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GATORS

Newton Back At Practice After Missing 6 Days

Published: Aug 12, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Florida freshman QB Cameron Newton returned to practice full speed Saturday afternoon after missing the Gators' first six days of workouts.

An athletic department spokesman said last week that an "academic issue" would keep Newton out of the Gators' early practices. Newton declined to discuss the issue Saturday.

Newton said he is working "every day" to rehabilitate his injured back. Doctors found a hairline fracture in Newton's lower back following spring practice.

Newton appeared the favorite to back up sophomore Tim Tebow after spring practice, but he now finds himself in a competition with fellow freshman John Brantley and junior college transfer Bryan Waggener for the backup spot. Gators coach Urban Meyer said last week he wanted to choose a backup quarterback "soon." Newton said he doesn't feel any added pressure on him.

"Everybody has pressure on them," Newton said. "It's limited reps. We have three good quarterbacks [behind Tebow.] All of them are great players. It's my job to get better every day."

Entering camp, it seemed Newton was likely to back up Tebow and John Brantley was likely to redshirt. That could change given Newton's situation. Saturday, he said the decision to redshirt is not his.

"That's the coaches' decision," Newton said. "It's out of my hands."

SPECIAL GUEST: The Gators got a visit from a Hall of Famer during Friday's practice. Mel Tillis, who was selected last week for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, took in practice and spoke briefly to Meyer after the workout. Tillis will enter the hall in its lifetime-achievement category.