Recruiting Part 1
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:54 am
Part I, The Offense
Coming off a huge 51-21 victory over LSU at The Swamp before a nationally televised audience, the Florida Gators set themselves up for a march to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The Gators are in total control of their destiny just as they are in control of their destiny on the recruiting trail. Florida has all the pieces in place to put together an unprecedented fourth consecutive consensus top-five recruiting class in regards to their national ranking.
It was a huge recruiting weekend for the Gators. Taking in the LSU game was a large number of talented prospects for both the class of 2009 and 2010. The prospects were treated to unparalleled game day atmosphere and the best game the Gators have played all season long. Judging from the reaction of the recruits, it was an overwhelming weekend.
How will that translate into domination on the recruiting trail? Here’s a look at the Florida recruiting board.
QUARTERBACK:
Committed to Florida (1): Jordan Reed (6-3, 230, New Haven, CT, #137 ESPN 150)
In play (1): Denard Robinson (6-0, 179, Deerfield Beach, FL, #134 ESPN 150)
Watch out for (1): ?Rob Henry (6-2, 190, Ocala, FL Trinity Catholic)
Notes: Robinson is one of the biggest priorities left in this class. He is currently guiding the #1 team in the state and his play has been a big reason for that lofty ranking. Robinson’s passing skills simply do not get the recognition they deserve. Two inches taller and he would be a consensus top-25 type of player ... Henry is a very solid back-up option who could get a look if Robinson decides not to head north to Gainesville for his college ball … Reed is a tremendous talent. Pair him up with Robinson and that is a great haul at QB for the Gators.
RUNNING BACK:
Committed to Florida (1): Mike Gillislee (5-11, 190, DeLand, FL, #126 ESPN 150)
In play (3): ?Trent Richardson (5-11, 219, Pensacola, FL Escambia, #12 ESPN 150) COMMITTED TO ALABAMA; Jamaal Berry (5-10, 185, Miami, FL Palmetto, #11 ESPN 150) COMMITTED TO OHIO STATE; Montrell Conner (6-2, 215, Monroe, LA Ouachita Parish, #63 ESPN 150) COMMITTED TO MISSISSIPPI STATE
Watch out for (1): Toben Opurum (6-2, 229, Plano, TX Plano East)
Notes: As you can tell the common theme here is that Florida is hoping to land a committed back to pair alongside Mike Gillislee in this class. As of now the best bet to land a back out of this group seems to be from Montrell Conner who has received a lot of attention from Florida as of late. Certainly it wouldn’t be surprising to see another back or two emerge on the radar here ... Also, do not look for Central Florida-area backs Al-Terek McBurse or Jeremy Wright to emerge in this class. Neither fit the “big back” mold that Florida is looking to fill, and neither should expect any increased attention from UF in the near future.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Committed to Florida (1): Nu’Keese Richardson (5-9, 165, Pahokee, FL, #110 ESPN 150)
In play (5): Andre DeBose (6-0, 175, Sanford, FL Seminole, #30 ESPN 150); Jheranie Boyd (6-2, 184, Gastonia, NC Ashbrook, #37 ESPN 150); Bryce McNeal (6-2, 180, Minneapolis, MN Breck, #66 ESPN 150); Marlon Brown (6-4, 205, Memphis, TN Harding Academcy, #17 ESPN 150); Rantavious Wooten (5-10, 160, Belle Glade, FL Glades Central)
Watch out for (5): Stedman Bailey (5-11, 185, Miramar, FL); Emory Blake (6-2, 199, Austin, TX S.F. Austin); Kendall Kelly (6-3, 210, Gadsden, AL Gadsden City, #41 ESPN 150); Marcus McNeal (5-10, 162, Bradenton, FL Lakewood Ranch); Josh Robinson (5-11, 180, Lauderhill, FL Plantation)
Notes: At this point, it looks as if Florida will take one or two more receivers in this class. DeBose is a top priority and I think the Gators will snag him over the likes of LSU and Miami … That really leaves just Boyd, Brown, and McNeal as possibilities to take the bigger WR slot in this class. All three are in the mix but Boyd is the prohibitive favorite. It’s been a little shaky for Boyd and Florida, however, with things going south in regards to two of his other favorites (Auburn and Clemson), Florida might be in better position than imagined just a week ago ... There seems to be a lot of mutual interest between Florida and Bryce McNeal. He’s certainly a player who could sneak into this class if Boyd decides to take his time ... Marlon Brown is the wild card. He doesn’t visit until January and that allows the staff time to figure out just what kind of priority he is in this class.
TIGHT END:
Committed to Florida (1): Desmond Parks (6-4, 210, Greer, SC Greer Senior)
In play (2):? Orson Charles (6-2, 220, Tampa, FL Plant); Darion Howard (6-4, 220, Cedar Falls, IA)
Watch out for (1): J.T. Kerr (6-4, 230, San Diego, CA Scripps Ranch)
Notes: There may be a couple of other guys to emerge on the scene here. Parks is a nice get, but the coaches would probably like to get a player at the TE position who can provide more of a presence as a blocker. At this time, it honestly would not be surprising if Florida sticks with just Parks at the TE position for the 2009 class and refocuses their efforts to the 2010 class with a couple of very strong prospects in Gerald Christian (6-3, 230, Palm Beach Gardens, FL Dwyer) and Brian Vogler (6-7, 240, Columbus, GA Brookstone).
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Committed to Florida (4): Nick Alajajian (6-4, 280, Naples, FL, #59 ESPN 150); Jon Halapio (6-4, 302, St. Petersburg, FL Catholic); Jonotthan Harrison (6-3, 280, Groveland, FL South Lake); Kyle Koehne (6-6, 300, Indianapolis, IN Cathedral)
In play (1): Xavier Nixon (6-6, 270, Fayetteville, NC Jack Britt, #51 ESPN 150)
Watch out for (2): Morgan Moses (6-7, 343, Richmond, VA Meadowbrook, #49 ESPN 150); Jared Wheeler (6-4, 310, Plantation, FL American Heritage)
Notes: Injuries to both Jim Barrie and Maurice Hurt have made this position more of a priority. Whereas Florida was looking to take three here at one point, now five is not totally out of the question.
This one is pretty simple. Florida has landed the four guys in this class that it really wanted. However, one of the top lineman prospects in the nation has a high interest in Florida and the staff simply will not be able to turn down a player as talented as Xavier Nixon. At this point it’s either him or bust to close out this class on the offensive line.
TOMORROW: The defense