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Gators' Spikes to Return, Harvin To Go

Tribune file photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ (2008)

Gators' Brandon Spikes, No. 51, playing in November against the University of South Carolina.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2009

TAMPA - Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes announced intentions to return for his senior season, following the earlier lead of quarterback Tim Tebow and giving the Gators high hopes for another run at the national championship.

A slight downer, but no surprise, came from wide receiver/running back Percy Harvin decision to enter this spring's NFL draft.

Both Spikes and Harvin made their announcements this afternoon, the deadline for juniors to announce their NFL intentions. Tebow proclaimed on Sunday during the Gators National Championship celebration his intentions to return.

Both Spikes and Harvin have been projected to be chosen during the first or second rounds.

"It was a tough decision for me and my family," Spikes said. "I just felt like it was the right choice to come back. I love the coaching staff and my teammates and I look forward to playing another year in front of the best fans in America."

Spikes was a major part of the national champion's defense, leading the team with 93 tackles. He also had four interceptions and eight tackles for loss, including two sacks.

Spikes was named All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Rivals.com, The Sporting News and Walter Camp and was a first-team All-SEC recipient.

"I'm excited to hear that Brandon is coming back," Florida head coach Urban Meyer said. "He was the heart and soul of our defense this year. He was the quarterback of our defense and set the tone in many of our victories."

Without a senior starter on defense, the Gators now expect to return the entire unit that gave up an average of barely 12 points per game.

Harvin, meanwhile, reasoned that after Florida won its second national championship in three seasons, it was time to go.

"I will have a lot of great memories from my time at Florida, but the championships we won in 2006 and 2008 will be at the top of my list," Harvin said. "When it is all said and done, I wanted to win. I wanted to be a part of championship teams. We did that at Florida and I had a great group of coaches, teammates and medical and strength staff that helped make that happen. I will always be a Gator and look forward to watching them play next year on Saturdays."

The versatile Harvin averaged 108.7 all-purpose yards per game and scored a team-high 17 touchdowns in 2008 -- 10 rushing and seven receiving. He scored a touchdown in each of the last 15 games he played, the longest streak in the nation.

Harvin rushed for 660 yards on 70 carries during the season, averaging a nation's-best 9.4 yards per rush. He also led the UF receiving corps with 40 catches and totaled 644 receiving yards, averaging 16.1 yards per reception.

"Percy is the most dynamic player I've ever coached and can change the game on any given play," Meyer said. "He has the best first step I've ever seen and his ability to plant his foot and go is unmatched. We wish him the best of luck and we look forward to having him around our program.''

Harvin finishes his career as one of the most prolific offensive threats in school history. He totaled 133 catches for 1,929 yards and 13 TDs, while rushing the ball 194 times for 1,852 yards with 19 TDs.

His 32 career touchdowns are the most ever by a UF wide receiver. He averaged an astounding 9.5 yards per carry and 11.6 yards ever time he touched the ball. He is the only player in UF history to rush for 100 yards and have 100 yards receiving in the same game (Vanderbilt, 2007).

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