Cheers & Jeers » Haden challenges Oklahoma

But of the players who have descended on South Florida this week, one of the most conspicuous has been Florida cornerback Joe Haden, a product of Friendly High in Fort Washington.

When the Gators landed in Fort Lauderdale Sunday, the sophomore had a Mohawk haircut. Razor cut into the left side of his head was “BCS 1,” on the right side, a star and his jersey number, 5.

Haden has been conspicuous in print as well, questioning a frenetic Oklahoma offense that scored more points (702) than any team since 1904, and is working on a string of five straight games in which it has scored at least 60.

“They haven’t played against us. Nobody puts 60 points up on us,” said Haden on Dec. 16. “It’s a challenge for them to come against us, honestly, because they haven’t seen a defense like us, with the speed and the physical play and just knowing our assignments and just flying around.”

With that Haden provided bulletin board material for the Sooners and became the target of Internet jibes from their rabid fans.

Haden has the stuff to back up his words. A physical marvel at 5-11, 190, he has a sculpted frame with 2.2 percent body fat. He can bench press 385 pounds, squat 400, and has a 40-inch vertical leap.

Playing quarterback at Friendly, Haden threw for a state-record 7,371 career yards. When he ran off the field for the last time, after leading the Patriots past River Hill in the 2006 Maryland 2A state final, he did the Gator Chomp.

When Haden arrived at Florida a month later as a four-star recruit, he was in a class that included 10 five-star players. But Haden quickly emerged, becoming the first true freshman to start for the Gators at cornerback. This year he had three interceptions and 77 tackles.

“It’s definitely not guaranteeing victory,” said Haden of his haircut. “It’s not like that. We made it to the championship game. It’s the No. 1 game. I just wanted to do something different.”