GAINESVILLE — UF cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III grew up in Tampa when Brian Poole was on track to become the nation's top cornerback recruit.
Hargreaves revered Poole, who is nearly two years older. But Hargreaves eventually would surpass Poole as a player and become the biggest star on the same college team.
Along the way, the two Gators have become best friends with a common goal, not adversaries jockeying for each other's position.
"I love how Brian plays. I love the things he can do," Hargreaves said. "When I was coming up in Tampa, he was the guy.