FloridaGatorforLife
VIP Member
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]GAINESVILLE - While presents are being torn open from coast-to-coast today, you can forgive Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer if he doesn't rise early and rush to the Christmas tree to see what Santa Claus has left for his football team.
Meyer already has gotten a present that would make most college football coaches squeal with joy: His very own dominating running back to play with next year.
And while he can't tear the redshirt wrapped around his 6-foot-1, 205-pound gift just yet, you'll forgive Meyer if he seems a little eager to get Emmanuel Moody out of the box and install him in one of the nation's best offenses.
It's been more than four months since Moody became a Florida Gator, but had to sit out the 2007 season per NCAA rules after transferring from Southern Cal.
His practice was limited during his redshirt season because of elbow problems dating back to high school and subsequent surgery this fall to clean up ligament damage and bone chips. Prior to his recent lengthy discussion with FLORIDA TODAY, the Coppell, Tex., native has stayed quietly in the shadows and hadn't conducted an interview with media since UF's season started.
That's all about to change.
Moody was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year while rushing for 459 yards on 79 carries over nine games in 2006. Frustrated with injuries and finding it hard to concentrate and feel settled in Los Angeles, Moody decided in a 48-hour time period to leave USC during preseason. It came down to Florida or North Carolina, and he chose the Gators because of Meyer.
The wait has been tough. No crowds to cheer him on, only classrooms and weight rooms. No touchdowns. Only sit-downs with tutors and the UF playbook. Moody's one-year wait officially ends after next Tuesday, when Florida (9-3) plays Michigan (8-4) in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando to conclude the 2007 season.
After that, the Gators can finally tear off the redshirt of one of the nation's top running back recruits from a year ago. Many say it was just what UF needed to contend for another national title -- a dominating tailback that can carry the football 20 times a game. Individual goals? It starts with being a 1,000-yard rusher -- something Meyer hasn't had in three seasons in Gainesville.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071225/SPORTS/712250330/1002/SPORTS
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Meyer already has gotten a present that would make most college football coaches squeal with joy: His very own dominating running back to play with next year.
And while he can't tear the redshirt wrapped around his 6-foot-1, 205-pound gift just yet, you'll forgive Meyer if he seems a little eager to get Emmanuel Moody out of the box and install him in one of the nation's best offenses.
It's been more than four months since Moody became a Florida Gator, but had to sit out the 2007 season per NCAA rules after transferring from Southern Cal.
His practice was limited during his redshirt season because of elbow problems dating back to high school and subsequent surgery this fall to clean up ligament damage and bone chips. Prior to his recent lengthy discussion with FLORIDA TODAY, the Coppell, Tex., native has stayed quietly in the shadows and hadn't conducted an interview with media since UF's season started.
That's all about to change.
Moody was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year while rushing for 459 yards on 79 carries over nine games in 2006. Frustrated with injuries and finding it hard to concentrate and feel settled in Los Angeles, Moody decided in a 48-hour time period to leave USC during preseason. It came down to Florida or North Carolina, and he chose the Gators because of Meyer.
The wait has been tough. No crowds to cheer him on, only classrooms and weight rooms. No touchdowns. Only sit-downs with tutors and the UF playbook. Moody's one-year wait officially ends after next Tuesday, when Florida (9-3) plays Michigan (8-4) in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando to conclude the 2007 season.
After that, the Gators can finally tear off the redshirt of one of the nation's top running back recruits from a year ago. Many say it was just what UF needed to contend for another national title -- a dominating tailback that can carry the football 20 times a game. Individual goals? It starts with being a 1,000-yard rusher -- something Meyer hasn't had in three seasons in Gainesville.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071225/SPORTS/712250330/1002/SPORTS
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