Colleges

UF's Newton earns job as backup QB

GAINESVILLE - Freshman quarterback Cameron Newton will be Florida's backup quarterback to Tim Tebow, coach Urban Meyer announced Saturday afternoon.

Newton, a College Park, Ga., native, won the job over freshman John Brantley and junior college transfer Bryan Waggener, who had surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Newton enrolled in January and participated in spring drills, giving him a slight advantage, but as of now no special packages have been implemented for him.

"He's not as far advanced as Tim was last year," Meyer said. "Tim had that unique skill of being able to drop his pads and run over someone. I think he's very similar to Tim."

Meyer said Brantley "is going to be a great player here" and they have no intention of redshirting him right now. However, Meyer said he won't waste a year for Brantley, either.

"The backup quarterback is Cam, and we won't play Johnny in a mop-up role," Meyer said. "We're going to develop him to be the starting quarterback."

CALDWELL A CAPTAIN: Former Jefferson standout Andre Caldwell is among five players selected captains by their teammates. He joins senior offensive linemen Phil Trautwein and Drew Miller, junior defensive end Derrick Harvey and senior safety Tony Joiner.

"Bubba (Caldwell) got the most votes; that tells you how far he's come," Meyer said. "I'm awful proud of those guys, well deserved. It's a great mix of offense and defense. To be a captain of a football team, that's really important to be captain, but a winning football team is much more important."

STILL IN LIMBO: Freshman John Brown continues to await word from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Brown was allowed to practice for 14 days but is now relegated to watching from the sidelines. Meyer said because Brown didn't go through summer workouts and has practiced sparingly this fall, even if he's cleared he won't play in the season opener.

"I'm concerned (about his status)," Meyer said. "I don't want to say I've lost confidence because I don't know enough. When you're at the mercy of other stuff, I don't know."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

USF: Two join squad

TAMPA - USF's final practice before normal game-week preparations begin Monday brought long-awaited news: Freshman defensive tackle Terrell McClain returned to practice after he was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse, and freshman safety Jerrell Young joined the team after being accepted into USF.

Young signed with USF in February 2006 out of Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg and has spent much of the last year retaking entrance exams. Young will likely redshirt this fall, but coaches have high expectations for him down the road.

McClain is in strong position to play this fall as a true freshman, challenging for a top backup spot on the depth chart. With three of the current top four interior linemen - Richard Clebert, Allen Cray and Julian Riley - all seniors, McClain could play a major role in 2008, alongside young tackles such as Aaron Harris and Brandon Peguese.

INJURY UPDATE: As expected, quarterback Matt Grothe (hip) was held out for the fifth day in a row. Coaches expect him to return to practice Monday. Offensive tackle Marc Dile, who went down Friday with what appeared to be a right ankle injury, was also held out of practice, but coaches don't expect him to miss significant time.

FAN FEST FUN: The first Bulls Fan Fest at Raymond James Stadium drew a crowd estimated by organizers as more than 2,000 fans, braving mid 90s heat for pictures and autographs with players and coaches.

"The turnout was exceptional," said coach Jim Leavitt, who signed autographs for more than two hours.

NOT SO FAST: One week after deciding to end his playing career and become a student assistant, offensive tackle Danny Tolley said he isn't ready to give up. "I made a quick decision," said Tolley, who will take a medical redshirt for a chronic, painful groin injury this fall, with hopes of returning in 2008.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

FSU: Frosh vies for job

TALLAHASSEE - FSU freshman guard Rodney Hudson has been working with the first-team offensive line since last week, and he is trying to hold off senior Jacky Claude for the starting job.

"I am working in and out with the first team," Hudson said. "(Line) coach (Rick) Trickett just wants to compete and be tough. He wants us to be tough every play and just work hard."

Hudson's focus isn't on playing time, however; he just hopes to improve on last season's 7-6 record.

"I just want to win," Hudson said. "Winning is all that matters."

READY TO PLAY: Florida State participated in its final scrimmage of the preseason Saturday night. With two-a-days concluding, the Seminoles will take today and Monday off then set their sights on Clemson.

"We are ready," starting tailback Antone Smith said. "We have been busting our butts throughout two-a-days trying to get the little things right. We have worked really hard, and I think we are ready to get out there and play."

Jamey Givens, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 25, 2007, 23:32:17]