With one ankle-breaking juke and a 74-yard touchdown last week against Hawaii, Florida junior Brandon James is proving that his brilliant punt returns are becoming the norm.
But James wants you to expect more. He certainly expects more of himself through his efforts to shed the label of just a return man. The way James sees it, he can be just as dangerous as a running back or receiver entering Saturday's game against Miami in the Swamp.
"I feel like I have something to prove,"
James said. "Each day I carry that on my shoulders."
Florida coaches are starting to notice. James scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run up the middle for the game's first score.
James carried the ball three times for 16 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards.
Coach Urban Meyer said the Gators will rely on a goal-line package where RB/FB Kestahn Moore blocks for James.
QB Tim Tebow, who played against James during his high school days in the St. Augustine area, said James is capable of making all the necessary catches in the offense.
But after more than 1,900 career yards and two touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns, it's obvious not everyone can do what James does best.
"Most of the time I'm going back to sit on the bench because he's returning it for a touchdown,"
Tebow said. "It's special. It really is."
Tired?
How's this for a cardio workout: LB Brandon Hicks ran 19 special-teams plays for 895 yards against Hawaii.
Meyer had no idea until he saw the evidence — heavy breathing. "I looked at that young guy out of the blue on the sideline and he is completely exhausted,"
Meyer said.
Hicks, who was recruited heavily by Miami, will see more time at linebacker and less time on special teams for his efforts, Meyer said.
"You start on special teams and you work your way up,"
Hicks said. "There have been a lot of great players here that have started on special teams."
Injury report
WR Percy Harvin (heel) looks "100 percent ready to go"
after going through a full practice Monday. On Sunday, Meyer elevated the status of LB Brandon Spikes (toe) from questionable to probable. LB Ryan Stamper (broken thumb) and G Jim Tartt (shoulder) are questionable.
JEREMY FOWLER
