College football

Vernell Brown gets cornerback job at UF

By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published August 12, 2005

GAINESVILLE - One of the preseason uncertainties was who would take the starting cornerback job opposite Dee Webb after the Gators lost senior Reynaldo Hill. Webb and Hill started every game last season.

Coach Urban Meyer made it clear Thursday that it's no longer an issue, naming 5-foot-8 senior Vernell Brown the starter.

"He's actually playing probably as good as Dee Webb," Meyer said. "Vernell Brown is playing lights out. I know he's small, I know he's this, I know he's this, but just go watch the film and he can do it."

Brown's father, Vernell Sr., played football for the Gators, and Brown is a Gainesville native.

"He's the face of Florida football, and that's what you want out there," Meyer said. "He has a degree, he's a classy guy, he's from Gainesville. It all helps, plus he's just a great worker. He's turned into a great player."

DOUBLE DUTY: Reserve quarterback Gavin Dickey worked only at wide receiver again Thursday, hoping to earn a spot as the fifth receiver.

Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said Dickey switching back to quarterback will be easier, so he'll work more at receiver until he gets the basics down.

- IAN FISHER, Times correspondent

TAMPA - The Bulls get their first full-pads workout today, but after a 21/2-hour workout in shoulder pads in Thursday's mid-morning heat, coach Jim Leavitt said it won't be much of a change.

"We're doing almost the same stuff as full pads," Leavitt said. "There won't be any difference, except we'll be wearing pants. "It's hot, but the attitude is great," Leavitt said. "So many guys are working so hard."

T-BUCK REUNION: Longtime NFL defensive back Terrell Buckley attended practice and spoke briefly with the defensive backs.

Buckley, still hopeful of latching on with a team for his 14th NFL season, has been a close friend of USF receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey since they were roommates at Florida State. He found more familiar faces Thursday, such as USF linebackers coach Wally Burnham, who was a Seminoles assistant when they were in Tallahassee, and offensive line coach Greg Frey, who was a freshman lineman at FSU during Buckley's last season.

THIS AND THAT: Walk-on freshman Colby Erskin of Seminole has moved from running back to defensive back, where he earned Times second-team All-Suncoast honors last year as a senior. ... Leavitt said he plans to redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Grothe of Lakeland.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

TALLAHASSEE - Defensive end D.J. Norris left practice early because of heat-related problems, the second straight day a player has succumbed to the weather.

The Seminoles wore helmets and shoulder pads for the first time, a day after cornerback Trevor Ford went to the locker room early with heat-related symptoms.

Ford returned to practice Thursday. The team did not release any further information on Norris, a sophomore.

The heat index has topped 110 in consecutive days for the Seminoles, who opened practice Tuesday.

"I thought that they dealt with (the heat) at little better than they did yesterday," coach Bobby Bowden said.

The Seminoles hold their first workout in full pads Saturday.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

CORAL GABLES - The Hurricanes did not hold back in either of two practices despite hot conditions, even scrapping among themselves. Clouds shielded the morning sun for the first hour of practice before giving way to the sun. Coaches and players battled through the heat in the afternoon, a crucial factor in developing mental toughness, head coach Larry Cokersaid. "You either develop mental toughness or you fold," Coker said. "I'll guarantee that they're developing it in Tallahassee. We better develop it here." Miami opens Sept. 5 at FSU.

ORLANDO - The Golden Knights practiced in helmets and shoulder pads in hot morning conditions, and had a night practice in full pads.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 00:47:15]