TALLAHASSEE — Florida State started preseason practice Monday with one big addition.
Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said offering a scholarship to 6-foot-4, 252-pound TE Kevin Haplea, a Penn State transfer, was an easy decision.
The Seminoles recruited Haplea out of high school in Annandale, N.J. He played every game for the Nittany Lions last season, catching three passes for 21 yards and one touchdown. He also was credited with opening running lanes for 1,200-yard rusher Silas Redd, who is going to Southern California.
Haplea is among eight confirmed Penn State players who have transferred since the NCAA slapped sanctions on the school for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.
"He called us," Fisher said. "We did not go after any of the Penn State players and we're not going to."
RAINED OUT: The Seminoles were on the field for about 45 minutes, including stretching, before rain ended practice.
Associated Press
UF: Muschamp happy with retention rate
GAINESVILLE — It's early in fall camp, but Florida coach Will Muschamp said Monday one of the things he's most impressed with is the way the Gators retained first-year offense coordinator Brent Pease's system from spring to now. Florida had 14 practices to learn the basics of the system, and Muschamp said that knowledge has carried over.
"It was very evident in their first three days on both sides of the ball, the retention we had from spring, which credits our players and the job they did this summer," Muschamp said. "We are far ahead of, after three practices mind you, where we thought we would be on both sides of the ball. … (Players) are far ahead mentally than I thought we would be at this point and certainly what Brent thought as well."
OPEN PRACTICE: Florida will hold one open practice session on Aug. 18, from 9-11 a.m. The practice will run in conjunction with fan day, which will be held at 3 p.m.
Antonya English, Times staff writer
UM: OT Henderson finally arrives
CORAL GABLES — OT Seantrel Henderson was back after missing the first three practices attending a friend's funeral in Minnesota.
"I'm glad just to see he's okay, because no one really heard from him," QB Ryan Williams said.
The 6-foot-8, 340-pound right tackle addressed the team Sunday. Players were told not to talk specifics regarding the meeting, Williams said. Henderson did not speak with reporters Monday.
Sun Sentinel
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