UF cornerback hopeful for spring

<p>This is the time of year when professional baseball players all around the state of Florida are talking about how great the spring is, how this is a hopeful time of renewal.</p><p> There's one college football player in the state who can relate.</p><p> After enduring two long years of sleepless nights and excruciating back pain — and lots of doubt about his football future — cornerback Jeremy Brown is reveling in a new beginning with the Florida Gators.</p><p> A pain-free beginning, where that look of anguish on his face has surrendered to a big, happy, hopeful smile.</p><p> “It's just fun,” said the redshirt sophomore from Orlando after Friday's practice. “I'm just enjoying being out there, just running around. For two years, I went without doing that. Just running around again is a big pleasure for me.”</p><p> For two years, just getting out of bed in the morning was a major (and painful) task for Brown. He was suffering from two ruptured disks in his back, a debilitating condition that threatened his football career.</p><p> “They caused a lot of problems with my joints, my whole lower back and everything,” he said. “It was just a big problem.</p><p> “Man, it was a lot of long nights where I couldn't sleep. It was just excruciating pain. I almost thought I was done. There were times we were talking about that. I'm a young guy and I have to think about my future. I have a little boy. I want to be with him, with family. I'm all good now.”</p><p> Brown arrived at UF as an early enrollee in 2008 and participated in spring drills. He was so proficient that spring that the coaches actually had him rated slightly ahead of fellow true freshmancornerback Janoris Jenkins, who went on to become a starter during the 2008 season.</p><p> But Brown never got near the 2008 season. During the summer, he started experiencing pain in his lower back, and it grew worse and worse.</p><p> He couldn't sleep, he couldn't practice, he couldn't play.</p><p> This seemed to go on forever. Finally, near the end of last season, Brown's back started responding to treatment and he started to have hope. By January, he was cleared to lift weights and run. Then he was cleared to practice this spring.</p><p> “It's been tough. It's been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “The injury has set me back a lot. But I'm good now and I'm all ready to out out there to compete for a spot.</p><p> “The great doctors at the University of Florida, they got it fixed and ready to go.”</p><p> Brown would not say if he underwent surgery.</p><p> “We just got it fixed,” he said.</p><p> Getting cleared to practice was big. Today may be even better. For the first time in two years, Brown is going to participate in contact work today in practice.</p><p> “We're going to see tomorrow,” he said. “I believe I'm doing some contact. We're going to monitor it closely until we get going into week two or three. By the end of the spring, I should be full go. It's exciting.</p><p> “The doctors took care of it. It's all good. I'm 100 percent.”</p><p> Brown's timing is good. He's back and healthy just in time to compete for the starting cornerback position vacated by All-America Joe Haden. Brown has impressed new defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Teryl Austin.</p><p> “I'm aware (of what he's been through),” Austin said. “He is doing well. He's been moving. He's been in all the offseason conditioning and he hasn't had any setbacks.</p><p> “I'm excited. I know he's excited. That's the key. He's excited about having the opportunity to play. Hopefully, everything will be fine with him.”</p><p> Brown said he fell somewhat out of shape during his two-week layoff, saying the most he could do was ride a stationary bike.</p><p> “I actually didn't stay in shape,” he said.</p><p> Brown's in shape now and ready to battle for that starting role.</p><p> “That's why I came to Florida, to compete,” he said. “It's great being out here and having a chance to do that.”</p><p> Austin said Brown does not look like an athlete who's been away from the game for two years.</p><p> “It's going to take some time, but I'm really excited with what I've seen so far,” Austin said. “He's moving great. It doesn't look like he's missed a beat. I wouldn't have known unless someone had told me he's missed that amount of time.”</p><p>Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or andreu@gvillesun.com. Also check out Andreu's blog at gatorsports.com.</p>