"We're a wide-open offense and we love to run. If you can't run, there's really not a place for you at the University of Florida."

— Head coach Urban Meyer in the Gators' 2008 recruiting/media guide.

Imagine, if you can, the blur that was Jeff Demps who, two months ago and just days out of high school, blazed to the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in the 100 meter dash.

His 10.01 clocking is a World Junior record and the fastest in history by an American teenager.

But at the University of Florida, where he is an 18-year-old running back, Demps might not even be the fastest at his position. That distinction apparently also being claimed by Chris Rainey who, it is said, beat Demps in a match race behind the Gators' dorms recently.

So, when the University of Hawai'i football coaches talk about the Gators' team speed — and assistant coach Rich Miano says they "are like Michael Phelps" on turf — you get a glimpse of what the Warriors are up against come Aug. 30 in The Swamp.

It is not by accident that the Gators come by their fleetness of foot. When Urban Meyer came to Florida in 2005 he vowed to build a national championship program — and do it with speed. The intention being to make the Gators the "fastest team in America."

Presumably he meant college, but these days it can be hard to tell. "They (Florida and Georgia) are like the NFL, there is team speed everywhere," Miano said. "They've got team speed across the board and nobody that is slow," said Cal Lee, UH defensive coordinator.

Indeed, UF running backs coach Kenny Carter the other day said, "Everybody can run. We were laughing about (cornerback) Joe Haden. He runs a 4.3 40 (yard dash) and he's only the seventh fastest player on our team. That puts things into perspective for you."

What the Gators do with their offense is spread the field and then rely on their speed to create mismatches — and big plays.

"I believe we're going to have speed, especially at the skill positions on offense," quarterback Tim Tebow predicts. "I think we've got a 4.2 guy at every position."

To underline just how much speed the Gators are blessed with, before the spring game, it is reported UF put up the offer of a scholarship to any student that could beat Rainey in the 40-yard. Five tried. None got their schooling paid for as Rainey blazed to a 4.24. Then, in the game, he broke loose on a 65-yard TD run.

But the issue of the Gators' fastest player remains unresolved, Demps maintains. "I won the first race, the second one we kind of stopped and, then, the third race he (Rainey) won."

For Gator foes, it matters little which one has the bragging rights. The bottom line is speed kills and the Gators have it in abundance.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.