John Brantley

Last updated

John Brantley
Gators2007QBs.jpg
Brantley (front center) during his freshman year with Tim Tebow, Bryan Waggener (#10), and Cam Newton (#13)
No. 12
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1989-03-03) March 3, 1989 (age 35)
Ocala, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school: Ocala (FL) Trinity Catholic
College: Florida
Undrafted: 2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

John Brantley, IV (born March 3, 1989) is an American former professional football quarterback. He played college football at Florida from 2008 to 2011. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft but was released before the start of the season.

Contents

Brantley has family connections to the University of Florida. His father, John Brantley, III, also played quarterback there in the late 1970s and his uncle, Scot Brantley, played linebacker for the Gators and went on to the NFL.

Early life

Brantley attended Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Florida. [1]

As a sophomore, Brantley threw for 1,201 yards, 17 touchdowns and one interception, while sharing time with senior Seth Varnadore. During his junior season, he threw for 2,835 yards, 41 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading Trinity Catholic to the Florida Class 2B state title. Brantley finished his high school career with an FHSAA record 99 touchdown passes, breaking the previous state mark of 98, held by Tim Tebow. Following his high school career, Brantley was invited to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Brantley was chosen as the 2006 Gatorade National Player of the Year for football and was judged a four star recruit by Scout.com. [2]

Recruiting process

After a trip to Austin to see the University of Texas, Brantley committed to the Longhorns. In a later interview with FloridaFB.com, Brantley reiterated his commitment to Texas, stating that he felt it was "a real special thing to be headed out there [Texas]."

The other schools on Brantley's shortlist included Alabama, Louisville, Oklahoma, and Florida. [3]

In December 2006, Rivals.com reported that Brantley would de-commit from Texas to follow in the footsteps of his uncle at the University of Florida. He later signed his letter of intent, and enrolled in Gainesville in 2007.

College career

Brantley redshirted his first season with the Gators in 2007, before competing with Cam Newton for the backup job as a redshirt freshman in the 2008 season. Brantley first saw playing time in the season opener against Hawaii, and would go in as the backup after the starters were pulled in several conference games. He appeared in nine games, with pass attempts in seven of them. Brantley finished the 2008 season going 18 for 28 passing for 235 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Brantley earned media attention during the 2009 season after starting quarterback Tim Tebow suffered a concussion in a September 26 game against Kentucky. It was speculated Brantley would make the first start of his Gator career in Baton Rouge at LSU, but Tebow was cleared to play on the day of the game.

In Florida's spring game of 2010, he completed 15 of 19 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. [4]

Brantley was the starting quarterback in the Gators' 2011 season. He injured his ankle in the October 1 game against Alabama and missed the following two games.

Professional career

Brantley signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens on April 28, 2012 after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft. [5] He was waived on August 1, 2012. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex Grossman</span> American football player (born 1980)

Rex Daniel Grossman III is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, most notably with the Chicago Bears. Grossman played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was named AP College Football Player of the Year and won the 2002 Orange Bowl as a sophomore. He was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Leak</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1985)

Christopher Patrick Leak is an American football coach and former gridiron football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Florida, and led the Florida Gators to victory in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. Leak played professionally for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Jacksonville Sharks and Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL).

Andre Jerome "Bubba" Caldwell is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League (NFL). Caldwell played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was a member of a BCS National Championship team. A third-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. With the Broncos, he won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.

Jeffrey Clay Mitchell is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Mitchell played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was a member of a national championship team. Thereafter, he played professionally for the Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Florida Gators football team</span> 101st football season in school history; second national championship victory

The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The season was the second for head coach Urban Meyer, who led the Gators to an SEC Championship, a BCS National Championship, and an overall win–loss record of 13–1 (.929). Their one loss coming from an upset by the Auburn Tigers.

Xavier Tyree Lee is a former American football quarterback and wide receiver. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Florida State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Florida Gators football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. It was the third season for head coach Urban Meyer, who led the Gators to a Capital One Bowl berth and an overall win–loss record of 9–4 (.692).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Florida Gators football team</span> 103rd football season in school history; third national championship victory

The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida, campus. They were led by fourth-year head coach Urban Meyer.

Thomas Johnson "John" Reaves was an American professional football player who was a quarterback for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) during the 1970s and 1980s. Reaves played college football for the Florida Gators football, and earned first-team All-American honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scot Brantley</span> American football player (born 1958)

Scot Eugene Brantley is an American radio and television sports broadcaster and former college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the 1980s. Brantley played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Mallett</span> American football player (1988–2023)

Ryan Michael Mallett was an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens.

John Richard Symank was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1950s and 1960s. Symank played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL. He was later the head coach for Northern Arizona University and the University of Texas at Arlington football teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Tebow</span> American football and baseball player (born 1987)

Timothy Richard Tebow is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. Tebow played college football for the Florida Gators, where he became the first underclassman to win the Heisman Trophy and helped lead the team to two BCS National Championship titles in 2006 and 2008. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, he held the Southeastern Conference's records for career passing efficiency and rushing touchdowns. He was selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Hill</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Will Hill III is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football for the University of Florida and was a member of Florida's 2009 BCS National Championship team. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in 2012, and has also played for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) from 2014 to 2015. He was also a member of the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League (AFL), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and the St. Louis BattleHawks and Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Watkins (American football)</span> American football player (born 1985)

Jason Watkins is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL). He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Haden</span> American football player (born 1989)

Joseph Walter Haden III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, earning unanimous All-American honors and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and played for them for seven seasons. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for five seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Nelson (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1986)

David Alan Nelson is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and also played for the New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida–LSU football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Florida–LSU football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Florida Gators football team of the University of Florida and LSU Tigers football team of Louisiana State University. Although both universities were founding members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in December 1932, the Gators and Tigers did not meet on the gridiron until 1937, and have been annual opponents only since 1971. When the SEC instituted divisional play in 1992, Florida was placed in the SEC Eastern Division and LSU in the Western Division, and Florida and LSU were selected as permanent cross-division rivals. The Gators and Tigers have combined to win five national championships and eleven SEC titles over the past two decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Richardson (American football)</span> American football player (born 2002)

Anthony Dashawn Richardson Sr. is an American professional football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the Colts fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

Mark Thompson is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Dodge City and Florida, and signed with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He was also a member of the New York Jets, Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL. Afterwards, he played two years in the United States Football League (USFL), and then one in the United Football League (UFL) with the Houston Gamblers / Roughnecks, being named the USFL Offensive Player of the Year and All-USFL in 2023 after leading the league in rushing touchdowns.

References

  1. Jon Mahoney, "Gator genes: John Brantley will continue a great tradition at Florida," Sports Illustrated (January 25, 2007). Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  2. Scout.com, Football Recruiting, John Brantley Archived January 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  3. Rivals.com, Football Recruiting, John Brantley Archived April 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  4. "Who's next? Brantley shines at UF spring game". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 10, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  5. Hutchins, Andy (April 28, 2012). "John Brantley Signs With Baltimore Ravens As Undrafted Free Agent, According To Report". SBNation. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  6. "Brantley released by Ravens". Gainesville Sun. August 1, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2024.