Freshmen make adjustments

Nick Alajajian had yet to put his pads on before the Web message board rumors started.

The story goes that Florida’s freshman offensive lineman just happened to be not working out as hard as he could on the wrong day. A day in which senior captain Brandon Spikes was working out at the same time.

Once Spikes saw Alajajian dogging it, he approached the 6-foot-4, 288-pounder and grabbed him by the neck and pinned him against the wall, noticeably upset by the lack of effort.

But after UF’s first spring practice of the year, Alajajian laughed when asked about the story and said the rumor was “not true at all” and that both players are just fine with each other.

“Somebody told me about that,” Alajajian said of the message board story. “I read it and laughed so hard because that never happened. You can ask Spikes because he never did that to me.”

It’s one of those tall tales that are conjured up in people’s minds to rattle others and it’s one of the things Alajajian and his fellow freshmen will have to get used to now that they are a part of such a high-profile program. Unfortunately for him and the four other (Jon Bostic, Dee Finley, Jonotthan Harrison and Desmond Parks) early enrolled freshmen, that’s not the only adversity they’ll face this spring.

Some have weight issues. Others are getting used to a new playing style or position.

For Bostic, if making the transition from safety wasn’t hard enough, he has to learn how to play the most important position on defense: inside linebacker.

“‘Mike’ (linebacker) is calling the plays most of the time, telling everybody what to do,” Bostic said. “If I’m the new guy and not knowing what to do makes it harder on me.”

To enhance the learning process, Bostic has acted as Spikes’ shadow in practice, following his every move and swallowing each tip thrown his way. While it’s been a process for him through the first few days of practice, just being at one spot on the field is a relief.

“Most of the time (in high school) I was all over the field playing safety, corner, everything,” said Bostic, who is up to 235 pounds. “Now I’m at a position.”

Parks, a tight end, doesn’t have to worry about adjusting to a new position, but he is looking to adjust to the added bulk he’s expected to put on this spring. He reported to UF in January weighing only 207 pounds, but said he’s already up to 234. He’s still a bit slender and he knows that he’s got some room to grow, which can only help him as he develops over the next few months.

“To be the best in the nation, you have to do the best things so working hard and coming out every day and giving it my all,” Parks said. “I’m still gaining weight and just doing the best I can.”

So while Alajajian’s doesn’t have to learn how to use his hands to defend himself in case of an actual confrontation with Spikes, he, like the rest of his classmates, has his own on-field adjustments to make.

Dealing with much bigger athletes only about a month before his scheduled senior prom has been tough for Alajajian and to find anyway of slowing them down, he’s had to completely change his blocking methods.

“(The coaches) are really detailed with the technique,” he said. “Unlike high school, you could get away (from using proper technique) because (players) are a lot smaller, but not with these big guys out here.”