Andre Debose grinned from ear to ear as he celebrated on EverBank Field at the end of the 2011 season. Florida had just beaten Ohio State 24-17 in the Gator Bowl, and Debose hoisted the Most Valuable Player trophy high above his head. The hopes for his 2012 campaign flew even higher.
Although Debose caught only one pass for 9 yards in the Gator Bowl, his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown swung the game. The effort capped a season in which he averaged 27 yards per catch. That figure would’ve ranked second in the nation if he had caught enough passes to qualify.
But that’s partly the point: He didn’t have enough catches. In 12 games he caught only 16 passes, four of which went for touchdowns.
The common perception became that if quarterbacks targeted Debose more in 2012, he could become the playmaker Florida desperately wanted.
The new season is here, but those targets aren’t coming. And Will Muschamp is right for playing it that way.
Debose has rarely seen the field on offense this season due to issues with consistency and intensity in practice.
Thirteen players on UF’s roster have a catch this season. Debose is not one of them.
In fact, he’s been targeted just once, a play-action bomb in Florida’s season opener that Jacoby Brissett overthrew.
Debose also has two carries. The first was the opening play against Tennessee, but calling it a carry is misleading. Matt Jones took the handoff from Jeff Driskel and pitched the ball to Debose on the reverse. The ball bounced off of Debose’s hands, and he fell on the fumble to avoid disaster.
In the second quarter, Debose ran for 8 yards on a jet sweep. He promptly returned to his spot on the bench.
Those three plays have been the extent of his offensive involvement this season.
Muschamp said Debose’s prolonged absence is a result of him not giving consistent effort.
Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said
Debose’s ability to learn the playbook isn’t the issue. Instead, it’s his inability to consistently do the little things in practice, like running hard through a route even if he’s covered or the play isn’t designed for him. The frustration and borderline anger was audible in Pease’s voice as he discussed Debose on Wednesday. He seemed to get louder and more incisive with every response, eventually saying the issue with Debose is one of trust.
Whatever the reason is, Muschamp putting his foot down is refreshing. Gone are the days when Percy Harvin reportedly did whatever he wanted during practice time, only to be the focal point of the offense on Saturdays. Muschamp is laying down the law, all part of the process to establish a tougher culture.
“You’ve got to practice to play here now,” Muschamp said after Saturday’s game, with just enough emphasis on the ‘Now’ to make it clear he’s enacting a real shift in attitude and philosophy.
With every snap Debose watches from the sidelines with a towel draped over his head, the rest of the Gators gain a greater understanding of Muschamp’s willingness to practice what he preaches.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Junior wide receiver Andre Debose smiles as he accepts the trophy for Most Valuable Player at the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. in Jacksonville. Debose hasn't replicated the success he had in 2011.
