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UF may need to start over

Several underclassmen may jump to the NFL, which would cost the Gators some of their best players.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 30, 2001

MIAMI -- It's the reality of college football that at the end of each season, change occurs.

That's just the way it is.

And as Florida prepares to play Maryland on Wednesday night in the Orange Bowl, big changes may be on the horizon for the Gators.

This is a relatively young Florida team. The roster includes 55 freshmen and sophomores. Many considered Florida the preseason No. 1 this season because of its experience, but the Gators will lose just three starters on offense, four on defense, 17 seniors in all.

"When we look at our offensive team, we've got a couple of senior linemen in there, and that's it," coach Steve Spurrier said. "That's all we've got as seniors. Our defense, we lose a few guys: Andra Davis, Marquand Manuel, Alex Brown and Bennie Alexander. But this not a senior-laden team that we have. Hopefully all the (other) guys will come back."

If all the "other guys" don't come back, Florida could lose some of its most talented players in one fell swoop.

The loss of Davis and backup Travis Carroll leaves a major hole at linebacker. The defense was a different unit this season with the return of Davis, who missed most of last season with an injury, in the middle.

But Florida may be hit hardest by the loss of some talented sophomores and juniors.

In the 12 seasons Spurrier has been coach, he never has had this many players with eligibility remaining consider leaving for the NFL.

"They're all just looking into it to see how it goes," Spurrier said.

Among the potential losses: offensive tackle Mike Pearson; both All-Southeastern Conference wide receivers, Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney; cornerback Lito Sheppard; tight end Aaron Walker and linebacker Mike Nattiel.

All six are starters, and all have petitioned the NFL's draft advisory committee about their status. But what the board says may not have much impact on all the players.

"I'm not really depending on that," said Caldwell, a Tampa native and former Jefferson standout. "I feel like I'm a good enough player to do what I need to do in a combine. But I'm not really looking forward to that. I'm just trying to finish out the rest of this season. Whatever happens after that, happens."

Walker and Nattiel do not project to draw major NFL interest and most likely will be back. But Pearson and Gaffney both have been projected as first-round picks by numerous experts, which will make it hard for either to return.

"I haven't made a decision," Gaffney said Saturday. "I'm trying to get ready for our bowl game right now. I'll make a decision after the game."

Pearson's family also has financial problems.

Sheppard didn't have as many big plays in his junior season after being an All-American last season, but NFL general managers don't look at statistics when they start selecting players. Physically, Sheppard is one of the top corner cover men in the nation, always a rare commodity.

This leaves Spurrier, himself always a question mark with the NFL seemingly courting him annually, in a precarious position. In trying to prepare for 2002, he isn't sure what he will have to build on.

"They'll make their decision based on what's best for them," Spurrier said. "We don't get into that with them."

And what about Spurrier? It all depends on whom you ask.

"He doesn't have a reason to leave," Gaffney said. "He's the man there. I don't know about his paying situation but I think he's getting paid pretty well, so there's no reason to leave. There's no worry there. We're always going to win nine or 10 games so I wouldn't leave."

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