Urban Meyer Gator Program

One of the best Gator Program's ever. A collectors item in itself but there is so much more to this program. The cover is awesome, all four Gators played in the NFL, two were NFL greats in Neal Anderson and John L. Williams, Kerwin Bell is a legendary Gator and Chris Bromley was All-SEC one of the best centers in Gator History.

But it's what's inside this program that counts.

Urban Meyer played for the Cincinnati Bearcats 1983-86, he was a backup free safety in '84. His name appears twice in the program, Urban Meyer #49 in the roster and again in the two-deep defense.

It was not a good day for Cincinnati they got beat 48-17 against a powerful Gator football team.

It's for sale (RETAIL) but it won't go cheap, mint condition.

Adrian Bushell still at Florida

Rewritten July 7th, 11:30 PM based on new information...

Adrian Bushell has an excellent chance at winning starting cornerback position across from Janoris Jenkins this fall. Joe Haden is off to the NFL, Jenkins is the lock to slide over to the weak-side corner position his old position of 2008-09 is up for grabs.

But Bushell did not have a good spring.

Issues arose and the story circulated that Bushell asked for a release from the Florida program, am hearing now he never asked for one.

Bushell is still enrolled at Florida this summer. He's still on Florida's roster and is part of the team.

Bushell came to Florida out of DeSoto, Texas. He transferred there for his senior season from Miami, Florida. Bushell at 5-10, 180 is a fine athlete he's reported to run a 4.4 forty and have a 38" vertical leap. He was a four-star recruit he came to Florida in 2008 and was redshirted.

Last year he earned his first letter, he saw action in all 14 games ending the season with 14 tackles, 10 solo, 1 INT and 1 pass deflection. His INT came against FSU he also had 2 tackles one solo vs Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

In high school he was called upon to do everything. His senior season at DeSoto he had 60 tackles, 2 INTs, 500 yards rushing and 10 TDs, and 300 yards receiving and 7 TD catches. At Miami Pace he had 1,500 all purpose yards, 1,100 rushing and 400 receiving.

Bushell's major at Florida is - Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Competition at Corner

Player	Ht	Wt	Cl	Gp	St	Comment
Janoris Jenkins	5-11	186	Jr	27	25	2L - 77T, 5 INT, 17PB
Moses Jenkins	6-2	188	Sr	23		3L - Special teams
Jeremy Brown	5-10	182	RSo	-	-	Back issues
Adrian Bushell	5-9	183	RSo	14	-	1L - 14T, 1 INT, 1PB
Joshua Shaw	6-0	189	Fr	-	-	In Mix, Physical
Jaylen Watkins	5-11	180	Fr	-	-	In Mix, Athletic
Cody Riggs	5-9	170	Fr	-	-	In Mix, Quick 4.37

Joshua Shaw and Jaylen Watkins got in school in January giving them the advantage of going through spring practice. Shaw from California is physical while Watkins is extremely athletic he was a QB/DB for Cape Coral last season.

If quickness has anything to do with it then Cody Riggs might have the edge. The last two corners started as true freshmen at Florida, Haden and Jenkins. They were the quickest corners in their class and also the most gifted with natural football ability. Don't know Riggs well enough to say he has that gift, would think Watkins does he played QB like Haden did, but Riggs certainly is the quickest of the group.

Riggs, a 5-foot-9 senior from St. Thomas Aquinas , won the 300-meter hurdles at the 4A state meet in 36.44 seconds, the fastest time in the nation this year. It was his third consecutive state title in the event. He is eligible for the National Player of r .the Year for Track and Field. He was named Gatorade Florida Field and Track Athlete of the Yea

Four Predictions for the 2010 Gators

1 - Florida will win the SEC - If they do that they'll be in position to win another Title, it's the even year thing so it's time for Urban Meyer's third one. Think the Gators might lose at Alabama and get them in the rematch in the SECC. As mentioned Meyer's big seasons at Florida come in the even years, 2006, 2008 and well you do the math. Not a huge prediction here the Gators are loaded.

2 - John Brantley will be the All-SEC QB, if he doesn't make it McElroy had a great year. Believe this is going to be a huge year for the Gators throwing the ball. Way too many weapons. This is in no way a stretch of the imagination. It's either McElroy or Brantley they will have the advantage of being on the two best teams in the SEC. Brantley will be the best QB in the league in this man's opinion.


3 - Ian Silberman ends up becoming a starter on the offensive line midway through the season if not earlier. Silberman is an outstanding lineman, he just might be too good to keep out of the lineup. He will most likely be 300 lbs this fall, he has the talent to be one of Florida's best and play many seasons in the NFL. Silberman has perfect body position to get the most out of his dam near perfect body. He has the proper bend at the knees and angle in the back, he squares up quickly and nicely, he has long arms, powerful legs and quick feet.

Silberman reminds this man of Jason Odom and David Williams. They all had that flawless form coming in. Odom ended up starting as a freshman along with Reggie Green. Williams was tremendous as a true freshman but redshirted none the less because of the Great Wall of Florida in 1984.

This is a great line in 2010 it could be another Great Wall if Silberman ends up starting.

4 - A true freshman ends up starting at cornerback. Joe Haden started as a true freshman, a year later Janoris Jenkins came in and did the same. This season Janoris will slide over and take Haden's weak-side duties while the Gators look for someone to replace his cornerback position.


Logical bet would be on either Jaylen Watkins or Cody Riggs this fall. Could be Riggs, the link between Jenkins and Haden is they were the quickest guys in their recruiting class. That might give Riggs the edge.

Watkins is extremely talented. So is true freshman Joshua Shaw. Of the three Riggs, Shaw and Watkins I'd bet on Watkins. He has nice size and that great skill set you're looking for, he's a baller.

If something were to happen to Janoris a kid like Shaw might work the weak-side he's really physical.

Moses Jenkins and Jeremy Brown will provide the competition for the three new guys. Brown has the best shot to edge the freshmen out but has been hurt his first two years at Florida with chronic back issues. Moses will not part the waters, he has great size but lacks great quickness and instincts.

Because of Brown's health issues and Adrian Bushell's request for transfer this prediction of a true freshman starting this season isn't that far fetched. Have heard a report that Bushell was granted a transfer but there has been no news on it since the end of spring practice. Some still hold out hope that he is trying to work his way back on the team.

If that doesn't happen there is a very good chance the Gators will end up starting their third true freshman in a row.

Five Musts for the Gators in 2010

1 - LEADERSHIP - When it comes to nut crack'n time, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. When Urban Meyer first came to Florida he worked on team toughness, he talked about how important team leadership is.

One of the greatest leaders of all time, Tim Tebow, moves on as does his counter part on defense Brandon Spikes. Who will fill their shoes?

Florida's football staff will work diligently on this look for players like Mike Pouncey and Ahmad Black to step forward and new ones like John Brantley and Brandon Hicks.

2. Win the Turnover Margin - In 2009 the Gators gathered in 20 INTs, but only 3 fumbles. They were a plus .50 in the turnover margin. In 2008 the Gators were 1.57 with 26 INTs and 9 fumble recoveries. The other championship season in 2006 was unremarkable. The Gators had a good year jumping on eight fumbles and 21 INTs, but they gave it up 24 times that season for a .37 margin, they went conservative on offense, made holding onto a ball an issue and relied on a great defense to win.

Below is a graph of the Gators turnover margin for the past four years, added 2010 as a projection year of what this man thinks will be the mark of a successful season. Note that Tim Tebow kept his INTs way down, I'm giving Brantley a few extra on batted passes and whatnot. Hope for a few more INTs if we score the way I think we will on offense our defense should have that opportunity this season. A +1 turnover margin would be a huge season.

Year	06	07	08	09	10	Comment
Games	14	13	14	14	14	14 means SECC
Fumbles Gained	8	9	9	3	8	around 8 or so is good
INTs Gained	21	11	26	20	22	20 or more is great
Total Gained	29	20	35	23	30	only above 30 once
Fumbles Lost	10	9	8	11	7	some bad games '09
INTs Lost	14	6	5	5	8	Tebow was awesome
Total Lost	24	15	13	16	15	15-16 very good
Margin	5	5	22	7	15	10 or over very good
Margin Gained	0.36	0.38	1.57	0.50	1.07	Plus 1 is awesome!!!!

3 - Production in Passing Game - This centers on the wide receivers and their development. Deonte Thompson, Chris Rainey, Andre Debose, Carl Moore and Jordan Reed are on top of the list of players the Gators will depend on to make this a complete offense. John Brantley has proved he can get the ball there on time.

Rainey and Debose need to get and stay healthy, if not Robert Clark could get his chance he's an outstanding WR/Corner prospect.

Thompson needs to have others step up to help free him up, if that happens he should have a great season. Look for TE Reed to have a big season and be one of the guys to help take the pressure off of Thompson.

Other guys who could make things happen this fall are Chris Dunkley and Adrian Coxson. Dunkley is a polished extremely talented receiver with tremendous feet and balance to go along with a Tebow like will to succeed. Coxson is a bruiser with speed, he played QB in high school and will need a lot of coaching up, but this is one of those big shake and bake guys who you can throw the ball out too and he can end up taking it 50 yards for the touch, he has that talent.

With the passing game clicking Florida should have a monster offense this fall. If coach Meyer gives the offense their reins some teams could be forced into a game plan that might better suit the Gator defense. That's 'the keep the ball away from the other team' type offense.

4. Sound Play at Defensive End - Can Justin Trattou stand the physical riggers of being a first stringer the entire season? Will William Green step up and deliver at the SEC level, he's blessed with the quickness? Does all-world Ronald Powell live up to his billing and kick butt this fall?

Florida has so many options, they have eight scholarship DEs this fall, some converted LBs, with the new DC Teryl Austin the Gators could play some 3-4. Austin has spent the last seven years in the NFL and 10 years before that in College.

5 - Find another corner...

Five Gators with something to Prove - D

Defense

1 - Brandon Hicks - hate to put this on any kid but he's perhaps the most important piece of this years defense. This man thinks he's up for it. It's his year to make a big name for himself and he has the stuff to do it, now he just has to do it...
2 - Jaye Howard - The all-underwear stud defensive tackle! Everyone has raved about how good he looks and how good he can be. It's time for him to prove them right!
3 - William Green - A backup defensive end the Gators really need to come on and have a big year with the departure of Jermain Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap to the NFL. Like Hicks this man thinks Green has it in him to fill the shoes at DE for Florida.
4 - Ronald Powell - As much as this man really hates to put anything on a true freshman everyone else will be. The question isn't whether he plays or not, it's how soon, how much and how well. Because of his recruiting status as the top recruit in the country there is a lot for him to prove. The chances are pretty good he will as soon as he gets acclimated to the speed of the game in the SEC.
5 - The other Cornerback - Adrian Bushell was it till he fought Urban's law and the law won. Florida's last two corners have started as true freshmen - Joe Haden who they're looking to replace and Janoris Jenkins, perhaps they find another true freshman this year. It's very important to the defensive philosophy to find one who can play.

nothing to prove....

a - Justin Trattou - He proved it all last year. Might be the toughest player in the nation, if not he's got to be in the top five with all the pain he played through in 2009. He'll be playing on one tendon in his shoulder this fall, the other one tore off last fall.
b - Terron Sanders and Lawrence Marsh - get this, this pair started at DT and NG in the National Championship season in 2008, they will have to compete to start this fall. The Gators are upgrading their talent drastically in this area. These two will play a lot.
c - Ahmad Black - He's proved to everyone he's a baller. His INT against Oklahoma late in that game helped seal the deal for the Gators second NC under Urban Meyer. Only thing he has to prove is if he can make an NFL club, but that's after this season.
d - Janoris Jenkins - All he has left to do at Florida is step into Joe Haden's shoes, his third season as a Gator everyone believes he's ready to do that.
e - Will Hill - Probably has things to prove to himself, goals to achieve, he was so highly touted as a recruit. Maybe he can talk with Powell some. Believe he's proved he can play and play well in the SEC.

Five Gators with something to Prove - O

Offense....

1 - Chris Rainey - think he will be huge at the slot, his biggest issue is can he stay healthy?
2 - Jordan Reed - think he will be huge at TE, but he'll have to prove it. If he does the Gators will be doing some serious butt kicking.
3 - Omarius Hines - Will he finally step up? The coaches have talked about him for a long time, now it's his time to prove them right.
4 - Andre Debose - can he get healthy, stay healthy and deliver? If so he could be that last piece of the puzzle to go with Rainey, Thompson, Reed, Hines and Moore a group so easy for Brantley to get the ball too it will be like spreading warm butter on a hot piece of toast. If healthy Debose will get on the field and help free up a home run guy like Thompson, if that happens it's all good.
5 - 5th OL, will it be a guard or could Sam Robey allow the coaches to move Mike Pouncey out or perhaps move Robey out. Someone needs to step forward and stay healthy. Maurice Hunt, James Wilson or Robey take your pick one of them needs to step up or could it be someone else? Ian Silberman perhaps?

nothing to prove

a - John Brantley - he's already proved it to this man...
b - Emmanuel Moody - if he hasn't proved it by now what's left? Florida already proved they can do running back by committee...
c - Deonte Thompson - if he has to be the go to WR then I'm not sure our offense will be what this man hopes this fall. That is that there are enough weapons with Demps, Rainey, Debose, Reed, Moore, Gillislee and others that Thompson is just another weapon to give the opposition nightmares over. That will make him even more dangerous.
d - Mike Pouncey - nothing more needs to be said...
e - Jeff Demps - who's the fastest college football player in the country? Hmmm?

Gators Looking for Defensive Ends...

Two areas of prime concern for Florida in 2010 are finding a replacement for Joe Haden and replacing the two starters at defensive end, Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham. All three were drafted by NFL teams in the first 54 picks.

As you can see on the graph below Florida has defensive ends to work with this year, they aren't running on empty.

Justin Trattou is a fine football player and a playmaker. He has 15 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks and 2 INTs, and 3 pass deflections. Trattou tore a tendon in his shoulder and played through the agonizing pain. He chose not to have it repaired and has one left. If it holds up Trattou will be the MAN at one DE spot. He's an exceptional player...

William Green is a true junior out of Hoover, Alabama. Green is blessed with a lot of speed, he has five tackles for a loss, one QB sack and one blocked punt. His sack came in Florida's 2010 Sugar Bowl victory. Green is poised to have a coming out season, he has all the tools this is the position Jermaine Cunningham was in a couple of years ago. Generally Green is regarded as an athlete with more talent than Cunningham had yet Cunningham ended up being the 53rd player taken in this year's NFL draft.

Florida has a veteran back up for Green and Trattou in Duke Lemmens a three-year letterman. Lemmens has three tackles for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Not a guy who has a future playing football after college but a guy you can rely on coming off the bench to give the starters a blow.

The chart below: Player's name, height, weight, class, games played, games started, L - stands for letters won

Player	Ht	Wt	Cl	Gp	St	Comment
Justin Trattou	6-3	252	Sr	39	18	3L - stay healthy
William Green	6-3	250	Jr	27	1	2L - Speed +
Duke Lemmens	6-3	253	Sr	32	1	3L - exp backup
Earl Okine	6-6	280	RSo	5		now or never
Lerentee McCray	6-2	240	RSo	11		1L loads of speed
Kedric Johnson	6-4	230	RFr			redshirted unknown
Ronald Powell	6-4	250	Fr			top recruit country
Lynden Trail	6-7	230	Fr			animal, needs wt
Dominique Easley	6-2	253	Fr			could play DE? DT

Florida is three deep with experience heading into the season. If Earl Okine doesn't make some sort of push this season he probably never will, don't know much about Kedric Johnson other than he had an amazing 24.5 sacks at Palmetto High School and ran a sub 4.7. Lerentee McCray was recruited and played at Florida as a LB, he switched to DE in the fall of 2009. He had blazing speed in high school was clocked at 4.53 in the 40.

In school is Ronald Powell, ranked the #1 national recruit at any position by Rivals and #2 by Scout. Powell is a freak athlete, much is expected of him but DE is a position that takes a little bit of OJT. It will be exciting for Gator fans to see how quickly and how often he gets on the field.

Joining Powell are two more freshmen who could help Florida early on at DE. Lynden Trail and Dominique Easley are two exceptional prospects.

Easley is another highly ranked national prospect who's has that 5-star ranking by the services. He's expected to become a DT but could play a strong side DE, the Gators cross train a lot of their defensive linemen, Trattou has a start at DT under his belt.

Trail is an interesting talent, he has nice feet for a big guy and is really strong. Now he'll need to bulk up and get college strong, and he'll get a lot of coaching to make the best use of his God given talents. If he turns out good enough to start one day he's going to be a nightmare, he's good at getting his hands on the ball be it knocking down a pass or stripping it from a ball carrier. He has a chance to be a really good one.

Make no mistake about it, the Gators aren't boxed in a corner at this position, their backs aren't against the wall. Like the strong recruiting team they are, the Gators are simply in a transition season. That will happen when you lose juniors to the NFL draft.