Mike Blakely To Transfer From Florida; How You Can React

Florida was bound to lose a player or two with the coaching change. It happens everywhere. We try to fight it and act like every player should sit tight and see where things are going before they jump ship, but that is far from being a realistic approach. For whatever reason, some players feel like they do not fit anymore. It could be the new coaches, it could be new schemes and systems, or it could just be the school in general. So far, it looks like we have hit quite the variety of reasons with the players that have left the Gators since Will Muschamp came aboard.

The latest is running back Mike Blakely. Blakely came to Florida from Manatee (Bradenton, FL) were he became one of the nation’s top backs. He went with the Gators over a number of other schools and stuck by his decision even after the coaching change occurred. Blakely graduated high school early and came to Gainesville for the spring semester to get accustomed to the school and the program. Unfortunately, an injury kept him out of spring practice. In the end, Blakely’s high school position coach – former Gators back Rod Frazier – said Blakely got homesick. Frazier also mentioned that having to miss practice was hard on Blakely who had come in early specifically to train with the team. Blakely himself has come out and said he did not feel comfortable with the new offense.

So Blakely will leave, but be restricted in where he can go. No SEC schools and not FSU or Miami. He could go the junior college route for a year and then go anywhere he wants, or he could transfer to an unrestricted program and sit out for a year. He seems to already be leaning toward coming back to the SEC one day. If he ends up winning a National Championship with Auburn one day, I may jump out a window. But anyway…

When a player leaves (especially one you like…I was a big Blakely fan throughout his recruitment) you have a choice of how to react. There are many options available for you. It is important to pick one early and stick with it. Here a few of those options numbered conveniently, but without meaning.

1. Get angry. This is the reaction of most. It is completely rational to get upset at a (in most cases) teenager for feeling he would fit in elsewhere. After all, you are probably in your 30s and are still upset at your own life decisions. So go Hulk on the situation and become enraged. As I said, there is nothing quite as rational as being angry at a player (a kid) looking to transfer.

2. Play the “we do not need him” card. This is the preferred choice of The Bull Gator. Instead of worrying about why he left or what holes his departure leaves, immediately determine how the player’s transfer actually makes your team better. Does he not fit into the system? GREAT! Was he a trouble maker? YOU WILL NOT MISS HIM! Remember, you only need players that want to be there and that fit into the system you think you have even if you really have no idea what that system is because you never played a day of organized football in your life.

3. The Percy Harvin Approach, also known as the “do not let the door hit you on the way out” option, and affectionately referred to as The Jarred Fayson Corollary. This is similar to the second option, but has more of an “I could not care less” feeling to it. If a player does not want to be part of the program, then he should not be here. It is simple and does make some sense. You want kids on your team that want to be on your team. You typically do not stew over this one for an extended period of time. You simply say “good riddance,” move on, and then laugh when the player struggles elsewhere.

4. Run for the hills because everything is crashing down around you. This is the overreaction reaction. One transfer leads to two transfers which lead to three transfers which lead to a five-loss season. You expect more and even though the player leaving may have touched the ball only 10 times during the upcoming season, his loss is just one of the falling dominoes. If you have come to this point, you may need to find another sport of choice. There is always the NFL. Oh wait.

5. Mourn the loss. Different than option number four because you are truly sad to lose that particular player. You threw around the idea of a “man-crush” for so long. You watched highlights of him tearing up a small private school class 1A defense. You already ordered a jersey with his name and number on it. Your obsession has reached unhealthy levels. And just like that, he is gone. To further the pain, he will end up at a rival and you will remember when you first fell in love. Just remember, he is not coming back and neither is your ex-wife.

6. Total ignorance. You do not follow the roster in the offseason. Why would you? Your concern is what happens on Saturdays and the whiskey-induced haze you are usually under has you unable to remember player names and numbers let alone know where they came from and how good or bad they may be. You are a weekend warrior and the only thing that matters to you is the final score – assuming you remember it – not how you got there.

7. And finally, Tim Tebow. A casual observer may only know one thing about the Florida Gators and that one thing is Tebow. “Who is Mike Blakely? Hey, did you guys see that new Tebow commercial? I need a stay cool shirt!”