August 27, 2007
Adam Gorney
GatorBait.net Assistant Editor
It was a slight slip of the tongue but when it is coach Urban Meyer's tongue and there are dozens of reporters in the room, it's noteworthy. At Monday's news conference, Meyer was asked if he could comment on the status of sophomore running back Emmanuel Moody, who is transferring to Florida. He said he could not.
"He's not here yet," Meyer said. "Or he's not here. Oops."
Moody decided to transfer to Florida instead of UNC.
He might not be at Florida yet but he's coming. Moody, who transferred out of Southern California about two weeks ago, picked the Gators instead of North Carolina and will be eligible to play in 2008. He'll be able to practice with the team this season and is in the process of enrolling at the school.
"I just felt like Florida had everything I wanted with the coaching staff, the atmosphere and the players," Moody told GatorBait.net. "Coach Meyer seems like an honest and trustworthy guy. He showed a real interest in me…(Running backs) Coach (Stan) Drayton seemed like a down-to-earth guy. He knows his stuff. He's coached great players like Brian Westbrook. Trust was the biggest issue with me and I felt comfortable with the coaching staff and coach Drayton."
Moody, a sophomore from Coppell, Texas, who visited Florida Thursday, finished second at Southern California last season with 459 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 79 carries. He also caught three passes for 39 yards, starting four games as a freshman.
Injuries forced him to miss the final four games of last season and most of spring practice. A bruised knee kept him out of fall camp recently. He was one of 10 tailbacks listed on Southern California's roster. Texas and Oklahoma State were considered early in the transfer process as well.
Moore looks to step up
Moody might challenge for playing time next season but junior running back Kestahn Moore is Florida's No. 1 back entering 2007 and he said Monday he's ready to get started. Meyer has raved about Moore's work ethic and improvement this off-season. Drayton has done the same.
"Being my junior year, the season is going fast for me," Moore said. "Seems like yesterday, it was my freshman year. I'm just excited to get back on the field and into the stadium.
"Coach Drayton put me in the role (of) being the leader of the running back group. Not just being the leader of the running back group, they wanted me as an experienced back being with the Florida Gators, this being my third year, to carry them and carry the whole team."
Fayson excited about opportunities
Sophomore Jarred Fayson, who was one of the standout wide receivers in spring and fall practice, realizes every pass won't be coming his way. Florida has too many talented receivers to focus on just getting him the ball. That's why when it's thrown to him he wants to do something productive.
"When your number is called you have to make a play because we have two big-time guys, Bubba (Caldwell) and Percy (Harvin)," Fayson said. "A lot of teams will be watching those two guys so if the opportunity comes for any of the other guys you just have to make the play and that will level out the playing field so teams can't just focus on two guys."
Anderson Injury Report
Meyer said sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson sustained a sprained right knee in he Saturday's practice. If Anderson cannot play Saturday against Western Kentucky, expect freshman Joe Haden and sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis to start at cornerback. If he can go, Anderson and Haden should start. Meyer said he should know more Wednesday about Anderson's status.