Can't believe they didn't mention those tattoos. WTH do those on his arms say anyway?
Cee ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: gatortalk googlegroups Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:25 PM Subject: [gatortalk] Spikes One of the Scariest Defenders around April 8, 2009 Olin Buchanan Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer The dreadlocks, Fu Manchu-like mustache, menacing stare and muscular 6-foot-3, 258-pound frame make Florida All-American linebacker Brandon Spikes look like a beast. He plays like one, too. Brandon Spikes is one of the most dominating defenders in the country. "I want to have a presence," Spikes said. "The guys tell me, 'You look like a beast.' Even in Pop Warner I was trying to intimidate people. "I'm not going to say names, but there are times after a few snaps I've looked at [opponents'] faces and could see a look like, 'I got to go against this guy all day?' I've hit [running] backs and the look in their eyes tells me they felt me on that play." Spikes' blend of ability, attitude and appearance gives him a triple shot of intimidation and combines to make him the scariest player in college football. "Scariest" can have various definitions. It could be defined as an active player that offenses have to account for on every play. It could be a ballhawk who can steal passes and take them for touchdowns. It might be a bone-jarring tackler or a hard-charging pass rusher. Spikes fits all those descriptions. Last season, he had 93 tackles to lead the national-champion Gators. He had four interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns. And ask former Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno - or just check YouTube - for proof of jarring tackles. "When he gets to the point of attack, he gets there with a bad attitude," former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "That's what you want. You've got to have great instincts, and one thing I noticed watching him play is he's very instinctive. "He reminds me a lot of [Baltimore Ravens All-Pro] Ray Lewis. A lot of times he's out of control. He freelances, but that's what good linebackers do. He's the heart and soul of that group. I coached linebackers 19 years and he's about as good as any I've seen." Spikes is flattered by the comparisons to Lewis, but said he patterns his game after another player who inspired fear years before Spikes was born. "I would say I like guys like [Pro Football Hall of Famer] Dick Butkus. He was relentless and fearless," Spikes said. "When I was small, I saw an HBO special on him. He was flying around out there making plays. It was crazy. "I didn't know anything about playing linebacker then, but I wanted to model my game after him. He was a beast." Spikes has some beastly characteristics, too. The dreadlocks that hang out behind his helmet add to his intimidating persona. Some fans and teammates in Gainesville call him "Predator" because they say the dreads make Spikes look similar to the ominous character in the movie "Alien vs. Predator." "You can look intimidating," Spikes said. "But you've got to perform." Spikes does both. Scariest players LB Brandon Spikes, Florida: A big hitter who's equally adept in run and pass defense. He had four interceptions and six pass breakups last season, and also had 93 tackles. DE Jerry Hughes, TCU: His decision to return for his senior season was a surprise. Hughes earned recognition by leading the nation with 15 sacks, including four against BYU's senior-dominated line. His final sack helped preserve a Poinsettia Bowl victory over Boise State. Eric Berry is a game-changer. SS Eric Berry, Tennessee: Although he plays defense, Berry was one of Tennessee's greatest offensive threats last year. He had seven interceptions for 265 return yards - a record 37.9 yards per return. His yardage would have made him the Vols' fourth most-productive receiver. DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss: Foot surgery forced Hardy to miss four games last season, but he still posted a team-high 8.5 sacks. He had 10 sacks in '07. If he maintains his focus - which has been a problem - he could lead the SEC in sacks this season. DE George Selvie, USF: His sack total dropped to 5.5 in '08 from 14.5 in '07. Blame constant double-teaming. He's still a fearsome rusher. No one looks forward to facing him. FS Taylor Mays, USC: Would you want to go over the middle with a 6-3, 230-pound free safety lurking? A two-time All-American, Mays packs a powerful punch and always seems to be in the right place. LB Mark Herzlich, Boston College: Painting his face with eye black adds to his intimidating presence, but it's really not needed. The reigning ACC defensive player of the year, Herzlich made 110 tackles last season, including 81 solo stops. He also led the nation's linebackers with six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. DT Terrence Cody, Alabama: The Crimson Tide ranked second nationally in rushing defense last season and Cody was a big reason - literally and figuratively. Cody, a 6-5, 365-pound wall, is the country's premier run-stuffer. He likely would have been a first-round NFL draft choice, but he opted to return for his senior season. DE/LB Sergio Kindle, Texas: Once a highly regarded five-star linebacker prospect, Kindle had 10 sacks while spending time at linebacker and defensive end last season. He had a sack and forced an interception against Oklahoma. He's expected to get more work at end in '09. DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: He possesses stunning quickness for someone of his size, which makes him arguably the country's best inside pass rusher. McCoy is mobile enough to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=933189 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
