Notebook: Norman attracts Gators’ attention

Florida coach Urban Meyer and his team usually only spend Sundays looking at film on opposing teams’ special teams.

This week, Meyer broke the film out again Tuesday.

Meyer’s extra careful attention to detail this week came because of Vanderbilt’s Warren Norman.

The freshman became only the second player in SEC history to record three touchdowns on kickoff returns in a season when he took a kick 80 yards for a score last week in the second quarter against Georgia Tech. In just nine games, Norman became Vandy’s all-time leader in single-season kickoff return yardage (852). He needs 51 return yards to break the SEC all-time record set by Arkansas’ Dennis Johnson in 2008.

“I’ve never seen a freshman return three kickoffs for touchdowns and it’s not against one of those smaller schools. It’s against SEC opponents,” Meyer said during the weekly SEC coaches call Wednesday.

Vandy coach Bobby Johnson said Wednesday that he was surprised to see Norman tie former Tennessee returner Willie Gault’s (1980) record as a freshman, but he’s not surprised at how talented Norman is as a player. He saw the potential in high school and watched it carry over to offseason practices.

Still, Johnson’s pretty impressed with what he’s seen from the young guy.

“We expected him to really do well,” Johnson said, “but to be this far, to do this well, this fast, was a pleasant surprise.”

The Gators are only giving up 19.5 yards per kick return, but one of their top gunners could be sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Freshman running back Mike Gillislee isn’t expected to practice in full until today, but Meyer said he could play Saturday.

“To stop this returner, we’re going to need a guy like that,” Meyer said of Gillislee.

With what Norman’s done this season, Meyer considers him a strong SEC Freshman of the Year candidate.

“If I had a vote, right now, from what I’ve seen … he’d get my vote,” he said. “To have three kickoff returns (for touchdowns) as a true freshman (is impressive). We have a hell of a returner and I don’t think he has three in his career.”

Vandy injuries

The Commodores will literally limp into Gainesville to play No. 1 Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC). Vandy has been ravaged by injuries, including losing quarterback Larry Smith (hamstring tear), tight end Austin Monahan (knee), offensive tackle James Williams (ankle) and safety Ryan Hamilton (chest) for the season. Vandy also lost defensive end Steven Stone for most of the season to a broken foot.

Whether they’ve been serious or nagging, Johnson said this has been one of the most injury-riddled teams he’s coached.

“For injuries and other reasons, we’ve lost a great many players that we were counting on this year,” he said.

“You have to dig deep down into your depth, or lack of depth, and try to get some players ready to go.”

Rainey good

Meyer said running back Chris Rainey (shoulder) should play Saturday.

“He’s going to play,” he said. “He’s probable.

“He’s going to go unless there’s a setback.”

Haden honored

Junior cornerback Joe Haden became one of 12 semifinalists Wednesday for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best college defensive back.

The list will be narrowed again Nov. 23, to three finalists, who will be invited to the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.

Haden is third on the team with 43 total tackles, including four for loss and tied for second with two interceptions.