Tampa's Jones out for Florida-FSU game, maybe more

Florida junior linebacker A.J. Jones, the team's sixth-leading tackler and a big play man this fall for the Gators, will miss Saturday's game against Florida State.

Gators coach Urban Meyer commented on Wednesday's SEC teleconference that the Tampa native and Middleton High product is "out for a few weeks.'' That could be an even bigger concern, if he misses next week's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta against Alabama.

Jones has 37 tackles and is also tied for the team lead with three interceptions. His three sacks this fall are tied for second on the Gators' squad.

Meyer added that defensive tackle Terron Sanders, however, should play against the Seminoles. He has been slowed by rib and back problems.

NELSON HONORED: Senior receiver David Nelson was named to the SEC Football Community Service Team announced on Wednesday. The SEC sponsors community service Teams for all 20 league-sponsored sports.

Nelson helped organize and promote the Gator Charity Challenge on July 31 at Florida Field. Nelson also participated in several other community outreach activities, including making a visit to Shands Hospital to visit patients and serving as a leader during one of UF's "Swamp Field trips," where local school kids are rewarded for good work by visiting "The Swamp'' and meeting a special guest, such as Nelson.

WAITING TO WALK: Asked what the highlight of his time at Florida has been, senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham didn't mention football.

"There's a lot of things that happened through my four years, but I'd probably say the lasting thing will probably be me graduating Dec. 18,'' the anthropology major said.

He will finish in 3 1/2 years.

"When it came down to it in my second or third year, I knew I had a shot,'' Cunningham said of getting his degree early. "And as it came closer and closer, I took it real serious and just decided to make an attempt the graduate.''

PHOTOS DON'T LIE: As part of a tribute to the departing players, seniors are given photos of the entire class showing what each looked like when they first enrolled at Florida.

Most of the baby faces are uncertain smiles are long gone.

"It's amazing to look back and be able to be able to see what I was five years ago and who I was and be able to see myself now,'' Nelson said.

FEW CHEERS: Linebacker Ryan Stamper and Nelson are the only fifth-year seniors starting on this year's team so they represent the 2005 recruiting class -- Meyer's first at UF.

"We have little wars in the locker room where every player tries to represent their class, like the '08 is saying, ''08 is the best class,' and the '06 is saying, ''06 is the best class,''' Stamper said. "Me and David are the only ones who are like, ''05.' It's funny that it's only the two of us but we try to represent real well.''