Andre Debose didn’t need to run routes or learn a book’s worth of plays in high school.
The former Sanford Seminole High standout said when he wasn’t taking a handoff in the backfield and knifing through opposing defenses, he was using his speed to run straight past them for touchdowns.
It was an easier time. And something Debose thought he would be able to continue when he came to Florida a year ago.
But a hamstring injury forced him to redshirt, and the move to receiver full time proved more difficult than expected.
Learning the playbook was a new challenge.
“I’m starting to figure out that it does take more to be a student of the game, instead of just going out and doing it,” Debose said.
Unable to get on the field at the beginning of the season, a couple of personnel losses — Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps — forced the redshirt freshman to contribute, culminating in an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against LSU on Saturday.
Debose started his first healthy year at UF by moving from the H-receiver position (the slot) to the X-position (split out), where he was to back up starter Deonte Thompson.
But Rainey’s suspension from the team allowed Debose to move back inside to the slot, where he rarely has to read defenses on the fly in option routes, the thing he struggled with the most. Debose caught four passes for 36 yards out of the slot in the first quarter of the fourth game of the season against Kentucky, the first catches of his career.
His improved work ethic earned him a few plays, even if he wasn’t ready to be involved in all of the offensive packages over the course of an entire game.
“I’ve never experienced (not playing) in my life,” Debose said. “I’ve been playing football since I was 7 and I never sat on the bench, so I had to figure something out fast.”
Fast is Debose’s specialty.
So special teams coach D.J. Durkin approached the speedster before the LSU game and told Debose he wanted him to return kicks. Demps’ lingering foot injury left the Gators looking for another return man, but Durkin wanted Debose to know this could be a long-term spot for the burner to make an impact.
Debose responded with that long return for a touchdown against the Tigers, keeping the Gators in the game after falling behind 26-14.
“We identified an electric playmaker tonight,” UF coach Urban Meyer said after the game. “Now we need him to do that more consistent and more often.”
Meyer has expressed concern with the offense’s inability to generate big plays, and Debose thinks he can help in that department.
“I feel that I can bring that element to the team,” Debose said. “We have a lot of players capable of making big plays, it’s just coaches have to put people in certain situations to make those plays.”
