FOUR BITS: Will Wildcat be used? USF uses UF in ad. Tigers ready for QB. Recruiting update.

By Adam Silverstein
October 7, 2009

1 » Prior to the season, one of the biggest stories was the Florida Gators potentially using cornerback Joe Haden at quarterback in a Wildcat-like formation. While UF’s ability and lack of fear to use the Wildcat with wide receiver Percy Harvin last season was well documented, I held (and hold) the opinion that Haden plays extensively enough on defense and special teams – that using him on offense as well would be overkill.

While talk about Haden’s role in the formation seems to have died down, usage of the Wildcat as a whole has not. Head coach Urban Meyer said Monday that tight end Aaron Hernandez, running back Jeff Demps and wide receiver Brandon James could all get direct snaps against No. 4 LSU Tigers. While an occasional direct snap may be called, I see this as more of a diversionary tactic to get LSU thinking about more than just “Tim Tebow or John Brantley” but rather “Tebow, Brantley or the Wildcat.”

2 » In an effort to gain prestige within the state of Florida, the USF Bulls have marketed themselves as one of the “Big 4” along with the Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles. This new billboard, located at I-275 near I-4 has, to his credit, drawn the ire of Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt. “I had nothing to do with (the billboard), I don’t know how it got up, and I don’t know who put it up,” Leavitt said Tuesday. “We have not won national championships, and we have not won conference championships. What gives us the right to sit there all of a sudden like we’ve won all these championships and done all this stuff?” Looks like the USF marketing department should have checked with Leavitt first.


3 » Florida fans may be clamoring over the “Tebow or Brantley” decision, but LSU is not worried – they plan to be ready for whoever shows up under center on Saturday night. “We’ll prepare for that position to be a very good one,” Tigers head coach Les Miles said. “We recognize that they’re going to be talented there.” In limited time this season, Brantley is 22 of 30 for 232 yards and four touchdowns. “Florida has a really outstanding system they run, and both quarterbacks fit in it well,” LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “We don’t have time to worry about which quarterback will be out there. We just have to be as well-prepared for whatever they try to do.”

4 » As first reported by OGGOA, four-star Booker T. Washington teammates defensive end Lynden Trail and wide receiver Quinton Dunbar are the latest commitments received by the Gators. They mark Nos. 16 and 17 on Florida’s 2010 commitment list, which should hold anywhere from 24-28 total names by the time all is said and done. According to Rivals, the acquisition of Dunbar allows the Gators to concentrate on adding four-star receivers Chris Dunkley, Christian Green and/or Ivan McCartney, while letting those in their second-tier group search elsewhere. Florida already has a commitment from three-star WR Solomon Patton out of Mobile. Additionally, the Gators have moved up to No. 4 in Rivals’ 2010 team recruiting rankings.

5 Comments

  1. Kaity says:

    I’m not convinced that the billboard was done by USF, maybe an overzealous fan? None of the logos have the trademark symbol. I don’t know, I’m just hoping that USF is not actually responsible for that, bc it’s a pretty tacky move.

  2. Daniel M. says:

    “Additionally, the Gators have moved up to No. 4 in Rivals’ 2010 team recruiting rankings.”

    If the Gators sign 28 kids they should easily have the #1 ranked class. Size matters. Throw a crystal trophy in the mix and it’ll be a recruiting landslide. . Something tells me Urban will land a top 3 class with or without an 09 trophy.

  3. Kaity – it WAS done by USF. By the marketing department.

  4. ReptilesRule says:

    I like that billboard. Anything with a Gator logo I like. Lets hope USF beats the “ewe” so that they can further their claim. Need a couple more recievers, an OL and a couple more DLs in recruiting, otherwise so far so good. DON’T BE AFRAID TO COMPETE!!!

  5. Gatorfan33 says:

    It looks to me so far this year that WR is going to be a HUGE need in this class.

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