Gators' Demps has visions of many happy kickoff returns

<p>Sitting and watching Brandon James, Jeff Demps learned a thing or two about the return game.</p><p>He gazed as someone dwarfed by most anyone standing next to him became a monster returning kicks. James wasn't afraid to challenge bigger defenders sprinting downhill toward him in football's most high-impact situation.</p><p>James was better known for his elusiveness and speed when returning kicks, but Demps says one of the most important things he learned is to be confident and fearless when the ball reaches him. A tentative returner stands no chance.</p><p>With that knowledge, Demps takes over kickoff return duty for the most prolific returner in Florida history with the confidence to create the same sort of excitement as his predecessor.</p><p>"I know I have some big shoes to fill," Demps said. "Brandon James was a great special teams player.</p><p>"I can do it. It might take a toll on my body, but whatever I have to do to help the team out that's what I'm going to do."</p><p>Demps said he first approached Florida's coaching staff about returning kicks as a freshman. He returned kickoffs in high school, and with his blazing speed he was the obvious choice to back up James for two seasons. In two years, Demps returned three kicks for 94 yards with a long of 39.</p><p>Not as shifty as James, Demps hopes the track speed that has made him college football's fastest man will make him just as deadly returning kicks.</p><p>"He flies right by you," said sophomore linebacker Jon Bostic, who is a blocker on Florida's kickoff return unit. "You hold that block for a maybe a second, second and a half and by the time you're looking back to see if the kick returner is past you already, he's already gone."</p><p>Demps is also developing a tougher attitude back there. Tip-toeing around players won't help him here. Demps' only thought is finding a gap as fast as possible while players bear down on him at daunting speeds.</p><p>"You've got to be a little tough because you have 11 guys screaming down to take your head off," he said. "I'm not worried. I trust all 10 of my (blockers) that they're going to get the job done."</p><p>While returning kicks has become a new, fun part of his job, Demps' first priority is being Florida's starting running back. A running back who expects to get more carries out of the backfield now that bruising quarterback Tim Tebow is gone.</p><p>Coach Urban Meyer said Demps' health and durability has been one of the top coaching priorities since he first made him Florida's kickoff return man. Ironically, it's Demps' speed that has concerned Meyer the most because it's hard to dial him down when he knows only one speed — fast.</p><p>"It's the darn practices because he just goes 40 yards every time he touches it — at warp speed," Meyer said.</p><p>Demps' return reps are toned down in practice, Meyer said, in order to keep him from physically wearing down. Demps even gets extra massage time at Florida's track complex where he has his legs "flushed out" three times a week. His 30-minute, deep tissue massages target his hamstrings, hip flexors and back.</p><p>Meyer hopes putting Demps through the rigors of a running and return game won't drain him as the season progresses. The simple cure, Meyer said, is keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard.</p><p>"Hopefully, he won't return many kicks," Meyer said.</p><p>But when Demps does, it should be electrifying. If his blockers can create holes and space, Demps should make Florida's kickoff return unit just as fun to watch as James did.</p><p>"I think if I get an open seam it'll be a pretty good day for the Gators," he said.</p>