Is Florida to blame for not reeling in Aaron Hernandez before it was too late?

The misdeeds of Aaron Hernandez has stirred up a lot of controversy with some wanting to point fingers at who is indirectly responsible for not saving him from himself before it was too late.

Of course the University of Florida football program under then coach Urban Meyer has become a target. But is that fair or not?
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Bottom line for Gators: They have to beat FSU

There are three good reasons Florida's game with Florida State this Saturday is one of the most impotant in Gators' history.

The reason can be explained in three letters: BCS

While everyone on the planet seems to be taking about a Notre Dame-Alabama matchup in the BCS National title game January 7th in Miami, the Gators (4th ranked in BCS) still have a chance to be there.

Granted it will be difficult and take some good fortune. But it's possible and can happen__Only if Florida beats FSU.

If Notre Dame loses to USC this Saturday the Gators could wind up playing in the BCS title game against the winner of the SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia, assuming both of those take care of business this Saturday in their rivalry games: Alabama-Auburn and Georgia-Georgia Tech.

You may smirk at USC beating Notre Dame espeically with Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley out, but this long standing rivalry has produced many upsets through the years. And playing against a quarterback you have no film on has caused more than a few defenses to struggle.

Another worry for Florida is Oregon. If the Ducks make it into the Pac 12 title game they could jump the Gators in the BCS rankings with a win there.

But that could be difficult. Oregon has to beat Oregon State this weekend and hope UCLA beats Stanford, which would then put the Ducks in a Pac 12 must win title game.

If this is getting too complex for Gators fans just remember this: If you beat FSU anything is possible. If you lose to FSU nothing is possible.

Ace Sanders electrifies a nation with dazzling punt return

Ace Sanders had arguably the best highlight reel in last Saturday's full college football slate in providing a key spark that helped ignite South Carolina to its biggest victory of the season.

Check out Sanders electrifying punt return
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vIPmdEVVo-k

 

For his scintillating 70-yard punt return for a touchdown that played a huge role in South Carolina’s 35-7 triumph over previously undefeated Georgia, Sanders was named the co-SEC Special Teams Player of The week.

It was the second career touchdown for the 5-8. 175 pound Manatee High product, who is ranked first in the SEC and 15^th nationally averaging 15.47 yards per return. The junior is third in the nation in total punt return yardage with 263 yards (min 1.2 returns per game).

“I didn’t field it cleanly and dropped it and had to scramble to pick it up. I saw the lane open up and tried to hit it as fast as I could,” Sanders said in his post game press conference. “I think I probably provide a pretty big spark (on punt returns) because I can see when I am about to go out there (to field a punt) the whole team is behind me and just tell me to put it in the endzone ‘we know you can do it.’

“I do my best and when I actually do it I see how the stadium erupts and the players respond and they just come out and start playing and that’s when I know special teams is pretty big part of the team.”

It was the second punt return for a touchdown in Sander’s career and his fourth TD this season with his three others coming on pass receptions. Last season he returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against East Carolina and has nine career TDs.

The victory propelled South Carolina to third in the AP and USA Today Coaches polls marking its highest ranking since 1984 when the Gamecocks were second with a 9-0 record.

But South Carolina has two big back to back challenges coming up. The Gamecocks face AP No. 9 LSU Saturday and then travel to Florida to play the fourth ranked Gators.

 

 

    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vIPmdEVVo-k

Muschamp makes it official: Jeff Driskel Florida's starter at QB

Will Muschamp made official what most of us already knew.

The Florida head football coach said Jeff Driskel would be the Gators starting quarterback at his Monday press conference.

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone who watched Florida’s 27-14 Victory over Bowling Green last Saturday.

After Driskel and Jacoby Brissett split most of the first half, Driskel played the entire second half.

Driskel took 20 snaps in the first half and Brissett was under center for 11 snaps.

In playing Driskel the entire second half, Muschamp said he needed a more mobile quarterback in the lineup .

Well if he feels that way against Bowling Green you can imagine what he fears when the Gators start their SEC schedule, which happens to be this weekend at Texas A&M.

Driskel didn’t overwhelm anyone against Bowling Green and the two quarterbacks threw only 21 combined passes.

 “I just feel that Jeff with his legs gives us some different variables in our offense that can help us as we move forward,” Muschamp said. “It’ll be Jeff’s game to play. I told Jeff, I don’t want you looking over your shoulder, but you need to play well.

 "I have confidence in both guys. (We) can win with both guys. I just felt like at this time it's good to move forward with naming one guy and go with it."

As expected, Brissett was not happy with the decision and Muschamp said he respected those feelings.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, we can win with both guys,” Muschamp said. “He (Brissett) is one snap away. Jacoby needs to continue what he is doing.”

 

 

Former coach says Brian Poole's switch to safety will help his career

Brian Poole switches to safety

Southeast defensive coordinator Brian McKnight, who coached Brian Poole for four years,  sees his switch to safety at Florida as a positive move that will enhance his career.

“He has the size and speed to play the position and I think it will be better for him because now he will be on both sides of the field instead of just one when he plays cornerback,” McKnight said.

During his electrifying football career at Southeast, Poole was known as a guy who could play any position and do it well.

Though he was an All-American cornerback, Poole excelled on offense as a running back and was a top notch punt returner. He also caught passes and even threw a few.

It didn’t take long for Florida head football coach Will Muschamp to take advantage of Poole’s multiple set of skills.

Poole was recruited as a cornerback and rated number two in the country at the position by one scouting service. But Muschamp announced a few days into pre-season camp that he was switching him to safety.

It’s a move made out of necessity and made possible because of Poole’s talents. The Gators are loaded at cornerback with four veterans and have needs at safety.

When Muschamp made a visit to Lakewood Ranch a few months ago for a Gators rally, he said he expected Poole to be on the field this year as a true freshman if he picked up the defensive schemes.

He reiterated that theme in announcing Poole would be making the switch noting he is intelligent and has the athleticism to get out on the field right now

“He has good instincts in zone. He’s a bright young man. He’s a physical player. He will tackle," Muschamp said at his media conference. "We felt like in the recruiting process he was a corner/nickel. He’s a guy that can go in the slot and play. But when you have a young player I think the best thing for them is to get them in one spot and let them have an opportunity. Athletically we felt like he’s ready to play.”

One thing will remain the same for the 5-10, 206 pound Poole. He was able to get the number 24 jersey, which is the same number he had during his Southeast days.

The starting safety spots for the Gators are manned by heralded junior Matt Elam (5-10, 202), who started every game last season and senior Josh Evans (6-2, 201), who started eight games. There is speculation that Elam could declare for the NFL draft after the upcoming season.

Brian Poole gets highest rating among recent local football grads

Bucs new running back Doug Martin

Friday's column in the Bradenton Herald sports section referenced Phil Steele's college preview publication and how he evaluated Tampa Bay Bucs first round draft pick and running back Doug Martin when he came out of high school five years ago.

Here is a look at how he rated some local products to come out of Manatee County the  last couple of years.

His highest rating went to 2012 Southeast graduate and University of Florida bound Brian Poole, who is ranked the #7 best defensive back in the country by Steele.

Some other familiar names that received a high rating from Steele in the class of 2011 include Manatee High running back Mike Blakely (#11 ) and Punta Gorda Charlotte standout Mike Bellamy (#5). In the Class of 2010, Steele had Southeast defensive back Jon Dowling at #19.

 

Ironically none of the last three are at the college they attended out of high school. Dowling went from Florida to Western Kentucky, Blakely from Florida to Auburn and after a season at Clemson, Bellamy became an academic casualty and is in junior college.

Does Florida have its priorities right? Some question dumping an entire department for athletics

We always knew football has reigned supreme at the University of Florida, but has the school gone too far in wiping out an entire science department so athletics (mainly football, who are we kidding) can continue to remain elitist.

Forbes Magazine reported last week that in a cost cutting move the University of Florida was elimnating its computer science department to save about $1.7 million while adding $2 million to its athletic budget that now hovers around $99 million.

Even at Florida where athletics is considered the straw that stirs the drink this isn't being taken lightly. Some students have organized a website to stage their  protest and several distinquihsed computer scientists are backing their cause.

Money is tight as we all know. But do coaches have to be earning multi- million dollar contracts at the expense of academics, particularly in the midst of a technological revolution.

Lets be honest you could see this happening at Alabama or Auburn and no one would rasie a stir, but this is Florida. The school does have some academic prestige sort of a long the lines of Vanderbilt.

It is also a school that enabled former coach Urban Meyer to become a millionaire albeit while Tim Tebow was broke. The most famous Florida quarterback writes in his book he had to clean chicken coops for his mother one Christmas because he didn't have the money to buy her a present.

Some people are blaming the Florida legislature for making some huge cuts in the Florida's budget, about 30 percent according to Forbes.

But it begs the question; do we need to be paying some of these coaches exhorbitant salaries. Maybe the football program could donate $1.7 million to keep the computer science department alive.

Preferred walk-on QB situation at USF gets crowded for Palmetto's Miller

Palmetto quarterback Trent Miller is going to get additional competition at USF as the walk-on quarterback situation for the Bulls just got a little more crowded.

Tampa Jesuit quarterback Tommy Eveld, brother of USF QB Bobby Eveld, recently announced he accepted an offer to be a preferred walk-on for the Bulls.

The success rate of preferred walk-ons anywhere is a long shot, but you never know. Bobby Eveld walked on at USF and received a scholarship fairly quickly after getting a chance to play when Bulls starting quarterback B.J. Daniels went down with an injury.

One thing about being a walk-on is that you never know where the road will take you. Englewood Lemon Bay quarterback Matt Piloto (see photo) walked on at USF under former head coach Jim Leavitt.

It didn't work out at USF for Piloto, but he got his chance because of an injury and last season the junior started for Division III national power Mount Union, leading the Purple Raiders to a 14-1 season with their only loss coming in the NCAA Division III national title game.

Piloto threw for 2,245 yards and 21 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

You don't have to look too far for walk-on quarterbacks who had great careers such as Kerwin Bell at Florida who threw 56 TD passes and was named SEC Player of The Year in 1984.

Did you know Aaron Rodgers turned down an offer to be a walk-on at Illinois and instead went to a junior college. His career has turned out pretty good for the Green Bay Packers.

Brian Poole makes history with 4 year scholarship deal

Brian Poole made history in more ways than one when he signed a letter-of-intent to play football for the University of Florida.

The Southeast High defensive back received a four year scholarship and is believed to be the first athlete from Manatee County to sign a four year athletic scholarship.

NCAA athletic scholarships have always been for one year subject to renewal each year. Last October the NCAA passed a rule that allows four year athletic scholarships, leaving up to each conference and each individual school to offer four year scholarship packages.

The Southeastern Conference agreed and Florida offered all its 2012 football recruits four year scholarships. Southeast High head football coach and athletic director Paul Maechtle confirmed that Poole’s scholarship is for four years.

In his signing day press conference, Florida head coach Will Muschamp confirmed that all 23 players he signed for his top five recruiting class were given four year scholarships.

Muschamp was philosophical above the four year deal noting most college football programs renew scholarships anyway. But it has become an issue with some schools saying they prefer the one year renewals.

Ramogi Human, president of the National College Players Association, says every year he gets numerous complaints from athletes whose scholarships were not renewed, He says many thought their scholarships were for four years.

It was reported that Ohio State offered its football recruits four year deals as did most schools in the Big 10 and the SEC. Not all coaches support the four year deal. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has publicly said he doesn’t like it because he believes players should have to earn their scholarship each year through the renewal process.

Weis should do for Kansas QB what Florida did for Mike Blakely

The plight of University of Kansas quarterback Brock Berglund is a prime example of what is wrong with college athletics and how the NCAA tries to control an athlete’s life.

The Associated Press reported that the freshman from Denver was dismissed from the squad last week when he didn't attend a mandatory team meeting with the Jayhawks' new coaching staff.

He wants to transfer and feared that by attending the meeting he would be locked in for another semester, the AP report said.

Berglund told the AP in a phone interview that he sent a written request to school administrators in late December asking for permission to speak to other universities, but the request was denied.

The 19-year-old has a meeting scheduled for Friday in Lawrence, Kan., with the university's student-athlete appeals board, which will make a determination on whether the denial of Berglund's transfer request was fair.

This is another example of how college coaches can leave anytime without repercussions even if they break a contract, while athletes have no freedom of movement.

It’s particularly troublesome for Berglund and others in his situation because the coaches who recruited him are not longer there.

Berglund has hired a lawyer to help him get released from his scholarship so he can play for another school, according to the AP report.

A similar situation occurred last year with Manatee High running back Mike Blakely who was recruited by Urban Meyer at Florida. Meyer left Florida when Blakely got there at mid year and he wanted to leave.

Fortunately, for Blakely, Gators new coach Will Muschamp allowed him to leave to play for SEC foe Auburn. Manatee High legendary coach Joe Kinnan contacted Muschamp on behalf of Blakely.

"It's just very fortunate that Coach Muschamp, a class act, went ahead and released him to go to Auburn. He didn't think he would have an opportunity to go to Auburn, but it worked out,” Kinnan said at the time.

Ironically the new head coach for Kansas is former Florida offensive coordinator and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.

One of the first things Weis did was bring in senior transfer quarterback Dayne Crist from Notre Dame. With only one year of eligibility it doesn't appear Crist came to play backup.

Weis announced this week that Berglund was no longer part of the Kansas football team, but no mention was given about his release to pursue other schools.

Poole makes official visit to Florida this weekend

Brian Poole is taking his official visit to Florida this weekend and says nothing has changed. Expect him to officially become a Gator February 1, the national signing day for high school football players.

The Southeast High product has been in constant touch with the Florida coaching staff. They don't want to take a chance on losing him because of all the 2012 Gator prospects he is among the most likely to impact an impact next season.

The nationally touted cornerback added to his Superman reputation earlier this month in the Under Armour All-American game when he returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown and had what likely was a touchdown saving solo tackle on another.

Poole breaks numerous records in All-American game including two set by former Southeast teammate

Brian Poole wrote his name into the record books at the fifth annual Under Armour All-American game Thursday night with one of the events most memorable performances.

The Southeast High cornerback broke four records, including one set last year by his former teammate Jon Dowling.

Poole returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown that broke two records.

The longest previous touchdown was a 92-yard reception from Andre Debose set in 2009. Dowling set the record for the longest interception returned for a touchdown last year when he took a pick 56 yards to the endzone.

Will Hill had the longest interception return (62 yards) set in '08 until Poole shattered that record with his electrifying return.

Poole also topped Dowling's record for most interception return yards (63), which Dowling got on two picks.

Poole declared immediately after the game that he is a Gator ending speculation that the long time Florida commit might change his mind. Ironically, he will join Debose when he arrives in Gainesville.

Poole is solid commit to Florida despite other visits

Brian Poole appears solidly committed to Florida though he plans to take three more visits as allowed by NCAA rules.

The Southeast High senior, who is rated the best cornerback prospect in the country by one publication, has visited Notre Dame and recently Western Kentucky.

He had a home visit from WKU head coach Willie Taggart just before Christmas and said it was a good meeting and he likes the former Manatee High star. However, it didn’t change Poole’s mind about playing for the Gators.

Poole grew up a Florida fan, but perhaps more importantly sees an opportunity to get on the field early and says Gators head coach Will Muschamp told him he expects him to make an impact next season.

One of the state’s most versatile players, Poole excelled this past season as a cornerback, running back and kick returner. He returned punts of 92 and 90 yards for touchdowns, rushed for 439 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 155 receiving yards and a touchdown and threw for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Poole also had two interceptions, seven pass deflections and 44 tackles, including 20 solos, which were impressive since most teams ran away from his side of the field Southeast head coach Paul Maechtle said.

For his career, Poole returned three interceptions for touchdowns and had 12 picks. He had 212 tackles, including 107 first hits.

Poole visits Western Kentucky this weekend; says you never know

Brian Poole, the area's most heavily recruited player, will take an official visit to Western Kentucky this weekend.

The Southeast High defensive back has verbally committed to Florida and Gators head coach Will Muschamp has been telling Poole he can make an impact next season.

This is Poole's second official visit. He visited Notre Dame earlier this season and says he might take all five official visits allowed by the NCAA.

Poole has been speaking with with WKU head coach Ray Woodie, a former Palmetto High head football coach and standout player there, who has close ties to Manatee County players.

"I am still verbally committed to Florida, but you never know. I hope to take all of my visits," Poole said.

Poole is rated among the top cornerbacks in the country and one publication had him the top cornerback. He also played running back, but will play defense for the Gators, who have struggled with their secondary this season.

Muschamp says Florida lacks the physicality to be winning team in SEC

There are so many things you can find wrong with Florida in its 21-7 loss to FSU Saturday night. Gators head coach Will Muschamp focused on four, but cited his team's lack of physicality as a contributor to many problems.

In a nutshell he mentioned lack of a running game, lack of physical toughness and team that is still overall on the immature side.

He is what he said:

On lack of a running game:
"We have tried to run the ball inside and just haven't been very effective. We've tried different things__probably did too much at times to try and create a run game and help us vertically down the field. We haven't been able to do it consistently."

On lacking physical toughness:
"That's not first time they've heard it all season. It starts with me, falls on my shoulders and I'm the one who is responsible. At the end of the day you are what you are."

On Gators defense:
They got four turnovers and we only had one so it wasn't good enough."

On the team's youth:
"Some of our players are more mature than others. There's a lot of things. You just can't put your finger on one thing."

Poole remains solid Florda recruit despite media reports

Media reports that Brian Poole is opening up his recruitment because of last week's trip to Notre Dame are overblown and not realistic.

The Southeast High defensive back remains firmly committed to Florida and his mother said his heart has always been with the Gators.

Poole, rated the number one cornerback in the country by one recruiting website, said last summer that he planned to take all five recruiting trips allowed by the NCAA. His mother said Alabama could be his next visit.

He also has said every week that Florida is his first choice and that he regularly talks with Florida coaches, including head coach Will Muschamp.

Muschamp told Poole to be ready to make an impact next season. That is often seen as a recruting tool, but in this case it seems legitimate. The Gators have problems in the secondary and Poole already has the size and skills to work his way right into that secondary.

Some people might not like the idea that Poole is taking his visits though he has committed to Florida. But it's not his fault. If a school wants to pay his way to their campus because they still want a chance to "steal" him why shouldn't he go.

His mother said the trip she made to Notre Dame last weekend with his father was nice, but she didn't seem overly excited about it. Anything can happen, but it is highly unlikely Poole will not be wearing a Gators uniform next season.

Brian Poole visits Notre Dame, but don't expect him to switch from Florida

Brian Poole visited Notre Dame this past weekend, but don't expect him to flip from his commitment to Florida to the Fighting Irish.

It was the second time the Southeast High star visited Notre Dame in two years. His visit last year as a junior was unofficial and this time his parents came with him leading some to speculate he might change his mind.

Anything is possible and his dad, Brian Poole Sr., told the media that nothing is basically etched in stone.

Poole, who is expected to play cornerback next season, has steadfastly maintained two objectives; that he is committed to Florida and that he is going to take all of his five visits.

He was at the Florida-Alabama game and has been in regular touch with Gators head coach Will Muschamp.

Muschamp has told Poole to be ready to play next year and make an impact. The 5-11, 190 pounder already has the size to play defensive back in the SEC and his speed is off the charts.

As his dad said anything is possible, but it's highly unlikely Poole will change his mind. Week in and week out he has said he wants to be a Gator and knows he could step on the field early at Florida.

One person rooting for Poole to choose Notre Dame is ESPN super guru basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who is close to the school where his daughters played tennis and his son-in-law was a quarterback.

Tee Shepard and Ronald Darby, two cornerbacks, have verbally committed to Notre Dame. Darby is taking other visits while it is said Shepard could move to safety, a position Poole can also play.

Lenita Williams, Brian's mother, said the trip to Notre Dame went well and that they were impressed with the football program's high graduation rate. She made the trip with Brian and his dad.

She said Brian is considering taking other visits and has mentioned Alabama as a likely place, but says her son's heart is with the Gators.

Florida commit Brian Poole has Oscar winning night for Seminoles

Southeast super star and Florida commit Brian Poole "only played" six positions in his team's double overtime victory over Sarasota Riverview Friday night.

But Poole showed why Florida head coach Will Muschamp can't wait to get him to Gainesville next season and has been telling him to get ready to play immediately.

Poole scored four touchdowns and accounted for both of the Seminoles touchdowns in overtime throwing a 10 yard scoring strike in the first overtime and running for an eight yard touchdown, which accounted for the winning points in the second overtime.

Besides those heroics, Poole returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and scored on a 50 yard run on his team's second offensive play of the game.

The senior capped off his big night, but knocking away a pass in the endzone in the second overtime to end the game.

Jacoby Brissett gets start over Jeff Driskel for Gators against Auburn

The Florida quarterback controversy has officially begun.

It was launched Friday morning when Gators head coach Will Muschamp announced Jacoby Brissett (left #17) would start Saturday at Auburn.

Jeff Driskel, the heir apparent to John Brantley and anyone else, is said to be healthy after sitting out last week’s loss to LSU with an ankle injury.

It’s still too early to anoint anyone a permanent starter and incumbent John Brantley could be back for the Georgia game on October 29^th after the Gators bye week.

Brissett completed 8 of 14 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown against LSU, which was considered impressive because he was for all and intents and purposes going to redshirt this season.

There were little details about why Brissett will start and there could be several reasons, including Driskel’s ankle not being one-hundred percent, thought the coaches said he was fine.

It gives credence to the argument that Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis really liked the 6-3, 239 Brissett and recruited him hard even though Driskel was committed and considered by many to be the front runner for the job in 2012 if not before.

Weis said Driskel was fine this week and shared snaps with Brissett. For the season, Driskel is 7 for 16 for 73 yards and has thrown two interceptions without a touchdown.

Brian Poole could be anywhere, but at Florida he will be in the secondary

Brian Poole is like a good mystery novel. The Southeast High standout can pop up anywhere, anytime, anyplace on the football.

But the one thing we know about Poole is that he will excel where-ever he plays. The defensive back, who has verbally committed to Florida, played quarterback two weeks for the first time since his little league days and was impressive against nationally touted Manatee.

Tonight against Sarasota Riverview, Poole will start at cornerback, but is expected to be used at quarterback, receiver and running back. He will also be a return man on some punts and kickoffs.

Southeast head coach Paul Maechtle who has had some great versatile players during his 30 plus years at the school, including Peter Warrick, says Poole is up there with the best.
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