In the wake of wide receiver Chris Rainey’s arrest for aggravated stalking, coach Urban Meyer said the Gators will move Omarius Hines from tight end to slot receiver and start redshirt freshman Jordan Reed in Hines’ old position.
Florida’s passing attack has struggled in its first two games, averaging just 143 yards. Rainey ranks second on the team with six catches and is one of four Gators to catch a touchdown pass from quarterback John Brantley.
Meyer repeated offensive coordinator Steve Addazio’s earlier statement that Rainey is “not with the team.”
“We haven’t got a lot of production in the first two games from him, but you’re going to lose (value) anytime you lose a good player,” Meyer said.
Hines and Reed are two of the other Florida receivers who have caught touchdowns this season. Hines has five catches for 55 yards, and Reed caught a two-yard pass in the end zone against South Florida.
“Hines is a very talented guy that we’re moving in,” Meyer said. “We’ve got some guys that can still make plays.”
The Gators hoped Rainey could be an intricate part of the offense this season at the “Percy Position,” a spot demanding a player to be a threat running and receiving. Hines has lined up at the position in certain personnel groups this season, but he has not run the ball in his college career.
Florida will also rotate freshman Robert Clark, a faster receiver who could be used as a change-of-pace option, receivers coach Zach Azzanni said.
Plugging the run: The Gators will use a bigger personnel group this week against the Volunteers, Meyer said. Led by freshman running back Tauren Poole, Tennessee ran the ball 36 times for 182 yards in its 48-13 loss to Oregon last week.
Florida struggled defending the run against USF, surrendering 244 yards on the ground.
“We gave up way too many yards last week,” defensive tackle Terron Sanders said. “I know we can stop the run, we just came out and missed a couple assignments, missed a couple tackles.”
Facing a new coaching staff against USF, Florida had limited film to study, which contributed to the early mental problems, Sanders said. The Bulls scored a touchdown on their opening drive, gaining 96 yards — 79 on the ground.
“We’ve got to do a better job of getting in our gaps, staying in our gaps and getting off and making a tackle,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “[The Volunteers] have really good running backs and their offensive line is big and physical.”
Hill to travel: Junior free safety Will Hill will fly with the team this weekend, safeties coach Chuck Heater said. Hill, who appeared in every game last season, has missed the opening two contests for being “not ready to play.”
Southeastern Conference teams are allowed to bring 70 players to away games.
Social Networking: A case of strep throat kept defensive back Cody Riggs and running back Mike Gillislee out of practice this week, and both players let fans know on their respective Twitter accounts and Facebook profiles.
Austin told Riggs to scrap his Twitter account.
“Whatever it is you do. Tweet? Is it called a tweet?” Austin asked. “If we want [information] out, we’ll release it. It’s not for our players to go out and release stuff.”
