Sophomore wide receiver Percy Harvin is finally healthy. Watch out.
Harvin, Rivals.com's top-rated player in the 2006 class, scored on a dazzling 19-yard run that included dodging at least two defenders and spinning away from a tackle in Florida's 59-20 win over Tennessee last weekend. It might just be a snapshot of things to come from Harvin, who also had four catches for a game-high 120 yards. He had 75 rushing yards against the Volunteers.
"We wanted to come out and feel where our team was at this year," Harvin said. "We have a lot of young players so we were waiting for Tennessee to come just to get a feel what things are about this year.
"We found out we're pretty good so now we just have to keep working at it so we can get back to the top…It feels good to finally compete in a game so I'm looking forward to just keep rising to the top."
Harvin, who has recently dealt with knee and Achilles tendonitis, was used all over the place last season. That's when his health allowed him to play. Back at full strength, Harvin is used mainly as a wide receiver this season but will also be utilized anywhere Florida feels it can exploit his speed.
Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow can attest to Harvin's pass-catching ability improving after an off-season of working with him. That's why Tebow felt comfortable launching the ball from Florida's end zone and hooking up with Harvin for a 49-yard reception against Tennessee. Later in that drive, Harvin scored on his 19-yard run to give the Gators a 42-20 lead.
"He spent a lot of time in the off-season working on becoming a wide receiver, not just a football player," Tebow said. "He really got better. His route-running, catching with his hands, catching the harder ball. He did a really good job. He improved immensely."
Harvin and the third-ranked Gators visit Ole Miss (1-2, 0-1) for an 11:30 a.m. local kickoff Saturday. It will be Florida's first road game this season. Harvin said there is little chance the Gators will overlook this matchup.
"Coach (Urban Meyer) is not going to let that happen," he said. "One of the reasons we wanted to come out and have a long, hard practice (Tuesday) is to make sure, we beat Tennessee, but not to get complacent, keep working hard."
Dunlap willing to move
Freshman defensive end Carlos Dunlap, listed at 6-foot-6, wants to help the team and he also wants to get on the field so he's open to the experiment of moving him to defensive tackle in certain situations. Meyer said earlier this week the team worked with Dunlap at that position.
"He's a big body, maybe knock a ball down or something," Meyer said. "We're searching and (defensive line) coach (Greg) Mattison will find it. Maybe it might just be in passing situations but we're still experimenting with it."
Dunlap, who played some defensive tackle and nose guard at North Charleston (S.C.) Fort Dorchester, seemed open to the move after Wednesday's practice. He came to Florida weighing 290 and lost about 20 pounds in preseason camp. Dunlap said he plans to stay in the 270-275 range.
"That's what makes it fun," Dunlap said about his move to defensive tackle. "You get lower than them. They expect you to come up high so that makes it easier…(Derrick Harvey) is in good shape and he can go the whole game in the heat or whatever so I came in looking for an opening anywhere to come in and help out the team until next year when my role will step up. Watching (Harvey) in practice every day is going to help me next year."