Football notes: Demps to play; Jenkins receives medical hardship, can return in 2011
Friday, November 12, 2010 | Football, Soccer, Scott Carter
In his final press conference before Saturday night's game against South Carolina for the SEC East title, Florida head coach Urban Meyer provided a few updates on the Gators.
Here are some quick-hit notes:
--Running back Jeff Demps, who continues to be hampered by a strained ligament in his left foot, will play according to Meyer.
Demps missed the Gators' 55-14 win at Vanderbilt and has missed two games overall since hurting the foot at Tennessee Sept. 18.
“He'll play, but he won't play the whole game,'' Meyer said.
--Defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who also missed the Georgia and Vanderbilt games with a foot/ankle injury, is “probable'' according to Meyer.
“He is going to be available for us,'' Meyer said.
--Redshirt freshman Jordan Reed had his coming-out party at Vanderbilt, rushing for 84 yards and finishing 11 of 19 for 120 yards. While Reed will continue to see playing time at quarterback with starter John Brantley and back-up Trey Burton, Meyer sees Reed's future more at tight end.
“He's a really good player and he's really grown up,'' Meyer said. “Jordan's future is probably at tight end.''
It will be interesting to see how many snaps Reed takes on Saturday against South Carolina. He showed at Vanderbilt that he has a nice passing touch on his first career pass, a 31-yard touchdown throw to Deonte Thompson.
--Defensive back Moses Jenkins received good news this week. A senior, Jenkins has received a medical redshirt for 2009, which makes him eligible to return next season.
Jenkins returned to action at Vanderbilt after missing seven games due to an elbow injury he suffered in the season opener against Miami (Ohio). In 2009, Jenkins played in only four games before suffering a concussion against Kentucky and missing the rest of the season.
--Redshirt freshman receiver Andre Debose is close to being back to 100 percent, Meyer said. Debose suffered a severe ankle sprain in the loss to Mississippi State and missed the win over Georgia. He returned in limited capacity at Vanderbilt but should be ready to go Saturday.
Meyer said Debose and Chris Rainey are competing with Janoris Jenkins to return punts Saturday.
Finally, reserve linebacker Dee Finley remains out with a broken collarbone suffered in the loss to LSU.
--Meyer said freshman defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who did not make the trip to Vanderbilt for “a lot of reasons,'' is back with the team and working his way back onto the field.
“He's doing fine,'' Meyer said. Easley, ranked the top DT in the nation coming out of high school by at least one major recruiting service, has played sparingly in his first season.
