Jon Bostic just keeps doing the same thing over and over again.
It’s been a successful approach.
Through the first six games of the 2011 season, Bostic recorded five tackles for a loss and three sacks. This year, he has sacked opposing quarterbacks three times and has recorded six tackles for a loss in as many games.
“Not really,” Bostic said when asked if the coaches had been using him differently. “A lot of things are the same.”
Despite similar results, Bostic noted that his explosiveness has improved.
Bostic displayed his ability to get into the backfield on the first play of the fourth quarter in Florida’s 31-17 win at Vanderbilt on Saturday.
He ran around Commodores right tackle Andrew Bridges nearly untouched and stripped the ball from quarterback Jordan Rodgers. Neiron Ball recovered the fumble on Vanderbilt’s 14-yard line.
Bostic’s five-tackle performance against the Commodores earned him defensive player of the game recognition from coach Will Muschamp, who said Bostic has fought through blocks more effectively this season.
“He’s getting on big linemen in our league and shedding them and getting off and making plays,” Muschamp said. “You’re going to get blocked. That’s going to happen. Good players don’t stay blocked long, and Jon hasn’t.”
Fellow veteran linebacker Jelani Jenkins has missed three games with a fractured right thumb and a left hamstring injury.
The two usually share organizational duties on the field, so Bostic has had to handle more responsibility when it comes to instructing other defenders where to be on each play.
Several underclassmen have seen time on defense for Florida this season, including freshman defensive end Jonathan Bullard and freshmen linebackers Dante Fowler Jr. and Antonio Morrison. Bostic said he’s done a better job of helping his inexperienced teammates.
“Really just trying to get the defense lined up,” Bostic said of his
responsibilities. “Really just trying to bring everybody along. We’ve got some young guys that have to step up each and every week in different positions. Just bringing them along and helping them.”
In addition to producing in the offensive backfield, Bostic has also improved in pass coverage. He has two pass breakups in 2012 after recording two last season.
“(He’s a) very instinctive player,” Muschamp said. “He plays well in space. He covers well in space. I’m very pleased with his play to this point.”
Muschamp added that he was lucky to have a player like Bostic already on the roster when he took over at Florida.
“You’re only as good as you are up the middle,” he said.
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Senior linebacker Jon Bostic (1) pursues Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) during Florida's 31-17 win on Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
