Hecklers Beware: Gators OL D.J. Humphries pumped for return to lineup
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- D.J. Humphries won't mind if he is heckled Saturday at Tennessee.
That means he is back with the team after missing the past two games and much of the season opener due to a high-ankle sprain.
As a freshman in 2012 in Florida's last visit to Neyland Stadium, Humphries got an earful from Tennessee fans. Humphries visited Tennessee multiple times during the recruiting process but ultimately chose Florida.
"That was one of my first road games," Humphries said Wednesday. "A lot of the fans knew me by name. I got a lot of heckling for that. It was fun. I loved it."
Florida's starting left tackle, Humphries is back at practice and moving well following another injury. Humphries missed the final five games last season due to a knee injury.
Healthy throughout fall camp, Humphries was injured against Eastern Michigan when a player fell on his ankle.
"I never really had any injuries where I did anything that hurt me," Humphries said of his streak of bad luck. "It was just one of them things like, 'Again?' I'm over it now. I'm back on the field, so I'm happy. I'm pretty stable when I'm in. I just have to stay in there."
Gators coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday that Humphries had an excellent practice on Tuesday and if he finishes the week strong, Humphries is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Starting right tackle Chaz Green started at left tackle against Alabama and redshirt freshman Roderick Johnson took over on the right side.
"Rod has played well. Chaz has played well. They all will play," Muschamp said. "But if D.J. is ready to go, we'll put him at the left and then we'll figure out between Chaz and Rod."
Due to early-season injuries to Humphries and left guard Trip Thurman, Florida has used a different starting lineup on the offensive line in all three games. In addition, right guard Trenton Brown left the Alabama game with an ankle injury but has returned to practice.
The shuffling has allowed Johnson and newcomers David Sharpe, a true freshman, and junior-college transfer Drew Sarvary to get significant game reps. Tyler Moore has also played and got the start in place of Thurman at Alabama.
Still, Florida's line has been solid under first-year offensive line coach Mike Summers. The Gators are averaging 201 yards rushing per game and quarterback Jeff Driskel has been sacked only twice.
"I think we've been good up front," offensive coordinator Kurt Roper said. "We haven't stayed healthy, you know, that hadn't been the easiest thing. We've been beat up a little bit but that's the nature of this work. We've had some guys step up and play physical, so I've been pleased with the run game."
The 6-foot-6, 316-pound Johnson has earned praise from coaches and teammates for his role after moving into the starting lineup against Kentucky.
Johnson was injured last season and redshirted.
"Rod wants to be great," Humphries said. "He's going to be a good player."
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Sharpe also has a fan in Humphries, who has taken the true freshman under his wing the way former UF starter Xavier Nixon did Humphries two years ago.
"I try to give him as many tips as I can," Humphries said. "He's good at soaking it up. He tries to use what I give him and put it into effect. He's not a dumb kid by no means."
Humphries was forced to watch the Kentucky game from the sidelines and the Gators' loss at Alabama on TV.
Getting back onto the field Saturday is something he is ready for. When he does, he won't be worried when he needs a rest thanks to what he saw while he was injured.
"That just made our depth so much more realistic," Humphries said. "All of our guys got to play. We got to put big Rod in there. David Sharpe got some work at left tackle. That was good for us. It's just good to get everybody in there and get them in the flow and get a rhythm, so if anybody is ever missing, somebody can jump in there and keep it moving."
Still, depth or no depth, the Gators are ready for Humphries to line up Saturday against the Vols.
Junior running back Matt Jones leads the team in rushing, averaging 86 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry.
Having Humphries back is a comforting thought when Jones runs toward the left side.
"I'm glad D.J. is going to be back. It gives us another push," Jones said. "He's a great tackle. Our O-line with him being back is going to be great."
