By Sam Newton, UF Communications
From his football-heavy upbringing in Central Florida through his well-documented career at the University of Florida, redshirt senior quarterback John Brantley has steadily remained one thing – the ultimate Gator.
Brantley, who was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school, made a rather easy decision to attend UF. His roots were established in the school's rich athletic history, with his dad and uncle both starring for the Orange and Blue during the late 1970's. His uncle, Scot, was an All-SEC performer on the gridiron while his father, John Brantley III, was successful in both football and baseball.
“My heart has always been at Florida because I've been a Gator fan my entire life,” Brantley said.
The former Trinity Catholic Celtic was used sparingly throughout his first three years in the Gator football program, which gave him the opportunity to grow and mature under Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
“The first few years I watched Tim and how he did, that definitely wore off on me,” Brantley explained. “You have to keep getting better at it every day from a leadership aspect.”
During the 2010 campaign, Brantley's first season as the Gators' starting signal-caller, UF struggled throughout the campaign with difficult situations, chemistry issues and, eventually, a coaching change.
After the long, arduous season came to a close with an Outback Bowl victory over Penn State, Brantley used what he had learned the previous few seasons, and took strides forward.
“A lot of stuff went wrong last year, but he kept his head high,” junior linebacker Jon Bostic said of Brantley. “A lot of people are saying his confidence may be down this year, but I didn't see that at all this off-season. I saw one of those guys who walked around with his head high.”
“The 2010 season definitely helped me grow up a lot. I matured a whole bunch,” said Brantley. “I think I've grown up a lot.”
It didn't take long for first-year head coach Will Muschamp to notice what personal traits Brantley provided his Gators despite having a down season in 2010.
“I've been pleased with him since day one,” Muschamp praised. “John has been solid since I got here. I'm very happy with him and our locker room feels the same way as I do.”
Brantley's ability to bounce back and combat adversity did not go unnoticed by UF's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Charlie Weis, either.
“I like the fact that when I got here he was a beaten down young man, and he stood as tall as you can possibly stand. That's what I like more than anything else,” Weis enlightened. “There is no doubt that the team looks to him as the leader of the team. That's something that I didn't know whether or not that would happen, but they definitely do.”
While the Gators have battled through recent shortcomings and adverse situations, Brantley has provided unyielding support on and off the field. While missing games at LSU and Auburn due to injury, the Ocala, Fla., native continued to offer his best efforts while many in his situation would haven thrown in the towel.
“You have to carry yourself very well on and off the field,” Brantley rationalized. “You have to be a leader on and off the field – make sure everyone's doing the right thing: going to class, doing their studies. There's no one way to do it, you just know what's right and wrong.”
Brantley's unwavering confidence and ebullient personality are ones that teammates are drawn to and respect.
“It's just the way he carries himself,” senior running back Jeff Demps noted. “He's not a showboat or a cocky guy; he's real down-to-earth. John can walk around and people treat him like he's a normal person, which he is. He leads the team by example each and every day. That's something the team can follow.”
While Brantley has been at UF, he has embodied everything that a Florida Gator should be – hard-working, strong-willed, a leader and most importantly, loyal.
“I was a Gator before I came here and I will be Gator even when I leave,” Brantley stated.
