Bostic Ready to Man the Middle

There is certainly going to be huge shoes to fill on defense for the 2010 Florida Gators. The biggest shoes may be in the middle of the defense from the loss of Brandon Spikes. One of the greatest defenders of all time will take his game to the NFL and behind him is an upstart sophomore to be in Jon Bostic. Bostic brings big time speed and a nasty attitude on the field and is ready to play.

At 6-1 and 235 pounds Jon Bostic looks like a bowling ball playing middle linebacker. He isn't as tall as Brandon Spikes (6-3), but he plays with the same tenacity and brings more speed to the table. Bostic understands he has a lot to live up to in 2010.

“I know there are big shoes to fill,” Bostic said shortly after the Gators' Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati. “Spikes has been huge for the program and it's been great having him here. He has been like a mentor, basically like a big brother. I just want to step in and do the same thing he did.”

To do that, Bostic will have to try and help lead the Gators on defense to win championships. Spikes was part of two SEC and national titles and Bostic wants to carry that torch and can't wait to get on the field as the Gators' man in the middle.

“I am very excited about it and kind of looking forward to it my whole life...playing college football,” he said. “I know I got in a little bit in different games, but to come in and be able to say I am playing after Brandon Spikes, there is a lot to say about that.”

Bostic expects big things for his team in 2010. There is a lot to replace, but in the absence of those that are graduating and heading off early to the NFL, Bostic believes some of the younger players on the team are ready to step up.

“We have a lot of guys that have been showing up and practicing during bowl week,” he said. “They have been showing that they can step in and lead us too. I think we are going to be pretty good next year.”

No matter how good the Gators are, Bostic will most likely be a big part of that success.