RB Demps will return to Gators for 2011 season

The University of Florida officially announced Tuesday that Florida Gators senior running back Jeff Demps remains committed to football and will join his team during the first week in August to begin preparations for the 2011 season.

Though fans have wondered whether or not Demps would eventually give up football to concentrate solely on a career as a track & field sprinter, he made it clear Tuesday after meeting with head coach Will Muschamp that he only has one focus going forward when the fall semester begins.

“When I came to Florida I wanted to compete at a very high level in both sports and I’ve done that,” Demps said in a release from the school. “Football has been my first love but I also love running track. All of my coaches have been supportive and I’ve always been able to concentrate on whatever sport I’m competing in during that season.

“I concentrated on track this past spring and summer and I’m now ready to concentrate on football. I’m looking forward to getting back together with my football teammates and having a great senior season.”

Muschamp also commented on Demps’s decision and conveyed his excitement for having Florida’s leading rusher in 2010 returning to the sidelines as expected.

“As I stated last week in Birmingham, Jeff Demps will be joining our football program when our squad reports for camp on Aug. 5 and when we start practice on Aug. 6,” Muschamp added. “I met with him today and Jeff is looking forward to focusing on football for his upcoming senior season.”

Rumors about Demps possibly forgoing his final year of eligibility to go professional in track were fueled two weeks ago with various reports stating he had yet to make up his mind and was even considering a lucrative offer from Nike. However, his high school football coach told OGGOA on July 16 that no such move would take place.

“I spoke with Jeff [Friday] night and he has every intention to be a member of the football team this fall,” South Lake High School coach Walter Banks said. “Jeff also said the thought of leaving the University of Florida has not crossed his mind.”

Demps, who was one of eight Southeastern Conference rushers named to the 2011 Doak Walker Award watch list on July 15, is set to begin the season as Florida’s starting running back. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is excited about his potential.

“6.53 [seconds in the] 60-meters?,” Weis joked on March 16. “I might be able to figure out something to do with him.”

Photo Credit: Associated Press