Fostering Fake Phenoms

[bchampy]

Column: Fostering fake phenoms one of UF?s favorite spring pastimes - The Independent Florida Alligator: Columns

With that in mind, here are some guys to be wary of…

Jaylen Watkins, junior cornerback: As the team’s ninth-leading tackler last year, Watkins was a little too important to be a true candidate. Still, reports say he’s improved his physicality and playmaking, with Will Muschamp saying he’s done “some nice things” and Hammond calling him the hardest DB to go against. Hammond’s praise was the death knell for Dunbar. Will Frankie strike again?

Loucheiz Purifoy, sophomore cornerback: Purifoy was pretty much a special-teams-only guy last year, but his improvement has impressed Watkins, Muschamp said he’s done “some nice things,” and Dan Quinn said he is a candidate to start opposite Marcus Roberson.

Omarius Hines, senior running back (I guess?): Hines, Mike Gillislee, Omar Hunter and Jon Harrison have all praised Hines’ move to the backfield. Even Muschamp said he’s done “some nice things.” But he’s barely ever played running back before and touched the ball eight times last season. So good luck with that.

Antonio Morrison, four-star freshman linebacker: Quinn is impressed with his physicality, Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins have both raved about him, and Muschamp said he’s done some “good things.” Even though that might actually be better than “nice things,” don’t get too excited. Morrison will be trapped behind Bostic, Jenkins and Michael Taylor on the depth chart all season. He’s the early favorite to win these honors next spring.

Latroy Pittman, freshman four-star wide receiver: We have a winner! Although I’ve never seen him play, he has all the makings of Dunbar 2.0. But because he’s a more physical, blocking wide receiver, nobody is making the comparison. Pittman caught a touchdown in the first scrimmage and was the player of the day Saturday, prompting Muschamp to say that he’s done “some nice things” and is moving up the depth chart. But he’s still never played a down, and we’d be crazy to make the same mistake twice, regardless of how many “nice things” he does in the spring.