SportsLine wire reports
April 5, 1999

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- UF defensive players have learned a few basic rules since Jon Hoke first stepped on the practice field three weeks ago.

The first-year coordinator only asks a few things of his players. Among them:

1. Know your assignment.

2. If an offensive player has the ball and the whistle has not blown, strip it.

3. Never, ever take a play off.

Follow these simple rules, and expect to play - just like Chris Reynolds.

A 6-foot-1, 256-pound defensive tackle, Reynolds found himself lining up with the first team in Thursday's scrimmage while bigger, stronger and more experienced players like Tommy Moody watched from the sideline.

THE COORDINATOR JOKED THURSDAY ABOUT REYNOLDS' "skinny butt," but said the Tallahassee native's work ethic - not his physique - got him the first-team nod.

"I just want them to play as hard as they possibly can on every play," Hoke said.

Hoke would rather have a young, undersized player giving maximum effort than a senior All-American who forgets his assignment or relaxes every fourth play.

His players are learning that, too.

"If all 11 people on the field do what they're responsible for, it'll be a great contribution to the team," defensive end Alex Brown said. "If we don't, we're just going to be a mediocre team and get our butts kicked."

BROWN, WHO HAS DRAWN INEVITABLE COMPARISONS to former Gators linebacker Jevon Kearse because of his size and his ability to play strongside linebacker and defensive end, is one of those from whom Hoke would like to see more effort.

Still, the new coordinator has been impressed with Brown's talent, as well as that of converted running back Eugene McCaslin.

The senior, who rushed for 345 yards on 69 carries last season, lined up with the first unit at strongside linebacker on Thursday and recorded a sack.

McCaslin's progress helps to shore up an inexperienced linebacking corps that was left with a lot of questions after the departures of Jevon Kearse, Johnny Rutledge and Mike Peterson.

"A lot of these guys are capable of playing," inside linebackers coach Jim Collins said. "Andra Davis has solidified himself pretty well at (middle linebacker), and Teddy Sims is also stepping up."

But no matter how much talent the young linebackers have, they must hustle every down at practice to get on the field in Hoke's defense.

"I want to see more effort from them, and I want to see it play after play after play," Hoke said.

"I may see it three plays, then I see a down off. I don't want to see a down off - ever."