With linebacker Jelani Jenkins expected to miss Florida’s bowl game, freshman Antonio Morrison will have a chance to step into a starting role.
Jenkins broke a bone in his right foot in Saturday’s win against Florida State and underwent surgery Monday morning.
The injury created an opening at weak-side linebacker for Morrison, who immediately cashed in on his opportunity. With UF trailing 20-16 in the fourth quarter, Morrison delivered a crushing hit to quarterback EJ Manuel, forcing a fumble. Dominique Easley recovered and Mike Gillislee scored a 37-yard touchdown on the next play to give the Gators a 23-20 lead.
“Antonio is a very instinctive, tough, physical player,” coach Will Muschamp said. “We knew he was the type of guy we wanted in our program.”
Coaches have raved about Morrison since fall camp, citing the toughness he brought from Bolingbrook High School in suburban Chicago.
Muschamp spoke highly of Morrison’s ability to diagnose running plays and react instinctively. Those skills have translated to the college game, as Morrison leads Florida’s non-starters with 30 tackles.
Jenkins’ injury also paves the way for Morrison to take the first-team reps in the month of practice leading up to UF’s bowl game. Muschamp is excited to see how Morrison handles the opportunity, citing the improvement Loucheiz Purifoy made in a similar situation last season. Purifoy did not start in 2011 but made five tackles in a Gator Bowl win against Ohio State, playing more snaps in place of an injured Marcus Roberson.
Purifoy has started all but one game in 2012 and is fourth on the team with 51 tackles. Muschamp believes the month of bowl practice was critical to his development.
“It’s huge for a young player to take steps forward,” Muschamp said. “They need to cherish this opportunity they’ve got sitting in front of them. … Certainly Antonio will take advantage of it.”
• Muschamp said he has a long list of candidates he plans to reach out to regarding UF’s opening at wide receivers coach.
Graduate assistant Bush Hamdan assumed the role after Aubrey Hill resigned in August.
Muschamp said he would support any member of his staff who had an opportunity to take on a higher-ranking position elsewhere, but added that he does not expect any staff changes.
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