After being harshly criticized in September for poor practice habits, receiver Andre Debose earned praise from Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease this week.
Early in the season, coach Will Muschamp said Debose had been absent from Florida’s offense due to poor practice habits and a failure to give consistent effort. Debose has since bucked those trends.
“He’s had really good practices,” Pease said Tuesday. “He’s healthy, he’s working hard and his attitude is right. He’s done some good, and we’re trying to get him involved in some things. He’s refocused, and hopefully he’s a guy that continues doing what he’s doing and you’ll see him out there.”
Since entering UF as a five-star recruit and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2009 high school class, according to Rivals, Debose has been a disappointment.
After catching 16 passes for a team-leading 432 yards and four touchdowns in 2011, Debose made only two receptions for 11 yards year. Debose has missed the past four games after suffering a hyper-extended knee in practice on Nov. 1.
Powell still out: Buck linebacker Ronald Powell is yet to return to practicing in pads after suffering a left ACL tear during Florida's spring game on April 7, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said on Wednesday. Powell underwent surgery during the summer, and in October he had a procedure to clean up the knee.
Senior Bowl invite: Running back Mike Gillislee accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, which will be held on Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala.
Recruiting: Offensive lineman Tyler Moore officially signed a letter of intent with Florida. Moore attended St. Petersburg College in Clearwater this semester after making four starts at right tackle and playing in nine games at Nebraska in 2011. Moore will be eligible to play at UF as a redshirt sophomore next season.
UF also signed defensive lineman Darious Cummings of East Mississippi Community College and offensive lineman Trenton Brown of Georgia Military College. Brown stands 6-feet-8 inches and weighs 363 pounds.
“He is a massive human being,’’ Muschamp said. “He’s got really good feet, really good change of direction.”
All three are expected to enroll in January and participate in spring practice.”
