DELAND — Third and 33 doesn’t scare Andre Debose. Getting the 33 yards? No problem. And while he’s at it, why not go the extra 27 yards to the end zone. DeBose turned third and 33 into a touchdown Friday night for the final nail Sanford Seminole needed to permanently shut the coffin on DeLand.
The touchdown run started when DeBose was forced to the left of the pocket by the DeLand pass rush. He looked for a receiver one last time, then tucked and ran. Before Deland’s defenders could react, Debose was gobbling up yardage with gazelle-like strides as he headed for the right sideline. Once he got to the sideline, it was a race to the end zone that he won.
“We were in the empty set,” Debose said. “I just tucked it and ran. We got some good results out of it!”
Every time DeBose touched the ball you could hear the sound of “ooos” and “ahhs” from the stands. He is so explosive that the crowd was on the edge of its seats, waiting to see what he was going to do next. Every time the ball is in his hands, you expect something special. He has that ability to see openings before they actually happen on the field.
Take a 30-yard run that was called back as an example. He felt the pass rush from his blind side and was forced to his right. He faked towards the line of scrimmage, only to roll out and reverse the field, where he tip-toed the sideline and made the end zone.
He will dart through a crowd of multiple defenders, only to zoom out on the other side untouched. You wonder how he does it. Debose explains that some of it is God-given ability and some of it the result of thousands of repetitions.
“I’ve been playing since I was their age,” DeBose said after pointing to some kids running around the field. “After you start doing something for a while, it comes natural to you.”
As explosive as Seminole’s offense was Friday night, it was matched in intensity by the defense. Nearly every time Florida commitment (DeLand tailback) Mike Gillislee touched the football, he met a swarm of Sanford defenders. Sophomore Deonte Suanders, DeLand’s highlight reel sophomore met with the same fate almost every time he got a touch.
“That was real big,” Debose said. “Our defense stepped it up and kept it up at the end of the game. They’ve got a great player in Mike Gillislee and we kept him under control.”
The big question on the mind of many people in attendance, including Florida head coach Urban Meyer, is where Debose will be showcasing his talent next fall. He made his first visit of the fall last Saturday when the Gators hosted the Miami Hurricanes and it made quite an impression.
“It was great,” Debose said. “The atmosphere was just loud. I’ve honestly never experienced anything like it.”
The moment that stands out in the mind of many recruits is before the game even begins. When the Gators ran out of the tunnel Saturday night to the roaring Florida faithful, Debose admitted it was difficult to hold in his excitement.
“When I first heard the roar, I had a big smile on my face,” Debose said. “I would love to be a part of that one day.”
DeBose is already familiar with the spread offense Florida runs. He’s projected as a wide receiver at the next level, but he quarterback’s Sanford’s version of the spread. He sees plenty of similarities in the two offensive schemes.
“We mirror them a lot,” Debose said of the Florida offense. “Our coach admires their offense. It’s similar to ours. Our coach looked at their film and took plays that we run now.”
Watching DeBose it’s almost impossible not to make the comparison to Florida’s electric Percy Harvin. DeBose says he’s flattered with the comparisons but he’s not buying into it. At least not yet.
“He’s doing some big things in college right now, so I can’t compare myself to him,” Debose said. “People say we’re similar though.”
A familiar face was seen leaning on the goalpost throughout the game Friday night. Florida coach Urban Meyer was the only major college coach in attendance for the game, and the Sanford trio made note.
“Playing in front of a big time head coach, there’s nothing like it,” Debose said. “There could have been no one in the stands tonight, but Coach Meyer was out here watching us. That was really, really cool.”
Debose still maintains that all schools are even in his mind. When asked about where the Gators stand, he has a pretty good idea.
“Florida is definitely up there,” Debose said. “I know they are.”
The visit plan for the rest of the fall is still undecided. Debose has a decent idea of some trips he would like to take, but he doesn’t have any dates set in stone.
“I’m trying to get up to LSU here pretty soon, probably for their Mississippi State game,” Debose said. “Then I’m trying to get back up to Florida again sometime real soon. It’ll probably be for the LSU game.”
Throughout the recruiting process DeBose hasn’t changed his list of what’s most important. Early playing time is a factor, but that’s not the only requirement.
“I’m really focusing on playing time and getting my degree,” Debose said. “I want coaches to push me and get my degree. That’s the main thing. Other than that I want playing time and a good college atmosphere. I know I’ve got to be there for four years, so I want to like the place I live at.”
The college life is something that Debose doesn’t undervalue. He wants a town he feels comfortable in and can spend the next four years living.
“I can see myself playing in Gainesville,” Debose said. “I know that I can see that.”
With Percy Harvin expected to make an early departure to the NFL after this season, DeBose admits the thought of stepping into the All-American’s shoes sweetens the Florida possibilities.
“Just a little bit, but I’m pretty sure that Coach Meyer tells everybody they can be the next Percy Harvin,” said DeBose. “It does influence me a little bit and make me think about it.”