GAINESVILLE — Florida defensive end Trent Pupello swears his bench-press max didn’t drop 300 pounds the moment his blond locks hit the floor. Apparently, Samson is the only guy who had that problem.

Still, it seemed strange to see the former Jefferson High star wearing a coiffure that would get him hired at an investment bank. The white, defensive practice jersey, however, didn’t look the least bit odd.

Pupello, who came to Florida last summer as a tight end, said defensive line coach Greg Mattison gently suggested the haircut.


“He’s old school,” said Pupello, who is shown here in a “before” photo. “He wanted me to show dedication.”

Pupello was more than happy to please his new position coach. After all, he loves his new position.

Pupello said he had no problem ditching an offensive playbook thicker than the New York City yellow pages. He said he loved the fact that defenders have to play mostly on instinct instead of following a script.

Pupello said coaches tried him at defensive end while the Gators practiced for the BCS title game in January.

“I loved it,” he said. “I started having a lot of fun.”

Now, Pupello must fight for playing time. The Gators would prefer to play four defensive ends, and only returning starter Derrick Harvey has cinched his place in the rotation. That fact has inspired Pupello.

“It’s like a rebirth,” Pupello said.

Still, don’t be surprised if you see some blond hair peeking out from beneath Pupello’s helmet when he collects his first sack. He had no idea how many people would notice his haircut, and he intends to bring the locks back by popular demand.

“I’m not going to keep it [short],” Pupello said. “It’s coming back.”

SPRING FOOTBALL NOTES

Florida coach Urban Meyer said Monday that former Hillsborough High star Jarred Fayson has played his way into the regular receiver rotation, but don’t expect Fayson to just catch the ball. Meyer said Fayson may occasionally line up at tailback and take handoffs. … Harvey and first-team tailback Kestahn Moore will have surgery today to repair sports hernias. Both will miss Saturday’s spring game, but Meyer said both players would fully recover in a few weeks.