---------- Original Message --------
Subject: [gatornews] [SUN]: 5/21 16:00 --- Brantley not the
first to replace a Gator QB icon [Andreu]
From: "Shane Ford" <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2010 10:05 pm
To: "GATORNEWS" <[email protected]>
--Brantley not the first to replace a Gator QB icon
Published: Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.
It's your Daily Football Fix! Gainesville Sun staff writers are here to help get you through the long, hot summer with a daily dose of college football. The series runs every day until the start of fall practice. Enjoy!
John Brantley faces the daunting task of replacing a legendary Florida football player and former Heisman-winning quarterback this fall. He is not the first to go through this.
Two other Florida quarterbacks faced the same challenge — Jackie Eckdahl in 1967 and Doug Johnson in in 1997.
Here's a look at how those two fared:
Eckdahl was a highly rated quarterback prospect coming out of Gainesville High in 1966 — and the heir apparent to Steve Spurrier, who won the Heisman during Eckdahl's freshman season in 1966. Many were hopeful that the Gators would not miss a beat with Eckdahl taking over at quarterback in 1967, and he had a solid first start in a victory over Illinois to open the season. But it was a struggle the rest of the way for Eckdahl. He broke his leg during a scrimmage and missed the second half of his sophomore season. In 1968, his junior year, Eckdahl ended up being the backup to Larry Rentz, a former safety. By the time John Reaves and the Super Sophs came along in 1969, Eckdahl had moved to defense, where he was playing strong safety.
In 1997, it was Doug Johnson's turn to replace a legend — Danny Wuerffel. The former Gainesville Buchholz star got off to a promising start, but faltered in an upset loss at LSU in the sixth game of the season, then was suspended for a game (Auburn) for a violation of team rules the Thursday night before the LSU game. Johnson was an on-again, off-again starter the rest of his UF career, starting 16 more games over his last two-and-a-half seasons. Still, Johnson managed to throw for 7,114 yards and 62 touchdowns in a solid Gator career.
Brantley, of course, is the next in line to replace a UF quarterback legend — Tim Tebow. To say the least, it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next two seasons.
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
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
