McElwain optimistic as players report for preseason camp, updates injuries
Wednesday, August 5, 2015 | Football, Track and Field, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators head coach Jim McElwain sounded like a man ready to get to work on Wednesday afternoon.
“We just left our first meeting,'' McElwain said at UF's annual football media day. “The optimism in here is awesome. The excitement in the air is awesome. Guys are ready to get after it.”
Eight months to the day after he arrived in Gainesville to be introduced as the 25th head coach in school history, McElwain welcomed the players to their first preseason camp under his direction.
Florida opens practice on Thursday.
“Always an exciting day,'' he said.
Meanwhile provided updates on several players nursing offseason injuries early in his press conference:
--Senior Antonio Morrison, the team's most-experienced linebacker, continues to recover from a pair of knee injuries resulting from an injury he suffered in the Birmingham Bowl.
“I can't tell you what a great job he's done to put himself in position to have an opportunity to play this season,'' McElwain said. “He's well ahead of where we anticipated. He will be out of any contact drills but he will be able to do some non-contact stuff moving forward.”
McElwain credited Morrison for his leadership and impact on the locker room during his time rehabbing. He later cautioned that Morrison still needs time before returning to the field.
“Let's not downplay what this injury was, OK? He's had two surgeries on the same knee off the same injury,” he said.
--Two of McElwain's assistants, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and special teams coach Greg Nord, are dealing with personal loss. Nord's mother passed away last week and Collins was absent Wednesday following his father's death from a heart attack earlier this week.
--McElwain said sixth-year senior tight end Jake McGee, who played all of nine snaps a year ago due to a broken leg, is “full-go” for camp.
--Defensive tackle Thomas Holley missed camp due to a hip injury and remains sidelined according to McElwain.
--Redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Del Rio, who has impressed his teammates during offseason conditioning drills following his transfer from Oregon State, recently underwent an appendectomy. McElwain said he will miss time early in camp.
--Redshirt junior defensive tackle Bryan Cox Jr. missed the Birmingham Bowl and spring camp following hip surgery. Cox said he returned to full-speed in late May and is ready to go when practice starts Thursday.
--Linebacker Jarrad Davis was sidelined in spring camp following knee surgery but said he is back to full-speed and is not limited physically as camp opens.
