GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Aaron Hernandez's arms tell his life story. From his shoulders to his knuckles, it's drawn in pictures and verse.
The broad shoulders and sure hands of Florida's tight end will be counted on Saturday when the No. 1 Gators face No. 4 LSU in Baton Rouge, their most challenging test of the season. With quarterback Tim Tebow recovering from a concussion suffered two weeks ago and backup John Brantley possibly making his first start, much will be expected of Hernandez.
If it is to be, it is up to me, reads a large tattoo on his left forearm, a favorite saying of his late father, Dennis.
"Playmakers touch balls," coach Urban Meyer says about Hernandez, a 6-2, 250-pound junior tied for first on the team in receptions (15) and touchdown catches (two) and second in receiving yards (198). "If you take out one playmaker, the role has to increase."
Ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing offense (307.5 yards a game) but 58th in passing (218.8), Florida might need to rely more on its passing game. "You have to be balanced to win a big game, and right now we're not," Meyer says.
From his one-handed grab against South Carolina last year to his key catch on a shovel pass in the fourth quarter against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to his team-leading five receptions for 57 yards against Oklahoma in the national title game, Hernandez has brought star power to a position normally overshadowed by flashy receivers.
"I love having the ball in my hands," he says.
The broad shoulders and sure hands of Florida's tight end will be counted on Saturday when the No. 1 Gators face No. 4 LSU in Baton Rouge, their most challenging test of the season. With quarterback Tim Tebow recovering from a concussion suffered two weeks ago and backup John Brantley possibly making his first start, much will be expected of Hernandez.
If it is to be, it is up to me, reads a large tattoo on his left forearm, a favorite saying of his late father, Dennis.
"Playmakers touch balls," coach Urban Meyer says about Hernandez, a 6-2, 250-pound junior tied for first on the team in receptions (15) and touchdown catches (two) and second in receiving yards (198). "If you take out one playmaker, the role has to increase."
Ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing offense (307.5 yards a game) but 58th in passing (218.8), Florida might need to rely more on its passing game. "You have to be balanced to win a big game, and right now we're not," Meyer says.
From his one-handed grab against South Carolina last year to his key catch on a shovel pass in the fourth quarter against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to his team-leading five receptions for 57 yards against Oklahoma in the national title game, Hernandez has brought star power to a position normally overshadowed by flashy receivers.
"I love having the ball in my hands," he says.