Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey are not just the fastest players at Florida; they are some of the fastest players ever, according to offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Weis has coached for 32 years, including 16 seasons in the NFL, and he said Tuesday he has never seen running backs fly like Demps and Rainey.
Demps’ greatest accomplishments at Florida have come on the track; he has won national championships in the 60- and 100-meter sprints. Rainey also ran track in 2010 but elected to participate in spring practices this year.
Weis is especially excited because Demps and Rainey are similar backs. If one goes down, Weis won’t have to change the play-calling. Rainey said Wednesday he and Demps have been on the field at the same time “quite a bit” during practices.
Said Weis: “They’ll both be out there a whole bunch. They’ll both be tired after games.”
Wenger like an extra coach: Center Jonotthan Harrison said Dan Wenger has brought a much-needed veteran presence to an inexperienced offensive line. Wenger, who is listed as the starting left guard on the Gators’ latest depth chart, played at Notre Dame before transferring to Florida.
He has a pre-existing relationship with Weis and position coach Frank Verducci, both of whom coached for the Irish while Wenger was there.
“He’s been able to point out the little things that maybe the coach couldn’t relate to us as well,” Harrison said. “He’ll slow it down and explain it if we’re not getting it at first.”
Elam wants stability: Safety Matt Elam seems to be the only sure thing in UF’s defensive backfield, at least right now. Elam, a sophomore, has been thrust into a leadership role perhaps prematurely because of the unit’s youth.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Wednesday he and coach Will Muschamp still have not decided which cornerbacks will start in Saturday’s season opener.
Moses Jenkins, Cody Riggs, Marcus Roberson and Jaylen Watkins are competing for playing time.
While a rotation could keep the group’s energy high, Elam wishes the team had established starters.
“It’s hard not to know who will play beside you, but I just continue to push the other players so that they can get better,” he said. “I want to feel comfortable.”
Injuries: Receiver Omarius Hines (hamstring) and cornerback Jeremy Brown (sprained knee) remain questionable for Saturday’s game.
Brown ran during practice earlier this week, but he has not been able to participate in football activities, Muschamp said.
Etc: With Texas A&M’s move to the Southeastern Conference appearing imminent, several SEC coaches were asked about the impact of the move.
Muschamp danced around the topic, saying expansion won’t change UF’s approach: “We’re going to recruit the best players in the country; and if some of those are in Texas, so be it.”
Muschamp is perhaps most famous for his passionate tirades on the sidelines. He said he won’t change his antics just because he’s a head coach: “I plan on being emotional; that’s kind of me.”
Contact Tyler Jett at tjett@alligator.org.
Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said Tuesday that running backs Jeff Demps (pictured) and Chris Rainey are two of the fastest players he has coached throughout his 32-year career.
