College Sports

Meyer says Harvin 'ahead of schedule'

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida receiver Percy Harvin is "ahead of schedule" in his return from heel surgery, coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

Meyer said Harvin, one of the nation's most dynamic players, has started running full speed and should be ready to go when the Gators begin fall practice next month.

"He's doing tremendous," Meyer said at the Florida Sports Writers Association's annual college football media days. "What happens with skilled athletes and you see it all the time — especially with the race-horse-type guys — if they hurt a certain part of their body, another part of their body takes over and then you start have the hip flexors, hamstring issues, quad issues. So we're being very cautious."

Harvin had surgery in early April, hoping to relieve years of pain in his right heel that had bothered him off and on since his high school days in Virginia Beach.

It was initially treated as tendinitis at Florida, but the pain persisted and eventually caused soreness in his knee and hip.

Despite the nagging injury, Harvin ran for 764 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season and caught 59 passes for 858 yards and four scores.

The Gators believe he can be even better if he stays healthy.

Harvin hasn't played every game in either of his two seasons, missing time because of an ankle injury in 2006 and sitting out two games last year because of migraine headaches.

More on UCF deceased WR

A University of Central Florida football player who died after spring drills had a pre-existing medical condition worsened by physical stress, autopsy results released Thursday showed.

The Orange County Medical Examiner's Office said Ereck Plancher, 19, had a sickle cell trait that caused problems with his red blood cells during physical exertion. The examination showed Plancher's heart began beating abnormally, and blood flow to the wide receiver's muscles and organs slowed or stopped.

Investigators found no trauma to the body and no illegal drugs or toxins.

Plancher collapsed in March, the day before spring practice was to begin. UCF says he received CPR from trainers and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"The health of our student-athletes is our top priority," the school said in a statement. "We will review the complete report as soon as it is available and respond appropriately at that time."

Citing anonymous players, the Orlando Sentinel reported a month after Plancher's death the player was visibly struggling during practice. The newspaper said the players accused UCF coach George O'Leary of singling out and berating Plancher for not trying hard enough.

LSU boots lineman

LSU offensive lineman Jarvis Jones has been kicked off the Tigers' football squad for an unspecified violation of team rules.

LSU head coach Les Miles announced his decision Thursday.

"The issues we had with Jarvis were internal and ones that we dealt with within the framework of our team," Miles said in a written statement released by the school. "However, we just felt like it was time to go in a different direction. We wish him well in any of his future endeavors."

The 6-foot-7, 294-pound Jones played in seven games last year as a true freshman for the Tigers.