Some players just have “it.”
Zach Thomas had it during his 13-year NFL career. Coach Will Muschamp, previously a defensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins, remembers one practice in particular.
Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan installed the counter play without telling Muschamp and head coach Nick Saban. The defense didn’t know either, but it didn’t have to. Thomas snuffed out a run 3 yards behind the line.
Football is Charles Darwin’s dream sport. It’s the survival of the fittest. Those who thrive let their instincts take over on Saturdays and Sundays. Gators linebacker Antonio Morrison does just that.
Morrison will make his season debut for No. 12 Florida (1-0) against Miami (1-0) at noon on Saturday in Sun Life Stadium.
“I think he’s got innate instincts as far as reading, keying, diagnosing, which is key for linebackers to play off the ball,” Muschamp said.
He added: “That’s something you can’t really teach. You either have it or you don’t have it, and he has a very high level of that. He’s a physical, tough player. Football is very important to him.”
Unfortunately for the sophomore, his football future remained in doubt after two offseason arrests in five weeks. Muschamp suspended Morrison for two games about eight hours after the linebacker’s second transgression on July 21 only to minimize the suspension to one game 36 days later.
The details of what transpired and the merits of the consequences that followed take a back seat to the first Florida-Miami game in five years and possibly the last regular-season matchup between the two teams.
Morrison, listed as a backup to Michael Taylor on an updated depth chart released Monday, gives the Gators more pop in a linebacker corps that already packs a punch.
Florida State remembers Morrison well — although former quarterback E.J. Manuel may not remember the linebacker at all. Manuel suffered a concussion on a hit by Morrison in the fourth quarter of Florida’s 37-26 victory in front of a stunned Doak Campbell Stadium crowd. Morrison forced a fumble and knocked the senior quarterback out of the game. Joining him on defense for his 2013 debut will be cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy. The two forced a combined four fumbles last season.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said Morrison will “play quite a bit” on Saturday. He has practiced in full pads, so conditioning should not be a problem with the noon kickoff. Florida could use some playmaking ability after generating just one takeaway against Toledo and missing out on other turnover opportunities.
“We got the one, yeah, but absolutely, as physical as Antonio plays, he’s apt to knock the ball loose and Loucheiz is a long, rangy corner that can also get the ball out,” Durkin said.
“So, you know those guys fit into what we do well.”
Morrison begins his sophomore season at a new position after moving inside to the Mike linebacker spot. He will call the plays just like Thomas did with the Dolphins.
His return comes on the heels of a solid performance from the linebackers in Week 1 — Neiron Ball, Taylor and Ronald Powell — who combined for nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack.
Adding a linebacker who has “it” is a plus for an already athletic and versatile unit.
“We have a lot of depth on defense. As they showed on Saturday, they can play with the two deep. We have a lot of trust with our two deep on defense,” quarterback Jeff Driskel said.
“We went against them all of camp, so we know what they’re capable of and there’s good players across the board on our defense. Having him back will be a bonus.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison reaches for Lamarcus Joyner during Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 in Doak Campbell Stadium. After sitting out the Gators’ season opener on Aug. 31 due to a suspension stemming from two offseason arrests, Morrison is listed as the backup at the Mike linebacker position for Saturday’s game against Miami.
