Emmanuel Moody still thinks he can make a big impact for the Gators.
If he does, it will be a long time coming.
Moody transferred to UF from USC after his freshman season, which ended early due to an ankle injury, the first of his career.
"It's one of those deals where I never thought I would be that guy because I've never had any injuries all through high school, never had it until later my freshman year," Moody said. "It's just unfortunate. It has been unfortunate."
The injury with the Trojans may have been his first, but it certainly wasn't his last.
Moody has battled a series of ankle injuries and a broken hand since moving to Gainesville, and he started off fall practice on the stationary bike rather than on the field.
Though he is still not 100 percent, he has started practicing in a more limited role and is trying to remain upbeat about his chances of contributing.
"There's times where I can come in (the training room) every day like, 'What the heck am I doing in here?'" Moody said. "But it's not going to do me any good. I've got to keep a positive attitude and just keep going. I've been doing this for 15 years now and this is all I know what to do is just keep going when I face adversity."
The latest bit of adversity came when he was going against Aaron Hernandez a week before practice was set to begin. Moody was playing playing one-on-one defense on the big tight end with freshman Jordan Reed throwing two passes. Reed threw a high ball and Moody jumped to make the play before coming down on Hernandez's ankle.
Last season, the 6-foot, 210-pound running back rushed for 417 yards on 58 carries - 116 of those yards coming in a blow out win against the Citadel - in between injuries that either kept him from playing altogether, or pushed him further back on the depth chart as he was unable to practice.
Circumstances have worn on Moody so badly that he admitted to having thoughts about quiting, though he never considered following through on them.
"It's definitely making me more mentally tough because there's times where it does cross my mind - is football for me sometimes? Does God want me to continue football?" Moody said. "We all have times where - I'm sure you guys had times in your lives where - you know, you have thoughts, of course."
Despite his seemingly endless string of injuries - coach Urban Meyer has called him an "injury magnet" - running backs coach Kenny Carter maintains that there is a place for the tailback whenever he gets healthy.
"It doesn't concern me. It is what it is. It happens every time and you just go with it," Carter said. "When he's ready to go, we'll play him. When he's not ready to go, that's why you recruit."
