Although they inked the consensus No. 1 rated class in the nation last year, there were several prospects the University of Florida was involved with that ended up signing elsewhere. Today GatorBait.net takes a look at the ten top prospects who the Gators just missed landing last year, how that impacted the Gators class and how those players are now performing.
The players are ranked 1-to-10 based on their ability, who else the Gators signed at the position to help make up for their departure and the how much impact they would have made with Florida considering the Gators current depth chart.
1 Woodny Turenne
Visalia (CA) College of the Sequoias DB 6-2/190 Louisville
Turenne, WoodnyThe Situation: From the very beginning it looked as if the Florida native was going to be heading back to the Sunshine State to play his college football. The No. 1 rated JUCO prospect in the nation had the University of Florida out infront for months – then he received his fall grades. The good news for UF fans was that after losing a couple of different JUCO players to a math credit in recent years, this time around it wasn't just a math credit, but an entire transcript that would cause UF to back off (sarcasm).
Instead The Gators Got:As has been stated several times now, for whatever reason, be it grades or players dropping UF at the last minute or pulling Signing Day shockers (Robinson two years ago), the Gators seem to just fall short when it comes to getting the big name prospects at the corner position despite Chuck Heater showing that he is one of the best in the business when it comes to developing players at the position.
His Current Situation: It's possible to say that Turenne stole the show on defense. He showed the ability to stick with Louisville's top wide receivers, and he also stuck his nose into some tackles as well. The best example of Woodny's ability was when he got juked on a pass-route near the goal line by Mario Urrutia. Turenne quickly recognized the mistake, planted and switched directions, then sprinted to catch up with Urrutia. He leaped and batted down a pass that would have been an easy touchdown for the offense. I would be surprised if Turenne didn't start this fall. We decided Woodny should be labelled "Most Likely to Make a Pick Six". - Howie Lindsey – CardinalSports.com after a recent scrimmage
Impact: If the reports from practice are accurate, he was deserving of his five-star status. Florida has plenty of young bodies at the position, but it would have been a good fit to have a corner coming in with his two years of JUCO experience to help ease the transition of some of the inexperienced players.
2 Demarcus VanDyke
Miami (FL) Pace ATH 6-0/161 Miami-FL
VanDyke, DemarcusThe Situation: If the recruiting process of McCray was a soap opera, what happened with DVD is nothing short of a prime time mini-series. In May, while in south Florida playing groupie/roadie/whatever on the Urban Meyer Gator Gathering tour, GatorBait.net was informed by VanDyke of his impending June public commitment to the Gators. There was only one problem with that, in early June he decided to make a commitment to the home town Hurricanes. Not two weeks later he said that despite his commitment, he would be taking official visits including one to the Gators. After making an official visit to Florida and having seen a coaching change take place at Miami, DVD switched his commitment to the Gators. Not long after his commitment, the rumors began swirling that he was once again considering Miami. The rumors turned to fact when his coach let the cat slip out of the bag shortly before Signing Day.
Instead The Gators Got: Though he didn't officially switch his commitment until the day before Signing Day, the Gators knew it was going to be an uphill battle to keep him in the fold. Although Florida was able to land Moses Jenkins, who appears to be a solid addition, it was going to be impossible to replace a player of DVD's ability so late in the process.
His Current Situation: VanDyke has looked outstanding in fall work. He has excellent speed and is already considered one of UM's better cover corners. He is expected to be starting in game one depending on the health of Randy Phillips and, regardless, will be playing a lot this season. He is also working in as a return man. - Matt Shodell – CaneSport.com
“What an outstanding signee he is. He is very talented, very athletic and fast. The one thing you wondered about him before training camp was, with his size -- he has the height, but not the girth yet -- and his youth, was he tough enough to line up and play against older guys. He has demonstrated over and over again in training camp that he is really tough enough to compete at this level.” - Miami secondary coach Wesley McGriff
Impact: Meyer has said he wants to coach the fastest team in the country, well landing DVD would have been a big step in that direction. Whether it be as a corner, slot receiver or in the return game, he has the ability to be a difference maker.
3 Armando Allen
Hialeah (FL) Miami Lakes RB 5-9/181 Notre Dame
Allen, ArmandoThe Situation: He was rumored to be a silent commitment to Florida for weeks before his official announcement. Then right before he was to go public, his cousin DeMarcus VanDyke text messaged GatorBait.net that there was a change in plans. When Notre Dame altered their policy to allow Allen early enrollment, that sealed the deal for the Irish.
Instead The Gators Got: Chris Rainey was already in the fold. After Allen's defection, Florida was able to land 4-star Bo Williams and then just days ago added 06 Rivals100 back Emmanuel Moody. Which might not have happened had Allen been on board.
His Current Situation: Without a doubt, Allen has shown himself to be the fastest running back on Notre Dame's team and maybe the fastest player at any position. He's on the smaller side compared to some of the other backs, but he's lightning quick. Allen has been battling for the second tailback spot behind fifth-year senior Travis Thomas. It's almost a certainty that he'll play a role in the season-opener against Georgia Tech both at running back and on kickoff return. The coaching staff loves Allen's speed first and foremost. For all the talk about Notre Dame needing to get faster to compete with SEC programs, Allen is a major step in the right direction. - Pete Sampson – IrishIllustrated.com
Impact: Take the little tidbit about Meyer and speed above and multiply it by two. Allen is that fast. The fact that he is pushing his way to the top of the depth chart at Notre Dame, and checking over the backs currently making noise at Florida, more than likely puts him second in the playing rotation at Florida at worst.
4 James Scott
Daytona Beach (FL) Seabreeze DB 5-10/163 Ohio State
Scott, JamesThe Situation: This one caught everyone off guard. He was a Gator right up until the football banquet where he made his announcement. Right before the start of the ceremony (which GatorBait.net made the trip to cover in anticipation of his impending public commitment to Florida), he told some of those in attendance that he was going to make a surprise pick. It played out exactly as he said, there were plenty of shocked people when he got on stage and put on a red Buckeye cap.
Instead The Gators Got: For whatever reason, despite reeling in top talent across the board, the Gators seem to miss out on the top rated corner prospects in each of this staff's three recruiting classes. The Gators did get Joe Haden (though not listed as a corner), Ahmad Black and Moses Jenkins at the position, but none of them were as highly rated at corner as Scott.
His Current Situation: Practices are closed for the most part so we really haven't had a chance to see him but he has had some looks in the two deep in the practices that we have seen. He looks like he had made the adjustment well but is still learning some of the finer details of the Ohio State defense. [Where he stands on the depth chart] is hard to tell because there is a big glut of players between the second and third team. Scott will likely see time on the special units and could work himself up into the two deep though it is a crowded cornerback race at this point. - Kevin Noon – BuckeyeGrove.com
"I think James has kind of gotten over that freshman wall a little bit, especially from the spring and through camp and I think once he got adjusted to the college ball a little bit he felt a lot more comfortable. He's a really good player and he's going to be a young man who is definitely going to play here someday. Is it this year? Possible but not sure but whatever he weighs (listed at 165-pounds) he will bring it all and knock your head off." - Ohio State cornerback coach Taver Johnson
Impact: He doesn't quite have the same package as Turenne - in that he's not as tall and nowhere near as fast, but he does posses good coverage skills and would have been in the running for playing time this year at Florida.
5 Ben Martin
Cincinnati (OH) La Salle DE 6-5/230 Tennessee
Martin, BenThe Situation: Of the ten players listed on here, he is probably the one that was least expected to eventually sign with the Gators. Although he listed the Gators in his final four and is pretty good friends (as far as meeting on the recruiting trail and talking frequently on the phone) with Gator signee Duke Lemmens, it was thought that he would choose to stay closer to home rather than travel all the way down south.
Instead The Gators Got: Florida did extremely well across the defensive line as a whole and filled their needs at end. That's not to say that they couldn't have used a player with Martin's physical attributes.
His Current Situation: He was the rage this off-season because of is first step, his speed, his quickness and his desire. He will play this fall. Martin will not play in the first couple of games because of a bone bruise in his knee that he suffered in the second major scrimmage of the preseason. When healthy, Martin would be their fifth defensive end pushing to move up the chart. Tennessee likes to rotate their defensive linemen and he will play this fall. Phillip Fulmer at one point indicated that the thinks Ben Martin can be an All-American. They like his quickness off the edge as a rusher and physically he has done okay for a true freshman. The injury has set him back probably a month or so, but Martin will play more and more as the season progresses. - Brent Hubbs – Volquest.com
Impact: While it's true that Florida ended up with an incredible defensive line class, you never like to lose out on a speed rusher such as Martin.
6 Chris Culliver
Garner (NC) Garner WR 6-0/188 South Carolina
Culliver, ChrisThe Situation: Though he claimed to be open between Florida and South Carolina, the feeling was that the Gamecocks were the team to beat based on two factors. They were the first program to recruit him as a receiver and they were set to hire his mentor as a Graduate Assistant.
Instead The Gators Got: The Gators added Deonte Thompson after the fact, but he more than likely would have been on his way to Gainesville regardless of what Culliver did or didn't do.
His Current Situation: Culliver is still in the process of transitioning to the wide receiver position. He has gotten better and better as fall practice has progressed, and he's currently running second team. He is also expected to be one of the primary kick returners for the Gamecocks. He's very dangerous with the ball in his hands, so look for Steve Spurrier to find creative ways to get him the football. - Tony Morrell – GamecockCentral.com
Impact: As a receiver, he would be a definite redshirt at Florida this year because he is so new to the position. However, with his speed, he has an incredible upside.
7 Bert Reed
Panama City (FL) Bay ATH 5-11/165 Florida State
Reed, BertThe Situation: He grew up a fan of the Florida State Seminoles, but when they looked as if they weren't going to offer him, he began favoring the Gators and committed to the Gators in mid October. He firmed up his commitment to the Gators shortly after his official visit to Florida. However, Florida State came in with a late offer and convinced him to take an official visit to Tallahassee. Before going on that trip two UF coaches visited him at his high school and explained that with the numbers being what they were (and obviously knowing he was a FSU fan), if he visited the Seminoles, his offer would be pulled. He of course still went on the trip and the rest is history.
Instead The Gators Got: If there was one position where Florida could afford to give a prospect an ultimatum, with the depth chart being what it is, receiver is the obvious choice. Though the Gators only signed one other receiver after Reed's defection, that receiver was Rivals100 wide out Deonte Thompson.
His Current Situation: Bert Reed has been one of the most impressive freshmen on the team. For a former high school quarterback, he runs extremely precise routes and has soft hands. And based on how well he has performed in passing drills, he is probably the fastest wide receiver on the team right now. In just a two-wide out set, he's probably 4th string but there's no doubt he will get in the rotation and see playing time this season. - Gene Williams – WarChant.com
Impact: He has the athletic ability and tools to project to several different positions including slot receiver or corner.
8 Ahmad Paige
Sterlington (LA) Sterlington WR 6-3/175 Tennessee
Paige, AhmadThe Situation: The one time Florida State commitment was leaning toward the Gators late in the process, but with Florida well on their way to the top overall class in the nation, they slow-played Paige just enough to open the doors for others. By the time UF decided to go back after him full bore, he was ready to decide between Tennessee and Southern Cal.
Instead The Gators Got: Florida lost out on several top receiver targets at the end, but they were able to reel in Deonte Thompson, lessening the blow somewhat.
His Current Situation: He has looked polished and has caught the ball well. Paige's biggest obstacle is lack of size. He is just is not heavy enough or physical enough at this point which is why he is a leading candidate to redshirt. He is third team at one of the wide receiver positions meaning he is 9th in their rotation. The coaching staff likes Paige's upside. He is polished as a route runner and has shown nice hands. The issues is that he just is not heavy enough or strong enough at this point to beat press man coverage or to be a good blocker in the run game. With a good number of receivers in front of him, Paige will likely not see the field this fall. - Brent Hubbs – Volquest.com
Impact: Though he is an outstanding prospect, because Billy Gonzales has done so well recruiting and teaching the position over the last three years, it isn't that big of a need, which caused him to move down this list.
9 D'Angelo McCray
Jacksonville (FL) Andrew Jackson DT 6-4/289 Illinois
McCray, DThe Situation: Talk about a recruiting soap opera – this was one for the ages. Depending on what day of the week he was interviewed, McCray was as solid as a rock to Florida or headed elsewhere. Whether it was because of too much depth at Florida or others badmouthing the Gators, the end result was McCray deciding to head north to play his college ball.
Instead The Gators Got: He was off the board early enough that the Gators had time to rebound and sign their best defensive line class ever and arguably one of the top line classes ever assembled.
His Current Situation: I would expect McCray gets 10-15 snaps per game this fall for Illinois. Once McCray has a full year with the Illinois strength and conditioning program, another spring, fall camp with defensive line coach Tom Sims, I expect him to be a starting defensive tackle come the 2008 season for Ron Zook's program. - Jeff Johnson – OrangeandBlueNews.com
Impact: Big mobile defensive linemen are hard to come by and are at a premium in the recruiting wars. He's downgraded somewhat because of his off season surgery and he didn't have the greatest of senior seasons.
10 Sidell Corley
Mobile (AL) McGill Toolen DE 6-4/250 LSU
Corley, SidellThe Situation: Committed to the Gators immediately after the Orange & Blue game. It seemed that from the very beginning his commitment was shaky at best. He and his father spoke of taking a wait-and-see approach while waiting to see how many other defensive linemen the Gators would take. It appeared that if he were to bail, it would be in favor of Alabama, but in the end he decided that LSU was the best fit for him.
Instead The Gators Got: On 1/25 the Gators picked up a commitment from Justin Trattou, on 1/26 Corley called the UF coaches to tell them he was decommitting. By doing so, so late in the process (less than two weeks to go before Signing Day), it left little time for the Gators to pursue other defensive ends last year, but his absence from the class left room for the Gators to add Moses Jenkins, John Brown and Jerimy Finch. There may not have been room for one of the three had Corley remained in the fold.
Impact: Some think that eventually he will move inside to tackle, where Florida signed a full class. Even if he stays on the outside, Howard, Lemmens, Dunlap and Trattou comprised a lights out defensive end class already.