HB Quick Take: Three Big Commitments...now what?

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

As most of you know that follow recruiting, the Gators landed three big time players that most on here more or less knew they were getting. Scout.com’s number one offensive tackle Xavier Nixon never officially visited any other program during the recruiting cycle and his recruitment has been basically done for quite some time.



The nation’s third ranked weak side linebacker in Jon Bostic committed at the US Army All-American bowl along with Nixon and gave the Gators a big boost heading into the Under Armour game. Bostic is the real deal and will be enrolling at Florida on Tuesday to start trying to make an impact in the spring.



Finally, the absolute number one target on the board landed on Sunday. I really don’t want to hear about the Gators going head to head with LSU on recruits and losing any more. This weekend, the Gators went three for three on recruits against LSU and others. Debose however, is the crème de la crème. He is the crazy good receiver that we have all been looking for to replace Percy. He is a quarter step slower than Percy, but he has all the moves and keeps his speed even when changing direction. He is actually bigger than Percy when Percy arrived on campus as a 176 pound freshman. Debose is the real deal.



So where does this lead us?



First off the game Thursday is still important in the recruiting process. A national championship can do more for recruiting than any one single thing in my opinion. If the Gators win on Thursday, they will get some legitimate shots at big time players that we don’t think possible even right this moment. It is just the way of the beast. If that happens, all those that have been screaming to get kids committed earlier this recruiting calendar year should than their lucky stars that there will be room at the Inn for some big timers to fill those vacant spots. Still, there are some big ones out there the Gators are looking sold for.



By position we will start with running backs. A win on Thursday would go a long way in helping with the two top running backs on the board. Trent Richardson and Jamaal Berry Gainesville in January. are one and two in my opinion right now and both are still planning on visiting officially to



There was a lot of smoke in Orlando that Richardson decommitted from Alabama , but I don’t necessarily think that happen. However, I did see one recruit kid him about it right in front of me, and he acted like a cat that ate the canary. There may be something going on with Richardson soon.



Berry seems solid to OSU, but we know mom likes the Gators. Berry was also at the Under Armour game and to me would seem to be the easier switch, but we shall see.



At quarterback, I still think the Gators get Denard Robinson and the addition of Scot Loeffler as the quarterback coach can only help in my opinion. Loeffler has a pedigree of getting quarterbacks in the NFL that have succeeded in the NFL and I think he will help quarterback recruiting immensely down the road. Robinson has to be intrigued by the hire at a minimum and I would hope that this could get done sooner rather than later.



At wide receiver, now that Debose is in there is a bit of a question mark as to who would be next. My personal opinion is that Marlon Brown is the most likely, but I am not necessarily saying the Gators will get Brown. A very impressive official visit for Brown would do wonders in my opinion and he is visiting on January 24th, not the big recruiting weekend on January 16th.



There are a slew of names after Brown that could be possibilities. Chad Bumphis would be next on the board as far as I know. I am hearing Ricco Sanders is now looking at Florida again. My bet is that Alshon Jeffrey will take a visit to Gainesville before it is over. Of course there is Randall Carroll and although I really don’t think a kid that far away has much of a chance to commit, he certainly has ended all ties with USC. There is definitely a chance there. There are others, but these seem the most likely at the time.



I think Orson Charles is headed to Georgia , a good source told me it is a done deal. I am not sure that Phil Lutzenkirchen is interested, but his thoughts on Florida and the community are just strange to me.



The Gators are done on the offensive line and that feels good to say.



On defense, I think they still try to take at least one defensive tackle and maybe two more. With the apparent commitment of Latu Heimuli to Utah , I look for the Gators to stay much closer to home anyway. Luther Robinson is a real possibility here as well as someone like Brandon Moore. Has the luster worn off of Alabama ? There is also Brandon Thompson to consider on the board at defensive tackle. Don’t be surprised with a win on Thursday if another name or two pop up at this position.



It seems that Ryne Giddins is the only defensive end name on the list and they certainly want another one, especially of his caliber. I think this is another position where a star player from around the country could pop up in the next few weeks.



The Gators are likely to go hard after Frankie Telfort, Jarvis Jones and Jelani Jenkins and win, lose, or draw getting two of those would be the end of the linebacker recruiting. These three are too good to let go, but not sure there are any others out there the staff would want at this time, even if they miss on both. That won’t happen and I would honestly say they look good for both.



At safety I like Josh Evans and Jawanza Starling still and think the Gators lead for both. I think they would take both. Don’t count out Ray Ray Armstrong as he is supposedly visiting in mid January.



Finally at cornerback, the Gators suffered their first setback of the year when Greg Reid decommitted this past week. Reid is a bit confused right now and really wonders if he can play at Florida . I hear he actually wants to play offense but is now saying defense, because he wants to be a Gator bad but isn’t sure he can get on the field on offense. If I am a coach, I am pointing out that the coaches and analysts at the under Armour game thought he was one of the top three players at any position. Some said he was the very best. I think Reid ends up a Gator in the end.



Dre Kirkpatrick is still visiting, so I guess there is a chance. I just think he ends up at Bama when all is said and done.



As ridiculous as it may sound to others, I still am holding at a possible 27 in the class. I don’t make these things up and have real reasons to believe it can happen. In the end, it will be very hard for this class not to be in the top three in the country.



Larry and I are down in the Miami area covering the team stuff, but this is how I see the recruiting as of January 5, 2009 .

[radbag]

good read hater! thanks!