking,” he said. “I still feel real good about Florida. I'm still real high on the Gators. I haven't had anything change.”
The Gator contingent was bolstered by alumni such as Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren and Chris Leak. Members of the current Class of 2012 included running back Matt Jones, linebacker Jeremi Powell, cornerback Brian Poole and defensive linemen Dante Phillips and Quinteze Williams.
Gators picked to finish No. 3 in East
HOOVER, Ala. — The Florida Gators have received almost no preseason love this summer, so it should come as no surprise that they also are getting none from the media that covers the SEC.
In a vote at the league’s annual Media Days, the Gators were picked to finish third in the Eastern Division behind defending division champ South Carolina and Georgia.
While that isn’t a surprise, this is: Florida has almost zero presence on the preseason All-SEC team.
There are no Gators on the first three offensive teams. The only UF players represented on the preseason team are linebacker Jon Bostic and tackle Dominique Easley on the third-team defense, place-kicker Caleb Sturgis on the second-team specialists and Trey Burton on the third-team specialists as an all-purpose player.
The Gators also have no players on the first-team preseason All-SEC team that was voted on by the league coaches last week.
“I guess in a way it puts a little chip on our shoulder,” UF quarterback John Brantley said earlier this week. “Definitely, it makes you want to go out there and prove everyone wrong.”
The Gators did receive 12 first-place votes from the media in the Eastern Division race, but South Carolina was the overwhelming pick to win the division, receiving 114 first-place votes. Georgia had 38.
Alabama was a strong choice to win the West — and the overall SEC title. The Tide received 111 first-place votes to win the West and 98 to win the SEC. LSU was second in the overall SEC race with 29 first-place votes.
Alabama was the pick to win the overall SEC title on 98 ballots, compared to 29 for LSU, 18 for Arkansas and 14 for South Carolina. Georgia got four votes, and Florida and Ole Miss both got two.
The Tide placed eight players on the first-team All-SEC team.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Georgia Bulldogs feel it's time to turn the tables on the Florida Gators
HOOVER, ALA. — Seven months removed from finishing 7-6 with a loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, the Georgia Bulldogs feel bold about the upcoming season.
Sophomore Aaron Murray was the SEC coaches' pre-season pick as the top quarterback in the conference. The team returns seven starters from a defense that was No. 4 in the league last year. Plus, of those six losses, four came by seven points or fewer.
Add a top-five recruiting class in February and it is clear why the Bulldogs believe they can win the SEC Eastern Division for the first time since 2005 and also break free from Florida's domination of their rivalry.
"We're not getting blown out of the water; we just didn't win," Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a ballroom of The Wynfrey Hotel at SEC Media Days. "There's a lot of reasons to be very optimistic about what's going on."
There seems to be less optimism about the Gators. When the SEC media poll is released Friday, 2010 division champion South Carolina likely will be listed first in the East. After that, expect Georgia to sit above the Gators, even though Florida has beaten Georgia five times in their last six meetings.
Georgia probably will be a top-25 team nationally when the coaches' and writers' polls come out next month; Florida is questionable.
The Gators cannot feel nearly as confident in quarterback John Brantley as Georgia does in Murray. Brantley barely held on to the starting job last season while throwing 10 interceptions and averaging fewer than 160 passing yards per game.
Florida outplayed the Bulldogs defensively last season, but has only four starters back. The UF offense - regrettably, perhaps - has seven returning starters from the team that was 10th in the SEC in total yards.
Last October, the Gators - who at 8-5 were a mere one game better than the Bulldogs - needed a field goal in overtime to get past Georgia 34-31 and save their season.
"We definitely felt like we could have won that game," Murray said. "We were right there. Hopefully this year we'll take it all.
"If we could go back and change 10 plays last year - maybe even less than 10 - we could have been a 10-win team. We felt like we were that close. It's motivating to know you were that close, and now we've just got to kick down the door."
This year's chapter of the rivalry features a new story line with first-year Gators coach Will Muschamp going against his alma mater. He played safety for the Bulldogs in the early 1990s.
Since Muschamp was hired, he and Florida have downplayed his growing up in Rome, Ga., and attending high school there, choosing instead to focus on the 10 years he lived in Gainesville as a child.
At a spring Gator Club meeting in Atlanta, he playfully guaranteed that Florida would beat the Bulldogs on Oct. 29 in Jacksonville.
When Muschamp spoke at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, he was asked how it felt to be a Georgia man coaching against his former school. "I'm a Florida guy," he replied sharply.
When Richt, a Boca Raton native, heard that the next day, he responded, "He's going to tell everybody he's Florida through and through and all that, but I'm sure there's some red and black in his veins."
That subtle barb qualifies as trash talk from Richt, who might be the conference's most polite and least controversial coach.
Despite his likability and 96 wins in 11 seasons, he is in danger of losing his job if the Bulldogs underperform in 2011. It will take more than beating the Gators to atone for going 14-12 the past two years.
"I haven't beat them since I've been here, so that's very frustrating," Georgia center Ben Jones said. "After you win a rivalry game, it's the best feeling. You have the relief. You want to have that feeling.
"But you can't just pinpoint one game and say the whole season's about Florida."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Mark Richt says Will Muschamp still has some Georgia in him
Gators coach Will Muschamp was asked at SEC Media Day on Wednesday about being a Georgia guy coaching at the University of Florida. Muschamp, who grew up in Gainesville, replied quickly: “I’m a Florida guy.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt doesn’t necessarily agree.
“I’m sure he’s going to tell everybody in Florida that he’s (a Gator) through and through and all that,” Richt said and smiled Thursday, “but I’m sure there’s some red and black in his veins.”
Richt, a Miami grad, went on to tell the story about starting his coaching career at Florida State and playing his alma mater for the first time: “I was just a graduate assistant but I was wearing garnet and gold,” he remembered. “It was weird, for sure.”
Even though he is one of Florida’s biggest coaching rivals, Richt says he has little doubt Muschamp will succeed at UF.
“Will is a great person, a great coach and a great competitor,” Richt said. “He understands the game. He understands how to recruit. He gets it. I don’t think there’s any doubt he will have a high level of success at Florida.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt doesn’t necessarily agree.
“I’m sure he’s going to tell everybody in Florida that he’s (a Gator) through and through and all that,” Richt said and smiled Thursday, “but I’m sure there’s some red and black in his veins.”
Richt, a Miami grad, went on to tell the story about starting his coaching career at Florida State and playing his alma mater for the first time: “I was just a graduate assistant but I was wearing garnet and gold,” he remembered. “It was weird, for sure.”
Even though he is one of Florida’s biggest coaching rivals, Richt says he has little doubt Muschamp will succeed at UF.
“Will is a great person, a great coach and a great competitor,” Richt said. “He understands the game. He understands how to recruit. He gets it. I don’t think there’s any doubt he will have a high level of success at Florida.”
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Gators working on team-building, Muschamp says
HOOVER, Ala. — Florida coach Will Muschamp said the Gators have been working on team building and the team concept has been a top priority this summer.
"We've got a lot of work before playing the first game," said Muschamp, who added the team will start practice the first week of August.
Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi State and South Carolina are the first four teams to participate in Day 1 of SEC Media Days.
Some other points by Muschamp:
*His greatest adjustment as a head coach has been time management and making sure everything is done correct and timely.
*Confirmed running back Jeff Demps will play football his season. He may miss some of August practices running for the U.S. track team.
*Offensive tackle Matt Patchan is cleared to play when camp starts. Patchan missed all last season with right wrist injury.
*Linebacker Neiron Ball will not play this season, but will be re-evaluated in January and February. Ball is recovering from a ruptured blood vessel in his brain.
Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi State and South Carolina are the first four teams to participate in Day 1 of SEC Media Days.
Some other points by Muschamp:
*His greatest adjustment as a head coach has been time management and making sure everything is done correct and timely.
*Confirmed running back Jeff Demps will play football his season. He may miss some of August practices running for the U.S. track team.
*Offensive tackle Matt Patchan is cleared to play when camp starts. Patchan missed all last season with right wrist injury.
*Linebacker Neiron Ball will not play this season, but will be re-evaluated in January and February. Ball is recovering from a ruptured blood vessel in his brain.
Gator pledges going after five-star friends
Recruits recruiting recruits is one of the most fascinating occurrences on the trail.
Like the Borg from Star Trek, once a new recruit is added to a class, he immediately turns into a recruiter for his school with a list of specific targets.
It all started with Seffner, Fla., Armwood running back Matt Jones, one of the first major commits under new coach Will Muschamp. Jones’ verbal not only sent up a flare that Florida’s new pro-style offense will soon have a workhorse, but in Jones the Gators also got one of the most dedicated and persuasive teen-aged recruiters since Tim Tebow.
Next was Stone Mountain, Ga., Stephenson tailback Mike Davis, who may be the most charismatic member of the class. Davis works hard to promote Florida north of the border.
Now, just in time for a summer spike in recruiting (culminating in Friday Night Lights this week), the Gators have added two safeties with big-time targets on their personal recruiting lists.
Strong safety Rhaheim Ledbetter grew up with and goes to Shelby, N.C. Crest High School with five-star defensive end Jonathan Bullard.
“Me and Bullard, we see each other as brothers,” Ledbetter said. “We have always wanted to play together, but his options are still in the air.”
Some have thought Ledbetter and Bullard to be a package deal, but those situations don’t often play out the way close friends originally intend. Now that he’s gotten his own decision out of the way, however, Ledbetter says he will be recruiting for the orange and blue.
“I’m going to be talking, trying to get into Jonathan Bullard’s ear a lot,” he said. “And a lot more, like (Melbourne, Fla., safety) Marcus Maye. Just try to be a big-time recruiter for the upcoming class.”
Sure enough, Ledbetter called Maye over the weekend. The two did not connect, but Maye had already made up his mind to be a Gator.
After talking about his own pledge on Monday, Maye turned his thoughts to his long-time friendship with five-star athlete Nelson Agholor, whom the Gators are hot after as a wide receiver, and his growing friendship with Miramar, Fla.’s Tracy Howard, thought to be the best cornerback in the state.
“As far as guys I’m trying to get to commit and take a strong interest in Florida, there’s Tracy Howard and Nelson Agholor,” Maye said. “Those are two guys that can help Florida come back and be on top again. We all went out to Oregon (for Nike’s elite camp, The Opening). There were a ton of guys out there. We talked the whole week about which schools we were looking at.
“Nelson told me he has a lot of interest in Florida. He says they’ve been on him a lot. If we get some good players, some D-linemen, some offensive guys, some defensive guys to commit that he’s thinking of taking a very strong look at it. He wants to play with great players as well. Everybody wants to be a part of that generation that wins championships.”
Agholor could be very important to Florida, as the coaching staff navigates through a challenging class of wide receivers, a position of serious need after the recent transfers of Chris Dunkley and Javares McRoy.
Florida has just nine scholarship receivers, including one true freshman and one senior, which explains the coaches’ courtship of Agholor, who is also a standout safety.
Agholor visited the UF campus in late June for a two-day basketball camp, and Muschamp and offensive coordinator Weis came to see him.
“As far as wide receiver, he’s a very big priority,” said Maye, who played with Agholor on a 7-on-7 team at The Opening. “Up in Oregon, he was one of the top receivers there.”
Now that he’s in the class, Maye, like the others before him, is going to work hard to see the class grow in size and stature. Starting with Agholor and Howard.
“Definitely, I am going to work on them even harder now,” he said. “I’ll try to keep talking to them on an everyday basis about coming here and looking into things.”
Maye has a pretty good idea of how he’d like to see the Gators’ Class of 2012 come together.
“(Ledbetter) at strong safety, me in the secondary, Brian Poole at corner, try to get Tracy Howard to play on the other side at corner — that’s a pretty good secondary right there,” he said on Monday. “And then Nelson (Agholor), Troy (Latroy Pittman), Matt (Jones) and Mike (Davis) on the offensive side of the ball — that’s a pretty good class right there. So I’m very excited.”
Compliments of Gatorsports
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Florida secondary boasts speed, athleticism
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In his first season as Florida’s head coach, Will Muschamp would have preferred to send his defense onto the field in the season opener Sept. 3 with Janoris Jenkins as one of the Gators’ starting cornerbacks.
That won’t happen after Jenkins and the Gators parted ways in April due to Jenkins’ off-the-field issues. Considered a potential first-round draft pick as a junior as UF, Jenkins is now at North Alabama trying to take advantage of his second chance.
Meanwhile, the Gators have moved on and despite the loss of Jenkins and senior safety Ahmad Black -- his exit was much more celebratory when he returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown to earn Outback Bowl MVP honors -- the secondary has a good mix of veterans and newcomers that provide the Gators with ample options.
Perhaps the player with the most potential is sophomore strong safety Matt Elam, one of the top defensive back recruits in 2010. Elam (5-10, 199) is a physical player with more size than Black, who led the Gators with 108 tackles and five interceptions last season.
Elam played in all 13 games as a true freshman and finished with 22 tackles. One of 37 players named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Elam could provide the secondary a huge boost if he can replace some of Black’s play-making ability.
The competition for playing time at the other safety position includes junior Josh Evans (6-1, 195) and sophomore Josh Shaw (6-3, 186). Shaw moved from cornerback in the spring and could continue to play both positions.
With Jenkins no longer around, Jeremy Brown is the most experienced starting cornerback returning. A redshirt junior who missed back-to-back seasons due to chronic back problems, Brown started 10 games in 2010. He had three interceptions and stayed healthy until a hamstring injury cost him the final two games of the regular season.
Moses Jenkins (6-3, 182) was granted a sixth year of eligibility and could see a lot of playing time in Janoris Jenkins’ former spot. Jenkins has played 29 games over the past four seasons and is the team’s biggest corner. He has started three games in his career.
Sophomore Cody Riggs (5-9, 166) is expected to be in the mix, too. Riggs had an interception in the spring game and played regularly as a true freshman. Another sophomore, Jaylen Watkins, is expected to push for playing time also.
One reason the loss of Janoris Jenkins might not have has big an impact as many expect is the incoming class of defensive backs. In Muschamp’s first recruiting class, the Gators racked up stellar defensive backs as much as any position.
The newcomers include De'Ante "Pop" Saunders (5-8, 173). Saunders enrolled in January and arrived from DeLand High School with strong credentials as playmaker and versatile athlete who also returned kicks in high school and played quarterback.
He was named the Orlando Sentinel's All-Central Florida Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2009.
“I really like recruiting defensive backs that have played quarterback because they have to make critical decisions," Muschamp said. “And the critical decisions you make on the back end sometimes can cost you a football game. I like the fact this guy has had to make decisions with the ball in his hands."
The other defensive backs in the 2011 signing class are Jabari Gorman from Miami’s Monsignor Pace, Chris Johnson of Ocala Trinity Catholic, Loucheiz Purifoy of Pensacola Pine Forest, Marcus Roberson of Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas, and Valdez Showers of Madison Heights, Mich.
“Really excited about bringing the guys we brought in," Muschamp said. “We've got more length at the corner position."
Robertson may be the most polished of the group. His late addition gave the 2011 class a strong boost at the end, his recruitment led by defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, a Miami native who played at Auburn and started his coaching career as a graduate assistant there during Muschamp’s time as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.
Muschamp will be heavily involved in the defense, teaming with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in running the unit.
Quinn shared his some of his philosophy regarding the secondary this spring, impressed by the speed and athleticism of the group.
“I think we would be more man-to-man oriented first," he said. “There's certainly going to be some times where we will play some two-deep and split-safety defenses just to match up for receivers and that kind of stuff.
“We want to certainly take away what they do best, but when you see our guys run outside, it certainly lends itself to playing some man-to-man."
- from GatorZone
That won’t happen after Jenkins and the Gators parted ways in April due to Jenkins’ off-the-field issues. Considered a potential first-round draft pick as a junior as UF, Jenkins is now at North Alabama trying to take advantage of his second chance.
Meanwhile, the Gators have moved on and despite the loss of Jenkins and senior safety Ahmad Black -- his exit was much more celebratory when he returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown to earn Outback Bowl MVP honors -- the secondary has a good mix of veterans and newcomers that provide the Gators with ample options.
Perhaps the player with the most potential is sophomore strong safety Matt Elam, one of the top defensive back recruits in 2010. Elam (5-10, 199) is a physical player with more size than Black, who led the Gators with 108 tackles and five interceptions last season.
Elam played in all 13 games as a true freshman and finished with 22 tackles. One of 37 players named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Elam could provide the secondary a huge boost if he can replace some of Black’s play-making ability.
The competition for playing time at the other safety position includes junior Josh Evans (6-1, 195) and sophomore Josh Shaw (6-3, 186). Shaw moved from cornerback in the spring and could continue to play both positions.
With Jenkins no longer around, Jeremy Brown is the most experienced starting cornerback returning. A redshirt junior who missed back-to-back seasons due to chronic back problems, Brown started 10 games in 2010. He had three interceptions and stayed healthy until a hamstring injury cost him the final two games of the regular season.
Moses Jenkins (6-3, 182) was granted a sixth year of eligibility and could see a lot of playing time in Janoris Jenkins’ former spot. Jenkins has played 29 games over the past four seasons and is the team’s biggest corner. He has started three games in his career.
Sophomore Cody Riggs (5-9, 166) is expected to be in the mix, too. Riggs had an interception in the spring game and played regularly as a true freshman. Another sophomore, Jaylen Watkins, is expected to push for playing time also.
One reason the loss of Janoris Jenkins might not have has big an impact as many expect is the incoming class of defensive backs. In Muschamp’s first recruiting class, the Gators racked up stellar defensive backs as much as any position.
The newcomers include De'Ante "Pop" Saunders (5-8, 173). Saunders enrolled in January and arrived from DeLand High School with strong credentials as playmaker and versatile athlete who also returned kicks in high school and played quarterback.
He was named the Orlando Sentinel's All-Central Florida Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2009.
“I really like recruiting defensive backs that have played quarterback because they have to make critical decisions," Muschamp said. “And the critical decisions you make on the back end sometimes can cost you a football game. I like the fact this guy has had to make decisions with the ball in his hands."
The other defensive backs in the 2011 signing class are Jabari Gorman from Miami’s Monsignor Pace, Chris Johnson of Ocala Trinity Catholic, Loucheiz Purifoy of Pensacola Pine Forest, Marcus Roberson of Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas, and Valdez Showers of Madison Heights, Mich.
“Really excited about bringing the guys we brought in," Muschamp said. “We've got more length at the corner position."
Robertson may be the most polished of the group. His late addition gave the 2011 class a strong boost at the end, his recruitment led by defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, a Miami native who played at Auburn and started his coaching career as a graduate assistant there during Muschamp’s time as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.
Muschamp will be heavily involved in the defense, teaming with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in running the unit.
Quinn shared his some of his philosophy regarding the secondary this spring, impressed by the speed and athleticism of the group.
“I think we would be more man-to-man oriented first," he said. “There's certainly going to be some times where we will play some two-deep and split-safety defenses just to match up for receivers and that kind of stuff.
“We want to certainly take away what they do best, but when you see our guys run outside, it certainly lends itself to playing some man-to-man."
- from GatorZone
Gators' Muschamp will face many coaching friends
The jokes started right away when Will Muschamp was hired as the new football coach at Florida. One of his best friends is Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher and the two share ownership of a beach home in the Panhandle that they have taken turns enjoying for many years.
Now what?
Well, they've continued to share the house but they won't be sharing secrets any more. And Muschamp can be forgiven if he feels a little lonely this coming fall, especially around Nov. 26 when the Seminoles visit Florida Field.
Fisher has said many times he's thrilled his old buddy is a head coach — no matter where.
But he's not the only close friend who won't be giving Muschamp much encouragement during the season. The former Georgia defensive back was an assistant under Alabama coach Nick Saban at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins, and he was on both staffs with Tennessee coach Derek Dooley.
Muschamp will see old buddy Dooley in Gainesville on Sept. 17, when his Gators face the Volunteers on national TV. And he'll get to visit with Saban again on Oct. 1, also in Gainesville, when he leads the Gators against the Tide in another huge SEC contest.
Muschamp's new job means a lot of old friends will have to adjust to that uncomfortable feeling of wanting to beat each other up.
Every coach has a friend or two they have to defeat from time to time to have a big season, but Muschamp is in one of the strangest of situations — a quarter of Florida's games will be against some of the most influential people in his life. Fisher won't be trading many secrets and Saban can't really help his old pupil because he will be trying to beat him for the SEC title. The same's true for Dooley.
How will all these old friends handle all the intense competition? Even they seem a little uncertain.
"Will and I are really good friends," Dooley said. "We worked together for five out of the seven years, he came the second year I was at LSU and left the year before when I was at the Dolphins. Obviously, assistants who are together that long … become pretty close. You spend a lot of time together so Will and I really, as we branched out, stayed in touch. When I was at Louisiana Tech and he was at Auburn and then Texas and when I got the job at Tennessee we spoke probably every week or at least every other week last season. So it will be a little change this year."
Muschamp realizes this first year is going to be different for him in many ways, but he vows that friends will remain friends, no matter what happens on Saturdays.
"I've got a lot of friends that I have a lot of respect for as a football coach," he said. "But our families are friends and when you work together and you spend so much time together as assistants you become close and your families become close because your wives become widows a little bit throughout the season, as hard as we work and the hours we work."
Muschamp also is quick to credit his former head coach as a major reason he's sitting where he is now.
"Obviously we had a lot of success at LSU," he said of his days under Saban. "And I think that as you move forward, certainly Nick's success in the NFL, at Alabama, certainly has helped us because you know people want the blueprint."
Saban's respect for Muschamp always will be strong.
"Will is one of my favorites, in terms of all the guys that we've ever had the opportunity to work with," Saban said. "He's got great principles and values personally, and philosophically as a football coach. He's a really hard worker, very enthusiastic, has a leadership quality about him that really affects people in a positive way, especially players.
"I think he'll do a really good job as a (head) coach. He's done a really good job everywhere he's been."
From Tampa Bay Online
Now what?
Well, they've continued to share the house but they won't be sharing secrets any more. And Muschamp can be forgiven if he feels a little lonely this coming fall, especially around Nov. 26 when the Seminoles visit Florida Field.
Fisher has said many times he's thrilled his old buddy is a head coach — no matter where.
But he's not the only close friend who won't be giving Muschamp much encouragement during the season. The former Georgia defensive back was an assistant under Alabama coach Nick Saban at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins, and he was on both staffs with Tennessee coach Derek Dooley.
Muschamp will see old buddy Dooley in Gainesville on Sept. 17, when his Gators face the Volunteers on national TV. And he'll get to visit with Saban again on Oct. 1, also in Gainesville, when he leads the Gators against the Tide in another huge SEC contest.
Muschamp's new job means a lot of old friends will have to adjust to that uncomfortable feeling of wanting to beat each other up.
Every coach has a friend or two they have to defeat from time to time to have a big season, but Muschamp is in one of the strangest of situations — a quarter of Florida's games will be against some of the most influential people in his life. Fisher won't be trading many secrets and Saban can't really help his old pupil because he will be trying to beat him for the SEC title. The same's true for Dooley.
How will all these old friends handle all the intense competition? Even they seem a little uncertain.
"Will and I are really good friends," Dooley said. "We worked together for five out of the seven years, he came the second year I was at LSU and left the year before when I was at the Dolphins. Obviously, assistants who are together that long … become pretty close. You spend a lot of time together so Will and I really, as we branched out, stayed in touch. When I was at Louisiana Tech and he was at Auburn and then Texas and when I got the job at Tennessee we spoke probably every week or at least every other week last season. So it will be a little change this year."
Muschamp realizes this first year is going to be different for him in many ways, but he vows that friends will remain friends, no matter what happens on Saturdays.
"I've got a lot of friends that I have a lot of respect for as a football coach," he said. "But our families are friends and when you work together and you spend so much time together as assistants you become close and your families become close because your wives become widows a little bit throughout the season, as hard as we work and the hours we work."
Muschamp also is quick to credit his former head coach as a major reason he's sitting where he is now.
"Obviously we had a lot of success at LSU," he said of his days under Saban. "And I think that as you move forward, certainly Nick's success in the NFL, at Alabama, certainly has helped us because you know people want the blueprint."
Saban's respect for Muschamp always will be strong.
"Will is one of my favorites, in terms of all the guys that we've ever had the opportunity to work with," Saban said. "He's got great principles and values personally, and philosophically as a football coach. He's a really hard worker, very enthusiastic, has a leadership quality about him that really affects people in a positive way, especially players.
"I think he'll do a really good job as a (head) coach. He's done a really good job everywhere he's been."
From Tampa Bay Online
Monday, July 18, 2011
Florida Football: 2012 Commit Mike Davis Shines at Recruiting Combine
Class of 2012 running back and current Florida commit Mike Davis took part in the The Opening, a recruiting combine on the Nike Campus in Oregon.
And according to many recruiting analysts that were in attendance, Davis was one of the most impressive recruits there, if not the best.
One of the things that Davis impressed those at the combine the most was his breakaway speed. According to Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney, Davis was never caught by a linebacker when being chased down.
He has been clocked at a 4.5 40-yard dash time, which many analysts believed was a weakness of Davis.
But Gorney said Davis was impressive in all of the running drills. In fact, he ran much faster in person compared to what other recruiting websites have said about him.
He was very explosive and simply dominated many of the linebackers that were at the camp along with Davis.
Davis is a running back from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, which has been a Florida pipeline so far this season.
He is a powerful back who can really run between the tackles, a style of running that the Gators have not seen in a long time.
Both he and fellow running back commit Matt Jones expect to be an excellent running back tandem over the next several years for the Gators.
And according to many recruiting analysts that were in attendance, Davis was one of the most impressive recruits there, if not the best.
One of the things that Davis impressed those at the combine the most was his breakaway speed. According to Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney, Davis was never caught by a linebacker when being chased down.
He has been clocked at a 4.5 40-yard dash time, which many analysts believed was a weakness of Davis.
But Gorney said Davis was impressive in all of the running drills. In fact, he ran much faster in person compared to what other recruiting websites have said about him.
He was very explosive and simply dominated many of the linebackers that were at the camp along with Davis.
Davis is a running back from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, which has been a Florida pipeline so far this season.
He is a powerful back who can really run between the tackles, a style of running that the Gators have not seen in a long time.
Not only was Davis impressing the recruiting websites, but he also was impressing fellow recruits.
Apparently, if Davis was not on the field, he was chatting it up with other players and talking to them about checking out Florida.
It is great to see a player not only give it his all on the field, but off the field as well and promoting the University of Florida.
Look for Mike Davis to shoot up recruiting rankings across the Internet after his very impressive weekend at The Opening.
Apparently, if Davis was not on the field, he was chatting it up with other players and talking to them about checking out Florida.
It is great to see a player not only give it his all on the field, but off the field as well and promoting the University of Florida.
Look for Mike Davis to shoot up recruiting rankings across the Internet after his very impressive weekend at The Opening.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Six Gators set for breakout seasons
Predicting six Florida players who will have breakout seasons for the Gators in 2011:
1. Ronald Powell, linebacker/end/Buck — I'm not alone on this one. There are a lot of people out there predicting big things for this former national player of the year from California. He's a tremendous athlete with explosive speed and striking ability, and he has a natural instinct for the game. And Will Muschamp has come up with the perfect position to make the most of Powell's talent — the Buck, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position that Powell said he loved playing in the spring. This guy isn't on a lot of preseason all-star lists, but his name will be popping up all over the place on those postseason all-star teams. This guy is a potential game-changer on defense.
2. Quinton Dunbar, wide receiver — This speedy, athletic deep threat will follow his breakout spring with a breakout season in Charlie Weis' down-field passing attack. Dunbar drew raves from the former staff last fall and nearly ended up cracking the playing rotation as a true freshman. This spring, he established himself as UF's best deep threat and most consistent wide receiver. If you're the go-to guy in the passing game in a Weis offense, you're going to put up big numbers — and Dunbar has the look of that go-to guy.
3. Trey Burton, fullback — He kind of had a breakout season as a true freshman a year ago, scoring six touchdowns in a win over Kentucky. But that was at quarterback. Now, he's a fullback who can run and catch and will be a key component in the new pro-style offense. This guy can make things happen — and Weis is going to put the ball in his hands.
4. Robert Clark, wide receiver — He's not real big, but I just have a feeling about this guy after watching him last season. He's quick, he's tough, he's got good hands and he seems to have a real feel for playing his position. The Gators are looking for playmakers at wide receiver — and this guy has a chance to become one this season.
5. Dominique Easley, defensive tackle — He played some but didn't really do much as a true freshman last season. But he emerged as a potential big-time player in the spring, where he spent most of his time in the backfield disrupting the Florida offense. His teammates say he has the quickest first step of any defensive lineman they've ever seen. If he stays focused and driven (which he has vowed to do), Easley has a chance to establish himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the SEC.
6. Jonotthan Harrison, center — Harrison seems to have found his ideal position when he was moved from tackle/guard to center in the spring. He took to his new position naturally and played at a pretty high level right from the start. He's a big, strong, athletic guy (kind of like the Pouncey twins) who will anchor the UF front. He hasn't played much, but he has a huge upside in a position where he seems a perfect fit.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Janoris Jenkins trying to rebuild image at North Alabama
When Janoris Jenkins told the Sentinel a month ago that he would choose between North Alabama and Valdosta State, he said he was looking for “just a school that will let me rebuild my image off the field, keep me out of trouble.”
Shortly thereafter, he chose North Alabama and by all accounts is working to do that.
Jenkins left Florida in April after his second marijuana-related arrest this year. He decided to forgo the NFL supplemental draft to finish his senior year somewhere else.
After making several phone calls, North Alabama coach Terry Bowden felt comfortable having Jenkins join the team. Bowden said he spoke to Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, coach Will Muschamp and former secondary coach Chuck Heater.
“Try to get a feel for, gosh, is this a problem?” Bowden said last week. “I don’t want to say everybody condoned what happened. No one said that. … (They) all thought, made a mistake, really deserves a second chance.”
Bowden said Jenkins has been on campus for a couple weeks and has been doing well in workouts.
“I think his talent speaks for himself,” he said. “Him and his family all wanted to show that wasn’t the type of person he was and he could do the right things and really follow rules and want to go back to school.”
Shortly thereafter, he chose North Alabama and by all accounts is working to do that.
Jenkins left Florida in April after his second marijuana-related arrest this year. He decided to forgo the NFL supplemental draft to finish his senior year somewhere else.
After making several phone calls, North Alabama coach Terry Bowden felt comfortable having Jenkins join the team. Bowden said he spoke to Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, coach Will Muschamp and former secondary coach Chuck Heater.
“Try to get a feel for, gosh, is this a problem?” Bowden said last week. “I don’t want to say everybody condoned what happened. No one said that. … (They) all thought, made a mistake, really deserves a second chance.”
Bowden said Jenkins has been on campus for a couple weeks and has been doing well in workouts.
“I think his talent speaks for himself,” he said. “Him and his family all wanted to show that wasn’t the type of person he was and he could do the right things and really follow rules and want to go back to school.”
Former Gator Wambach lifts U.S. to 3-1 win over France
A goal, a promise and soon, she hopes, a World Cup title.
The U.S. women had fans on edge once again until Wambach broke a tense tie with her header off a corner kick in the 79th minute Wednesday. Alex Morgan scored three minutes later to seal a 3-1 semifinal victory over France, and the Americans let loose with a party that carried all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Next up, a trip to the World Cup final Sunday in Frankfurt that will be the first for Americans since 1999, when they last won it all. They'll play Japan, which upset Sweden 3-1 to move one step away from realizing its own dream.
"We've achieved part of our goal. We're in the final," Wambach said. "We want to complete it. We want to be world champs."
So do their fans, new and old.
The Americans captivated the crowd back home with their epic, come-from-behind win over Brazil on Sunday, and a little thing called a workday wasn't going to deter them. Some fans skipped work — bars opened early for the noon EDT kickoff — while others sneaked peeks at the game in the office. At the Phoenix airport, dozens of fans crowded around TVs to watch the game.
When the final whistle blew, Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes and ordinary folks who didn't know a free kick from a corner kick just a few days ago flooded Twitter with congratulations. "My heroes. Wambach. Boxx. Rapinoe. Solo. That TEAM! Our team!" actor Tom Hanks tweeted. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers said, "Awesome job US Women, finish it off Sunday now."
Wambach and company were glad to share the moment.
"These wins, we can't do it alone. We know a whole nation is cheering us on," Wambach said. "We believe in ourselves and we're in the final. I couldn't be happier."
A little relieved, too.
France was the surprise of the tournament, making the semifinals with a creativity and flair that was breathtaking to behold. And for much of the game, the U.S. couldn't contain Les Bleues.
"We didn't play well today," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "However, we find a way to win and that's a credit to the players' hearts. That's what makes it so wonderful to be coach of this team."
With the U.S. struggling to create opportunities in the middle, Sundhage replaced Carli Lloyd with sparkplug Megan Rapinoe early in the second half, moved Lauren Cheney inside and pulled Wambach back to the midfield.
The difference was noticeable immediately. The Americans were able to push forward and began threatening French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz.
Finally, in the 79th, the Americans won a corner kick.
"I told (Cheney) at halftime, 'Put the ball to the back post, and we're going to get a goal,'" Wambach said.
Cheney delivered the ball perfectly to the far post and, just as Wambach had predicted, she soared over the scrum and pushed the ball past Sapowicz.
"I knew Abby was going to beat her," Cheney said, referring to the French defender who practically mugged Wambach to try and contain her.
Asked how, Cheney said, "Because she's Abby Wambach."
Wambach let out a scream and did a sliding sprint into the corner, where she was mobbed by her teammates. It was her third goal of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Morgan then put the game out of reach, outracing four defenders and then stutter-stepping in front of the goal, throwing Sapowicz off and leaving the American with a wide-open shot.
"The priority is not to accept another goal," France coach Bruno Bini said through a translator. "When that happens, you've had it. We conceded another goal and that was it for us."
Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Co. got the rock-star treatment during the '99 World Cup, and every team since then has lived in their shadow. Part of the problem is no team's been able to duplicate that group's success. But nobody's been able to captivate the U.S. public like that golden group, either.
Until now.
"Nothing to take away from them because what they did was special. What they did gave us the opportunities all of us have here," Wambach said. "This generation is cool because we want to make a name for ourselves. We want the next generation to be ours."
Despite the loss, the World Cup was a resounding success for the French. In just their second World Cup appearance, they reached the semifinals and qualified for next summer's London Olympics.
"Do you know any coach who will tell you it's fantastic to lose?" Bini asked. "But we must give credit where credit is due."
The U.S. was staked to an early lead by Cheney's goal in the ninth minute. But with the silky smooth Louisa Necib calling the shots, France dominated for most of the game, finishing with a whopping 25-11 advantage in shots. The French missed two great chances in the first half, with goalkeeper Hope Solo having to tip a Gaetane Thiney shot away in the 30th and Sonia Bompastor rattling the crossbar two minutes later.
Finally, in the 55th, France got its equalizer. Bompastor floated in a cross from about 30 yards and, with the dangerous Gaetane Thiney right in front of her, Solo had little opportunity to move. The ball flew right past her.
But part of the blame goes to Becky Sauerbrunn, who was starting in place of the suspended Rachel Buehler and fell behind Thiney.
"I think (Thiney) got a step ahead of her," Solo said. "But I definitely expect our defenders, when the ball goes in the box, to get it out of there."
But just as they did Sunday against Brazil, the Americans got stronger and stronger as the game went on before Wambach — who scored a critical goal in the waning moments against the Brazilians — came through.
"In the end, we're in the finals," Wambach said, "and that's all that matters."
The U.S. women had fans on edge once again until Wambach broke a tense tie with her header off a corner kick in the 79th minute Wednesday. Alex Morgan scored three minutes later to seal a 3-1 semifinal victory over France, and the Americans let loose with a party that carried all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Next up, a trip to the World Cup final Sunday in Frankfurt that will be the first for Americans since 1999, when they last won it all. They'll play Japan, which upset Sweden 3-1 to move one step away from realizing its own dream.
"We've achieved part of our goal. We're in the final," Wambach said. "We want to complete it. We want to be world champs."
So do their fans, new and old.
The Americans captivated the crowd back home with their epic, come-from-behind win over Brazil on Sunday, and a little thing called a workday wasn't going to deter them. Some fans skipped work — bars opened early for the noon EDT kickoff — while others sneaked peeks at the game in the office. At the Phoenix airport, dozens of fans crowded around TVs to watch the game.
When the final whistle blew, Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes and ordinary folks who didn't know a free kick from a corner kick just a few days ago flooded Twitter with congratulations. "My heroes. Wambach. Boxx. Rapinoe. Solo. That TEAM! Our team!" actor Tom Hanks tweeted. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers said, "Awesome job US Women, finish it off Sunday now."
Wambach and company were glad to share the moment.
"These wins, we can't do it alone. We know a whole nation is cheering us on," Wambach said. "We believe in ourselves and we're in the final. I couldn't be happier."
A little relieved, too.
France was the surprise of the tournament, making the semifinals with a creativity and flair that was breathtaking to behold. And for much of the game, the U.S. couldn't contain Les Bleues.
"We didn't play well today," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "However, we find a way to win and that's a credit to the players' hearts. That's what makes it so wonderful to be coach of this team."
With the U.S. struggling to create opportunities in the middle, Sundhage replaced Carli Lloyd with sparkplug Megan Rapinoe early in the second half, moved Lauren Cheney inside and pulled Wambach back to the midfield.
The difference was noticeable immediately. The Americans were able to push forward and began threatening French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz.
Finally, in the 79th, the Americans won a corner kick.
"I told (Cheney) at halftime, 'Put the ball to the back post, and we're going to get a goal,'" Wambach said.
Cheney delivered the ball perfectly to the far post and, just as Wambach had predicted, she soared over the scrum and pushed the ball past Sapowicz.
"I knew Abby was going to beat her," Cheney said, referring to the French defender who practically mugged Wambach to try and contain her.
Asked how, Cheney said, "Because she's Abby Wambach."
Wambach let out a scream and did a sliding sprint into the corner, where she was mobbed by her teammates. It was her third goal of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Morgan then put the game out of reach, outracing four defenders and then stutter-stepping in front of the goal, throwing Sapowicz off and leaving the American with a wide-open shot.
"The priority is not to accept another goal," France coach Bruno Bini said through a translator. "When that happens, you've had it. We conceded another goal and that was it for us."
Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Co. got the rock-star treatment during the '99 World Cup, and every team since then has lived in their shadow. Part of the problem is no team's been able to duplicate that group's success. But nobody's been able to captivate the U.S. public like that golden group, either.
Until now.
"Nothing to take away from them because what they did was special. What they did gave us the opportunities all of us have here," Wambach said. "This generation is cool because we want to make a name for ourselves. We want the next generation to be ours."
Despite the loss, the World Cup was a resounding success for the French. In just their second World Cup appearance, they reached the semifinals and qualified for next summer's London Olympics.
"Do you know any coach who will tell you it's fantastic to lose?" Bini asked. "But we must give credit where credit is due."
The U.S. was staked to an early lead by Cheney's goal in the ninth minute. But with the silky smooth Louisa Necib calling the shots, France dominated for most of the game, finishing with a whopping 25-11 advantage in shots. The French missed two great chances in the first half, with goalkeeper Hope Solo having to tip a Gaetane Thiney shot away in the 30th and Sonia Bompastor rattling the crossbar two minutes later.
Finally, in the 55th, France got its equalizer. Bompastor floated in a cross from about 30 yards and, with the dangerous Gaetane Thiney right in front of her, Solo had little opportunity to move. The ball flew right past her.
But part of the blame goes to Becky Sauerbrunn, who was starting in place of the suspended Rachel Buehler and fell behind Thiney.
"I think (Thiney) got a step ahead of her," Solo said. "But I definitely expect our defenders, when the ball goes in the box, to get it out of there."
But just as they did Sunday against Brazil, the Americans got stronger and stronger as the game went on before Wambach — who scored a critical goal in the waning moments against the Brazilians — came through.
"In the end, we're in the finals," Wambach said, "and that's all that matters."
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Rivals.com ranks two Gators recruiting classes among 10 best in past decade
During his final season at Florida, Urban Meyer often spoke about the talent in the Gators’ 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes. Considering those two classes went on to produce 10 guys chosen in the first three rounds of the past two NFL drafts, it’s difficult to argue with the former coach.
Now, Rivals.com has ranked both in its top 10 recruiting classes in the past decade.
About the 2007 class, with ranked 10th, this is what Rivals had to say:
10. Florida 2007
Coach: Urban Meyer
Class rank: 1st
Five-star signees: 4 (DT Torrey Davis, DE Carlos Dunlap, QB Cameron Newton, G James Wilson)
Buzz: Florida’s 2007 class might appear better on paper than it has been on the field. Some key signees failed to make an impression in Gainesville because of off-field issues, among them DTs John Brown and Torrey Davis and QB Cameron Newton. But there were numerous players who made an impact in Gainesville and helped the Gators win the 2008 national title, among them SS Ahmad Black, DE Carlos Dunlap, CB Joe Haden, P Chas Henry, TE Aaron Hernandez, FS Major Wright and the Pouncey twins, Maurkice and Mike Pouncey. A few players from the class, including QB John Brantley, RB Chris Rainey, G James Wilson, DT Jaye Howard and WR Deonte Thompson, remain on campus and are expected to play key roles this fall.
Not surprisingly, the 2006 class was on the other end of that list. It included future first-rounders Percy Harving and Tim Tebow and won two national championships with the school.
Here’s what Rivals had to say:
1. Florida 2006
Coach: Urban Meyer
Class rank: 2nd
Five-star signees: 4 (WR Percy Harvin, G/T Carl Johnson, LB Brandon Spikes, QB Tim Tebow)
Buzz: Florida’s 2006 class was led by QB Tim Tebow and WR Percy Harvin, but what makes this group stand out above the rest was the number of prospects who panned out: 16 members of the class were starters at one time. Beyond Tebow and Harvin, there were guys such as LBs Brandon Spikes, Dustin Doe and A.J. Jones, DE Jermaine Cunningham, T/G Marcus Gilbert, DTs Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders and WR Riley Cooper. The group helped Florida win two national championships, and Tebow won the 2007 Heisman as a sophomore and was a finalist as a junior and senior.
Be sure to check out the entire list. The SEC had more than any other conference with four, while the Big 12 had three (with two from Texas), the Big Ten had two (Ohio State twice) and the Pac 10 had one.
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Now, Rivals.com has ranked both in its top 10 recruiting classes in the past decade.
About the 2007 class, with ranked 10th, this is what Rivals had to say:
10. Florida 2007
Coach: Urban Meyer
Class rank: 1st
Five-star signees: 4 (DT Torrey Davis, DE Carlos Dunlap, QB Cameron Newton, G James Wilson)
Buzz: Florida’s 2007 class might appear better on paper than it has been on the field. Some key signees failed to make an impression in Gainesville because of off-field issues, among them DTs John Brown and Torrey Davis and QB Cameron Newton. But there were numerous players who made an impact in Gainesville and helped the Gators win the 2008 national title, among them SS Ahmad Black, DE Carlos Dunlap, CB Joe Haden, P Chas Henry, TE Aaron Hernandez, FS Major Wright and the Pouncey twins, Maurkice and Mike Pouncey. A few players from the class, including QB John Brantley, RB Chris Rainey, G James Wilson, DT Jaye Howard and WR Deonte Thompson, remain on campus and are expected to play key roles this fall.
Not surprisingly, the 2006 class was on the other end of that list. It included future first-rounders Percy Harving and Tim Tebow and won two national championships with the school.
Here’s what Rivals had to say:
1. Florida 2006
Coach: Urban Meyer
Class rank: 2nd
Five-star signees: 4 (WR Percy Harvin, G/T Carl Johnson, LB Brandon Spikes, QB Tim Tebow)
Buzz: Florida’s 2006 class was led by QB Tim Tebow and WR Percy Harvin, but what makes this group stand out above the rest was the number of prospects who panned out: 16 members of the class were starters at one time. Beyond Tebow and Harvin, there were guys such as LBs Brandon Spikes, Dustin Doe and A.J. Jones, DE Jermaine Cunningham, T/G Marcus Gilbert, DTs Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders and WR Riley Cooper. The group helped Florida win two national championships, and Tebow won the 2007 Heisman as a sophomore and was a finalist as a junior and senior.
Be sure to check out the entire list. The SEC had more than any other conference with four, while the Big 12 had three (with two from Texas), the Big Ten had two (Ohio State twice) and the Pac 10 had one.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pay for play: Florida
Florida's athletic department isn't hurting for money (One caveat
here: These numbers came from the U.S. Department of Education and are
for the 2009-10 seasons. If schools receive Title IV funding, federal
statute requires them to report the financials for their athletic
department and this has what should be included in each category, such
as broadcast revenues, concessions and advertising. The U.S.
Department of Education also has the most complete school data because
it is the only entity that has both public and private institutional
information).
PAY FOR PLAY
Sport Revenue Expense
Football (111) $68,715,750 $24,457,557
Men's basketball (14) $10,184,136 $7,908,661
Other sports -- Men's (178) $1,375,526 $6,687,001
Other sports -- Women's (248) $2,802,512 $15,632,181
What a full scholarship entails: In-state: $15,290
Out of state: $41,012
Cost of attendance: In-state: $19,820
Out of state: $45,542
Total: $28,392,524
Student fees: $52.38
Amount athletics receives from student fees: $2,507,391
In fact, Florida is doing so well that according to the 2011-12
budget, the University Athletic Association is expected to return $6
million to the university for the second straight year. The UAA has
actually helped the university as it faced major financial cuts. Since
1990, more than $60 million has been given back from the UAA to the
university.
Obviously, the breadwinner of Florida’s athletic family is the
football program. It ranked second only behind Georgia ($52,529,885)
for football profit ($44,258,193) in the SEC. That profit covered all
of the school’s other sports and then some. According to the 2011-12
budget, revenue increased by a little more than $2.2 million from the
2010-11 budget, primarily because of a $2.3-million increase in
football game revenue due to an increase in season- and single-game
ticket prices.
The SEC revenue from bowl games, television contracts and
championships is projected to be $17 million in 2011-12, as well for
Florida.
So while Florida’s athletic department is cruising along -- despite
the tough financial times in the real world -- it’s hard to say if
Florida could get away with paying its student-athletes. There are
more than 500 athletes at Florida, and if the school was going to
start compensating athletes, it would have to cover every single one
-- both revenue and non-revenue sports athletes.
Florida’s revenues have increased, but so have expenses. The 2011-12
budget increased by $3.2 million from last year’s, including $1.5
million from men’s and women’s scholarships because of tuition and
fees administered by the university, as well as increases in room and
board costs.
However, it is important to note that athletes’ scholarship money
appears to be more than $4,000 less than the school’s cost of
attendance, these numbers are estimates from the university rather
than exact figures. Cost of living and everyday expenses are certainly
different for every athlete.
But for Florida to start adding to athletes’ wallets, the UAA would
have to ask for more from its boosters (the UAA projects that it will
receive $36 million from Gator Boosters this year) and get more from
its endowment, which currently funds athletic scholarships. The UAA
might also have to go into debt to cover the new expenses or cut
facility spending money.
There could also be a scenario where students outside of athletics
might have to help fund the UAA through increased student fees.
With some money movement, Florida could eventually support paying its
athletes, but Florida is just one of few exceptions. There would have
to be sacrifices, and if Florida would have this much work to do,
smaller schools with smaller budgets and much less revenue would have
little to no chance of even thinking of paying athletes.
here: These numbers came from the U.S. Department of Education and are
for the 2009-10 seasons. If schools receive Title IV funding, federal
statute requires them to report the financials for their athletic
department and this has what should be included in each category, such
as broadcast revenues, concessions and advertising. The U.S.
Department of Education also has the most complete school data because
it is the only entity that has both public and private institutional
information).
PAY FOR PLAY
Sport Revenue Expense
Football (111) $68,715,750 $24,457,557
Men's basketball (14) $10,184,136 $7,908,661
Other sports -- Men's (178) $1,375,526 $6,687,001
Other sports -- Women's (248) $2,802,512 $15,632,181
What a full scholarship entails: In-state: $15,290
Out of state: $41,012
Cost of attendance: In-state: $19,820
Out of state: $45,542
Total: $28,392,524
Student fees: $52.38
Amount athletics receives from student fees: $2,507,391
In fact, Florida is doing so well that according to the 2011-12
budget, the University Athletic Association is expected to return $6
million to the university for the second straight year. The UAA has
actually helped the university as it faced major financial cuts. Since
1990, more than $60 million has been given back from the UAA to the
university.
Obviously, the breadwinner of Florida’s athletic family is the
football program. It ranked second only behind Georgia ($52,529,885)
for football profit ($44,258,193) in the SEC. That profit covered all
of the school’s other sports and then some. According to the 2011-12
budget, revenue increased by a little more than $2.2 million from the
2010-11 budget, primarily because of a $2.3-million increase in
football game revenue due to an increase in season- and single-game
ticket prices.
The SEC revenue from bowl games, television contracts and
championships is projected to be $17 million in 2011-12, as well for
Florida.
So while Florida’s athletic department is cruising along -- despite
the tough financial times in the real world -- it’s hard to say if
Florida could get away with paying its student-athletes. There are
more than 500 athletes at Florida, and if the school was going to
start compensating athletes, it would have to cover every single one
-- both revenue and non-revenue sports athletes.
Florida’s revenues have increased, but so have expenses. The 2011-12
budget increased by $3.2 million from last year’s, including $1.5
million from men’s and women’s scholarships because of tuition and
fees administered by the university, as well as increases in room and
board costs.
However, it is important to note that athletes’ scholarship money
appears to be more than $4,000 less than the school’s cost of
attendance, these numbers are estimates from the university rather
than exact figures. Cost of living and everyday expenses are certainly
different for every athlete.
But for Florida to start adding to athletes’ wallets, the UAA would
have to ask for more from its boosters (the UAA projects that it will
receive $36 million from Gator Boosters this year) and get more from
its endowment, which currently funds athletic scholarships. The UAA
might also have to go into debt to cover the new expenses or cut
facility spending money.
There could also be a scenario where students outside of athletics
might have to help fund the UAA through increased student fees.
With some money movement, Florida could eventually support paying its
athletes, but Florida is just one of few exceptions. There would have
to be sacrifices, and if Florida would have this much work to do,
smaller schools with smaller budgets and much less revenue would have
little to no chance of even thinking of paying athletes.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday July 10, 2011U.S. Moves to World Cup Semifinal With Dramatic PK Decision Over Brazil; Past Gator Abby Wambach Provides Tying Goal
With the match in its final ticks of stoppage time, former Gator All-American Abby Wambach headed in the U.S.’s second goal to push Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match with Brazil to penalty kicks.
Wambach scored the latest goal in Women’s World Cup history when she headed home a cross from Megan Rapinoe to tie the match at 2-2 in the second minute of stoppage time in the second and final 15-minute overtime period. The USA then showed tremendous composure to convert all five of its penalty kicks in the shootout with U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo saving Brazil’s third attempt by Daiane to give the U.S. the margin of victory.
Ali Krieger, who has played the last four years in Germany for FFC Frankfurt, nailed the fifth and decisive penalty after Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Wambach and Rapinoe had all scored. Boxx initially had her shot saved, but replays showed that Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had moved off her line early, and the kick was correctly ordered to be retaken by Australian referee Jacqui Melksham. Boxx calmly converted her second attempt to get the USA started in the shootout.
The USA will now travel to Mönchengladbach where it will face France in the semifinal on July 13 with a kickoff at 11:30 a.m. ET live on ESPN, ESPN3.com and Galavision.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Three Gator Baseball Players Sign Professional Contracts
Senior second baseman Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.), senior right-hander Matt Campbell (Tampa, Fla.) and junior left-hander Nick Maronde (Lexington, Ky.) from the 2011 Gator baseball team each signed professional contracts this week.
Chosen by the Florida Marlins in the 13th round with the 403rd selection in June’s Major League Baseball Draft, Adams has been assigned to the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers of the New York-Penn League, the organization’s Class A short-season affiliate.
In his final campaign, Adams became just the fourth UF baseball player in school history to achieve All-SEC status in three different seasons, as he previously garnered first-team accolades in 2008 and 2009 before becoming a second-team recipient this year. He is now a member of an elite group that includes Mike Stanley (82-84-85), Marc Valdes (91-92-93) and Brad Wilkerson (96-97-98) after batting .351 with 21 RBI, 15 runs and eight extra-base hits (five doubles, three homers) in league action.
Adams closed a stellar career in style by earning second-team All-South recognition for the second time in his career after making the squad as a freshman in 2008. During his senior season, he hit .323 with 43 RBI, 34 runs, 11 doubles and six homers and finished his tenure in Gainesville as the school’s all-time leader in games played (253) and games started (252).
Boasting a career average of .305, Adams departs with his name found throughout the school’s career charts, as he is first in both double plays turned (152) and sacrifice bunts (27), tied for first in at bats with Mark Ellis (1996-99) (941), second in hits (287), third in assists (644), fifth in runs batted in (188) and total bases (437), tied for fifth in doubles (51) and is ninth in walks (122).
Taken in the 24th round with the 751st overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies, Campbell made 15 appearances for the Orange and Blue this season and was 0-0 with a 5.28 earned run average. He will be playing for Phillies’ squad in the Rookie Gulf Coast League. The righty collected 13 strikeouts in 15.1 innings and picked up his first career save against UNF on May 11. Campbell was drafted in 2010 by the Cincinnati Reds in the 43rd round.
The highest Gator draft pick this year, Maronde was chosen in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the 104th choice and has been assigned to the Orem (Utah) Owlz of the Pioneer League, the Angels’ rookie affiliate.
Florida’s leader with 36 appearances, the southpaw was 0-1 and registered a 2.09 ERA in ’11. Over 43 innings, Maronde totaled 55 strikeouts, issued nine walks, collected a pair of saves and was part of five shutouts. In addition, he limited opponents to a team-low .178 average, including a .086 performance with runners on base. The lefty threw two perfect innings in the Gators’ 8-4 victory over Texas in the opening round of the NCAA College World Series and appeared in six of UF’s 11 NCAA Tournament games.
Maronde had previously been picked in the 43rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Oakland. Over 79 career appearances at Florida, including 12 starts, the lefty was 5-2 with a 3.99 ERA and four saves and had 151 strikeouts in 130.2 innings.
UF's Kevin O'Sullivan Named College Coach of the Year By Baseball America
University of Florida head baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan earned 2011 College Coach of the Year honors from Baseball America on Thursday. O’Sullivan just completed his fourth year and guided the Gators to a runner-up finish at the NCAA College World Series with a school-record 53 victories and an overall mark of 53-19. He is the first baseball coach from UF to collect the publication’s yearly accolade.
Under O’Sullivan’s tutelage, Florida earned a trip to Omaha in consecutive seasons for the first time and made the CWS for the seventh time in school history (1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011). Although UF fell in the CWS Championship Finals to South Carolina, it notched a second-place showing for the second time in school history (2005).
The Gators secured the All-SEC final round by downing Texas (8-4) and then knocking off league rival Vanderbilt twice (3-1, 6-4). Florida had been the second national seed in the NCAA Tournament, its third-straight year within the Top-8 seeds. The Gators swept the NCAA Gainesville Regional with victories over Manhattan (17-3) and Miami (Fla.) (5-4, 11-4) and then defeated Mississippi State twice (11-1, 3-4, 8-6) in a classic Gainesville Super Regional to advance to the College World Series. O’Sullivan joined Joe Arnold (1988, 1991) and Andy Lopez (1996, 1998) as Gator head coaches who have made multiple trips to Omaha.
This season marked the 10th time that McKethan Stadium has hosted NCAA Regional action and the third-straight year for the first time in school history. The Gators have now gone on to the College World Series from Gainesville on six occasions: 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010 and 2011. Florida is 35-10 (.778) on its own turf during NCAA play and claimed five of the six outings on its own turf this season. O’Sullivan is 13-3 (.813) in NCAA play at home, 9-0 (1.000) in Regionals and 4-3 (.571) in Super Regionals.
Florida reached the 40-win plateau for the 20th time in school history and the third-straight year under O’Sullivan and the school-record 53 wins marked the third time that the program exceeded 50 wins (also in 1991 & 1996).
On May 29, the Gators blanked Vanderbilt, 5-0, to capture the 2011 SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala. It was the first time in 20 years that Florida won the league’s tourney and was its sixth title (1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991, 2011). The triumph also represented the first time since 1988 that the Orange and Blue had won the SEC and SEC Tourney in the same season.
With a 22-8 performance in the SEC that matched South Carolina and Vanderbilt, Florida has now captured an SEC-best 21 division championships and its 12 league championships are third behind LSU (14) and Alabama (13). UF became the East winner for the third year in a row, matching its feat from 1996-98. Florida has also won SEC crowns in 1952, 1956, 1962, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2005 and 2010. The Gators claimed eight of their 10 SEC series and the team’s 22 victories in league play matched the school record set last season.
According to statistics guru Warren Nolan, Florida’s strength of schedule was second in the country, trailing only fellow SEC Eastern Division member Georgia and the NCAA had the Gators second in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) behind North Carolina.
The Gator pitching staff twirled 11 shutouts in 72 games, exceeding the three donuts in 64 games last year and breaking the previous school record for shutouts (10 in 1970).
Sophomore catcher Mike Zunino (Cape Coral, Fla.) was named the SEC Player of the Year, joining Matt LaPorta (2005, 2007) as Gators who have earned the league’s top accolade and right-hander Karsten Whitson (Chipley, Fla.) was tabbed as the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game.
Junior outfielder Preston Tucker (Tampa, Fla.) and Zunino were named All-Americans and were joined on the All-South Region squad by senior second baseman Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.) and sophomore right-hander Hudson Randall (Atlanta, Ga.), while Whitson was honored as a Freshman All-American by four different organizations.
Florida boasted six All-SEC selections, as sophomore LHP/1B Brian Johnson (Cocoa Beach, Fla.), Tucker and Zunino made the first team and Adams, sophomore shortstop Nolan Fontana (Winter Garden, Fla.) and Randall were second-team picks. Third baseman Zack Powers (Seffner, Fla.) and Whitson represented UF on the league’s All-Freshman Team. Junior outfielder Daniel Pigott (Ormond Beach, Fla.) was the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament, with Fontana, Randall and senior outfielder Bryson Smith (Watkinsville, Ga.) earning All-Tourney recognition.
During the postseason, Tucker was voted as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Gainesville Regional and was joined on the All-Tourney squad by Fontana, junior left-hander Alex Panteliodis (Tampa, Fla.), Pigott, junior outfielder Tyler Thompson (Tequesta, Fla.) and Zunino. Sophomore third baseman Cody Dent (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and Smith were members of the 2011 NCAA College World Series All-Tourney Team.
A school-record 11 players were chosen in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft, giving O’Sullivan 30 draftees during his tenure after three in 2008, 10 in 2009 and six in 2010. Before his arrival, the Gators’ previous high number of picks was eight in both 1999 and 2002.
UF's Karsten Whitson Named Perfect Game National Freshman Pitcher of the Year
Gator right-hander Karsten Whitson (Chipley, Fla.) was chosen as the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game and was named to the organization’s Freshman All-American team on Thursday. He previously earned Freshman All-American recognition from Baseball America, Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran was honored as Perfect Game’s National Freshman Player of the Year.
Chosen to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team, Whitson held a permanent spot in the Gators’ weekend rotation and finished 8-1 with a 2.40 earned run average. He tied sophomore Hudson Randall (Atlanta, Ga.) for the top spot with 19 starts, led the club with 92 strikeouts in 97.1 innings and limited opponents to a .235 batting average.
In his NCAA Tourney debut on June 3, Whitson did not permit any runs or walks as Florida overpowered Manhattan, 17-3. He also made a pair of starts during the Orange and Blue’s runner-up performance at the 2011 NCAA College World Series. The righty earned a no-decision in Florida’s 3-1 victory over Vanderbilt in which he yielded four hits and one run over 4.2 innings, with five strikeouts and a walk. Whitson drew the starting assignment in game two of the CWS Championship Finals and was on the short end to South Carolina despite allowing one earned run on four hits over 4.2 innings.
Whitson collected SEC Freshman of the Week honors on April 25 after a seven-strikeout performance in a career-high 6.2 innings versus Alabama and was 4-0 with a 2.56 ERA in conference games. In 10 SEC starts, the righty posted victories over Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and Kentucky.
2011 Perfect Game Freshman All-Americans
Pos. AVG OBP SLG AB R H HR RBI SB
C Jared Bales, Southern Miss .281 .408 .405 121 23 34 2 20 0
1B Dominic Ficociello, Arkansas .335 .364 .464 224 29 75 4 50 5
2B JaCoby Jones, LSU .338 .395 .467 195 36 66 4 32 12
SS Luke Tendler, North Carolina A&T .380 .404 .606 213 33 81 6 53 7
3B Colin Moran, North Carolina .335 .442 .540 248 46 83 9 71 2
OF Tony Kemp, Vanderbilt .329 .434 .417 252 58 83 0 34 17
OF Daniel Aldrich, College of Charleston .347 .399 .739 222 43 77 22 73 1
OF Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech .340 .412 .445 265 57 90 1 32 16
DH Erich Weiss, Texas .348 .483 .518 224 46 78 4 45 11
UT Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga .291 .403 .382 110 20 32 0 14 1
W L ERA G SV IP H BB SO BAA
SP Kent Emanuel, North Carolina 9 1 2.33 20 0 104 96 23 89 .246
SP Austin Kubitza, Rice 6 5 2.34 15 0 100 95 24 102 .251
SP Adam Plutko, UCLA 7 4 2.01 16 0 108 73 24 92 .193
SP Karsten Whitson, FLORIDA 8 1 2.40 19 0 97 84 28 92 .235
RP Corey Knebel, Texas 3 2 1.13 38 19 56 28 12 61 .151
RP Kyle Porter, California 6 0 1.89 25 2 57 49 12 57 .229
UT Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga 11 2 2.57 15 0 105 83 21 90 .221
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