CARLOS DUNLAP went from being a decent reserve to a JAW-DROPPING speed rusher this off-season

Former Fort Dorchester standout ready to chomp down on the SEC

STEPHEN M. DOWELL
AP

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap (right) chases down quarterback Cameron Newton during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut game in April.

Carlos Dunlap

Meet the new "Freak" at Florida.

He's 6-7, weighs 290 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds.

Florida sophomore defensive end Carlos Dunlap is already being compared to the Gators' all-time great defensive ends, including Jevon Kearse, who was known as "The Freak."

Some Florida followers call Dunlap "Freak II." Others call him "Baby Freak."

Dunlap, a former Fort Dorchester High School star, is working hard to get ready for the 2008 season after an outstanding spring season that was capped by an incredible performance in Florida's spring game.

Dunlap put up decent numbers for a freshman in 2007, recording seven tackles and a sack while seeing playing time in all 13 games. In the Gators' spring game in April, he set a team spring-game record with four sacks.

His performance drew high praise from those who make a living off of college football.

"With his pass rush, he could be a force in the SEC, and if you're a force in the SEC, you are one of the best players in America," Gators coach Urban Meyer told reporters after the spring game.

Offensive line coach Steve Addazio says Dunlap could be better than both former Gators stars Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey by the time he concludes his career.

The people who sit in the pressbox were impressed, too.

"Carlos Dunlap went from being a decent reserve to a jaw-dropping speed rusher this off-season," College Football News' Pete Fiutak reported. "Unstoppable at times in spring ball, he has the combination of quickness to go along with his size to give the line a player to revolve the pass rush around. He has NFL millionaire written all over him if he can keep progressing."

ESPN's Bruce Feldman lists him as the No. 3 "Workout Warrior" in the country.

Dunlap hears the hype but remains humble and soft-spoken.

Ask him what his goal is for the '08 season and he will talk about what happened in '06.

"I want to help my team get back to the national championship game," Dunlap said of the Gators' national championship season, capped by a blow-out victory over Ohio State. And, I want to avenge last year's loss to Georgia. I want to work hard to make myself better, and I want to work hard to make the team better."

The Gators, 9-4 last year, are expected to contend for another national championship if the defense lives up to its potential. The offense is set with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow and Southern Cal transfer Emanuel Moody, who will play tailback.

"Our offense is already established," Dunlap said. "We just have to get better on defense."

Dunlap will replace Harvey, a first-round pick in the NFL draft, at defensive end. Dunlap was a reserve last fall, but worked hard, listened and studied Harvey's technique.

"Derrick told me a lot of things to help me out," Dunlap said. "He was pretty cool. He told me a lot of secrets to playing the position, things that will help me perfect my game."

Dunlap was in the shadows last year, but he stepped up at times. The highlight of his season came 90 miles from his home. He recorded his only quarterback sack of the season in the Gators' 51-30 victory at South Carolina on Nov. 10.

"That was my greatest thrill of the season," said Dunlap. "That was one big rush."

Dunlap returned home for a few days last week. He's attending summer school, and he's preparing for the fall.

"I really don't get a break," he said. "I work out every day and run some 40s. I'm trying to get stronger and smarter. I watch film. I watch a lot of film. I know the expectations are high, and I have to keep working to reach my potential. It's a matter of reading and reacting."

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.