1 » Facing the No. 19/16 Florida State Seminoles in a doubleheader Wednesday, No. 3/4 Florida Gators softball swept their rivals with consecutive 8-4 and 9-2 victories on the road at JoeAnne Graf Field in Tallahassee, FL. Florida (32-4, 12-2 SEC)’s winners were starters junior Stephanie Brombacher (21-4) and freshman Ensley Gammel (10-0), who tallied a combined 13.3 innings and eight strikeouts against FSU (36-10, 8-4 SEC). Freshman shortstop Brittany Walker went 4-7 on the day with two RBI, as junior second baseman Aja Paculba extended her hitting streak to 16 games – tying the longest in school history.

2 » “It was great to have all of that work,” Gators freshman cornerback Josh Shaw said of his playing time in the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut last weekend. “Some of it was good, some bad, but I feel like I’m getting better each time out.” Shaw, according to The Gainesville Sun is adjusting to his competitors’ speed and athleticism but is confident he will be able to follow in the footsteps of some of the team’s best cornerbacks.

3 » Florida men’s basketball may have lost out on two recruits Wednesday, but the women’s basketball and softball teams each brought in a new name. JuCo transfer guard Deana Allen (Houma, LA) has decided to join the Gators after averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game at Pensacola Junior College. She is the fifth new recruit for the women’s team. Joining softball is utility player Chelsea Howell (Plantation, FL), the fourth player of her new team’s 2010-11 class.

4 » Interesting blog post today from Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald on new Kentucky Wildcats five-star guard commitment Brandon Knight, who had been leaning away from the Gators for quite some time. Some of the potential reasons he chose Kentucky aside from coaching and the school? “Exposure, creating the Brandon Knight brand, getting ready for the NBA, making money” and not playing with Kenny Boynton, Goodman writes.

Tags: Aja Paculba, Brandon Knight, Brittany Walker, Chelsea Howell, Deana Allen, Ensley Gammel, Florida State Seminoles, JoeAnne Graf Field, Josh Shaw, Kenny Boynton, Kentucky Wildcats, Orange & Blue Debut, Pensacola Junior College, softball, Stephanie Brombacher, women's basketball

1 » With the 2010 NFL Draft closing in, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is making his final in-house trip today to the Denver Broncos. Coming the same day as the team has traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins, Tebow’s visit has raised questions about the possibility of Denver packaging some picks to move back into the first round and draft him. The Broncos now have the No. 11, No. 43 and No. 45 overall picks (as well as an extra second-rounder from Miami in 2011) and could very well take Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant early and Tebow later in this year’s first-round. Just food for thought. By the way, Marshall’s No. 15 is now vacant…and their uniforms are orange and blue. Just a thought.

2 » Speaking of Florida quarterbacks, the Palm Beach Post caught up with Montreal Alouettes back-up Chris Leak while he was in town for the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut last weekend. Leak spoke on a variety of subjects but, most importantly, touched on why he was there – to work with redshirt junior John Brantley on the player’s request. “I’m going to be a coach after I’m done playing, which is many, many years away from now,” Leak said. “Me and John have been talking for a while now. He wanted me to come out and watch him, and I just came out here to support him and watch him grow as a quarterback. He did an awesome job [Saturday]. His feet looked great, his decision-making is excellent, he really showed a lot today.”

3 » According to The Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville Jaguars “have shown some interest” in former Gators wide receiver Riley Cooper, who could be a target for them in the second or third round (should he fall). Cooper would fit in nicely with Jacksonville, which needs a compliment for Mike Sims-Walker.

4 » Former Florida cornerback Lito Sheppard, most recently with the New York Jets after spending most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, has scheduled a workout with the Detroit Lions for the next two days, according to Pro Football Talk.

Photo Credit: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Tags: Brandon Marshall, Chris Leak, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Dez Bryant, Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars, John Brantley, Lito Sheppard, Miami Dolphins, Mike Sims-Walker, Montreal Alouettes, New York Jets, NFL, Orange & Blue Debut, Philadelphia Eagles, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

The Florida Gators’ annual Orange & Blue Debut spring scrimmage is good for a lot of things – identifying playmakers, getting the team ready for summer practice and, of course, recruiting. Head coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff brought in a big commitment Friday from top-rated defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan (Asheville, NC).

“I committed to Urban Meyer late Friday,” Pagan told GatorBait.net. “When I told him, he stood up, did a little dance and gave me a hug. I was already thinking about committing early then I decided that I definitely wanted to lock in my spot with the Gators and be part of this team. I think I’m firm [with my decision]. I don’t plan on taking any more visits or seeing anywhere else. I’m sure people say it all the time, but this feels like home. Florida makes me feel like I am at home.”

Though Pagan does not plan to take any additional visits, the immense pressure that is sure to come from Alabama, Southern California, Florida State and Louisiana State (among others who have already sent him official scholarship offers) may get him to open his eyes a little bit before the process comes to a close next spring.

Pagan becomes the team’s third 2011 commitment, following tight end A.C. Leonard (Interlachen, FL) and athlete De’Ante “Pop” Saunders (Deland, FL).

Photo Credit: Asheville Citizen-Times

Tags: A.C. Leonard, De'Ante Saunders, Jeoffrey Pagan, Orange & Blue Debut, 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

With the Florida Gators 2010 spring practice now in full swing, 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. We continue this series with a look at the team’s practice from Fri., April 9.

Absences/Injuries:
» Redshirt sophomore defensive end Earl Okine came down with a fever and was allowed to miss practice; he also will not play in the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut.

» Redshirt sophomore cornerback Adrian Bushell, once again, was not at practice. Things are not looking good for his future on the team. By my count he has made two practices all spring. No way he plays Saturday.

Practice happenings:
» Redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Debose had the most highlight-filled day, making plenty of catches, running crisp routes and drawing a gasp from the crowd on one particular play. Debose made an amazing catch in the back of the end zone on a pass from redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley. He leapt in the air over junior safety Will Hill, caught the ball, fell down horizontally while getting hit and held onto the ball. Unfortunately, he was out of bounds. Maybe he will play Saturday…

» Both redshirt senior WR Carl Moore and redshirt junior fullback Steven Wilks came out to the practice field without helmets. Probably just for precautionary reasons.

» With the final scrimmage of spring on Saturday, Friday’s practice was mostly just a walk-through to get the players loose and ready.

Other notes:
» In attendance: Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, WR Percy Harvin, QB Chris Leak, five-star defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, five-star defensive end Ronald Powell. Childress has meetings scheduled with a number of Gators players eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft.

» Over 200 high school coaches were in attendance as part of Florida’s annual coaches clinic. Childress will be the featured speaker at the ceremony Friday evening. The coaches were allowed to walk around the field during practice and speak with the Gators’ staff. Representatives from the NCAA were in attendance just to make sure nothing fishy went on (standard operating procedure).

Tags: Adrian Bushell, Andre Debose, Brad Childress, Carl Moore, Chris Leak, Draft, Earl Okine, John Brantley, Minnesota Vikings, NCAA, NFL, Orange & Blue Debut, Percy Harvin, Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd, Steven Wilks, 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 2010 spring practice now in full swing, 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. We continue this series with a look at the team’s practice from Wed., April 7.

Absences/Injuries:
» Redshirt senior running back Emmanuel Moody returned to practice after missing two days with a right quad injury. He did not participate in full as he is working his way back.

» Redshirt sophomore cornerback Adrian Bushell missed his second consecutive practice after returning to pads for the first time last Friday. The team is not given any particular reason for his recent absences.

Scrimmage happenings:
» Redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Debose once again participated in full practice, including 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills.

» Redshirt sophomore WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. used Wednesday’s practice to prove he has what it takes to get major playing time this season, grabbing a few touchdowns and getting plenty of separation in coverage.

» Redshirt sophomore CB Jeremy Brown got some work in the stead of senior CB Moses Jenkins with the first-team defense after putting together a nice day of work.

» Junior safety Will Hill had a return touchdown on a botched snap by redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley. He also nearly picked off three balls at various times throughout practice.

» Speaking of miscues, redshirt junior WR Chris Rainey had a rough day overall due to his dropping the ball. This is the first time all spring that he has struggled.

» Junior defensive end William Green is slowly but steadily improving and earning the respect of the coaching staff for his hard work.

Other notes:
» After practice, head coach Urban Meyer gave a bold and aggressive speech to the team about staying out of trouble. “No stealing, no drugs, no weapons!” he bellowed. “There’s a good decision and a bad decision. Make that good decision! […] We have a drug policy here! You smoke marijuana, you won’t play football!”

Interesting quotes:
» WR coach Zach Azzanni on Meyer’s post-practice speech: “I think he’s having fun out here coaching again. There’s new blood around, he’s excited about the team and it’s kind of reinvigorated him. He has a unique way of getting the most out of people. And I love it. All of us coaches follow his lead, and we go as he goes.”

» Sophomore linebacker Jon Bostic on Meyer’s speech: “[He was just] reiterating everything he says every day. He tells it a different way, but he just wants to keep telling us, keep telling us, because sometimes it takes a while to get through. That’s a good thing, though. It just shows he cares. He doesn’t want us to get in any trouble.”

» Freshman QB Trey Burton on being tackled during practice: “Wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve got to get game speed. I don’t have a problem with it, I know my coach knows I don’t have a problem with it.”

» Burton on what is he working hardest on before the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut: “I have to learn all these plays and formations, that’s my main focus.”

Special thanks to the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post for the above quotes.

Tags: Adrian Bushell, Andre Debose, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody, Frankie Hammond, Jeremy Brown, John Brantley, Jon Bostic, Moses Jenkins, Orange & Blue Debut, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer, Will Hill, William Green, Zach Azzanni

With the Florida Gators 2010 spring practice now in full swing, 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. We continue this series with a look at a team scrimmage from Mon., March 29.

Absences/Injuries:
» Redshirt senior wide receiver Carl Moore no-showed practice Monday. Either the staff is keeping the reason for his absence secret, or they really did not know at the time (see quotes section below). The Gainesville Sun reports that Moore was “seen leaving the field after practice [on Saturday] visibly upset.”

» Redshirt sophomore cornerback Adrian Bushell returned to practice Monday but did not wear pads. Head coach Urban Meyer suspended him from team activities for two weeks for grades and other off-the-field issues. He will also not be given pads at Wednesday’s practice but should return to full activity on Friday.

» Redshirt senior running back Emmanuel Moody remained out of practice with an injured ankle. There is not an official date for a return.

Check out many more practice, notes and interesting quotes…after the break!
Continue Reading » Gators spring practice news and notes – 03/29

Tags: Adrian Bushell, Andre Debose, Carl Moore, Chas Henry, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody, Frankie Hammond, Jaylen Watkins, Jemalle Cornelius, John Brantley, Jordan Reed, Major Wright, Mike Gillislee, NFL, Orange & Blue Debut, Robert Clark, Scot Loeffler, Solomon Patton, Stan Drayton, Teryl Austin, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer, Wildcat, Will Hill, Zach Azzanni