After missing all of the spring and summer practice seasons, it’s natural that senior running back Jeff Demps could be a few steps behind.
Although he admits learning the new offensive scheme has been difficult, he said he’s confident in his knowledge.
“Some days it’s easier than some other days,” Demps said. “It’s tough for me to miss the whole spring and then come back and try to learn it all in a couple weeks. But my position coach, coach Weis and the assistants have been helping me out. So I’ve been picking it up pretty good so far.”
Also aiding Demps through the difficult transition is redshirt senior running back Chris Rainey, who plays a similar style as Demps and has had ample time to learn the ins and outs of the offense.
Demps is also getting a fresh start from a health standpoint after being limited by a foot injury throughout last season. The nagging ailment frustrated Demps by restricting his ability to run and cut, but he’s been entirely healthy since camp started.
“I actually think I got a lot stronger and change direction a lot better,” Demps said. “It should be a good year for me.”
Brantley dealing with back pain: Although back soreness has recently limited senior John Brantley, Will Muschamp has no concerns about Florida’s No. 1 quarterback.
“I just don’t have a whole lot to be concerned about at this point,” Muschamp said. “Certainly if we were sitting here Wednesday or Thursday of game week, I’d be concerned. I feel good where we are.”
Brantley participated in full practice Tuesday, but was pulled during the team’s Wednesday scrimmage. Muschamp said Brantley’s removal was part of a predetermined plan, and that the injury is nothing more than minor soreness.
Demps said Brantley has been “full go” through most of camp and hasn’t missed too many repetitions in practice.
Demps has no concerns about the injury hindering Brantley’s ability to pick up the new offense, as the pain hasn’t kept the quarterback from studying the playbook.
Hunter taking a leadership role: Omar Hunter is an upperclassman on a team filled with young defensive talent, and he’s taking it upon himself to bring the newer players up to speed.
“I’ve been through a lot more things than these younger guys have been through,” Hunter said. “Grabbing younger guys, kind of pulling them the right way, I like that.”
Hunter said Florida’s underclassmen have been receptive to his teachings, especially sophomores Sharrif Floyd and Dominique Easley, who suffered through the hardships of last season.
Easley, who Hunter said was like a little brother to him, praised the junior for his ability to persevere through an assortment of injuries that have nagged him throughout his career.
“I always looked up to him because he never, no matter what injury he went through, he never stopped,” Easley said. “He just kept going.”
Hunter said Thursday he feels healthier than ever and is ready to take advantage of his new opportunity.
“Going through all the things I went through and this new fresh start, it just made me focus more and made me more hungry,” Hunter said.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Florida running back Jeff Demps missed all of spring practice and summer workouts, but he said coaches have been helping him get up to speed in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ pro-style offense.
