The Back Alley Archives

Tomorrow is National Signing Day. So here's a thread for it.

[TABLE="class: wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-15, width: 706"]
[TR="class: row-1 odd"]
[TH="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FF8000"]Commitment[/TH]
[TH="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FF8000"]Pos.[/TH]
[TH="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FF8000"]Rivals[/TH]
[TH="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FF8000"]ESPN[/TH]
[TH="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FF8000"]Overall[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-2 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]V. Hargreaves[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]2/3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-3 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Alex Anzalone*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]LB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]28/97[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-4 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Kelvin Taylor*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]RB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]38/8[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-5 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]D. Robinson*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]WR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]52/53[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-6 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Alvin Bailey[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]WR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]63/77[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-7 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Keanu Neal[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]DB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]64/65[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-8 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Marcell Harris[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]67/68[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-9 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Daniel McMillian*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]LB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]123/33[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-10 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Caleb Brantley[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DT[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]132/42[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-11 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Ahmad Fulwood[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]WR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]136/110[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-12 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]N. Washington[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]164/154[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-13 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Joey Ivie*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]DE[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]198/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-14 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Jordan Sherit[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DE[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]224/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-15 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Matt Rolin*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]LB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]-/80[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-16 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Adam Lane[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]RB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]-/175[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-17 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Marqui Hawkins[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]WR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]-/199[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-18 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Max Staver[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]QB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]-/263[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-19 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Cam Dillard[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]OL[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-20 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Antonio Riles[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]DE[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-21 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Rod Johnson[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]OL[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-22 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Ch. Thompson[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]WR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-23 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Oct. Jackson[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]DT[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-24 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Jarrad Davis[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]LB[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]-/-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-25 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Dar. Cummings*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]DT[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]JUCO[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-26 even, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]
[TD="class: column-1"]Trenton Brown[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2"]OL[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4"]NR[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5"]JUCO[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-27 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]Tyler Moore*[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]OL[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"][/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #F0F0F6"]CC[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
* Early enrollee (spring 2013)

From OnlyGators.Com: Defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick (Port St. Lucie, FL)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 25 DT | ESPN – No. 286 overall (No. 27 DT)
Leaders: Florida, Miami
Contenders: Alabama
Skinny: Supposedly undecided between his final three schools (listed above), Bostwick spent his final weekend before signing day on campus in Gainesville, FL for an official visit. His decision is expected to come down to Florida or Miami and many recruiting analysts believe the Gators will get the nod when all is said and done.
Announcement: National Signing Day – time to be announced
Wide receiver James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, FL)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 45 WR | ESPN – No. 49 WR
Leaders: Florida, Clemson, Ohio State
Contenders: Nebraska, Northwestern
Skinny: Clark has a tough decision to make with all three of his leaders making a major push for his services over the last few weeks. Though the Gators landed four-star WR Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, GA) in early January, UF has stayed on top of Clark and let him know that they could very much use a sixth wide receiver in the recruiting class. He has never taken an official visit to Florida but has been on campus previously and took an official visit to the school on Saturday.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 9 a.m.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Nashville, TN)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 10 overall (No. 3 CB) | No. 14 overall (No. 4 CB)
Leaders: Florida, Florida State
Contenders: USC
Skinny: Currently committed to Southern Cal, Ramsey is expected to change his mind and pick either UF or FSU at some point soon. He is high school teammates with Gators three-star quarterback pledge Max Staver (Brentwood, TN) but has kept an open mind throughout the process. Florida coaches met with Ramsey in his home on Thursday – getting the last face-to-face contact with him before he makes a decision – but were unable to convince him to visit the campus on Saturday for an unofficial visit.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 11 a.m.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed (Scooba, MS)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 68 overall (JUCO rankings)
Leaders: Florida, Alabama
Skinny: A JUCO prospect who spent his last two years at East Mississippi Community College, Reed was committed to Ole Miss for quite some time before officially rescinding his pledge on Sunday. With outstanding offers from the Gators and Crimson Tide – the teams in his new final two – Reed has obviously been flipped. The question leading into signing day is: Which program made Reed change his mind?
Announcement: National Signing Day – time to be announced
Defensive end Tashawn Bower (Frankfort, KY)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 14 DE | ESPN – No. 132 overall (No. 11 DE)
Leaders: Auburn
Contenders: Florida, Florida State, LSU
Skinny: Committed to Auburn since June, Bower has kept his options open with official visits to the other three schools in his final four. He plans to cut that list down to three before signing day. Bower is reevaluating his commitment but spent the final weekend of the recruiting process on campus at AU for an unofficial visit. He is expected to stick with his pledge when all is said and done; if he flips, it would probably be UF.
Announcement: National Signing Day – time to be announced
Defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, GA)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 1 overall (No. 1 DE) | ESPN – No. 1 overall (No. 1 DE)
Leaders: Ole Miss
Contenders: Florida, LSU
Skinny: The top prospect in the nation has long been a lean for the Rebels but decided to keep the process open and consider other suitors. After originally planning to pay official visits to UF and LSU, Nkemdiche cancelled his Tigers trip but did wind up visiting the Gators. Then he suddenly decided to take an unofficial visit to LSU. Though Florida certainly has a shot with Nkemdiche, he is all but signed, sealed and delivered to Ole Miss where his older brother is already a member of the football team.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 7:35 a.m. live on ESPNU

OTHER NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, FL)
Skinny: A former Gators pledge, Powell decommitted to open up the recruiting process and quickly decided that the Trojans would be added to his final two schools after taking an official visit out west. He had a great time on the visit and also has a teammate on USC. Update (Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m.) According to InsidetheGators.com, UF told Powell that it no longer has room for him despite the prospect “being under the impression that a spot would be saved” for him when he announces his decision on Wednesday. After learning of this news, Powell tweeted: “Did that jus happen??? Cant trust nobody.. I hate them now straight up.” In other words, he’s off the board.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 12:15 p.m. live on ESPNU

Quarterback Tanner McEvoy (Yuma, AZ)
Skinny: Originally a South Carolina commitment in 2011, McEvoy transferred before the 2012 season began to Arizona Western Community College. He immediately won the starting job and finished the season completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,943 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also ran 72 times for 414 yards and six more scores. In other words, he would be a great choice to have as a reserve behind Jeff Driskel and would likely jump some of the team’s other backups. McEvoy received an offer from Florida after Jacoby Brissett announced his decision to transfer and was on campus for an official visit on Saturday. Update (Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.) On Monday following his visit, McEvoy committed to Wisconsin, which was one of his finalists along with West Virginia, Florida and others.
Announcement: Committed to Wisconsin on Monday

Wide receiver Ryan Timmons (Frankfort, KY)
Skinny: Down to Florida, Ohio State and Kentucky, Timmons was on campus for an official visit on Saturday at the same time as Clark but is secondary on UF’s wish list at the receiver position. The Gators offered him late in the process and have a lot of ground to make up on the Buckeyes and Wildcats.
Announcement: Tuesday – 1 p.m.
Fullback Kennard Swanson (Lakeland, FL)
Skinny: A long-time LSU pledge, Swanson backed off of his commitment months ago and quickly put UF out in front for his services. The Gators have made it clear that bringing Swanson in is their desire, but the team is unable to accept him at this time due to academic concerns. Should Swanson be unable to get his grades up in order to enroll during the summer, he will play for a junior college and look to commit to Florida after his grades improve. He is not expected to commit to a school other than UF.
Announcement: Not applicable
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, GA)
Skinny: Clemson and Georgia are the leaders with Florida and Auburn bringing up the rear, but Adams’s relationship with UF defensive line coach Bryant Young keeps the Gators in play as a legitimate (albeit probably secondary) option in this one.
Announcement: At any time
Running back Alex Collins (Plantation, FL)
Skinny: Living in South Florida, Collins has long been considered a Miami lean and is expected to pick his hometown team. Florida remains in the running for his services (along with Florida State, Arkansas and Wisconsin) as he had previously taken an official visit to UF, but it is unlikely he makes the call for the Gators.
Announcement: Committed to Arkansas on Monday

OGGOA PREDICTIONS: The Gators are hoping to pick up at least three more commitments with the most likely pledges coming from Bostwick and Clark, both of whom were on campus Saturday. Ramsey’s decision appears to be anyone’s guess but Florida has high hopes on him being the third player to be added to the fold over the next few days. Reed and McEvoy are the other two potential commits but they could be headed to Alabama and West Virginia, respectively. If the Gators can add at least Bostwick and Clark – players at positions of need – fans can consider that a successful closing for the Florida coaching staff.

It'll be interesting and looks like we have a good class coming in, but it's so hard to project what a 17 year old is going to do in the future.

The last year I taught high school, we had a kid who was all everything, Derrick Robinson. Starting QB for our school's team, basketball, track, baseball. I knew he was going to sign with Florida to play wide receiver from talking to him and because of the fact that a kid who had played for us and was a special teams player for Florida at the time was on-campus hanging out with him after school a few times a week.

He signed with Florida then went out and ran a ridiculous time for some MLB scouts. We're talking like 4.25 40 yard dash, timed using a laser timer. He would've been in the same receiving corps as Percy Harvin. But then the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the 4th round of the MLB draft and offered him an above slot bonus to sign with them, which he did.

I just looked him up and it looks like he made it to the Royals' AAA squad but was DFA'd after last season to clear space on their 40 man roster. Looks like Cincinatti picked him up in the offseason. You just never know.

Which also reminds me, I had totally forgotten about the fact that the Devil Rays drafted Doug Johnson in the second round of the MLB draft back in the day. Local sports talk radio was talking about it when ol' Doug got arrested recently and they were cracking on the guy for being a dbag.

Another funny high school recruiting tidbit I'd forgotten about until I was talking with a friend about the Super Bowl. Remember when Anquan Boldin committed to FSU because they told him he could play quarterback? And then they gave the job to Chris Rix, so Boldin converted to wide receiver. One of those players just won himself a ring.

And, of course, FSU had another QB commit around that time who never enrolled: Joe Mauer.

DT Jay-Nard Bostwick signs with the Gators over Bama and scUM:

http://www.onlygators.com/02/06/2013/fl ... gning-day/

http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/florid ... 13217#more

7:24 a.m. ET:The first faxed letters of intent have arrived at UF. They belong to running backAdam Lane, the Gators' first commitment in the class, centerCam Dillardand DBNick Washington.

7:38 a.m. ET:Next in are athleteAlvin Baileyand defensive endJordan Sherit.

7:58 a.m. ET:As expected, the nation's No. 1 prospect, defensive endRobert Nkemdiche, picked Ole Miss over Florida and LSU.Read the story and Kipp Adams' analysis here .

8:03 a.m. ET:Florida just received signed LOIs from defensive linemanAntonio Rilesand wide receiverAhmad Fulwood.

8:07 a.m. ET:ESPN 300 defensive tackleJay-nard Bostwickannounces he is signing with Florida. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound lineman from Port St. Lucie, Fla. picked UF over Miami and Alabama.Read Derek Tyson's analysis here .

8:57 a.m. ET:More faxes have arrived for Florida. They're from wide receivers Chris Thompson and Marqui Hawkins, linebacker Jarrad Davis and defensive tackle Caleb Brantley.

Weird how Ole Miss' class is shaping up. Their coach, Hugh Freeze, was a high school coach until just a few years ago. I read that book, The Blind Side, and according to Michael Lewis' account of it, the only reason Freeze got hired as an assistant at Ole Miss was because it was part of getting Michael Oher to sign there. Now he's the head coach and bringing in some of the top recruits in the country? WTF?

Just saw him interviewed and the guy has the personality of a wet dishrag.

They must have discovered a wealthy booster.

9:36 a.m. ET:Wide receiverJames Clarkhas has chosen Ohio State over Florida. The Gators were hoping to make the speedy Clark their sixth receiver commitment.

FU

The whole mess about Tashawn Bower this morning has been the only drama, as far as I can tell.

Was just able to catch some more of ESPN's coverage and they were reporting on Southern Cal's coaches freaking out because they had two decommits and four more that they hadn't heard from yet. Not sure if that includes the kid that was told he could enroll early, only to get screwed by Kiffin. lol

They said we have 18 signed in this year's class. How many available scholarships do we have? I know there was some attrition over the past two years with Muschamp trying to get his type of players here and I got the feeling we were under the full amount available.

[quote=G8RKyle]The whole mess about Tashawn Bower this morning has been the only drama, as far as I can tell.[/QUOTE]

And they just showed LSU getting Bower's LOI. Welp.

Yeah I think we have the max amount of schollies available and we're filling them all.

Yeah, I just saw on the Gainesville Sun's website that we have a total of 28 signed today after getting the paperwork from a JUCO DT.

Southern Cal has only 13 signed. Not good for their long term outlook. Heckuva job, Lane!

Heard on local talk radio yesterday that the Miss state legislature is looking into whether Robert Nkemdiche's dad was offered a position at Ole Miss' Med School in exchange for his son coming to play for them. Hrm...

Looked a little bit more into the Hugh Freeze thing. To clarify, Phil Fulmer offered to hire Freeze as an assistant coach at UT if Michael Oher went there, so Ole Miss offered Freeze a position as assistant athletic director if Oher went there. To go from being a high school coach to assistant AD is a pretty big jump. He left Ole Miss after Orgeron was canned and then was hired as head coach when Houston Nutt was fired.

It gets even better for Lane.

USC freshman tight end Junior Pomee was arrested and is facing felony charges for burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen goods, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.

Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin also announced at USC's signing day press conference that Pomee has been suspended as a result of the incident.

Pomee, a 6-foot-3, 250-pounder from Rancho Verde, Calif., was taken into custody by USC campus police officers last week.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... ny-charges

Vols' class sucked donkey balls. But they know how to make NSD more exciting for the creamsicle crowd:

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2013/t ... -cam-girl/

One other recruiting day note: Alex Collins, the kid whose mother ran off with his LOI to prevent him from committing to Arkansas, got his dad to sign it for him. And his mother has now hired an attorney. Recruiting has become so ridiculous.

Makes me really like Muschamp's no drama approach that much more.

So what is our final class ranking?

I've read that we dropped to 2 or 3 but I really don't see that it matters all that much.

Add one more: we signed a punter who was going to go to Ohio State. Take THAT, Urban Meyer!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/b ... 15452.post