Colleges

Tebow certain; other spots in flux for UF

Gators open spring practice having lost the majority of their defensive front, their starting running back, starting quarterback and two of their top receivers.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published March 21, 2007

GAINESVILLE - The Florida football team opens spring practice today, and for the first time in four years Chris Leak won't be the starting quarterback.

Sophomore Tim Tebow, who had an impressive debut as Leak's backup last season, now prepares for his highly anticipated starting debut in the fall.

The 2007 Gators will be a much different team than last year's, having lost the majority of their defensive front, their starting running back, starting quarterback and two of their top receivers.

Those are large holes to fill, but coach Urban Meyer believes the lessons learned last season will be beneficial this year.

"The good thing is that Earl Everett and Brandon Siler set the standard for linebacker play," Meyer said. "Reggie Nelson set the standard for safety play. The two corners Ryan Smith and Reggie Lewis really set the standard. It makes it very easy to teach because now guys can watch and see what we expect out of them. There are so many positives from last year. We have an obligation to build upon that."

Florida's biggest concern is its defensive front.

"I'm glad we have a great defensive line coach in Greg Mattison," Meyer said. "He develops very good players and we have some development to be done. There are some body types there, but not much depth. We had to go out and sign five guys. That's going to be priority No. 1 for us."

Experts still marvel that the Gators won a national championship without a dominant starting tailback, and Meyer isn't planning to try that again. The Gators pin their hopes on speedy Mon Williams, who showed some positive signs at the end of the season.

"He will get an inordinate amount of work this spring," Meyer said. "He will carry the ball as much or more than anyone else."

The Gators also have high hopes for Lakeland's Chris Rainey, whom Meyer described as a player "who can do what Percy Harvin did for us last year."

Brandon Spikes saw significant playing time at linebacker as a freshman last season, and Meyer said he and co-defensive coordinator Charlie Strong expect big things from Spikes and Tampa's A.J. Jones, who broke his foot in August and missed the season.

After losing kicker Eric Wilbur, the Gators also have holes to fill on special teams. Florida signed Chas Henry, who is the projected punter but won't be around for spring practice. Meanwhile, Jonathan Phillips and Clearwater's Joey Ijjas will battle to be the placekicker.

"It's wide open and we are going to do a lot of work on that in the spring," Meyer said.

Wondy Pierre-Louis and Markihe Anderson are the leading candidates to take over at cornerback, and Jacques Rickerson will also compete, though a knee injury and orthoscopic surgery has hampered him. Jamar Hornsby will play either safety or wide receiver and Drew Miller, Ronnie Wilson and Maurice Hurt are candidates to replace Steve Rissler at center.

As for quarterback, it's Tim Tebow's team. But Meyer wants another Tebow-like backup to play the role Tebow played to Leak last season.

"In this conference with the style of offense we play and the styles of defense the quarterback will get hit," Meyer said. "We've had three tremendous guys sign, two are here on campus and we'll get to watch them in the spring. I'm hoping to play two during the season."

Antonya English can be reached at English@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 00:21:34]