GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The lasting image many Florida faithful have of Gators receiver Brandon Powell is his catch-and-run 77-yard touchdown reception against Ole Miss last season.
Powell's playmaking ability sparkled for a sold-out Swamp to see why Powell was such a coveted recruit out of Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High. It was a glimpse of what Powell can do when healthy. Brandon Powell
Early in his career at UF, Florida's medical staff discovered a lingering foot injury that has hampered Powell in his two seasons. He has worn a specially designed shoe to help alleviate symptoms, but after last season, Powell had surgery to repair a cracked bone in his foot and missed spring practice.
As he enters his third season, Powell is hopeful he can make more plays like the one against Ole Miss. He caught 29 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns a season ago as he transitioned from running back to slot receiver.
Here is our Three and Out with Powell:
Q: How much do you expect the foot surgery to help on the field?
A: Learning about that foot and having that crack in my foot and having to play the whole season last year with basically a broken foot, it's good to be healthy. I can cut when I want to cut and run as fast as I want to run. It's going to be a good year.
Q: In your view what is a good junior season for you personally?
A: Just winning, that's all I care about. The stats, they are going to come. A good season for myself is just winning. We don't want to end up like we did last year, losing the last couple of games we played. The mindset this year is just to come in focused, be ready and just play our ball."
Q: What do you do to get away from football when you have a chance?
A: I just like to go by the lake and hang out, kayak. That's pretty much all I do in my free time, especially around here in Gainesville. I like to fish. When I'm back home I always go fishing with my uncle. Around here, I don't know of any good fishing spots, so I just go to the lake and hang out.
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SCOUTING THE RECEIVERS
Antonio Callaway proved to be Florida's most dangerous offensive weapon as a freshman. (File photo)
Player to Watch: You can't talk about this group without mentioning sophomore Antonio Callaway as the potential difference maker. He was last season, breaking the school record for most receiving yards (678) for a true freshman and returning two punts for touchdowns. While Callaway returned to the team during summer workouts, his status for the season remains uncertain due to an undisclosed off-the-field incident.
Newcomer to watch: Six-foot-2, 189-pound freshman Tyrie Cleveland has size, speed and the ability to outrun defensive backs or outleap them. Cleveland averaged 21.3 yards per catch as a senior at Westfield (Texas) High and was ranked among the top prep receiving prospects in the country.
Overview: The Gators lost their top two receivers from head coach Jim McElwain's first season in Demarcus Robinson, who declared for the NFL Draft, and veteran tight end Jake McGee. Callaway's thorny offseason and Powell's surgery meant Florida was limited at the position in spring camp. If Callaway is eligible, Powell is healthy and Cleveland is as good as advertised, the receiving corps has a strong foundation. If not, there are plenty of newcomers who could have golden opportunities to play right away, including Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond, a pair of true freshmen who enrolled early. Another new face in the spring was junior-college transfer Dre Massey, who looked impressive and is expected be a factor in the regular rotation his first season at UF. Rick Wells is another freshman receiver who joined the program over the summer after helping Jacksonville Raines High make the state championship game as a senior. Look for junior tight end DeAndre Goolsby to assert himself more in the offense. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Goolsby is athletic and has a knack for getting open down the field. Behind Goolsby the trio of C'yontai Lewis, Moral Stephens and Camrin Knight offers depth and versatility. Others in the mix at wide receiver include seniors Ahmad Fulwood and Chris Thompson, redshirt freshman Kalif Jackson and junior C.J. Worton, who opened some eyes with a leaping touchdown catch against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Holdovers Ryan Sousa and Alvin Bailey transferred.
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Thursday, November 13
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Media Availability | Ole MissFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Media Availability | Ole Miss
