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Jeff Driskel confident as Gators close camp

 
Published Aug. 20, 2014

GAINESVILLE — As Florida closes fall camp today, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper said QB Jeff Driskel will begin the season more confident than when the two first met last spring.

"I guess since I've been here, he's a confident guy," Roper said about what has changed with Driskel. "He's got a great look in his eye. He's a bright-eyed guy. I don't think he's ever lacked confidence. I think where you see the confidence growing is in understanding what we're doing offensively. The more understanding you have, the faster you can make decisions, the faster you can play, which you have to be able to play fast and be decisive."

Just play: Throughout his spring booster tour, coach Will Muschamp reiterated that after a 4-8 season it was time for the Gators to stop talking and just play. Apparently he has given that advice to his team. DL Darius Cummings said you can expect a lot less on-field talk from the oft-animated defense this season. "Coach is just telling us, as a defense, just not to talk as much as we did last year," Cummings said. "Because we lost. … Just let our play do the talking."

USF: Team's 'TEAM' effort

TAMPA — While USF's fan base seemed divided — based on social media reaction — on the Bulls' nixed attempt to stitch "THE TEAM" on the back of each jersey (see 1C), the Bulls' veterans said they warmed up to the idea long ago.

C Austin Reiter and DT Todd Chandler, both fifth-year seniors, said coaches brought up the idea during the spring. It was quashed by an NCAA rule that restricts the contents of jerseys to numbers, player names, authorized logos, etc.

Instead, the Bulls will wear nameless jerseys.

"As far as the aspect of having no names on the jerseys, I think it's a great idea because all we want to do right now is win games and we don't want to draw any distractions to any individual," Reiter said. "Not that there would be, but I think that's a great idea that Coach (Willie Taggart) brought up and that's kind of a shame that we won't be able to have 'THE TEAM' on there."

Odds and ends: TE Mike McFarland, with a brace on his left knee, appeared to remain in rehab mode. … Scouts from four NFL teams — the Jets, Bills, Seahawks and Bengals — attended practice. … Taggart recently confirmed defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is coaching outside linebackers as linebackers coach Raymond Woodie focuses inside. … Reiter has maintained his extra girth during preseason camp. Listed at 273 pounds last season, Reiter said he weighed in at 298. "That's been a lot of hard work in the cafeteria," he said.

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

FSU: Depth chart focus

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State entered Tuesday's final scrimmage of fall camp looking for clarity on depth. Not every starting position is set, but coach Jimbo Fisher is at least getting a grasp.

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"I don't have areas of concern, but I still think we have some battles going on," Fisher said. "But you feel good about two or three guys at a position, which isn't a bad thing."

If FSU played its first game this week, senior WRs Christian Green (Tampa Catholic) and Rashad Greene would start, Fisher said. Fisher said he was pleased at projected starting MLBs E.J. Levenberry and Terrance Smith and that he trusts his likely offensive line starters: LT Cam Erving, LG Josue Matias, C Austin Barron, RG Tre' Jackson and RT Bobby Hart.

Orlando Sentinel

UM: Heaps not worried

CORAL GABLES — After missing Miami's second scrimmage of fall camp, quarterback Jake Heaps told espn.com he was held out of Monday night's scrimmage as a precautionary measure. "Everything is fine," Heaps said. The Hurricanes did not practice Tuesday.

Jenkins surgery: Former Admiral Farragut standout Rayshawn Jenkins had successful surgery Monday on his lower back, the Miami Herald reported. The junior defensive back is expected to spend about six months rehabbing.

South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald