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Hernandez Is Learning On The Job

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The most talented tight end at the University of Florida - and perhaps in the SEC and possibly in the nation - will not be dressed and ready for action Saturday when the Gators open conference play against Tennessee. Or, for that matter, any other game this season.

Senior Cornelius Ingram was lost for the season before it started, taken out by a torn anterior cruciate ligament during preseason practice.

In Ingram's absence, the starting nod has gone to Aaron Hernandez, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound sophomore from Bristol, Conn. Hernandez played in all 13 games last season and had nine receptions for 151 yards. But does that make him ready to take the place of a player who, even after being lost for the year, continues to be spoken of with reverence by coaches and teammates?

The answer is a resounding "probably not." But as Hernandez aspires to fill the gap, he will have a little help from a friend.

"I learned so much from C.I.; he's the one whose shoes I have to fill," Hernandez said. "He's a great player and the one who helped me all though camp. Even after he was injured, he came back and was helping me. He's the reason I'm playing and making plays right now."

Ingram has remained a member of this year's team in heart, if not in performance. Despite the injury, he was named a team captain and represents the Gators for the pregame coin toss at Florida Field. While in early rehabilitation and with the emotion of his injury fresh, Ingram has stayed away from practice sessions - "He's just not ready to go out there yet," Coach Urban Meyer said - but he has been in Hernandez's ear.

"He lives right behind me," Hernandez said. "Since I moved off campus we became good friends, and he was already helping me before he got injured.

"Now he's just been telling me to relax and use my fundamentals. On the field for games, when it's a 12-step route I'd tend to make it an eight to try to make it quicker. That's what he's been getting in my head about. If you do things right, you will get open and get the ball."

Something must have worked two weeks ago against Miami. Hernandez finished as the Gators' top receiver after pulling in five passes for 58 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown.

"We talk about it all the time," Florida tight ends coach John Hevesy said. "A guy goes down, somebody has to pick up the slack. This is your window of opportunity. Take it and let's make the best of it. This is what you came to Florida for. We lost an All-American and All-SEC player. It's your chance to be an All-American, All-SEC tight end."

There is a long way to go, and Hernandez did not get off to a good start. In the season opener against Hawaii, although listed No. 1 on the depth chart after Ingram went down, Hernandez did not get off the sideline.

Displeased by his game-week preparation, Meyer made him sit.

"It went to his head," Hevesy said. " 'OK, I'm going to play.' It's a lesson to be learned. Every week you have to earn a spot."

Hernandez says he gets it.

"I was not ready to play," he said. "I was actually immature that week and did not come ready to play. So at practice I worked harder and deserved to play."

It's not stepping into the shoes of a fallen leader.

"He's a sophomore, he's still 19 years old," Hevesy said. "It took a little while for the impact to hit. Then he realized 'I've got to take more of the burden, learn the routes, learn to be more disciplined and be a blocker.'

"I think he thought he could just get by with athletic ability. Well, you can't get away with what you did in high school. I think that's where C.I. came in."

Now it's on to Tennessee, where Hernandez will face new learning challenges - like more than 103,000 Volunteers fans in Neyland Stadium.

And the band playing ... what's that song?

"Who's Rocky Top?" Hernandez answered when asked about UT's oft-played fight song.

"Oh, I don't even pay attention to it. I don't know the song."

That can come later.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tamptrib.com.

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