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Meyer giving students chance to race Florida’s fastest players, earn full scholarship
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Urban Meyer is searching for the fastest student on campus.
He’s quite certain it’s one of his football players — Louis Murphy, Chris Rainey or Deonte Thompson.
Just to be sure, he’s having a race Saturday.
What happens if someone beats his speedsters before the team’s spring game?
“They’re on scholarship,” Meyer said.
It would be a long shot, especially after school officials held 40-yard dash time trials and didn’t exactly find any real burners. Of the approximately 225 students who tried out, two covered the distance in 4.47 seconds, one ran a 4.48 and another was clocked at 4.49.
The fastest 15 students advanced to the finals Saturday. They will be split into three groups of five. Murphy will race one group, Rainey another and Thompson a third.
The players aren’t exactly afraid of the competition.
“I’ll blow them out,” Rainey said. “I love challenges and I’ve got confidence in myself.”
Thompson had a more detailed prediction.
“We should beat them by more than five (yards),” he said. “I think we will.”
Percy Harvin was supposed to be the main attraction for the race, but he had heel surgery Monday and is out for two months.
That left Murphy, Rainey and Thompson as the fastest Meyer had to offer.
Murphy, a senior from St. Petersburg, caught 39 passes for 590 yards and six touchdowns last season. Rainey and Thompson, both redshirt freshmen, were two of Meyer’s prized recruits in last year’s top-rated class.
“I want to show the crowd a little sample of what I can do for the Gators,” said Rainey, who is expected to play a significant role this fall. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Although Meyer promised a full scholarship to any student who beats his players, the coach’s reason for organizing the event wasn’t to find a running back, receiver, defensive back or kick returner from campus.
The spring game will be televised on ESPN, offering Meyer a chance to spread his recruiting pitch about wanting to be “the fastest team in America,” and having a race featuring three of his stars could help sell the school.
He also views the spring game as an opportunity for younger players to show their skills, meaning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and other key starters probably won’t get many snaps. So Meyer wanted to give fans something to look forward to while also giving back to the students.
“Our student body, you almost forget about them because they’re (always) there,” Meyer said. “You can’t do that. Our first year, we went to every dorm, every sorority, every fraternity, just trying to give back because they’re the home-field advantage, they’re recruiting. Our kids meet the students on recruiting weekends. You can’t forget them.”
Florida also plans to hold a raffle that will allow one fan a chance to catch a pass from Tebow. Other winners will get to try to catch a punt, attempt a field goal and return a kickoff.
The highlight, though, will be the three 40-yard dashes.
“Anything can happen,’ Rainey said. “But I don’t think we’re going to lose.”
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by chas_turner on April 11, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope all three get injured during the race, lose, and he has to give our 13 schollies.
Posted by pdhuff on April 11, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A true doldrum article. 4 stars!****
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 11, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe that they had 4 sub 4.5 - 40 guys on campus that aren't on an athletic scholarship of some sort. It would be funny if some pipsqueek burner that is like 5' 2" 110lbs won a race and Herbun had to put him on scholarship. I wonder if UT could do the same thing without giving up any scholarships. Who are our 3 fastest players?
Posted by jglocsawgrass on April 11, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds fun anyway!!!! I think it would be better Friday night, around midnight, after they all have a chance to get a little liquored up!
Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 11, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yawn, another reason Fulmer is a Dinosaur
Posted by objk1 on April 11, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How does not risking another player to injury make you a dinosaur.
Posted by txsvol on April 11, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Pipsqueak burner" sounds like it ought to be applied to some of our negative posters! Do you seriously think Urban would give a 'scholly' to such a runner, if he could not be used by the football team? Go Vols! SAVol
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 11, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer should hold a fritter eating contest. My money is on CPF. No one on campus could touch him.
Fritter Logic
Posted by wewhite on April 11, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now, how is this any different than having a country music concert and pep rally for fans, band, and team the night before the Orange and White game? Sounds like this thing at Florida is a "special event" for the players that "would constitute a violation of NCAA rules prohibiting special benefits for student-athletes." (Quote taken from http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/m...).
Posted by VolPride_13 on April 11, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we should do something like this, instead of raising our ticket prices!!!
Posted by TommyJack on April 11, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So his guy can outrun a tuba player. So what does that prove?
Posted by AcroAir on April 11, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IBleedOrange444,
I believe our three fastest players would probably be found within the following group (ROUGHLY in order of whom i think would be MOST likely to be one of the three fastest):
Kenny O'Neal
LaMarcus Coker (if he were still around)
Brent Vinson
Eric Berry
Dennis Rogan
Lennon Creer
Denarius Moore
Gerald Jones
Demetrice Morley
Austin Rogers
Lucas Taylor
Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 11, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is this news? This is stupid!!
Posted by Michael1204 on April 11, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
of the list above, the faster would be Eric Berry. He runs a 4.33. Coker had been listed as running a flat 4.3 however.
Posted by Michael1204 on April 11, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
*the fastest.
Posted by AcroAir on April 11, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Berry may run a 4.33, but according to former WR coach Trooper Taylor, Kenny O'Neal can run as fast as a spotted monkey, or something like that! :-p
Posted by volnfl on April 11, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jesse Walker could down 12 fritters and run a 4.27 40 at the same time!
Posted by RJ_Vol on April 11, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Florida might want to see if Michigan's Mike Hart has brothers at UF. He seemed to be pretty...umm...fast? Or maybe he just looked fast while running through those GAPING holes during the Capitol One Bowl...In order to win Meyer's contest, would it be allowed to knock down the fastest guy and win on a technicality? See you Gators in Knoxville soon.
Posted by TurboFan on April 12, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reposted for no one's benefit:
9 a.m. Great Gator Yard Sale Opens At North End Zone Gator Sportshop....special: Ron Zook trophy case, empty.
9:30 a.m. Gate 7 Opens To Fans...Gate 12 opens with donation barrel for rich alumni.
9:30 a.m.-3rd Quarter Picture Availability With 2007 Heisman Trophy...fans surprised by cardboard cut out of Superman with hole to stick your face in.
9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Player Autograph Session (North End Zone Concourse)...Ebay store at South End zone.
10:30 a.m. All Gates Open To Ben Hill Griffin Stadium...let the lions loose, the christians are here!
11 a.m.-1 p.m. ESPN College GameDay Live From Northeast Corner Of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium...Lee Corso's head explodes when can't decide which team mascot hat to put on.
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Student Flag Football Game...rules revised from last year to reduce goring incidents with flag pole.
12:40 p.m. Student Skills Contest, Fastest Gator On Campus...Fifi on hand to entice the contestants out of the water.
1:07 p.m. Orange and Blue Debut Kickoff (ESPN)...debutants confused that there is a ball but no dancing.
Halftime Unveiling of Stadium Sign Recognizing Tim Tebow’s 2007 Heisman Trophy...cardboard cutout of Superman leaping tall buildings.
No offense, McB.
Posted by txsvol on April 12, 2008 at 1:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The fastest legend in sports history was James 'Cool Papa' Bell of the Negro leagues, who reportedly was hit by his own batted ball as he rounded second base, or, most memorably, as Satchel Paige said, "He could turn out the lights and get into bed before the room got dark." I wonder if that is faster than a spotted ape. Well, it's time to shake the doldrums and project where our 2007 players will be drafted in a couple of weeks. Go Vols! SAVol
Posted by txsvol on April 12, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK. Jerod Mayo***** is listed by one service as the 2nd rated MLB (behind Rivers of USC), and another service projects him to go to the NYG in the first round. He may not be big enough to remain at MLB, but he can also play OLB and special teams, and on the right team will be starting his first year, so he is a first or second round pick.
Jonathan Hefney*** is rated as the 11th best safety, but his versatility (ability to play CB, ST, and PR) makes him a worthwhile mid-to late round project. If he were bigger than 5' 8" and 192#, he would go higher. Tackling the bigger NFL backs will be a challenge for him.
Erik Ainge*** (#9) is a project, who might be drafted by a team in the mid to late rounds. A third QB clipboard carrier for several years.
Brad Cottam***, because of his Senior Bowl performance, and his athleticism in combine workouts, is listed as the 6th best TE. A second day draftee, unless somebody is reaching, because he really didn't stay healthy enough for us to show his skills. Chris Brown wasn't listed on three sites I checked.
Eric Young***, although he played tackle for us, is projected as the 9th OG, as he may lack explosiveness for OT--late first day to second day draft pick, depending upon how quickly OL are drafted. (One site showed mostly film of Anthony Parker, so I think this rating is suspect--they didn't know that he was #54.) Antonio Reynolds** and Ryan Karl (not listed on any of three sites) were not projected to be drafted.
Now, does anybody have any insight about the needs of NFL clubs, and whether specific teams may be looking at any of our guys? Go Vols! SAVol
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 12, 2008 at 4:07 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by pdhuff on April 12, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gen F - would it be fair to include beloved chairman Phil in a fritter contest?
Some level of decency and decorum should be maintained around fritter eating. I mean Dupree should wear nice clothes cleaning up the fritter crumbs after such a tilt.
I would only be good for about 1 1/2 which would not place in a serious go around.
Posted by Volfan1 on April 12, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am curious that one school gets their spring game televised by a national network (ESPN) with all the positive publicity involved (including Game Day) while no other NCAA school is given that opportunity. This is not the regular season with a whole schedule of opportunities for various schools to have a game on tv. This is one school in the midst of every school having spring practice getting their game broadcast, along with the publicity advantages.
Sounds like a NCAA INVESTIgator may need to get involved.
Didn't UConn women's program violate the rules through ESPN, too?
Posted by Volfan1 on April 12, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mcbrim,
Go back to your scum pond. I have a right to raise a legitimate question on a TENNESSEE site. I was just asking a simple question worth an answer and hardly whining....at least not in comparison to Mick Huber, Scot Brantley and every other blue and orange voice. Ever listen to those guys?.....objectively?....Or your average Gator fan?....Didn't think so.
You wouldn't know a whine from an opine.
Gators invented whining. I listen to them every week. I live among them. Don't you know the reason Gators are so good at it is that whine goes with cheat (that's "wine with cheese" for you slower gators) which UF has historically been so good at.
Posted by RJ_Vol on April 12, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mcbrim1998. You DEFINITELY have braggin' rights for the next five months. I was just giving you a hard time earlier. After all, you are on the Vols site. We've got to "protect" our home field...I will say Meyer ran a good show today.
Posted by Volfan1 on April 12, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gomer,
I am glad of your assurance of every precaution taken. A simple response like your first paragraph would have sufficed instead of your odious babble. And this conversation would have been totally unnecessary.
And excuse me for dropping the "t" from Hubert. He isn't worthy of a "t" in his name. Of course he's the opening speaker of the Gator club. He's a totally biased, misguided individual. (Come on and take a little sarcastic jab without getting that vein in your neck to pop out.)
Me, jealous? Nah. It's funny that a Gator is on the UT site. You won't find me on a UF site. I believe it must be the other way around for you to be among the real Orange so much. Seems as thou dost protest too much. You are welcome here to enjoy the glory of Tennessee anytime.
Sincerely,
Posted by Volfan1 on April 13, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gomer,
Au contraire, esteemed obnoxious one. You are as erroneous about who whines as you are about Hubert. NO ONE whines like a Gator fan; or as much; or as often....and they have a nice history of cheating, too. The whine & cheat goes well in Gainesville.
Larry Munson is biased....but he's honest and will tell it right for both sides. He's a favorite. Hubert is a tunnel-visioned whiner. That's why he plays so well in UF land.
So, anyway, I'll excuse your typo and welcome you back to the Number 1 WINNING site. Please come often and enjoy the many spendors of being a Tennessee Vol. Funny how you keep coming back for more. Must be that jealously thing you have kicking in.
Again, welcome anytime to the glorious world of Tennessee!
Sincerely,
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 13, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My favorite line when a Florida player gets hurt is:
Sweep him up!
Posted by Volfan1 on April 13, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give it up, Gomer.
History is on my side....facts included. But I hate to inflict pain on your memory by reciting the record. It would be best for your sake to move on to another topic.
But keep coming back for more visits at the Number 1 WINNING site for the Tennessee Vols. Jealousy is a cruel thing, isn't it? It keeps bringing you back for more. Seems you just can't get enough of the Wonderful World of Tennessee.
Enjoy the Big Orange and its' glory!
Sincerely,
Posted by Volfan1 on April 13, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome back, Gomer with your overwhelming desire to be on the UT site! Man, you can't get enough.
Are you THAT dense to forget your own history???? (Excuse the rhetorical question.) Are there not reasons UF had a title removed and was inelgible for other seasons? Thought so.
See, isn't jealousy cruel? It just brings you back for more & more.
Enjoy your love for the Vols. We won't tell the other Gators of your overwhelming desire to post here and be a part of the glory of Tennessee.
BTW, didn't watch the first time...won't watch any others. You see, I don't have this fixation with another team as you do. I am happy enough with my team to post only on our sites. Sorry you can't say the same.
Sincerely,
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