You probably won’t find Jordan Reed’s name listed as a key player for the 2010 Florida football team, but his development will be a deciding factor in the success or failure of the Gators’ offense.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound redshirt freshman has been UF’s starting tight end in spring practice after moving from quarterback last season. And without a reliable tight end, Florida’s hopes of using more of the I-formation would likely go down the drain.
“We’ve got to find that tight end,” offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. “That’s a keystone piece. … Jordan Reed has to have a big spring here.”
Addazio said the Gators’ offense will look different from the option-oriented schemes of the past few seasons with Tim Tebow at quarterback, and that was evident at Monday’s practice.
Florida’s first team worked primarily out of the I-form, and Reed even took snaps out of a Wildcat formation and managed the offense for two series at the end of practice.
On a run up the middle, he took a big hit from linebacker Lorenzo Edwards that drew cheers from the rest of the defense, but he won’t be getting a red, non-contact jersey anytime soon.
Quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler said putting Reed back at quarterback was “experimental” and that he won’t switch back permanently. But that could change with an injury to starter John Brantley, who only has freshman Trey Burton backing him up.
Loeffler wouldn’t specify the team’s plan if Brantley gets hurt, but he said it would be a combination of solutions rather than a single replacement. Punter Chas Henry — who played quarterback in high school — has also spent time at the position this spring.
Moore M.I.A., Bushell returns: Receiver Carl Moore, an expected starter for next season, wasn’t at Monday’s practice. Moore practiced Saturday, and receivers coach Zach Azzanni and a UF spokesman declined to specify whether his absence was due to injury or off-field issues.
“When I find out some more information, I’ll let you know,” Azzanni said.
Meanwhile, cornerback Adrian Bushell was on the sidelines in shorts, making his first appearance.
UF coach Urban Meyer said at the beginning of spring practice that Bushell was dealing with academic and other off-field problems.
When he returns to the field, Bushell will be battling Moses Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, Josh Shaw and Jaylen Watkins for the cornerback spot opposite Janoris Jenkins.
“Because he just started, there’s a mandatory two days without pads before he can get in pads,” UF defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “Hopefully by Friday and Saturday he’ll be out there. He’s behind right now, but we’ll get an idea of where he is and where he fits in.”