50 For 50, No. 17: Marcus Roberson Could Be An Impact Freshman

by Andy Hutchins on Aug 26, 2011 3:12 PM EDT in Florida Football 50 For 50 2011

There are eight days until Florida's football opener against Florida Atlantic on September 3. There are ... a lot of entries remaining in our 50 For 50 series. Check out Alligator Army's 50 For 50 series for more of our 50 reasons to be excited for Florida football in 2011.

I'm really hesitant to keep praising a player virtually no one has actually seen competing with college athletes, but Marcus Roberson could be an impact freshman, according to Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples:

The Gators had hoped cornerback would be their most experienced position group on defense. But in April, coach Will Muschamp tossed senior Janoris Jenkins off the team after Jenkins' second marijuana-related arrest in three months. That opened up an opportunity for Roberson, who wasted no time in taking advantage. Roberson hasn't locked down the starting job quite yet, but he has impressed Muschamp, and he could wind up starting the season opener. "We're going to play the best players," Muschamp said earlier this month of Roberson. "I don't care what grade they are or where they're from. It don't matter to me."

Muschamp's meritocratic approach is probably going to show up in another 50 For 50, but for now, let me be clear: Though I am excited to see Roberson play and hope he can be what Joe Haden and Jenkins were as freshmen, I am kind of terrified that one of the Florida Gators with the most buzz is a freshman cornerback. Am I alone in that respect?

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Never been a problem postiion.

Cb is one position that the Gators have had early success.
Lito,Doc,Jenkins,Haden,honestly think its the easiest position to impact early,you have three jobs,occasional blitz,zone,man to man only worring about a third of the field.
You dont need to know the Wr’s route you just have to keep up,the saftey will bail you out on the run and in the middle.
ONE WEEK cmon season and thanks for a great job keeping me going through the long offseason,you guys are awesome!

by gatorblues on Aug 26, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

You aren't alone, but I'm fine with it.

I’ve been mumbling it for months that Roberson wasn’t getting the attention he deserved. Now, finally, it seems he is. This kid is good. That’s it…good. I’m fine with buzz on any player from true freshman to redshirt senior. Muschamp doesn’t discriminate. If you can play, you can play. We’ve seen enough solid performances from true freshmen over the years to know they can come in and compete with the right skill set and enough talent. If Roberson is one of those, so be it.

The Bull Gator | @TheBullGator | Alligator Army

by The Bull Gator on Aug 26, 2011 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

Love Roberson!

But you do have a point Andy. It would be nice if there was more buzz surrounding other players. But at the same time I’m not all that concerned about it
We have plenty of great players on the team. And I believe they’ll create their buzz on game day.

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

by Gatorbuc15 on Aug 26, 2011 10:39 PM EDT reply actions