Edwards, Newton not leaving UF
After watching two teammates defect from the Gators in recent days, freshmen LB Lorenzo Edwards and QB Cameron Newton said they planned to stay at UF for the rest of the season.
"This is my home," Edwards said after Florida's practice Thursday afternoon.
A sore right hamstring kept Edwards out of games against FAU and FSU, he said. He has also been bothered by lower back spasms, but said he should be ready for the Gators' bowl game.
Cameron Newton, who struggled to get on the field behind Tim Tebow, said he leaned on his father for guidance about his future. After several long discussions, he said, he decided to stay.
"I'm not transferring," he said. "I'll wait my turn."
Brief workout
With Coach Urban Meyer spending the day recruiting in South Florida, assistants Dan Mullen and Chuck Heater ran an informal workout.
The Gators worked out in helmets and shorts for about an hour -- their lone team session of the week. Tim Tebow went through the workout with a cast protecting the fracture in his right hand. But he did not participate fully.
UF plans to practice three times next week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) before final exams start Saturday, Dec. 8.
Trautwein practices
Senior OT Phil Trautwein practiced with his teammates Thursday for the first time since going down with a stress fracture in his right foot during the preseason.
He isn't expected to play in the bowl game, but Trautwein did say he would be back to 100 percent in about two more weeks.
"I've gained about 15 pounds, I'm like, 315, 320 right now," he said. "So I feel a little slow, but I'll get there."
Trautwein was a preseason All-Southeastern Conference selection.
He is eligible to take a medical redshirt for the 2007 season and play next fall.
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