MU’s Bracey looks for playing time

Greg Bracey is fast.

When asked what his 40–yard dash time is, a sly grin creeps on Bracey’s face.

“4.20,” Bracey, who recorded the time on the turf inside Devine Pavilion earlier this year, said with a chuckle.

To put that in perspective, Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson, widely considered to be a top five pick and the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft later this month, ran a 4.35 in the 40 at the NFL Combine.

In fact, Bracey can’t ever remember not being fast.

“I can remember back in second grade and the gym teacher called me over to race a group of fifth graders,” Bracey said. “At that point, I really didn’t think much of it then, but looking back I’ve been fast for a pretty long time.”

The senior wide receiver hopes to use that speed to earn major playing

time for the first time in his football career. After grabbing just three receptions for 79 yards in 2006, including a 46-yard catch on the fourth play of the game against Oklahoma, Bracey is currently listed second on the depth chart at the X wide receiver position, even though for the fourth straight year, Bracey is splitting his time in the spring between the football team and the track and field team.

“It’s hard, but I’ve been doing it for four years so I’m used to it. I haven’t done as much football this spring as I have in the past,” Bracey said.

But Bracey admitted that there is a definite technique difference between the two sports. Sprinters are taught to run high — think Michael Johnson, a gold medal winning sprinter who ran straight up with his chest puffed out — while football players are told to stay as low to the ground as possible.

“Track is more staying on your toes, while it’s staying flat footed (on the football field),” Bracey said.

While he remembers being the fleetest of foot wherever he went, Bracey says his speed didn’t set in until high school, when he traveled the country from his home in Wisconsin to compete in national track meets.

“When I was 14 or 15 and first started competing in those meets is when I realized that I could hang with (the other racers),” said Bracey, who ran a personal best 6.80 seconds in the 60 meter dash at the Wildcat Invitational in 2006.

But Bracey did more than hang with the people he competed against in high school.

He won the 200–meter dash at the Junior Olympics in Sacramento in 2001.

Bracey’s speed should definitely help his cause to get onto the field in a crowded group of wide receivers.

“This is probably the most talented wide receiver and tight end corps that maybe I’ve ever had,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said.

“I obviously want to play a lot more but I want to win,” Bracey said. “I’ve been around here for now my fifth year and we’ve always been around the top, but now I want to get there and set a precedent for the younger guys.”

POSITION SWITCH: Sophomore running back Connell Davis is now playing linebacker.

Pinkel said the switch was made to get Davis, who was listed at fifth on the depth chart at tailback, more playing time.

“We feel that he’s an athlete who’s in a position to help this Bracey: Crowded field at wide receiverfootball team and he feels good about it,” said Pinkel, who let Davis ponder the decision over spring break.

“He’s got a lot to learn, but this is the time to do it now instead of waiting for two–a–days.”

NOTES: Defensive end Josh Barbo deflected a pass to himself and ran it back for a touchdown in 11–on–11 drills. Defensive end John Stull rejoined the team. Tailback Earl Goldsmith hurt his left shoulder Tuesday.