Gators head coach Jim McElwain speaks in Broward County last month. (Photo: Matt Ramirez for UAA)
Gators Notebook: McElwain Plans for Satellite Camps, More Tidbits
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- They were banned and now they are not. We're talking about satellite camps, football clinics conducted off-campus by Football Bowl Subdivision coaches.
The latest hot-button issue in college football really didn't become a concern until last year when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, before his first game, conducted a series of summer camps far from Ann Arbor.
The NCAA officially banned satellite camps on April 8 but rescinded that position three weeks later.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, a proponent of the ban, issued a statement when the ban was lifted.
"While we are disappointed with the NCAA governance process result, we respect the Board of Directors' decision and are confident SEC football programs will continue to be highly effective in their recruiting efforts,'' Sankey said.
Meanwhile, Gators head coach Jim McElwain said Wednesday that UF will conduct satellite campus under the current legislation.
"We had plans in place for whatever the rulings were," McElwain said. "The rules the way they are, we'll use it to let our guys get out to places and instruction camps and do some evaluations along the way."
Up to this point, Big Ten schools have led the charge in holding satellite camps.
While McElwain didn't elaborate on Florida's plans, he understands if other schools are using the practice to their advantage the Gators must as well.
"It's one of those deals where you're going to do whatever you can within the rules to help you be successful and that's what everybody is doing," he said. "We're in the process of putting our traveling show together and it should be fun."
*****
NO CHANGE
Gators quarterback Treon Harris and receiver Antonio Calloway remain suspended. McElwain announced at the start of spring camp that both Harris and Calloway would not participate in spring practice.
He was asked Wednesday if their status with the team had changed.
"It's status quo."
*****
QB HUDDLE
The Gators concluded spring practice last month with redshirt sophomore transfer Luke Del Rio atop the quarterback battle after he went 10-for-11 for 176 yards and two touchdowns in the Orange & Blue Debut.
McElwain was pleased overall with the progression of the quarterbacks in spring camp and wants each to focus on improving over the summer.
"I'm really happy with that room and I'm really happy with the arm talent in that room,'' he said. "I look forward to being able to kind of push the ball vertically downfield."
*****
IVEY IMPROVES
Sophomore offensive lineman Martez Ivey missed spring practice after offseason shoulder surgery.
However, Ivey has made significant strides since the surgery and is able to participate in certain conditioning drills.
"He's back to doing a lot of things we need to be doing in the weight room and he actually had a really good spring from a standpoint of the rehab situation,'' McElwain said. "He's actually ahead [of schedule]. Yet, we need to make sure we don't push it too soon."
*****
GATORS-VOLS RIVALRY
Florida owns an 11-game win streak against SEC East rival Tennessee. However, many project the Vols to beat Florida and dethrone the Gators as SEC East champions in 2016.
Tennessee hasn't won the East outright since 2004 and last appeared in the conference title game in 2007. McElwain was asked about the Vols' being the division favorite according to the preseason experts.
"I'm sure that they should be,'' he said. "They should beat the heck out of us. We're just going to be lucky to show up."
McElwain clearly had tongue in cheek.
He was asked a follow-up about some Twitter chatter between his players and the Vols over the preseason projections.
"That's up to them,'' he said. "I mean, you've got to go out and play. I don't get caught up in it, yet that's how a lot of people communicate today. That's the society we live in. Great."
The latest hot-button issue in college football really didn't become a concern until last year when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, before his first game, conducted a series of summer camps far from Ann Arbor.
The NCAA officially banned satellite camps on April 8 but rescinded that position three weeks later.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, a proponent of the ban, issued a statement when the ban was lifted.
"While we are disappointed with the NCAA governance process result, we respect the Board of Directors' decision and are confident SEC football programs will continue to be highly effective in their recruiting efforts,'' Sankey said.
Meanwhile, Gators head coach Jim McElwain said Wednesday that UF will conduct satellite campus under the current legislation.
"We had plans in place for whatever the rulings were," McElwain said. "The rules the way they are, we'll use it to let our guys get out to places and instruction camps and do some evaluations along the way."
Up to this point, Big Ten schools have led the charge in holding satellite camps.
While McElwain didn't elaborate on Florida's plans, he understands if other schools are using the practice to their advantage the Gators must as well.
"It's one of those deals where you're going to do whatever you can within the rules to help you be successful and that's what everybody is doing," he said. "We're in the process of putting our traveling show together and it should be fun."
*****
NO CHANGE
Gators quarterback Treon Harris and receiver Antonio Calloway remain suspended. McElwain announced at the start of spring camp that both Harris and Calloway would not participate in spring practice.
He was asked Wednesday if their status with the team had changed.
"It's status quo."
*****
QB HUDDLE
The Gators concluded spring practice last month with redshirt sophomore transfer Luke Del Rio atop the quarterback battle after he went 10-for-11 for 176 yards and two touchdowns in the Orange & Blue Debut.
McElwain was pleased overall with the progression of the quarterbacks in spring camp and wants each to focus on improving over the summer.
"I'm really happy with that room and I'm really happy with the arm talent in that room,'' he said. "I look forward to being able to kind of push the ball vertically downfield."
*****
IVEY IMPROVES
Sophomore offensive lineman Martez Ivey missed spring practice after offseason shoulder surgery.
However, Ivey has made significant strides since the surgery and is able to participate in certain conditioning drills.
"He's back to doing a lot of things we need to be doing in the weight room and he actually had a really good spring from a standpoint of the rehab situation,'' McElwain said. "He's actually ahead [of schedule]. Yet, we need to make sure we don't push it too soon."
*****
GATORS-VOLS RIVALRY
Florida owns an 11-game win streak against SEC East rival Tennessee. However, many project the Vols to beat Florida and dethrone the Gators as SEC East champions in 2016.
Tennessee hasn't won the East outright since 2004 and last appeared in the conference title game in 2007. McElwain was asked about the Vols' being the division favorite according to the preseason experts.
"I'm sure that they should be,'' he said. "They should beat the heck out of us. We're just going to be lucky to show up."
McElwain clearly had tongue in cheek.
He was asked a follow-up about some Twitter chatter between his players and the Vols over the preseason projections.
"That's up to them,'' he said. "I mean, you've got to go out and play. I don't get caught up in it, yet that's how a lot of people communicate today. That's the society we live in. Great."
Players Mentioned
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