Gators get Brantley ready — just in case
GAINESVILLE (AP) – John Brantley’s first two seasons at Florida consisted mostly of wearing a headset, carrying a clipboard, signaling in plays and getting on the field in mop-up duty.
It hasn’t exactly been a pressure-packed career.
That could change drastically in the next week or so.
Brantley, a third-year sophomore from Ocala, has taken most of the snaps for the top-ranked Gators this week and could be the one directing coach Urban Meyer’s offense in what looks like the toughest test of the season for the defending national champions.
The Gators (4-0) aren’t worried a bit, either.
“He’s got a good grasp of the whole offense,” offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. “He really does. You’re talking about a guy that’s been in training now. He’s been here and he knows what he’s doing. He can run the whole offense.”
With 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow still recovering from a concussion sustained Saturday at Kentucky, Brantley might have to run the offense when Florida returns to the field Oct. 10 at LSU.
Sure, the Gators would love to have Tebow back against the fourth-ranked Tigers, but if he’s not medically cleared, teammates and coaches insist Brantley would be ready for the challenge.
“John Brantley is a hell of a football player, a big-time guy,” Addazio said. “We’re not going to change dramatically. We’re going to have some wrinkles for John Brantley, like we always would, but John Brantley will run our offense and will compete. He’d be starting for a lot of teams in this conference right now. That’s a real good thing.”
Brantley, coached by former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell, led Trinity Catholic to a state title in 2006 and signed with Florida a few months later even though Tebow had already established himself as the face of the program.
Brantley went 27-1 as a high school starter and broke the state record for career touchdown passes with 99, topping the previous record shared by Tebow and former Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee. Brantley threw 41 touchdown passes as a junior and 41 more as a senior.
“It’s a pleasure to be Tim Tebow’s backup,” said Brantley, whose father (John) and uncle (Scot) played for the Gators. “He’s one of the greatest players in college football history. To learn from him and be around him, I think it’s a huge opportunity for me.”
Tebow has played through a nagging shoulder injury, back pain, a hyper-extended knee and a broken hand. Although Brantley and his teammates expect Tebow to return in time for LSU, they also are preparing to play without him. In essence, they’re getting a glimpse of the future.
Although the Gators are saying all the right things about Brantley, the bottom line is his first career start could come on the road, in front of a hostile crowd and in a night game at Baton Rouge. .
Tebow isn’t the only Florida player missing practice this week. He’s not even the only one with a concussion.
Defensive back Moses Jenkins (concussion), defensive tackle Brandon Antwine (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (shoulder), guard Mike Pouncey (ankle) and linebacker Brendan Beal (neck) have been slowed by injuries.