Former Ridgefield offensive lineman Tommy Jordan wants everyone to know that he is still committed to the University of Florida.

However, in light news from the Gators' football program, Jordan has decided to take some time off and enjoy the winter semester up north.

Jordan graduated early from Ridgefield and intended to start classes at Florida in January. His plan now is to join the Gators' football team in May for summer training.

The Florida program was jolted when Urban Meyer, who guided the Gators to a pair of national championships, recently announced he was stepping down for medical reasons.

"I am going to take the semester off and go back in the late spring." Jordan said while attending Ridgefield's boys' basketball game against McMahon on Tuesday.

"I have been working my butt off to graduate early and now all this stuff is happening. It just seemed like I needed a break."

Florida named former Texas defensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting" Will Muschamp as Meyer's successor.

Muschamp has put together an impressive staff that includes former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who left his job as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator to take a similar position at Florida.

Weis also was the offensive coordinator on the New England Patriots' three Super Bowl-winning teams.

Frank Verducci, who was on Weis' staff at Notre Dame, was named the Gators' offensive line coach and will be Jordan's position coach at Florida.

Verducci, who has coached in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns, most recently served as a consultant to the St. Louis Rams.

"I am really excited about that staff they are putting together there," Jordan said. "I just thought it was better to come back here while all this was going on and they figure out how it is all going to work. But I still plan on going there and am really excited about the future."

A former member of Ridgefield's basketball team, Jordan can spent the rest of the winter watching one of the state's most surprising clubs.

The Tigers, who already have defeated two top-10 teams in St. Joseph and McMahon, take a 7-0 record into Friday's home game against Westhill.

Editor's note: This story has been changed as of 2 p.m. Saturday to correct an inaccuracy regarding the time of year Jordan is planning to report to the University of Florida football team for practice -- he plans to be there in May for summer training as opposed to spring training, which was originally in the story.

It is also of note that the Walter Camp Football Foundation named Jordan to the All-State team Saturday morning.