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.

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 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.

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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Will Manatee County ever see another Clifford Rozier

It’s been 17 years since Clifford Rozier became the first and only Manatee County player selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

The former Southeast great was chosen16^th overall by Golden State in 1994 after finishing up his All-American career at Louisville.

Rozier played four seasons in the NBA prematurely ending his career in 1998. His rookie season was his best, averaging 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

The 6-11 forward/center, who turns 39 in October, was named Florida’s Mr. Basketball in 1990 when he averaged 35 points and 16 points for Southeast.

Thursday night's draft ended with hoops fans around here wondering if Manatee County will ever see another first or second round NBA pick?

We all know this is football country, but still that’s a long time since Rozier’s name was called in the draft. The closet we’ve had to anyone since then getting drafted were both from Sarasota County.

Riverview High’s Altron Jackson, who is the number two career scorer at the University of South Florida, figured to be selected after his junior season with Bulls. He decided to stay in school for another year and his numbers went down and he was not selected.

Justin Hamilton, a standout point guard for four years at Florida, was another player who seemed on the cusp of getting drafted, but the Booker High product never had his name called.

Both went to Europe. Jackson had a solid career overseas reaching all star potential while Hamilton is still playing.

Hamilton, who finished up at Florida in 2003, played briefly in the NBDL. The 30-year-old guard has played six seasons in Europe winning the Spanish National Championship with Real Madrid in 2005 and has won three Belgian National Championships in the last four years.

The 31-year-old Jackson finished his career at USF in 2002 with 2,017 points averaging 16.5 points per game. He is Conference USA’s third ranked career scoring leader and was number one when he finished his college career.

Lincoln High’s Waite Bellamy was the 33d pick in the 1963 NBA draft after averaging 27.9 points per game at Florida A&M. He had a standout pro career in the Eastern Basketball League where he won three scoring titles.

Southeast's Poole won't play in Army All-American Bowl

Southeast defensive back Brian Poole said he will not play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl slated for next January in San Antonio.

Poole, the number two ranked cornerback in the country by Scout.Com, said he was invited to the Army All-American Bowl more than a month ago, but has always just planned on playing in the Under Armour All American Bowl because it is going to be played in the Tampa area and allow his family and friends to attend.

Poole is currently recovering from foot surgery he had three weeks ago. Now a Florida commit, he lists himself at about 75 percent healthy and said he would start rehabbing in about a week.

"I got the invitation to go to both bowls more than a month ago, but I am just going to play in the Under Armour because it's close to home," Poole said. "I am committed to Florida, but i am still going to take all five of my visits. I don't plan any changes, but you never know."

Blakely visted USF on Monday

Former Manatee High running back Mike Blakely, who recently announced he was leaving Florida, visited the University of South Florida on Monday.

It is one of several schools Blakely is said to be considering. His release from Florida prevented him from signing with another SEC school and FSU or Miami.

The running back situation at USF right now seems to be uncertain or flexible. The leading candidates for next season figure to be transfer Darrell Scott and returnee Demetris Murray, both juniors.

Blakely would have to sit out the 2011 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. One attraction for him at USF might be the relationship USF head coach Skip Holtz had with Chris Johnson when both were at East Carolina.

Johnson was a little recruited running back out of Orlando Olympia who flourished under Holtz and went on to break the NFL single rushing record in 2009 with Tennessee.

Johnson was one of the top all purpose backs in college football and that is a role Blakely seems suited to handle. Besides being an electrifying runner he is a very good pass catcher out of the backfield and even played some quarterback in high school.

Southeast's Poole rated 41st best player in USA and second best cornerback

Brian Poole is rated the 41st best player in the country by Scout.Com in the class of 2012 and the nation's second best cornerback.

The Southeast High junior is also a standout running back, but his future in college football and beyond is as a defensive back, most likely at cornerback where he is very unique with his size, strength and speed.

Offers are flowing in for the 5-11, 185 pounder and he says he has no favorite at the moment. Among those offering are in state schools Florida, FSU, Miami and USF along with Alabama. Georgia, Notre Dame and USC just to name a few.

The only cornerback rated ahead of Poole is Ronald Darby at 31st from Potomac High in Maryland. The 5-11, 175 pound Darby has verbally committed to Notre Dame.

College scouts love everything about Poole, including his ability to cover those speedy receivers and come up and get physical at the line of scrimmage.

Kedric Johnson arrested, could face suspension from Gators

Former Palmetto High standout Kedric Johnson and his University of Florida teammate Chris Martin were arrested in January by Gainesville police for possession of marijuana, according to numerous media reports.

Johnson, a sophomore defensive end, and Martin, a linebacker/defensive end were cited for possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana in separate incidents. He did not participate in spring drills reportedly because of an injury.

Johnson was arrested on Jan. 9 after an officer pulled him over for speeding and smelled marijuana. He produced two grams of it from his glove compartment, a police report said.

Martin was arrested on Jan. 29 after officers detected the scent of the drug coming from a vehicle. Martin was in the car and revealed approximately two grams of cannabis when the police confronted him, the report said.

Both players agreed to deferred prosecution and the cases did not go to trial. However, they could face disciplinary action from Florida head coach Will Muschamp.

Their arrests follow the arrest of Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been arrested twice this year for misdemeanor of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

Terron Sanders rated among 10 best nose tackles

Terron Sanders figures he will have to wait until the lockout is over before he knows where his NFL future stands because its unlikely he will get drafted.

It could be a blessing in disguise for the defensive tackle out of Florida via Southeast High. Injuries have marred what could have been a standout career and the extra time gives the 6-2, 320 pounder more time to allow his body heal and get himself to one-hundred percent.

Sanders is ranked the 57th best defensive tackle out of 151 eligible for the NFL draft in one widely used ranking service. However, there are a lot of opinions out there and another rating publication (Opposing Views) has him ranked the 10th best nose tackle in the draft.

"A feisty player who seems to feed off the contact. Almost plays better against double teams. He'll take up the interior," the publication says.

Gators Ahmad Black could be NFL sleeper draft pick

Ahmad Black was a relative unknown when he showed up at Florida four years ago considered too small and too slow to be a top flight defensive back, especially in the SEC.

Black wound up showing everyone that sometimes those stats you can’t run away from are often wrong.

At 5-9 he was considered too small to be a top flight safety and with a 4.7 second forty-yard dash too slow to play cornerback.

Former Gators coach Urban Meyer said you couldn’t measure his heart, which allowed Black to turn himself into a unanimous All-SEC first team safety and second team All-American.

Now he turns to the next level and people are saying the same thing. But Black is not scared and certainly not worried about the naysayers. He has dealt with them before.

Despite his size, Black move to safety from a cornerback as a freshman and the rest is history. He started 39 games during his last three years topping it off with his 13^th career interception in the Outback Bowl that nailed down the Gators win over Penn State and sent Meyer off into the sunset on a high note.

Dowling shines on both sides of ball in WKU spring game

Making his Western Kentucky debut, Jon Dowling turned in a standout performance in the Hilltoppers spring game last weekend.

The former Southeast High standout, who left Florida during mid season last year, showed he is capable of playing on both sides of the ball, which he has been promised he would be allowed to do.

Dowling played safety, receiver and returned kickoffs for his Red team, which lost 27-11 (*ck). He caught a seven yard touchdown pass and returned three kickoffs for 57 yards, including a long of 29 yards.

The 6-3, 185 pounder also made his presence on defense. He was third on the Red team with four solo tackles and five total.

Former Braden River star Tevin Bryant, who is a walk-on trying to earn a scholarship, caught a 55-yard pass and ran the ball once for six yards in a limit appearance.

Was Brissett the real winner in Florida Spring Game?

Jacoby Brissett might have come out Florida’s spring game in better shape than any of the quarterbacks and he didn’t even suit up. Actually he is still in high school, but that wouldn’t stop anyone from believing he had better day than true freshman Jeff Driskell.

Driskell, the anointed next Tim Tebow until Charlie Weiss arrived, completed two of six passes for 13 yards and missed some open receivers. You can contribute those numbers to lack of experience, but did anyone feel he is ready to step in and take control of the offense?

Tyler Murphy, the Gators redshirt freshman and other backup quarterback, seemed more poised completing 7 of 11 passes for 68 yards with a touchdown and got picked off once. He has speed and athleticism and showed his arm might be stronger than a lot of people think.

Gators head coach Will Muschamp made it clear that John Brantley is the starter going into next season, but his numbers were a dismal 4 of 14 for 45 yards in one half of work.

In fairness to the quarterbacks, the Gators offensive line was missing a lot of parts and more running backs were out than played. However, if you’re Brissett your 0 for 0 passing stats for 0 yards looks a lot better than any of the three quarterbacks you will be battling in fall practice.