It's up to Brandon Spikes to keep the UF linebacker tradition alive and kicking.
Amid his goals of winning a third national title and preparing for an NFL career, Spikes will have to do as his predecessors and groom replacements.
During Spikes' freshman year, starter Brandon Siler took him under his wing and showed him what it took to be a successful middle linebacker. The importance of having Siler&ndash now with the San Diego Chargers &ndash as a tutor isn't lost on Spikes.
"Without Brandon Siler, I don't think I would've become the player I've become," he said.
Now, it's time for Spikes to pass that along to freshmen Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic, both of whom say they're more concerned with learning from Spikes this season than trying to take anyone's starting job.
Bostic figures to play the same role Spikes did as a freshman. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder from Wellington Palm Beach Central High has earned plenty of praise during the offseason that should translate into playing time.
"I come out every day to get better, but I'm also there to learn," Bostic said. "I'm learning behind one of the best linebackers in the country, and I'm trying to watch what he does and do the same things he does."
Spikes' decision to return for his senior season makes the linebacker position loaded with experience. Spikes, A.J. Jones, Dustin Doe, Ryan Stamper and Brandon Hicks were all reliable last year, though Doe is in hot water following a July arrest for driving with a suspended license.
Doe was suspended from the team, and it's unclear whether he'll return in time to reclaim a starting role.
"What's great about the linebacker position is you have them all back, with a leader in Spikes, then you have Stamper back, you have A.J. Jones back and you have Brandon Hicks," defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "The battles are always there, and then with a young Jelani Jenkins and Bostic, the key thing for those young kids is they have to watch the upperclassmen work, and their opportunity will come."
Stamper has long been described as one of the most respected players on the team, but there's no question who has the biggest impact at the position. Spikes led the Gators with 93 tackles in 2008, tied for second on the team with four interceptions and returned two of those for scores.
He locks down the middle of the field, but he's free to roam and has a keen sense of where he needs to be to make a big play. Also, Spikes said he'll be used more on the outside this season to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
That makes for a dangerous package, one his position mates are ecstatic to have around.
"It made us really happy knowing that we had a leader coming back. It's always a great thing to have because without a leader you can trust, you pretty much don't have a team," Hicks said. "Spikes returning really put that completeness that we needed on our defense. Instead of looking for a leader, we already have one that's going to lead us to the promised land, and that's where we plan to get to."
