Will Muschamp was asked about star running back Jeff Demps and his plans for the fall at the 2011 SEC Media Days, and his response called into question whether Demps would be back for the start of fall camp.
On Tuesday, Muschamp removed all doubt in a university press release.
“As I stated last week in Birmingham, Jeff Demps will be joining our football program when our squad reports for camp on August 5th and when we start practice on August 6th,” Muschamp said. “I met with him today and Jeff is looking forward to focusing on football for his upcoming senior season. “
Demps, who also doubles as a world-class sprinter, had been training with the U.S. national track team team in Italy as one of 10 sprinters vying for six spots on the 4×100 meter relay team that will compete in the 2011 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
With the cuts not being announced by the USA until Aug. 8, there was some doubt as to whether Demps would be available for the start of training camp.
After meeting with Muschamp, Demps has decided he will focus fully on the upcoming 2011 football season.
“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 the release. “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.”
With his time spent on the track, Demps hasn’t had much of an opportunity to learn the new offense Charlie Weis is implementing.
Now that he’s decided to forgo a possible professional career in track, the Gators senior who missed all of spring practice competing in outdoor track for Florida will get back to the gridiron.
“I concentrated on track this past Spring and Summer, and I’m now ready to concentrate on football,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back together with my football teammates and having a great senior season.”