When Antonio Morrison has played, the results have been promising. Coach Will Muschamp is expecting them to only get better.
The freshman linebacker will take the place of junior linebacker Jelani Jenkins on the depth chart. Jenkins underwent surgery on Monday to repair a broken bone in his right foot.
Jenkins suffered the injury in Saturday’s win against Florida State and will likely miss Florida’s bowl game.
“It’s huge for a young player to take steps forward,” Muschamp said.
Muschamp used sophomore cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy as an example of a player who benefitted from an experience similar to Morrison’s when he was a freshman.
Purifoy mainly played special teams in 2011, but when Marcus Roberson suffered a neck injury after starting the season’s first 10 games, Purifoy stepped into his spot prior to the Gator Bowl against Ohio State.
After getting all of Roberson’s first-team reps throughout the bowl practices, Purifoy played increased snaps against the Buckeyes and recorded five tackles and a forced fumble.
Muschamp said on Monday that bowl practices would begin on Dec. 14 or 15.
“[Young players] need to cherish this opportunity they’ve got sitting in front of them,” Muschamp said of the bowl practices.
“It’s another spring ball, another opportunity to improve yourself as a player, and it helps our football team.”
Morrison made an impact against the Seminoles shortly after stepping into Jenkins’ spot.
With Florida trailing 20-16 during Florida State’s first possession of the fourth quarter, Morrison leveled FSU quarterback EJ Manuel and forced a fumble that was recovered by Dominique Easley. On the next play, Mike Gillislee ran 37 yards for a touchdown that put the Gators up for good.
Jenkins said he was happy his freshman backup had a good showing in his place.
“It’s a great feeling,” Jenkins said. “I’m glad we got depth at all positions. I got complete confidence in everybody that is behind me. It’s something I expect. It’s nothing out of the world for him to make a big play. He’s a big playmaker.”
Morrison ranks eighth on the team with 31 tackles this season.
While Morrison played in every game prior to Saturday, he had made just two starts. In four separate games, Morrison did not record a tackle.
Despite the sporadic playing time, defensive tackle Omar Hunter saw Morrison’s ability.
“[Morrison] is physical,” Hunter said. “I don’t know if he knows anything else, but he is physical. That’s the one thing he does. That’s just his makeup. He is a physical football player, and he’s very smart, too.”
Morrison was the 204th-ranked player in the class of 2012, according to Rivals.com.
However, Muschamp said the coaching staff valued Morrison’s talent.
“Antonio is a very instinctive, tough, physical player,” Muschamp said.
“He is a guy that tackles well. He enjoys the physical contact of the game. … That was something that we saw. D.J. [Durkin] went up a spring ago and watched him work out and saw his work ethic and his toughness and what he was about, and we knew he was the type of guy we wanted in our program. Very, very pleased that he is here.”
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Linebacker Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.
