Archive for April, 2009

Tyus Reveals Reasons For Transfer

Posted by admin on April 19th, 2009   No Comment

By: Brandon

Florida sophomore Alex Tyus has states the reason why he has decided to transfer from the University Of Florida, and it was mainly all basketball related reasons.

I visited Tyus’s facebook page and he put up a new status around noon that said: ” Alex Tyus- Going to miss Gainesville, had a great time to remember for the rest of my life, for everyone to know, I decided to transfer because i did not feel that I was going to get the opportunity to become the best player I can be, along with a few other basketball factors, Grades are Good, not because of Alli everything is great for her, I will find somewhere that fits me better for basketball. “

I have heard rumors that Tyus wants to be close to his girlfriend. His girlfriend Alli is a former player on the volleyball team and a friend of the girl who was killed on the scooter at UF. I  read about how she might work her way out to California and if that is true, then Alex was going to try and find somewhere to play out there. These are still just rumors and probably are not true until we find out more. On Tyus’s facebook page, it seemed like his girlfriend Alli was upset. She wrote Alex a comment that said: WHAT!!! ….. HOLD UP….. WAIT A MINUUUTE….. im texting you like NOW! And then later wrote one that said how it is going to suck if he transfers, leaving her in Florida by herself.

Tyus was the second leading scorer leading behind Nick Calathes, scoring almost 13 points per contest and 6 rebounds per game. Tyus started every game this season for the Gators. I’m not sure what is going behind closed doors in the locker room in Gainesville, but it seems like something is going on. Tyus and freshman center Allan Chaney will be gone and sophomore guard Nick Calathes still is open for the NBA draft. So next years season for the Gators are not looking so sharp right now.

alex tyus

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UF Spring Game Format

Posted by admin on April 18th, 2009   No Comment

The Orange & Blue Spring Game, that will be played today, will consist of four 10-minute quarters and a second half running clock. The starting squad will be the blue team, and the second string will be orange.

The starting offense is going to be facing the starting defense, while the second teams will face each other as well. Throughout the entire game, not once will the starters go up against the back-ups. The teams will not change directions at halftime. When the orange team has possession, they will attempt to score in the north end zone, while the blue team, on the other hand, will be driving towards the south end zone.

There will be no live special team plays, except for extra points and field goals. When one team scores, the other team will begin their drive at their own 35-yard line.

No matter what team each player is on, the offense will wear blue and the defense will wear white jerseys.

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Spring Review: Most Impressive Players

Posted by admin on April 17th, 2009   No Comment

1. Deonte Thompson – Wide Receiver, Redshirt Sophomore
If Thompson plays as well as he did this spring in the fall, then he will definitely be a go-to-guy for the Gators and one of the top receivers in the SEC. Entering into his third year, it’s about time for him to emerge, and he did just that this spring. Although Deonte did drop a few balls, he has out-performed all of the Gator receivers. He has made spectacular plays all spring, ranging from overhead catches to shoestring or diving catches.

2. Sam Robey – Center, Redshirt Freshman
This guy has to be the most improved player this spring. He has opened up a lot of eyes. He went from being a redshirt/injured freshman last year to being the starting center this year. He compelled an All-SEC caliber center, Maurkice Pouncey, to move back to guard along with his brother, guard Mike Pouncey. Robey deserves the starting spot. He has worked his butt off in practice. Along with textbook footwork, Sam has very quick hands and is very strong.

3. John Brantley – Redshirt Sophomore
If Tebow would’ve gone to the NFL this year, Brantley would be the starter for sure. He’s ready to start now but will be forced to play the back-up role again this year. He is a heck of a back-up though. This spring, Brantley had a “coming-out party”, showing off his arm strength and accuracy.  He has finally started to look like a SEC quarterback.

4. Jaye Howard – Redshirt Sophomore
Because of the injuries on the defensive line, Howard has gotten a lot of reps. I believe he would’ve stood out even if everybody on the defensive line was healthy. Moving from a defensive end to defensive tackle, he is up to 305 pounds now and 6’3″. What a beast! And the crazy thing about it is that Howard hasn’t lost any quickness from when he played defensive end. If he’s not a starter in the fall he will surely get a lot of playing time.

Other impressive players: RB Chris Scott, RB Emmanuel Moody, WR Frankie Hammond, LB Jon Bostic, CB Adrian Bushnell, S Will Hill

Spring Practice

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Alex Tyus Set to Transfer

Posted by admin on April 17th, 2009   No Comment

Alex Tyus, the 6’8″ 220 lbs. forward for the Gators, has decided to transfer. Billy Donovan made the announcement this morning.  Tyus was Florida’s second-leading scorer last season. He averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He is the third player to transfer from UF, and if Nick Calathes stays in the  NBA draft, Alex will be the fourth player in the last six months to leave the team. “Coach Donovan and I had a chance to talk about my future and we agreed on the best course of action. I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and the fans here at Florida. I enjoyed my two years here and now I look forward to the next chapter of my life,” said Tyus.

Billy Donovan mentioned that Alex is a great kid and enjoyed coaching him, but the program and Tyus weren’t on “the same page”. Tyus seemed a little out of position at the power forward spot for Florida. He is 6’8″ with a skinny frame and he might want to play small forward instead of playing down low.

Donovan said, “He wants to do things for himself that are decisions he’s got to make on his own with what he wants. For me as a coach, you know there’s a certain vision and a certain path and a certain commitment for the team going forward that you want to have. For Alex, that’s not really what he wanted to do.”

Already transferred from the team are Allan Chaney and Jai Lucas. Lucas transferred to the University of Texas, while Chaney’s transfer school has yet to be announced. 2009 four star recruit DeShawn Painter recently backed out of his letter of intent, which adds to the problem for the Gators. Hopefully Coach Donovan will be able to add another big man to this year’s recruiting class before the deadline approaches.

Alex Tyus

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Draft Stock Drop For Cooper?

Posted by admin on April 16th, 2009   No Comment

By: Brandon

Florida right fielder and also wide receiver Riley Cooper has missed the last 3 baseball games due to a knee injury. Cooper has had the fluid drained out of his knee this week, and there is still hope that he can play in next weekends game against South Carolina.

Cooper may not be out for football but the way he has been playing in right field and the way he has been stroking the ball lately, there is a chance he could sit out next football season. There are MLB scouts already looking at Cooper, so there is a tough decision he will probably have to make.

Cooper is batting .247 with two long balls and eight RBIs. His injury does have an affect on the rest of the season, and his future draft status. He would be a huge loss for the football team and the receivers slot, but what ever is best for him, I am behind him 100 percent.

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Roster Highlights For 2009

Posted by admin on April 15th, 2009   No Comment

By: Brad Shortt

The Florida Gators have some very memorable faces coming back to the sidelines for the 2009 season and a few new faces as well.  There are even some old faces that will carry a much bigger role in the 2009 season, picking up the slack for those that departed in 2008.

Stars of 2009:

QB Tim Tebow—The most accomplished quarterback in Florida history has lived up to his hype, leading the Gators to a national championship this season after winning the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. What’s left to prove?  Why would he want to come back for his Senior Season?  Tim Tebow is looking to lead Florida to back-to-back national championships while improving his NFL draft stock.

LB Brandon Spikes—Spikes passed on potentially being drafted in the first round of the NFL draft to return for his senior season. He’ll anchor a defense that returns all 11 starters.

RB-KR Brandon James—James in one of the top return threats in college football. With four career punt returns for touchdowns, James will look to break the school record outright in his senior season.

RB-WR Jeff Demps—Demps emerged as a home-run threat in Meyer’s spread offense as a freshman, rushing for 605 yards and seven touchdowns on a whopping 7.8 yards per carry. With the departure of Percy Harvin, Demps should have the opportunity for even more big plays as a sophomore.

TE Aaron Hernandez—In his first full year as a starter, Hernandez established himself as one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the country and a potential NFL first-round draft pick. Hernandez, a junior, caught 34 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns last season.

PK Jonathan Phillips has been granted a fifth year of eligibility. Phillips made 12-of-13 field-goal tries last season.

Top Newcomers:

WR Andre DeBose—The true freshman from outside Orlando could help fill the role vacated by underclassmen Percy Harvin’s decision to enter the NFL draft. DeBose is a speedy playmaking threat versatile enough to play both running back and receiver in Urban Meyer’s spread offense.

S Dee Finley—Enrolled at Florida in January after completing prep school at Milford (Conn.) Academy. Though Florida’s secondary returns all four starters, Finley should be able to develop a niche because of his speed and playmaking ability.

DT Gary Brown—The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Brown was the second-rated defensive tackle in the country according to Scout.com. Brown could fill an important role in Florida’s defensive tackle rotation.

jeff demps

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2009 NFL Draft Profile: Louis Murphy

Posted by admin on April 14th, 2009   2 Comments

By: Brandon Kendrick

Name: Louis Murphy Position: WR

Height: 6’2″  Weight: 203 lbs.    Class: Senior

NFL Draft Projection: 3rd Round
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2009 NFL Draft Profile: Percy Harvin

Posted by admin on April 14th, 2009   2 Comments

By: Brandon Kendrick

Name: Percy Harvin    Position: WR

Height: 5’11″  Weight: 195 lbs.     Class: Junior

NFL Draft Projection: Mid to late first round
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