Gators get back on field
GAINESVILLE (AP) – Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has a Heisman Trophy, four championship rings and more accolades than most college football players could ever imagine.
He wants more.
Tebow and the defending national champions opened fall practice Thursday with hopes of winning a third title in four years, and they want this one to be special.
The Gators are embracing sky-high expectations that come with returning nearly every starter and are openly talking about wanting to become the first team in school history to go undefeated.
“It’s something that we want,” Tebow said, sporting a full beard for the first practice. “That’s not our goal. We’re not writing that anywhere. We’re not posting that, but obviously when we step on the field, we’re going to want to win. That would be special, being the first time in Florida history for that. Obviously that is a goal and it’s something that I hope comes true.”
The Gators realize they’re an overwhelming favorite to repeat, maybe even more so than the 2005 Southern California team that featured Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. The Trojans stormed through the regular season, extending their winning streak to 34 games, then lost in the title game to Vince Young and Texas.
Although Florida doesn’t want to look too far ahead, especially with LSU, Georgia and Florida State on the schedule, players are bracing for each opponent’s best shot every week.
“We know the target’s on our back and we’re ready,” linebacker Brandon Spikes said. “Everybody’s been looking forward to this day. … It’s just like Christmas.”
The Gators opened practice at 5:45 a.m., with about 200 fans eagerly awaiting their arrival. The early start was no surprise after coach Urban Meyer promised to make summer workouts and two-a-day practices the toughest in his five years.
His rationale? For the most part, Florida has the same team that beat Oklahoma 24-14 in the Bowl Championship Series title game in Miami, and Meyer wants his players to avoid complacency.
Tebow and Spikes vowed not to let that happen. The team captains led offseason workouts and never shied away from talk of going unbeaten.
“It’s a big goal,” Spikes said. “It’s something I think about every day. Our whole summer we’ve been stressing this. My job is to make sure the guys don’t get satisfied. We’ve got to keep striving and push that rock back to the top of the hill.”
The Gators won their second national title in 2006, when Tebow and Spikes were freshmen, then bounced back from a rebuilding year to earn a second ring this past January. Both of them considered turning pro, but they decided to come back and try to make history.
They don’t want to leave anything to chance. Last season, Florida had to rebound from an early season loss to Mississippi and win 10 in a row to reach the title game.
“It’s pressure, but it’s nothing that we can’t live up to,” cornerback Joe Haden said.
Defensively, Florida returns 21 of 22 players on the two-deep depth chart. Defensive tackle Torrey Davis transferred in March.
“That’s one of the reasons I decided to come back my senior year,” Spikes said. “I just wanted to rewrite history. We’ve got a good chance. We’ve got Tebow and (many) starters coming back and a lot of young guys. It’s going to be great.”
Tebow has plenty of help, too.
Although replacing receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy will be one of the main objectives during fall practice, the Gators have running backs Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody back as well as tight end Aaron Hernandez, receiver Deonte Thompson and the Pouncey twins.
Tebow even got his roommate back.
Receiver Riley Cooper, who signed a baseball contract with the Texas Rangers, got permission this week to play football as a senior.
“It’s a special team,” said Cooper, who caught 18 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns last season. “I wanted to come back and contribute for a third national championship.”
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins believes something good came out of his arrest this summer.
“I learned a lot, being at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Jenkins said after practice.
According to Gainesville Police, Jenkins struck an individual while officers were trying to break up a downtown fight May 30. After police Tasered him, Jenkins tried to run, but stopped after two blocks. Jenkins was charged with affray and resisting arrest without violence.
He signed a deferred prosecution agreement in June. He must not have any violations in the next sixth months, pay $50 for the cost of prosecution and either donate $150 to a charity or perform 15 hours of community service. If Jenkins fulfills the demands, his record will be wiped clean.
Jenkins’ arrest was the 24th involving football players during coach Urban Meyer’s tenure. Linebacker Dustin Doe added to the list last month when he was arrested and charged with knowingly driving with a suspended license.
Doe has been suspended from the team. It was unclear if and when Doe might be reinstated.