Spring Blitz
Top 3 true freshmen
1. Cameron Newton: The Gators appeared to be in real trouble the first week of spring because Newton was the only other healthy scholarship quarterback and he appeared lost. Three weeks later, he's a different quarterback. He has benefitted from taking virtually every snap as Tebow's backup. He's more comfortable in the offense and his passing skills have improved dramatically. He's probably not ready to play in the SEC yet but appears on schedule to be ready by next fall. Unless something unforeseen happens, the true freshman likely will start 2007 as the No. 2 quarterback ? and with the coaches planning on playing two quarterbacks, he'll see the field.
2. Aaron Hernandez: The true freshman is in the athletic mold of Cornelius Ingram and he's clearly the Gators' playmaking tight end of the future. And the future may be just around the corner. With Ingram and Tate Casey missing much of the spring with injuries, it's given Hernandez the chance to be an every-down player and he's responded by improving all phases of his game (especially catching the ball). Even with Cornelius and Casey returning in the fall, Hernandez figures to be a factor in the passing game.
3. Joe Haden: Signed as an offensive skill player, the true freshman still has miles to go as a cornerback. But there's no denying he has the quickness, speed and athletic ability to eventually grow into a player at the position. With so many injuries at cornerback, Haden has seen plenty of reps this spring and his game has steadily improved. He's pushing for a starting job and should see playing time on defense and special teams next season.
Five things to watch
Who's going to tote the mail?
Today it will be redshirt freshman Chevon Walker and undersized true sophomore Brandon James ? mainly because they are the only remaining healthy tailbacks available for the spring game (even though both have also made progress). What happens in the fall is anybody's guess. The unspectacular Kestahn Moore was having a solid spring (and was the clear No. 1) before undergoing hernia surgery earlier in the week. Another top contender, sophomore Mon Williams, blew out his knee earlier in the spring and will miss the 2007 season. So, basically, the position is right where it has been heading into the past two seasons ? unsettled, with no clear every-down back ready to take over.
Tebow the man, but two QBs will play
Tebow has had an excellent spring and has taken control of the offense. But, like Chris Leak a year ago, he's going to be sharing some time in the fall with his backup because the coaches are adamant about playing two quarterbacks again this season. The question is who will be No. 2? Right now, it looks like true freshman Cameron Newton, but there is lot of time (and many practices) before the Sept. 1 opener. Injured JUCO transfer Bryan Waggener figures to get back in the mix. And don't discount true freshman John Brantley. He doesn't arrive until this summer, but he's been at almost every practice this spring on his own, watching and learning.
For the rest of this article please go to www.gainesville.com
