2011 Florida Gators Football: Mike Blakely Didn't Fit in a Pro-Style Offense

A move like this was inevitable. And the truth is, it may not be the last.

When Urban Meyer was Florida's football coach, he was ultra-successful on the recruiting trail, signing the type of athletes that best fit his spread offense.

Players like Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps and yes, Tim Tebow, likely could have played in any system, but the spread helped maximize their talents.

But Meyer's offense isn't for everyone.

Could you imagine Ryan Mallett on a designed run out of the shotgun? (Neither could he—hence his transfer from Michigan to Arkansas when the Wolverines hired spread practitioner Rich Rodriguez.) John Clay ran for 3,413 yards in three seasons at Wisconsin, but at 255 pounds, he would have been as out of place in the spread as ketchup on ice cream.

It also works the other way, and that is why the Gators' only tailback signee in the class of 2011, Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee's Mike Blakely, said he has decided to move on after just one spring in Gainesville.

"I just didn't like the pro-style offense once I saw what it was all about," Blakely told the Independent Florida Alligator.

At 5'9", 198 pounds, Blakely's size was typical of who Meyer signed to play in the spread. Just look at the current roster, which includes Demps (5'8", 181 pounds), Rainey (5'9", 175), Mike Gillislee (5'11", 198) and Mack Brown (5'10", 193), among others.

New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis's pro sets will utilize undersized backs, but there is evidence the Gators are going more the way of a balance between smaller and bigger ball-carriers.

Two examples: former quarterback Trey Burton (6'2", 222) has been moved to tailback, and UF already has a commitment from coveted class of 2012 running back Matt Jones (6'2", 200 and growing). Showing that balance mentioned above, the Gators also have a commitment from 5'9", 192-pound Mike Davis.

Blakely enrolled at Florida in January but missed spring practice after having arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. While sidelined, he watched as Weis installed a pro-style offense and no doubt also saw how crowded the backfield was.

The former 4-star prospect told the Alligator he was used to being "the back" on the field and would like to be somewhere he knew he could receive early playing time.

Blakely said Gator coach Will Muschamp told him he would not be given a release to transfer to another school in the Southeastern Conference. Still wanting to be an SEC tailback, Blakely told the Alligator he probably will enroll in a junior college for one season before signing with an SEC school.

However, a report from 247sports.com quoted sources close to Blakely who said the former prep All American likely will end up at the University of South Florida. North Carolina and Central Florida also were listed as possible destinations. He is expected to make his intentions official sometime within the next two weeks.

Rivals' No. 6-ranked running back for 2011, Blakely also had scholarship offers from Auburn, Clemson, Iowa, Iowa State, Miami, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee and others coming out of high school. He committed to UF on Oct. 26, 2010, after giving serious consideration to eventual BCS national champion Auburn.

Blakely is the third UF player to announce he was transferring since January. Previously, fellow 2011 signee Javares McRoy and Chris Dunkley, a 2010 signee, both receivers, announced they were leaving the program.

Also, senior cornerback Janoris Jenkins was kicked of the team a couple of weeks ago following his second arrest for marijuana possession since January. The 2010 All-SEC selection is expected to end up at the University of North Alabama, though he also is said to be looking at Valdosta State.