Lucky guess. : )
Oliver Barry, CRS, GRI
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From: gatortalk@googlegroups.com [mailto:gatortalk@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Woody
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 7:54 AM
To: Gatortalk
Subject: [gatortalk] Re: [gatornews] [SUN]: Worton is putting it all together at receiver for Gators
Now.. i would swear someone mentioned to keep an eye on this one before. :)
On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 8:09 AM, Shane Ford <goufgators@bellsouth.net> wrote:
Worton is putting it all together at receiver for Gators
Florida receiver C.J. Worton is pushed out of bounds by linebacker Will Thomas during the Orange and Blue Debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in April 8. Worton has been preparing to have a breakout season in 2016. (Matt Stamey/The Gainesville Sun)
By Robbie Andreu
Gainesville SUN Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 5:20 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 5:20 p.m.
C.J. Worton made a statement with his leaping, acrobatic 46-yard touchdown reception between two Alabama defensive backs in last December's SEC Championship Game.
It was a statement to his coaches and teammates, to the fans and everyone else who saw the play. But more than anything else, it was a statement to himself.
It showed him that he can do this, he can make big-time plays, he can be the wide receiver everyone thought he was going to be coming out of South Dade High School in Homestead in 2014.
"Just for me to realize in my head that, 'Man these are some of the best DBs in the country. I guess I can really compete with anyone,' " Worton said. "I'm doing it every day against two of the best corners in the nation right now. Just me seeing all that and putting myself in a good position right now."
The junior finds himself in a good place for maybe the first time since he's been at UF. His first two years were definitely a disappointment, with a lot more time spent on the bench than on the field.
Before the SEC Championship Game, Worton had played in only seven games and caught just seven passes for 113 yards.
This isn't the way it was supposed to be for the one-time Florida State commitment. He was used to being somebody on the football field, a dynamic offensive player who led his high school to the Class 8A state title his senior year with three touchdown receptions in the championship game against Apopka.
Being a non-factor brought him down and filled him with self doubt.
There was speculation late last year that Worton would be transferring to another school after the season in hopes of rebooting his college career. He said he never quite reached that point.
"No, I never never thought about leaving," he said. "I understand (why there was speculation I was leaving), but no, I never thought about leaving. I love it here. I always had a good relationship with the coaches. I never wanted to leave.
"It was just upsetting for me personally because I had such high standards. That's what a lot of good players do. They set the standard real high. If you fall short of it, of course you're going to beat yourself up."
Worton beat himself up. Then he picked himself up.
"I just had to really dig deep and see how much I love the game, how much I wanted to play," he said. "That's when the change came. Since then, I've just run with it."
Even though he wasn't playing much, Worton refocused in the latter stages of last season. He worked harder, prepared himself better -- and when his opportunity finally came late in the game in Atlanta, he made the big play. He's hoping that touchdown has lit the spark that will turn his career around and lead to a breakout season in 2016.
"It gives me momentum," Worton said. "I'm ready now to pick up where I left off and really set the bar even higher, and hopefully I'll reach it this time."
Coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said Worton should set the bar higher, because he does have the talent and potential to achieve a higher standard.
"He's a phenomenal athlete and I think he's just starting to scratch the surface," Nussmeier said. "He's got a big, big upside and I'm really excited to see what kind of camp he'll have."
In his first two seasons, Worton has impressed the coaches with his skill set and some of the plays he's made in practice. He just hasn't done it consistently enough to make himself a factor in the offense.
Since December, Worton has been putting in the work to turn that around.
"I'll say one thing about C.J. He is another guy that has come a long, long ways," McElwain said. "He's a guy that I think even when you see his body, you'll see the importance of the nutrition piece, the importance of finishing everything you do and your attention to your daily detail.
"It will be interesting to see where it carries over. But he's had an outstanding summer; a guy that has really been a go-to guy for our (quarterbacks)."
Nussmeier said Worton has grown up and is now taking a more serious and more complete approach to the game.
"(He's had a) really, really good offseason," Nussmeier said. "C.J., I think as much as anything, has really started to get it. He's really maturing as a young man. Understanding how to take the things that he learns in the classroom when it comes to the game and apply it to the field, and how to physically put himself in the best shape by what he does in the weight room and conditioning and those type of things."
There have been obvious physical changes in Worton. He's added more than 25 pounds of muscle since he's been in Gainesville and is now up to 196 pounds on a 6-foot frame.
There have been some mental changes as well, thanks in part to that one big play last December.
"It shows me what I'm capable of and gives me a lot of confidence," he said. "I can't wait to get out there and start competing."
Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or robbie.andreu@gvillesun.com. Also check out Andreu's blog at Gatorsports.com.
Sent From Shane's iPhone
Go Gators! & Skål Vikes!
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1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions |
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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)
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