Colleges

The early Gator grabs the scheme

Spring enrollee Newton picks up system, snaps in place behind Tebow.

By Antonya English
Published August 29, 2007

Exhibiting his skills in spring practice - and the fact that he's similar to Tim Tebow in many ways - gave freshman Cameron Newton an edge in the competition. Newton was named UF's backup quarterback by Urban Meyer on Saturday.
	[UF photo]

ADVERTISEMENT Newton threw for 2,500 yards, 23 touchdowns and rushed for 638 yards during his junior season at Atlanta Westlake High. As a senior, he passed for 1,500 yards and rushed for 1,000.

GAINESVILLE - Choosing the Orange and Blue spring football game over the senior prom may turn out to be the best decision Cameron Newton has made all year.

The freshman quarterback was one of nine players who enrolled early at Florida in January. He participated in spring drills, studied film, worked with the Gators receivers and became close friends with starting quarterback Tim Tebow.

Saturday, it all paid off when coach Urban Meyer named him as Tebow's backup.

"It's the best thing that ever happened to me," Newton said. "To get in early, learning the ropes and knowing the offensive system."

Newton, who turned 18 in May, threw for 2,500 yards, 23 touchdowns and rushed for 638 yards during his junior season at Atlanta Westlake High. As a senior, he passed for 1,500 yards and rushed for 1,000.

Meyer's decision to go with the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton over another freshman - Gatorade player of the year John Brantley - was based strongly on Newton's early start. Meyer said he has more knowledge of the offense than Brantley and is "more mature" physically, joking "Johnny is still growing up, but I hope Cameron doesn't grow up too much more or he will be playing defensive tackle."

Exhibiting his skills in spring practice - and the fact that he's similar to Tebow in many ways - gave Cameron an edge in the competition.

"The real reason was that he went through spring practice and that the team play won't have to change drastically if he goes into the game," Meyer said. "But he is a phenomenal person."

Last season, the coaching staff was faced with the challenge of scripting two offensive game plans: one for the less-mobile, drop-back passer Chris Leak, and another for the running, gunning left-hander Tebow in the spread offense.

Using Tebow and Newton will allow the staff to run basically the same offense. "If you are going to put together an offense," Meyer said, "you don't want drastic changes."

But offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said he won't rule out the possibility of throwing in a few things just for Newton.

"I'm not sure we might not do some of the same things and come up with a little package that Cam does really well," Mullen said. "During the course of the season, we've got to see how all of that works out. ... Cam's got some talent with the ball in his hands, quick feet and a chance to make you miss. And Tim is more of a power runner, he wants to run people over."

Since arriving in January, Newton and Tebow have developed a strong friendship that contrasts the one Tebow shared with Leak, particularly because he and Cameron are closer in age.

"It's just different, a different style," Tebow said. "It wasn't as lively, but that was just Chris' personality. This year, with the quarterbacks there's more laughter and giggling because we have younger guys. Because of some younger guys, you're always getting questions and laughing at the answers. ... Chris was more of a silent type, Cam is definitely a talker."

Newton's confident demeanor is a quality that has impressed his teammates, even though he has yet to play in a college game.

"As far as coming into the game, when things aren't going right and we don't have that much momentum in practice, he'll come in and get things going," sophomore receiver/running back Jarred Fayson said. "He gets the guys pumped up. He has some things to learn, but I think he's going to be a great football player."

Meyer said if all goes well in practice this week, expect to see Newton in Saturday's game against Western Kentucky. Newton's athletic ability is clearly evident, but he's still growing and learning in many ways. Last year at this time, Tebow who was also an early enrollee was a little more advanced, the coaches said.

"He's not a great leader yet, he is still young and you can see the youth show up on hard days," Meyer said. "He's a great person but he's not a great leader; he is not what Tim was at this time. When Tim was in sixth grade he could go in and be a leader. Cameron has come a long way but still has a ways to go."

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

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 00:56:29]