Maybe UF coach Urban Meyer isn't excited about the prospects of the I-formation in Gainesville, but one of his running backs is.
Meyer said earlier this week that the I-form may not last long for the Gators due to a lack of depth at tight end and fullback, but running back Emmanuel Moody is enjoying the new package.
"It definitely excites me, because it's just another way to get the ball to the running back," Moody said. "I feel like one of the reasons they did it was to give the running backs a head of steam so we can use our vision more."
Moody excelled in a pro-style offense as a freshman at Southern Cal and earned Pacific-10 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year honors, but adapting to the spread wasn't an easy task in his first year at UF.
Moody tallied 417 yards and one touchdown on 58 carries last season - still a better yards-per-carry average than he notched at USC - but he was never a primary option in the rushing game.
He said he's comfortable in the spread now and looking forward to playing more freely, without having to think as much as he did in 2008.
But a go-to running back has yet to emerge. Jeff Demps is splitting time between football and track, leaving Moody and Chris Rainey as the main ball-carriers in spring practice.
"We're still looking for an everyday back, and we don't have one right now," Meyer said. "Everyday means pass protection, not grabbing his foot every time he gets tackled, and we're not there yet. They're good, we just need an everyday guy."
JENKINS TAKING OVER AT NICKELBACK: Janoris Jenkins will take over the nickelback position next season in addition to his job as a starting cornerback.
Cornerback Joe Haden and safety Will Hill filled that role last season, and Wondy Pierre-Louis is working as the third corner when Jenkins moves to the nickel slot.
In his freshman season, Jenkins made three interceptions and 39 tackles, and he pointed to his pick against Tennessee as a turning point.
"In the beginning of the season, when I first got out there, I was kind of scared (of making mistakes)," Jenkins said. "Then after I made the big play in the Tennessee game, I humbled myself, took control and started relaxing."
WRs NEED WORK: The Gators have a lot of improvement to do at receiver, and Meyer is frustrated that his wideouts are struggling to get open in practice.
"They're getting covered," he said. "Here's a unique way of looking at it: When you get covered by a (defensive back), you lose, and you can't complete the ball. I don't think our guys understand that."
It doesn't help that the receivers are going up against a defense in practice that returned its entire two-deep depth chart, while the offense lost pass-catchers Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and Cornelius Ingram to the NFL. Riley Cooper isn't at practice either, as he is with the UF baseball team.
"I have confidence that they'll get better and be all right," Meyer said. "They're talented guys, we just have to get more out of them."
