Who Let the Dawgs Out? Florida, It Seems.

So many talented high school football players in South Florida. So few South Florida universities. And when some of those players must leave the state to play college ball, it breeds resentment. It also adds some extra hostility to games like today's between the Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs.This week's...

By Thomas Francis

October 31, 2009

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So many talented high school football players in South Florida. So few South Florida universities. And when some of those players must leave the state to play college ball, it breeds resentment. It also adds some extra hostility to games like today's between the Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs.

This week's Athens Banner-Herald quotes one such expatriate, lineman Jeff Owens from Sunrise.

"I wanted to get out of the state," said fifth-year senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens, from Sunrise, Fla., located in South Florida. "Florida had a new coaching staff coming in, so you didn't know what to expect. I went with someone that I knew would be committed and had a long tradition here and I loved Georgia."

Three other players with a Florida ax to grind in today's heavyweight SEC bout: tight end Michael Moore from Fort Lauderdale, kicker Blair Walsh from Boca Raton, and defensive tackle Geno Atkins from Pembroke Pines.

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