Published August 14, 2012 - 8:34am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
SDS is going to be looking at all 14 teams’ comeback players: one on offense and one on defense. These players were either injured or had an underachieving season in 2011 and looking to get back on track.
Florida
Offense: TE Jordan Reed
Jordan Reed has all the ability in the world from an athletic standpoint to be an All-SEC tight end and a future pro prospect. His athleticism is second to none around the Florida program, but he just hasn’t put it all together yet. Reed entered Florida as a quarterback, but Urban Meyer switched him to tight end and then moved him back to quarterback when Florida struggled in 2010. Will Muschamp moved him back to tight end last year for the remainder of his career, thinking he could be a dominant tight end. Reed has caught a combined 34 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns in his career. He should be a 45- to 50-catch player and a difference-maker. He’s not the best blocking tight end, but he will give any SEC linebacker fits with his quickness. Reed looks to make a splash in 2012.
Defense: LB/DE Lerentee McCray
Lerentee McCray returns in 2012 after missing the entire spring with a shoulder injury that kept him out of a few games last year. He’s one of Florida’s main pieces to Muschamp’s defense. He will be filling in for the injured Ronald Powell at Muschamp’s coveted BUCK position – a hybrid defensive end and linebacker. McCray is entering his senior year, and he’s finally ready to break out and become the prospect Florida recruited him to be. He made 7.5 tackles-for-loss last year and made 24 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. McCray entered as a linebacker at 202 pounds, but he has beefed up to 252 and ready for his last hurrah. He gives Muschamp and company some flexibility until Powell returns. Even then, McCray will still be a big piece to the Gators’ 2012 defense.
