First glance at 2011 UF football media guide reveals some names you may have forgotten
Monday, July 11, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
When I arrived at the office this morning I found a shiny 2011 Gators football media guide on my desk.
It still had that fresh-off-the-printing-press smell to it.
I haven't had time to flip from cover to cover yet to see what might be new, but I have discovered a few nuggets that might interest you.
If you want to check out the complete guide online, you can click this link.
Here are a few notes:
--The Gators have had a player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft five consecutive years, which is the longest streak in the nation: Mike Pouncey (2011), Joe Haden, Maurkice Pouncey, Tim Tebow (2010), Percy Harvin (2009), Derrick Harvey (2008) and Jarvis Moss, Reggie Nelson (2007).
--If you're a history buff like me, you'll like the new expanded section that lists the entire coaching staffs each season from 1932-2010. There are some names listed from decades ago that you probably know well: Frank Broyles (1950), John Rauch (1953), Pepper Rodgers (1960-64), Lindy Infante (1968-71), Ken Hatfield (1971-77), Steve Spurrier (1978), Mike Shanahan (1980-83), Mickey Andrews (1981-82).
There are more notable assistants who later became head coaches such as Bob Stoops and Ron Zook. However, I wonder if anyone had the name recognition that new Gators offensive coordinator Charlie Weis had prior to becoming a UF assistant.
The obvious among Gator fans is Spurrier when he returned in 1978, but Weis may get the edge on a national scale. The real question is who has greater national fame: Notre Dame coach vs. Heisman winner?
--Florida has a 21-game winning streak in season openers, second-longest streak in the country. Only Nebraska's 25-game streak tops Florida.
--The Gators open the 2011 season with a 137-game sellout streak, fourth longest in the country behind Nebraska (311), Notre Dame (219) and Michigan (169).
--Marcus Gilbert became the 23rd UF player selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in April's NFL Draft. The Steelers have taken more Gators in the draft than any other franchise. The only current NFL team to never draft a Gator? Carolina.
--In his time as a defensive coordinator, new Gators head coach Will Muschamp's defenses limited opponents to 20 or less points in 71 of 104 games. His teams went 68-3 in those games.
--The most notable number changes: RB Chris Rainey from No. 3 to No. 1, DT Dominique Easley from No. 58 to No. 2, DT Sharrif Floyd from No. 73 to No. 4 and LB Jelani Jenkins from No. 43 to Rainey's old No. 3.
--Here are the numbers of the true freshmen as of publication:
17 – Jacoby Brissett; 86 – Clay Burton; 5 – Marcus Roberson; 15 – Loucheiz Purifoy; 16 – Jeff Driskel; 20 – Valdez Showers; 21 – Jabari Gorman; 26 – De'Ante Saunders; 33 – Chris Johnson; 41 – Hunter Joyer; 44 – Kyle Christie; 55 – Graham Stewart; 63 – Trip Thurman; 65 – Tommy Jordan; 80 – Ja'Juan Story; 81 – A.C. Leonard; 97 – Tevin Westbrook.
--Last but not least, if there is one player I'd like to see in a game this year it is walk-on freshman RB Blake Castillo. He is listed at 5-foot-3 and 147 pounds, roughly the equivalent of Shaq's left leg.
