GAINESVILLE, Fla. — John Brantley's first two seasons at Florida consisted mostly of wearing a headset, carrying a clipboard, signaling in plays and getting on the field in mop-up duty.

It hasn't exactly been a pressure-packed career.

That could change drastically in the next week or so.

Brantley, a third-year sophomore from Ocala, has taken most of the snaps for the top-ranked Gators this week and could be the one directing coach Urban Meyer's offense in what looks like the toughest test of the season for the defending national champions.

The Gators (4-0) aren't worried a bit, either.

"He's got a good grasp of the whole offense," offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. "He really does. You're talking about a guy that's been in training now. He's been here and he knows what he's doing. He can run the whole offense."

With 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow still recovering from a concussion sustained Saturday at Kentucky, Brantley might have to run the offense when Florida returns to the field Oct. 10 at LSU.

Sure, the Gators would love to have Tebow back against the fourth-ranked Tigers. But if he's not medically cleared, teammates and coaches insist Brantley would be ready for the challenge.

ELSEWHERE

Iowa State: Wide receiver Darius Reynolds, the Cyclones' second-leading receiver, is out for the rest of the season after breaking his right ankle in practice. The Cyclones (3-1) open Big 12 play on Saturday when they face Kansas State (2-2).

Oklahoma: Quarterback Sam Bradford's status for Oklahoma's game against Miami is still a mystery. The Heisman Trophy winner has missed No. 8 Oklahoma's last two games after spraining an AC joint in his right shoulder in the season-opening loss to BYU.

Southern California: Senior tailback Stafon Johnson is resting and tweeting two days after sustaining a frightening throat injury in a weightlifting accident. Johnson is still recovering from seven hours of reconstructive surgery Monday after a weight bar fell on his neck, crushing his larynx and throat.