In The (Gator) Zone: Humphries on Rise, Remembering Barrow, Wambach, More Tidbits
Friday, February 20, 2015 | Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No games are played, but there are winners and losers at the NFL Combine. For some players, the outcome can be determined the moment they step onto the scale.
If they register significantly lighter or heavier compared to what they were listed in college, a player's value – or at least the perceived value of that player – can start to rise or fall in an instant. The same for height. A strong-armed 6-foot-4 college quarterback can suddenly become much less attractive in the eyes of NFL teams if he measures 6-foot-2 at the combine.
Gators offensive tackle D.J. Humphries is one of the biggest winners so far this week in Indianapolis.
Humphries checked in at 6-foot-5, 307 pounds.
Only thing keeping DJ Humphries from being my top OT in this draft was the unknown factor of his size. Checked in at 6'5 307. Works for me
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 18, 2015
One of four Gators who opted to leave school a year early to enter the draft, many questioned Humphries' decision. He arrived at UF as the nation's top-rated prep offensive tackle in 2012 and had a solid career. However, he did have injury issues and trouble maintaining his playing weight.
Humphries told the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer on Wednesday that his weight dipped to 282 and peaked at 295 his junior season. NFL offensive linemen typically play well above 300 pounds.
“The main part for me at the combine is my weight,” Humphries said. “I want to let the world see that I can play at 300-plus because I didn't in college. I have to let the world know.”
In addition, when Humphries filed his paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Board to gauge his draft potential, the board recommended Humphries return to school for more seasoning.
He went the other direction following Florida's victory in the Birmingham Bowl last month.
“I took it as a challenge almost,'' Humphries told reporters in Indianapolis. “They told me I should come back so I'm going to show them why I should come out.”
One of Humphries' biggest fans among NFL scouting-types is Daniel Jeremiah, a draft analyst for the NFL Network. Jeremiah has spoken favorably of Humphries on social media and understands the importance of a high-quality offensive tackle.
Prior to serving as a scout for three NFL teams, Jeremiah was a three-year starting quarterback at Appalachian State in the late 1990s. In his latest mock draft, Jeremiah has Humphries going to San Diego with the 17th overall pick.
“Humphries has the highest upside of any tackle prospect in the draft,'' wrote Jeremiah. “He could hold down the left tackle spot for the next decade in San Diego.”
Based on the latest buzz around Humphries, he made the right decision to leave a school a year early.
Big crowd for former #Gators OL DJ Humphries pic.twitter.com/zwD1ibw9XJ
— Justin Felder (@Justin_Felder) February 18, 2015 START ME UP
Former UF soccer standout Abby Wambach is preparing for another run at a World Cup title with the U.S. Women's National Team later this summer. The 34-year-old Wambach was the star for the Americans on the way to a runner-up finish in the 2011 World Cup.
She has a different role on Sunday at the Daytona 500. Wambach will serve as an honorary starter for the race along with fellow U.S. teammates Christie Rampone and Kelley O'Hara.
A TRUE NORTH-OF-BORDER STAR
Photo: TiCats.ca
Former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman John Barrow, a four-time Grey Cup winner and 11-time CFL All-Star, passed away Tuesday of heart failure at his home in Missouri City, Texas. He was 79.
Prior to Barrow becoming an iconic player in the CFL, he was a four-year letterman for the Gators and was overwhelmingly voted team captain in 1956. A fifth-round draft pick by Detroit in 1957, Barrow opted to play in the CFL where he became a star on Hamilton's defensive line along with another CFL legend, Angelo Mosca.
Barrow played 14 seasons (1957-70) and was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1976. Barrow arrived at UF from Delray Beach, where he played at Seacrest High in the early 1950s. He moved to guard as a sophomore and at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, was a first-team All-American his senior season.
After he retired as a player, Barrow remained in Canada and served as general manager of the Toronto Argonauts from 1971-75, overseeing a roster that included future NFL quarterback Joe Theismann and a young running back from Tampa named Leon McQuay.
Barrow's death was big news on the sports pages of Canada this week.
“Hamilton was a big part of his life. The community was a big part of his life and the people were extremely important to him,'' Barrow's son, Kyle, told the Hamilton Spectator. “Hamilton was built on working class people, who worked to get ahead. He really enjoyed that aspect of it.”
Another one of Barrow's sons, Greg, was a letterman offensive tackle at Florida in 1980.
"It's an image etched on the memories of fans of a golden age of Canadian football: the legendary John Barrow in his Tiger-Cat jersey. High-top shoes. Brush cut. Square jawed, fiercely determined, and tough as steel,'' CFL chairman and interim commissioner Jim Lawson wrote in a statement. “One of the top players in the storied history of our league, John Barrow's accomplishments are something today's players can aspire to, his record is something fans from any era can marvel at, and his image is something those of us lucky enough to see him play will never forget.”
Vangi Barrow, John's wife of 59 years, told the Hamilton Spectator that her husband's funeral services were scheduled for Thursday in Houston.
STATE FAVORITES
Sometimes you come across something on the Internet that is interesting but that you missed the first time.
This is one of them: A college football fan map from The New York Times. The map was published during last season and shows how the Gators dominate the Sunshine State in terms of fan interest.
And as the Times writes, perhaps most impressive is that Florida claims a chunk of northern New England.
ARM PROTECTOR
Sophomore right-hander Brett Morales threw six perfect innings in Wednesday night's 13-3 win at USF. He also threw 70 pitches, which is right at the maximum pitch count Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan places on his starters early in the season.
Some coaches would have allowed Morales to stay in the game past his pitch count to see how far he carried the perfect game. Not O'Sullivan, considered arguably the best college coach in the country at protecting his pitchers' arms.
“You've got to see the big picture. To me it wasn't even a question,'' O'Sullivan said Thursday. “My mind was made up. A lot of these guys are [professional] prospects. To have the glory for one night is not worth jeopardizing someone to get hurt.”
I have so much respect for Kevin O'Sullivan - no college coach handles arms better. Pulls Morales after 6 IP, 70 pitches, w/ a perfect game.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 19, 2015
BILLY D NEARS MILESTONE
Colleague Chris Harry tweeted a #tbt this afternoon that took me back. Yes, it's been a difficult season for the Gators, but Billy Donovan remains one of the best in the business.
Donovan has come a long way since win No. 1 as a head coach, which came Nov. 26, 1994 – Marshall 112, Bluefield College 67 …
On the doorstep of 500 wins, Billy D's first #Gators team (1996-97), first UF media guide cover. #tbt pic.twitter.com/IXyc1XLVYy
— Chris Harry (@GatorZoneChris) February 19, 2015
