How did Urban Meyer convince John Brantley to stick around?

GAINESVILLE -- Just read The Herald's story about two back-up quarterbacks down in Coral Gables planning to transfer. Ouch! Jacory Harris better stay healthy this season or it could be another long year for the 'Canes.

This got me thinking...How in the world did UF coach Urban Meyer keep back-up quarterback John Brantley around for so long with no chance of starting? Brantley, now a redshirt sophomore, has sat behind Tebow going on three seasons.

Compared to the two back-ups at Miami who are transferring -- Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith -- Brantley is an All-American. Yet, Brantley has stayed put. How much potential is locked in Brantley's arm? Many believe he is the third-best quarterback in the SEC right now.

I understand the situation at UF and UM is different. UM starter Jacory Harris is a sophomore and UF starter Tim Tebow is a senior. Also, Brantley was injured his freshman season and missed spring football during his redshirt freshman year do to another injury. Still, all things considered, it's remarkable that Brantley has remained in Gainesville.

-jo-

Comments

[Adam S.]

**UM starter Jacory Harris is a sophomore and UF starter Tim Tebow is a senior. Also, Brantley was injured his freshman season and missed spring football during his redshirt freshman year do to another injury. **

I don't think it is remarkable at all, to be honest. Most schools, when they are in a normal rotation, have a QB waiting a year or two to take over the starting role. All Brantley needed to be confident in was that he was better than Newton - which he is and was. And, on top of that, Meyer is promising him meaningful snaps this year...so there ya go. Brantley will have two years to start at the University of Florida - more than enough reason to stick around.

[Alan M.]

Brantley knows that hard work and patience will provide an opportunity for him. He's doing what the majority of QB's do, grow into the position and wait your turn. Plus, the kid has Gator bloodlines that run deep.

Taylor Cook is transferring? OUCH! that is a huge blow to their already suspect depth chart.

[SammyNole]

It's all about the U!

[Earlie]

Easy. Brantley's already at a school where he's got a great shot at a national championship as a prominant backup and will have the talent to win another in his two years as a starter.

If he was just interested in championship-less playing time he would have gone to Miami.

[Ram]

I understand the situation at UF and UM is different. UM starter Jacory Harris is a sophomore and UF starter Tim Tebow is a senior.

I think you answered your own question. Brantley will get to start for two years

[SoMiamiGator]

Brantley should get lots of playing time this year in the 2nd half of many games.

[ReptilesRule]

This is the kind of pattern I hope we can maintain at UF. FSU was so successful for those many years because they always had that Junior QB ready to take over and didn't miss a beat. Then the string was broken and you can see how they have struggled since then.

[Laura]

ReptilesRule- It seems like all of the top tier teams go through this cycle... they are good for years, and then players don't want to sit around and wait so they go somewhere else and they cycle continues. (As a Seminoles fan at least I hope the cycle will continue! :))
It is common sense why Brantley stayed around. Cam Newton who was competing for the spot got kicked off, so he knows he is next.

[Goody]

Yeah, pretty weak question. Maybe if Newton wasn't such a bust things would have been different. Bold prediction: After three seasons with QB coach Scot Loeffler, John Brantley will be the No.1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

-jo-

[oneatatime]

Brantley is also a legacy that dreamed of playing quarterback for the Gators.

[GatorBud]

I feel sure that Brantley is getting all he can handle (if you know what I mean) and is happy as a clam.