The 2010 version of the Florida Gators is completing their second week fall practice and, while the activities were once again closed to both the media and public, some notable things did occur Tuesday. OGGOA has compiled some of the key details.

FRESHMAN HAS SURGERY

Freshman offensive tackle Chaz Green had hernia surgery on Friday, according to a University of Florida spokesperson. He will be out of action for 2-4 weeks – likely the latter as a safety precaution considering he is not expected to be needed much in the rotation this season.

“HAVE THAT REMOVED”
Get the movie reference?

Freshmen defensive end Ronald Powell and cornerback Joshua Shaw are the latest players to have their black helmet stripes removed. That’s 13 down with 12 to go.

IS BRANTLEY’S ‘STACHE TRASH?

Shout out to the Palm Beach Post’s Jason Lieser for his intrepid reporting regarding the longevity of Florida redshirt junior starting quarterback John Brantley’s mustache. Though QB coach Scot Loeffler contends that Brantley “needs to shave it” and promises that “he will, don’t worry,” the Gators’ signal caller has other plans. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Brantley, who is willing to fight to keep his facial hair, said. “If that’s what it has to come down to, I guess so.”

GOAL LINE QUARTERBACKS

Early in camp, it was converted sophomore tight end Jordan Reed who was getting the majority of the work as the team’s goal line QB. Now that fall practices are coming to an end, freshman QB Trey Burton has been getting many of the short yardage opportunities. OGGOA touched on this subject two days ago during a podcast interview. There will likely be a number of different looks on goal line and short yardage situations this season with Brantley, Reed and Burton all getting opportunities behind center.

FINAL SCRIMMAGE

The Gators will hold their final scrimmage of the 2010 offseason on Saturday as coaches look to make some decisions on the team’s outstanding position battles – starting middle linebacker, starting cornerback, kick and punt returners, etc.

Tags: Chaz Green, John Brantley, Jordan Reed, Josh Shaw, Joshua Shaw, Ronald Powell, Scot Loeffler, Trey Burton, University of Florida

Thursday begins fall practice for the Florida Gators, and the team will be going into the 2010-11 season with more questions than answers for the first time in recent memory. From reserves taking over as starters to freshmen trying to make an impact right away, head coach Urban Meyer and his revamped coaching staff will be taking a close look at each and every player stepping on the field over the next few weeks

OGGOA is here to provide you with a preview of exactly what you should watch for and pay attention to, even though practice is closed to both the media and public.

Check out players who are stepping up, fighting for their jobs and trying to break out, as well as notable freshman who hope to make an impact…after the break!
Continue Reading » Florida Gators 2010 Fall Practice Preview

Tags: Andre Debose, Carl Moore, Charlie Strong, Chris Dunkley, Chris Rainey, Cornelius Ingram, David Nelson, Deonte Thompson, Dominique Easley, Duke Lemmens, Frankie Hammond, Gerald Christian, Janoris Jenkins, Jaye Howard, Jaylen Watkins, Jeff Demps, Jelani Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, Joe Haden, John Brantley, Jon Bostic, Jordan Reed, Josh Shaw, Joshua Shaw, Justin Trattou, Matt Elam, Matt Patchan, Moses Jenkins, National Championship, Omarius Hines, Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper, Robert Clark, Ronald Powell, SEC, SEC Championship, Sharrif Floyd, Steve Addazio, Terron Sanders, Teryl Austin, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

With the Florida Gators 2010 spring practice sessions now complete, there was plenty of newsworthy information coming out from the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut on Sat., April 10. Rather than publishing it all in long form, OGGOA thought it would be best to lay it out piece-by-piece. Football returns in full-force in the summer.

Check out OGGOA’s full coverage of the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut…
Continue Reading » OGGOA’s 2010 Orange & Blue Debut news, notes

Tags: A.J. Jones, Ahmad Black, Andre Debose, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Spikes, Brendan Beal, Caleb Sturgis, Carl Moore, Carlos Dunlap, CFL, Chris Leak, Chris Rainey, Cody Riggs, D.J. Durkin, Deonte Thompson, Emmanuel Moody, Janoris Jenkins, Jaye Howard, Jeff Demps, Jelani Jenkins, John Brantley, Jon Bostic, Jordan Reed, Joshua Shaw, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Matt Elam, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Gillislee, Montreal Alouettes, Orange & Blue Debut, Riley Cooper, Ronald Powell, Ryan Stamper, Scot Loeffler, Scott Brantley, Sharrif Floyd, Shelley Meyer, Steve Addazio, Tim Tebow, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer, Will Hill

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 88,548]
Time: 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Weather Forecast: 72°F, Sunny

Live Online Coverage: OGGOA
Live TV: N/A, all replays on Sun Sports
Replays: 04/11 (9 a.m.), 04/18 (9 a.m.), 04/21 (3 p.m.), 04/27 (11 p.m.), 05/02 (9 a.m.)
Live Online Video: GatorVision ($9.95 per month)
Live Radio: Gator Radio Network | Sirius 216 | XM 199 | Yahoo!
Spring Roster: GatorZone

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION:
» Free admission for University of Florida students (with IDs), Gator Boosters, F Club Letterwinners and Alumni Association members with membership cards.
» $5 general admission: Online | Gator Ticket Office

ORANGE & BLUE DEBUT GAME FORMAT:
» Time: Four 10-minute quarters, running clock in the second half.
» Blue: First-team offense, second-team defense, driving to south end zone
» Orange: Second-team offense, first-team defense, driving to north end zone
» Colors: Offense always wears blue, defense always wears white
» Kickoffs: None, drives start at the 35-yard line after a score
» Punts: Yes, but all are fair caught by returners

All of your 2010 Orange & Blue Debut notes and more…after the break!
Continue Reading » Florida Gators 2010 Orange & Blue Debut Preview

Tags: A.J. Jones, Adrian Bushell, Ahmad Black, Andre Debose, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Carl Moore, Chas Henry, Chris Rainey, D.J. Durkin, Deonte Thompson, Duke Lemmens, Emmanuel Moody, Frankie Hammond, Gerald Christian, Ian Silberman, James Wilson, Janoris Jenkins, Jaylen Watkins, Jeff Demps, Jelani Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, John Brantley, Jon Halapio, Jordan Haden, Jordan Reed, Joshua Shaw, Leon Orr, Matt Elam, Maurice Hurt, Mike Gillislee, Mike Pouncey, Moses Jenkins, Neiron Ball, Nick Alajajian, Omarius Hines, Orange & Blue Debut, Robert Clark, Solomon Patton, Stan Drayton, Stephen Alli, Teryl Austin, The Swamp, Trey Burton, Will Hill, William Green, Xavier Nixon, Zach Azzanni

With the Florida Gators beginning spring practice for the 2010 season on Wednesday, there is plenty of newsworthy information around the program. Rather than publishing it all in long form, OGGOA thought it would be best to lay it out piece-by-piece.

Blink your eyes and check out over 1,000 words and two videos on Florida Gators football after the jump!
Continue Reading » Notes and quotes from the start of spring practice

Tags: A.J. Jones, Adrian Bushell, Ahmad Black, Andre Debose, Brandon Hicks, Brendan Beal, Carl Moore, Chris Dunkley, Chuck Heater, D.J. Durkin, Dee Finley, Deonte Thompson, Desmond Parks, Dominique Easley, Frankie Hammond, Gerald Christian, Janoris Jenkins, Jeff Demps, Jelani Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, John Brantley, Jon Bostic, Jordan Reed, Joshua Shaw, Marcus Gilbert, Matt Elam, Mike Pouncey, Moses Jenkins, Omarius Hines, Robert Clark, Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd, Solomon Patton, Stan Drayton, Steve Addazio, Teryl Austin, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer, Zach Azzanni

Below are the uniform numbers for early enrollees from the Florida Gators‘ No. 1-ranked 2010 recruiting class (as well as those for some walk-ons):

» S Matt Elam – 22
» CB Joshua Shaw – 29
» CB Jaylen Watkins – 14
» OL Ian Silberman – 77
» WR Solomon Patton – 83
» TE Gerald Christian – 32
» DT Leon Orr – 68
» S Jordan Haden – 39
» QB Trey Burton – 13
» WR/KR Robert Clark – 81
» NT Neiron Ball – 48

Walk-ons
» Brandon Sanders – 37
*Carver High School – Ocala, FL
» Gery Marseile – 53
*Booker T. Washington High School – Miami, FL
» Thaddeus Blue – 20
*Miami Carol City High School – Miami, FL
» Phillip Bellino – 86
*Santa Fe Community College, Pope John Paul II High School, Boca Raton, FL

Tags: Brandon Sanders, Gerald Christian, Gery Marseile, Ian Silberman, Jaylen Watkins, Jordan Haden, Joshua Shaw, Leon Orr, Matt Elam, Neiron Ball, Phillip Bellino, Robert Clark, Solomon Patton, Thaddeus Blue, Trey Burton

Five-star defensive end Ronald Powell on ESPNU’s College Football Recruiting Insider:

Head coach Urban Meyer on ESPNU’s College Football Recruiting Insider:

On ranking his class: “I don’t rate it as a class yet, I think that’s down the road – three or four years. But there’s certain elements of this class: size and the defensive line. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen with Ron Powell, Lynden Trail, Leon Orr, Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd. Not just great players, but great people. A good work ethic, good leadership qualities. There are certain areas that I like better than others, but I think our defensive front [is one of them]. That’s where college football is played and that’s where you start on defense.”

On who excites him the most: “We got a tailback named Mack Brown – probably the highest-rated tailback we’ve signed here at Florida, in our tenure here. It’s a guy that we needed, a guy that we had to have. He made a commitment. Nowadays, when you make a commitment, at least you know you’re in the top four. He made a commitment to Florida – didn’t take another trip. Really classy family. Hardworker. Has battled some injuries too, but we’re counting on him to be a big-time playmaker sooner than later for us.”

ESPN had 11 more questions for Meyer. Read them all after the jump!
Continue Reading » ESPN’s coverage of Gators’ 2010 recruiting class

Tags: Dominique Easley, Joshua Shaw, Leon Orr, Lynden Trail, Mack Brown, Mark Sanchez, Matt Elam, National Signing Day, NFL, Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd, Tim Tebow, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer