Trattou Moving Up Fast

Posted Aug 7, 2007 by Aaron Knox

Updated Aug 7, 2007 at 09:18 PM

GAINESVILLE — Florida football coach Urban Meyer singled out another freshman Tuesday as ready to play this season. Meyer believes Justin Trattou, a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Ramsey, N.J., can help the Gators almost immediately.

Trattou broke out some veteran pass-rushing moves Tuesday during two-on-two pass-protection drills, and he made some of Florida’s starting offensive linemen work harder than they probably expected. Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, Trattou’s defensive line coach, recognized the maturity almost immediately. Mattison said after Sunday’s first practice that Trattou was ahead of his fellow freshmen because of the superior coaching he received at Don Bosco Prep.

“He’s been so well-coached in high school,” Mattison said. “When I say something, he gets it almost immediately. Don Bosco in New Jersey, they’re like a college.”