Rumors are swirling among the blogosphere that Jeff Demps plans to forgo his senior season of elligibility to go pro in track. This of course has major implications for the championship hopes for both the University of Florida's football and track & field teams.
According to reports, the announcement that Demps will become a professional track athlete may not be far off. GatorBait.net reports speculation that "Nike has or is about to throw seven figures at Demps to blaze his trails on the professional track circuit and that kind of money might constitute an offer that is too good to refuse."
And that makes a lot of sense. We are, after all, heading into an Olympic year.
Demps has had problems staying healthy on the football field. Between the injuries and simply splitting time between the sports, Demps has not been able to run to his potential on the track. If he wants to make a serious run for a spot on Team USA, he's going to need to focus on the sport since studs like Tyson Gay, Walter Dix, Justin Gatlin, Ivory Williams, and Michael Rodgers will stand in his way.
The former South Lake High School sprinter has loads of talent on the football field. Despite the injuries, he's had a rather successful college football career and was the top rusher for the Gators last season with 551 yards on 92 carries and three touchdowns. With his quickness he is an absolute threat every time he touches the ball, especially on kickoff returns. However, at 5-8 and weighing in at 190 pounds during football season his NFL potential may be in question. He could certainly turn into a great return specialist and part-time back in the NFL, but there is much doubt of his prospects to be a full-time, every day starter on that level.
So what are the chances of him choosing track prior to this fall's football season? Better than 50-50 it appears lately.
The high school 100 meter record-holder had a disappointing NCAA Championship meet in June. After the meet UF track coach Mike Holloway acknowledged that he may not have Demps on his roster next season (although he could have been suggesting he might choose football). He said "My heart goes out to Jeff... I'm really proud of him... if this is Jeff's last collegiate track meet... he's a wonderful kid who's done so much for our program. I hope it's not the last time we see him out here."
More recently reknowned sports radio host Dan Hicken tweeted about Demps missing from the SEC Media Days in Birmingham and also indicated that new football coach Will Muschamp has been pressuring Demps to make a decision between the sports (wanting him of course to choose football), unlike Urban Meyer who was relatively enthusiastic with splitting Jeff's time with Holloway.
And while most NCAA football players are working out and preparing for the fall season--with the season opener just a month and a half away--Demps is in Europe running in track meets agaisnt international competition. Just yesterday, he hit a second place 10.14 at the Sports Solidarity meet in Lignano, Italy.
This seems to go against what you'd expect and contrary to reports last month that "his focus will return to football fairly soon after the USA (Nationals) ends." That has not proved to be the case obviously.
The truth is, while Demps loves track, all things being equal he would probably choose football. However, most insiders recognize that realistically his future is probably more secure as a track athlete. And a lot safer than football where injuries regularly can end careers or dash draft hopes.
While Demps has asserted that he thinks one sport prepares him for the other and does not hamper his ability to do well in both, the reality is that it does. The sports are different and scattered training and focus does not promote optimum performance. If he wants to pin his hopes on the NFL draft, then he needs to go full-time with Muschamp. If he's looking to represent his country in London 2012, he better be hanging up his cleats.
He has to make a decision. Although some sources say otherwise, we expect that decision will make many folks on this site happy and see him signing a Nike contract through the 2016 Olympics. Opportunity doesn't always knock twice and Demps knows that.
Jeff Demps' athlete profile...
Interview with Demps from Florida Relays
Third Party Coverage
- Jeff Demps thinking about turning pro in track? (Saturday Down South blog)
- GatorBait.net Profile (includes expression of doubt if he will return for football season)
- Balancing Both Sports, Staying in the Present (ESPN blog)
- Demps named to Doak Walker Award watch list, for top RB in country (GatorZone)
- Is Demps Gator Football Career in Jeopardy? (Alligator Army blog)
- Demps will stay with football (Only Gators blog)
