Coach Will Muschamp said Saturday that he is standing behind wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill despite the assistant’s connection to the University of Miami scandal that was unearthed last week.
Hill allegedly had knowledge of, or direct participation in, UM booster Nevin Shapiro’s disbursement of impermissible benefits to potential recruits, according to the Yahoo! Sports report.
“I’ve talked to Aubrey after the article came out,” Muschamp said. “I feel very comfortable with he and I’s conversation. I support Aubrey 100 percent. I’m glad he’s here at Florida.”
Also mentioned in the report were sophomore Andre Debose and junior Matt Patchan, who allegedly visited Shapiro’s home as part of a prohibited recruiting ploy.
Neither Debose nor Patchan were made available for comment, but the University Athletic Association released a statement saying it had contacted the NCAA and determined there were no eligibility questions regarding either player.
Driskel at No. 2: At Florida’s media day on Aug. 5, Muschamp said one of the most important tasks facing his team would be creating separation behind John Brantley on the quarterback depth chart.
True freshman Jeff Driskel needed just three weeks to generate that division.
“Jeff has kind of distanced himself right now to be the backup quarterback,” Muschamp said Tuesday.
Muschamp cited Driskel’s command of the offense, intangibles, accuracy and athleticism as the factors that led to the freshman taking control of the No. 2 spot.
Driskel has also reportedly performed well in team scrimmages, at one point completing close to 70 percent of his passes. Senior Jaye Howard even referred to Driskel as “the next Tim Tebow.”
Muschamp was quick to add that Driskel is just one or two bad days from losing the backup role to redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy or freshman Jacoby Brissett, both of whom have looked solid in practice and “have done nothing to disappoint” the coaching staff.
At this point, Brantley is still firmly entrenched as the team’s starter.
Gators in the Wildcat: While Charlie Weis has been hard at work installing his pro-style scheme, Florida has also been experimenting with something more unorthodox: the Wildcat.
Jordan Reed, Jeff Demps, Trey Burton and Chris Rainey have all taken direct snaps in UF’s variation of the wildcat formation.
Demps and Rainey both admitted to having limited experience in the configuration, but each said they are enjoying the experience thus far.
“I haven’t been in there that much for the Wildcat, but when I got in there it was pretty fun,” Demps said. “Me playing quarterback and stuff, I can see the holes a little faster and hit it.”
Demps and Rainey, who Muschamp said are far and away the two best running backs on the roster, could potentially be asked to throw as part of the formation.
“I think there’s a chance,” Demps said. “Slim to none, but it could happen. … I’ve got to get with coach Weis and work on my arm.”
Injury update: Muschamp confirmed reports Saturday that cornerback Jeremy Brown had missed the last week of practice with a knee injury. He added that Brown is expected to be back in practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Brantley was also held out of Saturday’s practice to rest a sore back.
Reed has recovered from a hamstring injury that Muschamp said sidelined him for three or four days last week.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Florida coach Will Muschamp said Saturday he’s comfortable with wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill’s alleged involvement with jailed Miami booster Nevin Shapiro.
Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, along with tight end Jordan Reed and fullback Trey Burton, have been running an incarnation of the Wildcat formation in practice.
