Colleges

UF's Casey hopes for another year

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Senior tight end Tate Casey may return for another season, Florida coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

Casey, who had his biggest career moment catching Tim Tebow's basketball-like jump pass last season, has applied for a medical redshirt, and Florida is awaiting a decision.

Casey has played in 40 games, starting 12, but only saw action in the Western Kentucky game this season. He had surgery on his right shoulder last week and has had a high ankle sprain. Meyer would welcome Casey back.

"Tate's a great guy," Meyer said. "He's not been a great player, yet, for a lot of reasons. One was size. One was strength. The other was injuries. Hopefully he can overcome that and become a great player."

STILL SIGNING: Despite a request by the University Athletic Association for Tebow to stop signing autographs due to the overwhelming demand, Tebow said it's difficult to say no.

"It's hard, but I've been getting better at it though," Tebow said. "I feel bad. I don't want to be a mean guy or anything, so I'll always give in and keep signing forever. That's why I've got mean people around me to do it for me."

The UAA policy has taken some of the burden off, and Tebow said he appreciates the school's concern, but he may still sign from time to time.

"You want to sign some for some people, it makes them happy and joyful and everything like that," he said. "But it's some people who do who knows what with theirs and want to make money off you. I mean, that's not what it's about. It's about making kids happy and making football fans happy, not making money off of it."

Tebow will play with a small, protective splint on his healing broken right hand, but said he won't be restricted by it.

HARVIN OKAY: Receiver Percy Harvin's sprained ankle won't keep him out of Tuesday's game against Michigan.

"He was tremendous (Thursday)," Meyer said. "He took a minute to warm up but he battled through it. He'll be 100 percent by (Tuesday)."

A FINE LINE: The coaching staff is trying to find that delicate balance between allowing players to enjoy the bowl experience, yet keeping them out of trouble in Orlando.

"Every day you watch ESPN and someone's losing kids," Meyer said. "Penn State just lost four or five kids. I guess I don't understand those decisions (by players). We remind them. We're on it. We had a good night (Wednesday) night. I think Wednesday and Thursday nights are the ones you worry about. As it gets closer to game time, it cuts back the curfew. I gave them a 2 a.m. curfew (Wednesday) and we had no issues. So we're moving it back to 1, then midnight, then 11 as you get ready for the game."

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 23:20:58]