Coach Urban Meyer is done saying hello to running back Emmanuel Moody.
But it's not a bad sign. Meyer just has a different way these days of acknowledging Moody, Florida's presumed leader at running back heading into spring practice.
"I walk by him and say, 'Boy, I hope you're really good,'" Meyer said Wednesday at his pre-spring news conference. "I don't know what else to say. I know he's doing fine and I ask how he's doing in classes and everything is fine. I hope he's really, really, really good. I don't know if he is.
"There's not a better person as far as in-depth conversations, extremely articulate, very smart, very religious. He wants to be a pastor someday. The substance is unbelievable. I hope he's really good. I mean, really good."
Moody, a Southern California transfer, will get a shot to be the mainstay at running back when spring practice starts in two weeks. It was a position of disappointment last season, Meyer said.
Sophomore quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow was the team's leading rusher with 895 yards and 23 touchdowns on 210 attempts. Percy Harvin, a sophomore wide receiver, had 764 yards and six scores. Junior Kestahn Moore had 580 yards and six touchdowns on 104 carries.
Florida has a new running backs coach in Kenny Carter, who was hired after Stan Drayton left for a similar position at Tennessee. Carter, along with Moody, should add a fresh approach to the backfield.
Meyer said Moore had a strong off-season as did Chris Rainey, who is up to 174 pounds but has to prove he can hang on to the ball after contact. Brandon James, Florida's return specialist, and others should get a chance in spring practice as well.
"I'm very proud of the way Kenny has handled it so far and I'm anxious to see the development of a group that has been very disappointing as far as production," Meyer said. "There are good players there. There are some who can become great players and they have not done that.
"I keep hearing about a 1,000-yard rusher. We would've had one last year if we took care of the football a little bit better. Kenny Carter has done a great job so far. I'm anxious to see how he does this spring and the development of that position and how we recruit at that position."
Big off-season for some players
Offensive lineman Jason Watkins had a fine year and it carried over to the off-season. The coaches expect him to be a leader on the line next season and Meyer said director of strength and conditioning Mickey Marotti told him Watkins might be the most improved player as far as attitude that's he's ever seen.
"He's the same guy that quit multiple times," Meyer said. "He's going to graduate from Florida and have a career in the NFL and be one of the leaders on our team that will hopefully compete for a championship."
Also on offense, Meyer said quarterback Cameron Newton has had a good off-season. Moody and Moore have stood out in the backfield and wide receiver Deonte Thompson has also garnered attention.
"Coach Marotti has given (Thompson) a '10' as far as attitude in the off-season," Meyer said. "He's one of the top names."
Tight end Cornelius Ingram, who flirted with leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft, has also been a standout. Meyer said Ingram will have more of a tight end role this season where he won't be flexed out as much. Ingram has reportedly gained a lot of strength without gaining much weight.
Defensively, linemen John Brown and Lawrence Marsh have impressed. Cornerback Jacques Rickerson has improved in both attitude and approach and safety Dorian Munroe had a solid off-season.
Meyer was told linebacker A.J. Jones was a '10' this off-season but said he's not buying it until he sees Jones in spring practice. Jones will wear a cast on his surgically repaired wrist. He should be a full-go this spring. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap has also been one of the top off-season performers.
"Carlos Dunlap is not a 10, he started off as a minus-3 as far as weight room and understanding all that," Meyer said. "He's up to a 5 or 6 as far as development as a guy in the weight room. His ability level, the term around here is freak. He's a freak as far as ability level, strength. He's a good student and a good person. He's just got to become a big football player."
Injuries heading into spring practice
Quarterback John Brantley has an injured left (non-throwing) shoulder that should keep him out for the first few days of spring practice but he should return shortly thereafter. Brantley will be in the mix with Newton for the backup job to Tebow.
Offensive lineman Phil Trautwein will not practice this spring because of bone spurs in his right ankle. Linebacker Ryan Stamper has a shoulder injury and will be re-evaluated in the second week of spring drills.
Freshman offensive lineman Matt Patchan had shoulder surgery about six weeks ago and Meyer said Patchan will play as a true freshman if the coaching staff's talent assessment of him is correct.
Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt will have surgery to remove a bone spur and he's dealt with stingers. Meyer said Hurt cut weight and had a tremendous off-season and his return in the fall is critical.
James Wilson, another offensive lineman, has a sprained left knee and won't practice this spring. Wilson has asked to transfer but Meyer said he will not grant the release yet.
Simon Codrington has a wrist injury and won't be ready for spring ball. Javier Estopinan had his third anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and Meyer said Estopinan is doing great. Brandon Antwine will miss the spring and might be back for the fall as he deals with back issues.