Over the past few seasons, Florida’s spring practice system has given rise to a recurring phenomenon. I call it the “Guy to look out for but not really because he’s probably never going to do anything anyway” syndrome. We’re still working on the name.
It happens because spring is a time when all of our knowledge is based on quotes and hearsay, leading to occasional bits of misinformation.
Every year, one or two guys reportedly shoot up the depth chart, impressing coaches and players and inspiring irrational hope for the fall. In 2009, it was center Sam Robey.
Robey did not play a single down during his freshman season before getting rave reviews the following spring. There was even talk that Maurkice Pouncey would move to guard to make room for Robey. NFL Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey… switch positions… for Robey.
“He’s really come on,” coach Urban Meyer said. “He might be among the first five.”
Robey played a few snaps in the fall and then slid back into obscurity. He’s actually still on the roster, believe it or not.
Last year, it was wideout Quinton Dunbar, who missed his entire freshman season with an injury before rising from seventh on the depth chart into the starting lineup during the spring. Frankie Hammond said he was the most eye-opening player in spring practices.
During the fall, Dunbar totaled four catches for 34 yards in seven Southeastern Conference games.
With that in mind, I’ve been on the lookout for the next Robey/Dunbar.
Remember, this player has to come from nothing, rise to prominence in spring, and then go back to nothing before making any tangible impact.
So Ronald Powell, who has been named defensive player of the day in both scrimmages, and by all other measures would be a viable candidate, is ineligible. Being the No. 1 overall recruit put too big of a spotlight on him from the get-go. We’re looking for true obscurity.
Even Dunbar isn’t up for reelection, because being the subject of all that spring hype put him in the public eye.
With that in mind, here are some guys to be wary of…
Jaylen Watkins, junior cornerback: As the team’s ninth-leading tackler last year, Watkins was a little too important to be a true candidate. Still, reports say he’s improved his physicality and playmaking, with Will Muschamp saying he’s done “some nice things” and Hammond calling him the hardest DB to go against. Hammond’s praise was the death knell for Dunbar. Will Frankie strike again?
Loucheiz Purifoy, sophomore cornerback: Purifoy was pretty much a special-teams-only guy last year, but his improvement has impressed Watkins, Muschamp said he’s done “some nice things,” and Dan Quinn said he is a candidate to start opposite Marcus Roberson.
Omarius Hines, senior running back (I guess?): Hines, Mike Gillislee, Omar Hunter and Jon Harrison have all praised Hines’ move to the backfield. Even Muschamp said he’s done “some nice things.” But he’s barely ever played running back before and touched the ball eight times last season. So good luck with that.
Antonio Morrison, four-star freshman linebacker: Quinn is impressed with his physicality, Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins have both raved about him, and Muschamp said he’s done some “good things.” Even though that might actually be better than “nice things,” don’t get too excited. Morrison will be trapped behind Bostic, Jenkins and Michael Taylor on the depth chart all season. He’s the early favorite to win these honors next spring.
Latroy Pittman, freshman four-star wide receiver: We have a winner! Although I’ve never seen him play, he has all the makings of Dunbar 2.0. But because he’s a more physical, blocking wide receiver, nobody is making the comparison. Pittman caught a touchdown in the first scrimmage and was the player of the day Saturday, prompting Muschamp to say that he’s done “some nice things” and is moving up the depth chart. But he’s still never played a down, and we’d be crazy to make the same mistake twice, regardless of how many “nice things” he does in the spring.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
