Gators' Harvin 'ahead of schedule'

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s Percy Harvin ran routes and caught passes Tuesday, his most work since spraining his right ankle last month against Florida State.

Although Harvin hasn’t practiced since the injury, coach Urban Meyer called his do-it-all receiver probable for next week’s Bowl Championship Series national title game against No. 2 Oklahoma.

“I think he’s a little ahead of schedule,” Meyer said.

Harvin sat out the Southeastern Conference championship game against Alabama and has been trying to get back to full speed since. While his teammates scattered across the country during the team’s holiday break last week, Harvin remained in Gainesville to get treatment on his high-ankle sprain.

“I’m not sure I’ve seen a guy do what he’s done as far as commitment,” Meyer said. “I’m giving the guys a day off (Wednesday) and I grabbed him and he said, ’I’m not going anywhere. This is my world.’ He’s as competitive a guy as I’ve ever been around, and it’s showing up right now.”

Harvin, a junior expected to jump to the NFL after this season, has 35 receptions for 595 yards and seven touchdowns. He also is fourth on the team in rushing, with 538 yards and nine scores. He has scored at least once in 14 consecutive games — the longest streak in the nation — and burned defenses while lining up at receiver, running back and even quarterback.

Also Tuesday, Meyer said running back Kestahn Moore should be ready to go when the Gators arrive in Miami on Friday. Moore had surgery to repair meniscus in his left knee. Guard Carl Johnson (knee), running back Chris Rainey (groin) and receiver Louis Murphy (knee) practiced Tuesday.

Although Meyer has confirmed that Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes submitted paperwork to the NFL’s draft advisory board in hopes of getting a better feel for their draft stock, he said he didn’t know if junior quarterback Tim Tebow had done the same.

Meyer also declined to speculate on the chances of Tebow returning for his senior year.

“I don’t want to speculate ’cause that’s not fair to a guy I have as much respect as I’ve ever had, so I don’t know,” he said “I love the fact that his focus is on what it is, and that’s to win this game. A lot of times you’ll hear people say, ’Well, I’m going to make this decision after this game,’ and the decision’s been made two months ago.

“There’s been no decisions made. It’s really a unique relationship with Tim.”