As it turns out, dancing isn’t the only talent Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley can boast of in addition to football. He can sing, too.
When asked what his feelings are about “Rocky Top,” an American bluegrass song that has been played by the University of Tennessee’s marching band since the early 1970s, Easley responded by saying he isn’t a fan.
“Do you listen to it?” Easley said. “How do you feel about it? There you go.”
Despite his lack of affection for the song, Easley admitted he sometimes sings it while playing against the Volunteers. He will have his final chance to hear it played when Florida faces Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“Something gets so annoying, you gotta make the best out of it,” Easley said. “I don’t know if (opponents) consider it a taunt, but I just do it for my own enjoyment.”
Easley and the Gators’ defensive line will have their hands full against the Volunteers. Through three games this season, Tennessee has allowed just two sacks — tied for the fewest in the Southeastern Conference.
“This will be the best offensive line we will face this year,” UF coach Will Muschamp said. “Our guys felt that way last year after we played them.”
Easley totaled one tackle and two quarterback hurries during Florida’s 37-20 win over Tennessee in Knoxville last season. In 2013, the senior defensive tackle has four tackles, two of which have gone for a loss, and three quarterback hurries.
Florida is first in the SEC in total defense, allowing 208.5 yards per game this season.
“Our goal is not to let an offense score, period,” Easley said. “Once we manage to get that stat, we could say we have one of the best defenses.”
Florida mostly healthy: UF junior quarterback Jeff Driskel spent time on crutches during UF's bye week after suffering a sprained left knee in the second quarter of a 21-16 loss at Miami on Sept. 7.
On Monday, Driskel walked without a limp and said he was feeling fine.
“It got high-lowed, got stuck in the ground a little bit,” Driskel said. “It could have been a lot worse, so that’s the good news. It’s feeling a lot better now, and I’ll be ready to go (against Tennessee).”
Driskel finished the game against the Hurricanes, throwing for a career-high 291 yards on 22-of-33 passing.
Sophomore running back Matt Jones, who missed all of training camp and Florida’s season opener against Toledo due to a viral infection, made his season debut against Miami, rushing 18 times for 47 yards and fumbling once.
Jones said he was less than 100 percent against the Hurricanes and felt some discomfort after missing an extended period of time. He expects a better performance against Tennessee after enjoying an extra week to fully recover.
“Monday through Friday was the best practice I’ve had so far,” Jones said.
Muschamp said cornerback Marcus Roberson (knee) and right guard Jon Halapio (pectoral muscle) should be fine for Tennessee. Right Tackle Tyler Moore (ankle) is expected to practice Tuesday or Wednesday.
Depth chart released: After getting torched on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Miami quarterback Stephen Morris to wide receiver Phillip Dorsett in the first quarter of Florida's loss Sept. 7, Gators redshirt freshman safety Marcus Maye is no longer a starter.
Senior Jaylen Watkins is now listed as a starting safety alongside redshirt junior Cody Riggs. Juniors Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy are UF’s top two cornerbacks.
“You just can’t give up big plays,” Muschamp said of his reasoning for switching safeties. “We can’t afford that to happen.”
Maye also missed a tackle that led to a Miami first down later in the game. He is listed behind Watkins as the No. 2 safety.
“You’ve gotta tackle better,” Muschamp said. “Marcus knows that. Jaylen’s played well at safety for us. He will still play some corner.”
Other changes in the depth chart include Antonio Morrison replacing Michael Taylor as the first-string “Mike,” or middle, linebacker and Halapio being listed as the starting right guard.
Game time announced: Florida's game against Kentucky on Sept. 28 will kick off at 7 p.m., the SEC announced Monday. The game will be shown on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
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