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Florida RB Deshawn Wynn

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8/12/06

UF's Wynn says he's ready
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BY DAVID JONES
FLORIDA TODAY
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GAINESVILLE - The last player to appear Friday at Florida's media day created the biggest scramble from reporters.
Senior tailback DeShawn Wynn, who didn't agree to interviews last season, showed up for the gathering and promised he's back. Now the Gators hope Wynn's running skills have returned with him.
"I'm going on my fifth year," Wynn said. "I never thought I'd last five years in college, you know? What can you do? I'm still here."
Other people doubted he'd be around much longer after his first season running the ball.
Wynn rushed for 540 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2003. His seven rushing touchdowns were third-most in UF history by a freshman, behind only Emmitt Smith (13 in 1987) and Fred Taylor in 1994. His coming-out party was a 100-yard game against Miami.
Then the party seemed to slowly fizzle out. His sophomore season, Wynn had just 217 yards. Last fall, he split time with several backs and ran for 621 yards. But along the way, lofty expectations seemed to go unmatched after various problems on and off the field.
"I really didn't build on it after that," Wynn said of the Miami game that included a 65-yard touchdown run. "I was young then. I really didn't think much of it, just running the ball. But I would have liked to have had more games like that, been more consistent. But unfortunately my career hasn't been like that."
As a fifth-year senior, he realizes it's his last shot at leaving his mark in the program. His secret to success this fall? Wynn thinks it's Gators head coach Urban Meyer.
"I regret that I didn't have a coach like coach Meyer to push me, to get me to understand what needs to be done," Wynn said. "Coach (Ron) Zook was a good coach, but I never really got pushed by him. Coach Meyer does a good job of that. I think if I had coach Meyer the whole time, I would have been all right."
Wynn, a native of Cincinnati, turns 23 in October. He chose Florida over Ohio State, after Maurice Clarett committed to the Buckeyes the same year. He has watched from afar as Clarett has run into problems through the years.
"I think it's unfortunate," Wynn said of Clarett. "He's a good guy, but he has a lot going on in his mind. . . . It's just hard seeing him go through that, being how he was coming out of high school and his first year in college. It's just sad to see anybody go down like that."
Wynn wants to finish his college career the way Clarett started his. His motto, it seems, has become . . . better late that never.
Buying protection
Gator quarterback Chris Leak won't reveal how much insurance he has bought, but he is protected for the 2006 season.
He's one of several. Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas has a $2 million policy. Ray McDonald and Andre Caldwell both have $1 million insurance polices that protect their NFL futures from injury. Caldwell is a junior, and the rest are seniors.
Eyes on Brown
Junior defensive end Jarvis Moss led UF last year with 7.5 quarterback sacks in 11 games. He's well aware Alex Brown set the school mark with 13 in 1999.
"I think it would be cool to do something like that, kind of set a new record around here for somebody else to come on and break throughout the years," Moss said.
He's been watching video of Indianapolis Colts star Dwight Freeney and plans to study others on tape to learn new moves.
"I watched Freeney on film one night and came out the next day and tried something he did, and it worked for me," Moss said.
Looking for love
With Florida looking for help at running back, true freshman Chevon Walker is waiting anxiously for a chance.
"I've got to go out and perform in practice," said Walker, who rushed for 2,027 yards and 31 touchdowns at Riverdale High School in Fort Myers last year. "And whatever happens, happens. You've got to be humble. You can't be talking . . . and wait until your time gets there."
Injury update
Gators coach Urban Meyer said freshman defensive tackle Terron Sanders has a sprained neck. Sanders was hit in the head at practice Thursday and taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was treated and released.
Freshman quarterback Tim Tebow has developed tendonitis in his throwing shoulder. Meyer said it was from throwing too much.
"Tim Tebow's worst enemy," said Meyer, "is Tim Tebow."
Instant impact
True freshman Brandon James, who is only 5-foot-7, has created a lot of excitement. He may run back punts and kicks. Palm Bay junior Reggie Nelson will also run back punts.
Crum stands out
Co-defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said senior linebacker Brian Crum has been the most improved player "at this point."
"Even the players, we sit in here and watch tape, and everyone is noticing Brian Crum," Strong said.
Contact Jones at 242-3682 or [email protected]
 
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Cincy

Reading roots for Wynn
BY BILL KOCH | [email protected]

Back when he was playing at Reading High School, DeShawn Wynn was having a minor disagreement with football coach Ken Minor, so Minor pulled him aside and had a little chat with him.
?I said, ?DeShawn, the Lord has reached down and touched you right on the head with more ability than one person should have,?.? Minor said Thursday.
?This isn?t about you being good here in high school, but about you being good in college and in the pros. As long as I?ve been in coaching, I?ve never seen a player with as much God-given ability as you have. You were put on this earth to do this.? ?

Continued.....
 
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