SIX BITS: Brown, Harvin, Sheppard, soccer

By Adam Silverstein
August 11, 2010

1 » After two years of sitting and waiting while his back healed and pain subsided – “I’ve had a million procedures done, but we’ve got it taken care of…” – Florida Gators redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremy Brown is ready to claim the spot across the field from junior CB Janoris Jenkins. And while he is feeling better than ever, Brown still remains cautious. “I’d be lying if I said mentally I’m just ready,” Brown told the Miami Herald. “There are certain things I second-guess, like should I really just … throw myself in there? In the back of my head I’m just thinking, ‘Man, this might be my back again.’ […] I’ve been away from the game for so long, I just want to play and help out. I spent two years not playing at all, not even practicing. The opportunity to go out there and contribute just brightens my day.”

Five more BITS on Percy Harvin, Lito Sheppard, Gators soccer, baseball commitments and Ean McQuay…after the break!

2 » Staying healthy always seemed to be a struggle for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin during his time at Florida. In addition to physical injuries suffered from playing football, Harvin has also had to deal with chronic migraine headaches throughout his life – a condition that appears to have gotten worse over time and has reared its ugly head once again. Missing 15 Vikings practices now due a combination of the death of his grandmother and these headaches (perhaps brought on by stress from the situation), Harvin is feeling better but remains out of action. “I’m not sure when he’ll be with the team. If I knew I would tell you,” head coach Brad Childress said Tuesday. “God willing, he is going to work through this.” Like Harvin told OGGOA in May, he continues to meet with specialists and search for answers. “It’s ongoing. The only thing that would be wrong is if we quit trying to find things and throw our hands up in the air,” Childress added.

3 » Speaking of Minnesota, former Gators cornerback Lito Sheppard has lost his starting job to Asher Allen, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Sheppard expected to start this season after Cedric Griffin had surgery to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

4 » High school junior pitcher Conor O’Brien (Tampa, FL) committed to Florida on Tuesday, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Though he has yet to play extensively, O’Brien is in store for more playing time this season. He is the second player from Jesuit High School – the other being pitcher/shortstop Lance McCullers – to commit to the Gators this year.

5 » Florida soccer has earned a No. 11 ranking in the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) preseason poll. Finishing 16-6-2 last season, the soccer team won its 10th Southeastern Conference Championship and advanced to the 2009 NCAA Second Round. The Gators begin the University of Florida’s 2010-11 athletic season facing Miami on Aug. 20. In related news… five Florida soccer players have been named to the Preseason All-SEC team – the most in the league. Senior midfielder Ashlee Elliott, senior goalkeeper Katie Fraine, junior forward Lindsay Thompson, sophomore MF Erika Tymrak and sophomore defender Kathryn Williamson were all told of the honor Monday.

6 » Former Gators redshirt junior walk-on running back Ean McQuay was arrested on Sunday and charged with both first-degree misdemeanor battery and a third-degree felony for kidnapping and false imprisonment of someone under the age of 13, according to The Gainesville Sun. No longer with the team, McQuay has not played since 2008 but is included in the 2010 media guide.

One Comment

  1. Gatorbuc15 says:

    Alright Brown! Great to have him back! It will be interesting to see how much that back injury messes with his head. I’m pretty confident that he’ll be able to get past it.

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