Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2013 21:20:12 GMT -5
Big recruiting haul for Gators By Zach Abolverdi Correspondent
Published: Monday, August 12, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, August 12, 2013 at 10:02 p.m.
Florida football had its biggest recruiting haul of the year Monday, landing the nation's No. 2 receiver and two of the top in-state cornerbacks.
Homestead wideout Ermon Lane and Fort Lauderdale corners Chris Lammons (Plantation) and Quincy Wilson (University School), who all play on the “South Florida Express” 7-on-7 team, decided to join forces in college at UF.
The trio visited Gainesville on March 29 and began talking about attending the same school in July.
The most important recruit of the group is Lane, an Under Armour All-American who chose Florida over Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and USC.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder is the Gators' first receiver pledge and gives them a much-needed playmaker at the position. According to ESPN, he is the second-highest rated prospect committed to UF behind Miami Central running back Dalvin Cook.
“When Quincy's dad took us up to Florida for the spring practice, I just felt (at) home when I stepped on campus,” said Lane, who announced his decision on WQAM-560 with Wilson. “I was looking at the wide receivers and I just felt like I could go in and compete and play as a true freshman.”
Lammons and Wilson join cornerback commits Duke Dawson (Dixie County) and J.C. Jackson (Immokalee) in Florida's class. These four ESPN300 members should help the Gators withstand the predicted losses of juniors Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson to the NFL draft.
Wilson is close friends with Roberson and has a frame similar to the potential first-rounder. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder picked UF over Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina and USC.
“With Loucheiz and Marcus probably leaving, I felt like I could go in there and make an impact early being that it would only be Vernon Hargreaves and the three other commits,” Wilson said. “So I felt like that was going to be a good opportunity for me.”
Lammons, who was somewhat of a surprise commitment after naming Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee his finalists Saturday, is a 5-foot-10, 171-pound athlete who will be used in the secondary and return game by the Florida coaches.
“I want to play corner, kick returner, punt returner,” Lammons said during his announcement on ESPNU. “They suggested the same thing, so it's really everything that I want to do.”
The Gators now have 10 ESPN300 members in their class with the additions of Lammons, Lane and Wilson. All three were recruited by UF assistant Travaris Robinson, who has been the primary recruiter on seven of Florida's 16 commits for 2014.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 13:48:26 GMT -5
Fall Camp Update From Gatorzone:
By SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators coach Will Muschamp is taking a serious look at the potential of opening the season without sophomore running back Matt Jones, the projected starter at tailback.
As Jones continues to recover from a serious viral infection that led to a hospital stay prior to camp, redshirt junior Mack Brown has worked as the No. 1 tailback.
True freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane are also taking regular reps. Taylor looked impressive at Saturday’s scrimmage, including a touchdown run in the final moments of the scrimmage.
“Kelvin's played well. He really has,” Muschamp said Monday. “He did some nice things in the scrimmage Saturday. We've got to continue to preach ball security. He put it on the ground [Sunday] night, and that's something we can't have happen.
“But, again, I’ve been very pleased with his progress. He's very quick in his lower body, gets it north and south and he runs the way we want it to be run at Florida.”
Meanwhile, Jones was at Saturday’s scrimmage and watched from the stands. Muschamp said Monday that Jones will play for the Gators this season but that there is no timetable on his return. First, Jones must regain his strength and get back in football shape.
“Beginning of the season at some point, whether it's the first week or the second week or as you head into the open week, he's going to play for us this year,” Muschamp said. “Whether they come to me Aug. 19 and say, ‘hey, we want to get him out there.' That's the feedback I've gotten. It's totally up to [our medical staff].
“I think we need to be really careful right now that we don't have a relapse of the situation. Whatever our medical people tell me as far as the different things they're doing with him in the weight room, cardio-wise, they're going to let me know as far as the other stuff is concerned.”
While there are more uncertainties about Jones than certainties at this point, Muschamp hasn’t ruled Jones out for the season opener.
“Well, that may be a reality, but I don't know that,” Muschamp said. “Again, I talked to one of the doctors at Shands and he said when you're dealing with the human body, you never know. You don't know how he's going to respond and how quickly. He said the great thing is he's young and he was in great shape and it knocked him down a little bit, but he's a guy who's going to respond very quickly.”
TURN IT UP
The intensity of fall camp picked up Saturday when the Gators held their first scrimmage, moving from the lacrosse complex to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Muschamp and his staff spent Saturday evening watching film and then on Sunday morning the Gators returned to the practice field to run through “corrections” the coaches compiled during their film study. They returned to practice Sunday night and Monday afternoon to continue their preparation for the Aug. 31 season opener against Toledo at the Swamp.
Prior to Monday afternoon’s steamy practice in temperatures that reached the high 90s, Muschamp sounded pleased at the direction the Gators are headed despite missing some key players due to injuries.
“I thought we really had a solid scrimmage,’’ Muschamp said. “Each group, offensively and defensively, got between 40-50 snaps. I was very pleased with the effort. It was the first time we [practiced] in the afternoon as far as the heat was concerned. Getting out in that was good for us because we’ve been practicing at night.
“We had a very physical, physical practice [Sunday night] coming off a scrimmage, and I was really pleased with the effort, the tempo and the urgency – the things we addressed post-scrimmage that we needed to work on.”
The Gators will hold another two-a-day on Tuesday with the morning session expected to be physical and fast as the Gators head toward their second scrimmage of camp on Friday.
SHOWERS ON MOVE
As a senior at Madison High near Detroit three years ago, Valdez Showers was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year. Showers was a two-way star, starting at defensive back and running back.
He rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, so with Jones sidelined and receiver Andre Debose (knee) out for the season, the Gators want to see if Showers can help out the offense. The redshirt sophomore has played safety at Florida.
“He's a guy that we feel like vertically can do some really good things for us,” Muschamp said. “We experimented with it in the scrimmage [Saturday] and I thought he did some nice things carrying the ball. He was a natural carrier when he was in Detroit, a guy coming out of high school. But vertically he can do some good things in the run game and we're going to look at that over the next three, four days and sort of see where that takes us.”
Muschamp mentioned the possibility of using Showers in a receiver/running back role like the one performed the past two seasons by Omarius Hines.
INJURY REPORT
Offensive linemen Max Garcia (back) and Trip Thurman (shoulder) were back in full pads and full-contact drills during Monday’s practice.
Garcia is the projected starter at left guard and Thurman as a reserve at right guard behind starter Jon Halapio, who is expected to miss another week due to a partially torn pectoral muscle that has prevented him from full-contact drills thus far in camp.
Meanwhile, starting fullback Hunter Joyer is expected to be sideline for several days due to a pulled hamstring.
“It was a pretty [serious] pull. I would conservatively say 10 days,” Muschamp said.
With Joyer sidelined, Gideon Ajagbe and Rhaheim Ledbetter will get more reps.
Finally, Muschamp remains optimistic that defensive tackle Damien Jacobs (patella) and defensive back Jaylen Watkins (foot) will be able to return to practice next week.
PURIFOY PLAN IN ACTION
Junior cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy will start working with the offense later in the week. Purifoy worked at receiver during spring camp and Muschamp said there the plan is to use Purifoy on offense during the season.
However, he wanted to see what the young receiving corps could do the first part of camp before using Purifoy at receiver.
“We're going to get him over on that side. We met Saturday night after the scrimmage, as a staff, we kind of talked about our roster,’’ Muschamp said. “My question to our staff is who can you count on? Who can we win with? Who do you have confidence in? It's not always necessarily Aug. 31.
“It's throughout the entire season and understanding that maybe some of the younger guys don't know what to do right now, but athletically they are guys we need to be coaching and developing for the season. He will start repping over there this week. I am pleased with the progress we have made at the position.”
QUOTE OF NOTE I
“Adam's done some nice things. He's a guy that's really a tough guy to tackle. There's not a lot of soft spots on him. He's a guy that's very difficult. You've got to bend your lower body to tackle him. He moves the pile well. He's got really good vision. I'm very pleased with his production so far.” – Muschamp on 5-foot-7, 222-pound Lane
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“Ahmad Fulwood and Demarcus Robinson are two guys that are going to help our football team and improve our football team. I've been very pleased with Quinton Dunbar and Trey Burton, those four guys and Solomon Patton. Those five there have been productive and consistent in what they do and how they perform.” – Muschamp on the receivers
QUOTE OF NOTE III
“Neiron Ball is playing really well inside. He's very athletic. [On Saturday], our offense tried to hit a reverse and he saw it and ran it down. He showed his speed on Solomon Patton, a guy that can really run. Neiron Ball is a guy who's been a really nice find for us. He's been a guy who has played on the edge since I've been here and has moved inside. I'm pleased with his progress.” – Muschamp on the redshirt junior linebacker
NOTES AND NUGGETS
Starting quarterback Jeff Driskel worked in full pads for the first time Monday and continues to look sharp after his appendectomy according to Muschamp … Former Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey, a standout tight end for the Gators in the 1980s, attended Monday’s practice … Former Gators linebacker Mike Peterson is back at UF finishing his undergraduate degree and is serving as a undergraduate student assistant coach. Peterson is meeting with the media on Tuesday morning … Muschamp said freshman OL Roderick Johnson underwent successful meniscus surgery and is expected to miss three to four weeks.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 16:32:09 GMT -5
Two true freshmen have separated themselves from the other three WRs from the #1 rated 13 WR recruiting class. Demarcus Robinson, helped by being an EE, and Ahmad Fulwood will be in the top 5 UF WRs along with Quinton Dunbar, Trey Burton, and Soloman Patton. Loucheiz Purifoy (CB) will get time at WR too. Valdez Showers (S) will be tried out at combo RB/WR, the Omarious Hines role from the last two seasons.
What concerns me is WRs Latroy Pittman and Raphael Andrades, both true sophomores, have been passed over by the true freshmen. Some reports had Pittman performing well, but there has been no news on Andrades. I expect true freshman Marqui Hawkins to breakout at some point this season too. This from Gator Country:
Written by Nick de la Torre, August 13, 2013
44 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns.
That is what Florida has returning as far as production from the wide receiver position. To put that number into perspective, 17 receivers in the SEC alone had more receptions, 32 players had more receiving yards and 21 players had more touchdowns on their own in 2012. That number includes Jordan Reed, who by himself had more receptions (45) and yards (559) than the five receivers on Florida’s roster that had at least one catch last year and returned for this season.
So when the Gators went out and signed five receivers in the 2013 recruiting cycle, it shouldn’t have taken anyone by surprise. When Will Muschamp starts talking about taking one of his best cornerbacks and making him split time on offense, it should open up eyes as to just how bad the problem could potentially be.
Fortunately for the Gators, two of those freshmen wide receivers have stepped up this offseason. Ahmad Fulwood and Demarcus Robinson are two players that Gator fans will get to know a whole lot better this season. Both Fulwood and Robinson will help Muschamp sleep at night, instead of having him worry about what the passing offense will look like this season.
“Right now, the two young guys at the receiver position are Ahmad Fulwood and Demarcus Robinson,” Muschamp said to the media on Monday. “[They] are two guys that there is no question are going to help our football team and improve our football team.”
Fulwood and Robinson took two very different routes to get to Gainesville. Fulwood committed early and, for the most part, shut down his recruitment and remained loyal to Florida. Robinson went all the way down until the day he had to enroll in class in January. He was torn between Clemson’s high-powered offense and Florida – a team that won football games with a power running attack. In the end, Robinson drove down to Gainesville from his home in Fort Valley, Georgia and enrolled early at Florida.
There time at Florida also started differently. Robinson took off in spring camp and immediately impressed the coaching staff and his teammates with his athletic ability. His teammates called him a freak and after a few short practices, it was clear that the Gators had a player who could change the offense and stretch the field. Fulwood took some time to impress the staff but once the pads came on and the team went into full 11-on-11 practices, he began impressing the staff as well.
Not wanting to inflate the ego of his young, talented receiving duo, offensive coordinator Brent Pease complimented the young receivers while making sure to say that there is plenty of work still to be done.
“The freshmen are very talented kids,” Pease said. “Now the knowledge of just learning their plays consistently and understanding what all the calls are is where the mistakes come from. But as far as running and catching and their abilities, they are a very, very talented group.”
These two represent more than just the future of the position for Florida. They don’t have time to sit on the sidelines and learn from watching older players. Their time is now. The learning curve is, and will be, steep but at the end of the day Robinson and Fulwood have already shown just 12 practices in, that they are ready to step up and take Florida’s passing game out of the cellar in the SEC.
|
|
Go Bucks!
Now THIS here...is a member
|
Post by beuycek on Aug 13, 2013 17:28:05 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about Jones. Obviously I don't want to see anyone go down with an injury or illness like he had but since he is from my alma mater, I am rooting for him to do especially well (in a Gators loss as often as possible. haha). Hope he gets back on the field soon.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 20:00:07 GMT -5
Mike, the sickness was first reported as a gastro intestinal, but it has since been rumored to be viral meningitis. I don't know what to believe. If Matt misses any games, it wasn't gastro intestinal.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 20:39:13 GMT -5
August 13th, 2013 08:11pm
Latest recruiting haul meets major needs for UF
by Zach Abolverdi
In case you missed it, and I know you probably didn’t, Florida landed three ESPN300 members Monday.
Not only was this the biggest haul of the 2014 class, it’s up there as one of the most important recruiting days for UF in recent memory.
Nothing may ever outdo five-stars Matt Elam, Sharrif Floyd and Ronald Powell picking the Gators at the 2010 Army All-American Bowl, but Monday is just as huge as last year’s Junior Day event considering only half of the six commits ended up signing with Florida.
Despite getting five receivers in 2013, two of which are already first-team offensive players in Ahmad Fulwood and Demarcus Robinson, the Gators still need more weapons at the position. They couldn’t have asked for a better one than Ermon Lane, especially with few realistic options remaining on the board.
When quarterback commit Will Grier takes over for Jeff Driskel in 2015, he’s going to have a handful of talented targets at wideout to go along with a strong stable of running backs and a deep offensive line group.
Moving over to defense, the Gators are sitting pretty in the front seven. They stocked up on defensive linemen, linebackers and safeties in the previous class, which is why there won’t be many taken in this cycle.
Conversely, just one cornerback was signed last year — Vernon Hargreaves III. And of the two who came in 2012, one (Brian Poole) moved to safety and the other (Willie Bailey) transferred.
After this season, Hargreaves could be the only player left at the position. UF is likely losing Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson as well as seniors Jeremy Brown and Jaylen Watkins.
Even if Poole and starting safety Cody Riggs switch back to corner, it be won’t enough depth. That’s why the Gators have four CB commits and will keep searching for more.
And the latest additions, Chris Lammons and Quincy Wilson, shouldn’t cause Adoree’ Jackson and Jalen Tabor to cool on Florida. All they have to do is look at the roster.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Solid Member
|
Post by mscott59 on Aug 14, 2013 8:24:21 GMT -5
Mike, the sickness was first reported as a gastro intestinal, but it has since been rumored to be viral meningitis. I don't know what to believe. If Matt misses any games, it wasn't gastro intestinal. I had the less lethal form of meningitis back in the summer of '92. it is debilitating in the short term, but treatable. it does sap your strength and energy though. mark scott tosu 81
|
|
mark scott tosu 81
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2013 8:47:29 GMT -5
Details on UF basketball's date with Kansas By Kevin Brockway Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 6:39 p.m.
Florida's SEC-Big 12 showdown with Kansas will tip at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the O'Connell Center and air on ESPN.
The Kansas game is the most anticipated of a strong UF non-conference schedule that includes Wisconsin, Florida State, Connecticut and Memphis. The Jayhawks, a traditional college basketball power, reached the Sweet 16. Though Kansas lost center Jeff Withey and guard Ben McLemore, the Jayhawks have added freshman swingman Andrew Wiggins, who is considered the consensus No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2013.
The game also will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Kansas freshman center Joel Embiid. The 6-foot-11 Cameroonian played last season at The Rock School in Gainesville and chose Kansas over the Gators and Louisville.
Kansas assistant Norm Roberts served on UF's staff as an assistant during the 2011-12 season. Roberts left in part for a better financial offer and in part to coach his son, Niko, who is a walk-on with the Jayhawks.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2013 14:43:47 GMT -5
Hoops Scoop Gators to face Fresno State in OB Classic Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 12:38 by Kevin Brockway
Florida’s 2013-14 men’s non-conference basketball schedule is now officially set.
The Gators will face Fresno State in the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic on Dec. 21 in Sunrise. For Fresno State, it’s 2,400-mile road trip. The Bulldogs have a rich basketball tradition (they were once coached by Jerry Tarkanian), but finished just 11-19 last season and 0-3 against ranked teams.
Florida State and Massachusetts will play the first game of the doubleheader, followed by Florida vs. Fresno State. Start times are to be determined.
Here’s a look at UF’s 2013-14 non-conference schedule:
– Nov. 8, North Florida, tbd, 226 RPI
– Nov. 12, at Wisconsin, 9 p.m., ESPN2, 31 RPI
– Nov. 16, Arkansas-Little Rock, 174 RPI
– Nov. 18, Southern, 172 RPI
– Nov. 21, Middle Tennessee State, 33 RPI
– Nov. 25, at Jacksonville, 277 RPI
– Nov. 29, Florida State, 93 RPI
– Dec. 2, at Connecticut, 47 RPI
– Dec. 10, Kansas, 7 p.m., ESPN, 5 RPI
– Dec. 17, Memphis, Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, New York City, 9 p.m., ESPN, 14 RPI
– Dec. 21, Fresno State, Orange Bowl Classic, Sunrise, 146 RPI
– Dec. 29, Savannah State, 168 RPI
– Jan. 4, Richmond, 90 RPI
The schedule includes five teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season (Wisconsin, Memphis, Southern, Kansas and Middle Tennessee State). Of Florida’s 13 non-conference opponents, five finished last season in the RPI Top 50 and seven finished in the RPI Top 100.
|
|
Go Bucks!
Now THIS here...is a member
|
Post by beuycek on Aug 14, 2013 19:55:52 GMT -5
I would love to see the Buckeyes back on Florida's OOC schedule again.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2013 20:57:55 GMT -5
I would love to see the Buckeyes back on Florida's OOC schedule again. With Wisconsin rotating off the schedule, it's time to schedule another home and home with the bucknuts. Since the Gators are going to Wisconsin this season, the bucknuts will have to come to Gainesville first. Be forewarned, Billy D. is setting the team up for another national championship run after finishing with three consecutive Elite Eights.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2013 20:59:02 GMT -5
Caleb Sturgis Wins Miami Dolphin Kicker Job:
The Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 5:40 p.m.
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter lost his training-camp competition for a job Wednesday to rookie Caleb Sturgis.
Carpenter, Miami's kicker the past five seasons, had his contract terminated. The move saves the Dolphins considerable money, because he would have received nearly $2.7 million this year in the final season of a four-year deal.
The Dolphins signaled Carpenter's job was in jeopardy when they drafted Sturgis in the fifth round in April. Sturgis set a school record for field goals at Florida, where he went 70 for 88, including eight successful kicks from 50 yards and beyond.
The rookie made a 58-yard field goal in an exhibition game Friday and Jacksonville and hit all six of his kickoffs into the end zone.
Carpenter reached the Pro Bowl in 2009 and holds the team record with a 60-yard field goal in 2010. He went 22 for 27 last year, but he's only 10 for 20 in his career from 50 yards and beyond.
General manager Jeff Ireland released a statement thanking Carpenter, who was active in community fundraising and children's events.
“For the past five seasons Dan has been a tireless worker on the field, while devoting countless hours of his time off the field to the betterment of the South Florida community,” Ireland said. “He has been a productive player and an outstanding citizen, and we wish him and his wife, Kaela, all the best.”
|
|
Go Bucks!
Now THIS here...is a member
|
Post by beuycek on Aug 15, 2013 8:11:42 GMT -5
I would love to see the Buckeyes back on Florida's OOC schedule again. With Wisconsin rotating off the schedule, it's time to schedule another home and home with the bucknuts. Since the Gators are going to Wisconsin this season, the bucknuts will have to come to Gainesville first. Be forewarned, Billy D. is setting the team up for another national championship run after finishing with three consecutive Elite Eights. Our last trip to Gainesville was a memorable one so I suspect Matta has no issues with that. The last game of the series was in Columbus, so it would be our turn to travel anyway. Maybe I will take a drive up to the O-Dome if they can get it on the schedule again.
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2013 8:42:53 GMT -5
Zach's Recruiting Mail Bag (I've been saying 22+-1 and Zach confirms this):
August 15th, 2013 06:47pm
Zach’s Mail Stack 8/15
by Zach Abolverdi
The 2014 class, now at 16 commits, has started to take shape for Florida, and I’m ready to answer your questions from now until signing day.
Let’s get it started!
Do we need to worry with RB Dalvin Cook planning visits to USC and Texas? — Nate
Fans never want to see their commits visiting other schools, but this is one case the Florida faithful shouldn’t worry about. Cook has been solid to UF since he flipped from Clemson and shows no signs of wavering.
He sent daily “Gator Nation” text messages to receiver Ermon Lane before he pledged to Florida on Monday. He also got his Miami Central teammate, 2015 WR Da’Vante Phillips, to join him in Gainesville.
This past weekend, Cook was taunting former UF commit Anthony Moten at their local media day. He even posts Gator-themed photos on his Instagram almost everyday.
One of the reasons Cook changed his mind on Clemson was so he could play closer to home, so I don’t think the Gators need to be concerned about him going on a couple of out-of-state trips for free.
Why is UF not taking at least one more RB given that there will only be four scholarship RBs on the roster in 2014? — Ben, Roland
There’s actually four backs on the roster this year — redshirt junior Mack Brown, sophomore Matt Jones and true freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. The addition of Cook next season will give the Gators five backs, which is plenty of depth for the position.
UF is limited on scholarships in the 2014 recruiting cycle and can’t afford to take another RB unless it’s someone like Alabama commit Bo Scarbrough or Joe Mixon (Oakley, Calif./Freedom). But despite Scarbrough transferring from Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County to IMG Academy in Bradenton for his senior season and Mixon scheduling an official visit to UF, I just don’t see either of those prospects ending up in Florida’s class.
Who’s on the DE board besides Lorenzo Carter and Dewayne Hendrix? — Bill, Levy, Wesley
The nation’s No. 1 defensive end, Da’Shawn Hand of Woodbridge (Va.), is still up near the top of the board. He has UF in his Top 3 along with Alabama and Michigan, his presumed leader. He plans to officially visit all three schools and make his decision on Nov. 14.
Some other targets for Florida are Lorenzo Featherston (Greensboro, N.C./Page), Davon Godchaux (Plaquemine, La.), Cory Thomas (McCalla, Ala./McAdory), Andrew Williams (Mcdonough, Ga./Eagle’s Landing Christian) and Gerald Willis III (New Orleans, La./Edna Karr).
Each of the five has listed UF among their leaders, but due to the distance factor, it doesn’t appear any of them will pick the Gators. They’ve led for Carter since July and will host Hendrix for the Arkansas game, and these two are their most realistic options right now.
How are we looking to finish out the DB class? — Ryan, Wesley
The safety position isn’t a priority with three signing last year, so I don’t see Florida taking anybody except Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron). He visited UF on June 14 and will return for the Tennessee game on an official visit. The Gators are currently considered the favorite for Adams, who is the godson of receivers coach Joker Phillips.
With four cornerbacks already committed, Adoree’ Jackson Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra) and Jalen Tabor (Washington, D.C./Friendship Academy) are probably the only two recruits who will still be pursued by defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson. Jackson visited for Friday Night Lights and is very high on the Gators, while Tabor seems to be leaning toward Maryland after having Florida in front earlier this summer.
As of today, I think UF closes with Adams and either Jackson or Tabor.
Zach, what positions are left for us to fill and what do our numbers look like with five months left? — Taylor, JerseyGator91, Devin, gatornation9
With 80 scholarship players and 10 seniors, there is room for 15 signees at this time. That number was previously 16, but redshirt senior Andre Debose (torn ACL) is applying for a sixth year of eligibility and should get it.
Once offensive line commit Joesph Paul announces his anticipated exit from the class, the Gators will have 15 verbal commitments and be at their max.
However, I still expect them to be able to sign at least 21 after attrition. I think those final six spots will be used for another receiver, an offensive tackle, a defensive end, a linebacker and two more defensive backs.
That’s all for this week!
|
|
Woah, this is a default personal text! Edit your profile to change this to what you like!
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2013 10:17:26 GMT -5
By Chris Harry GatorZone.com Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Graduate assistant Dan Wenger can't really relate to what he sees every day while working with the Florida offensive linemen.
Especially when thinking back to when he was a Florida offensive lineman.
"I was brought in as a so-called 'super senior' that year," said Wenger, who spent five seasons at Notre Dame then transferred to UF in 2011 after being granted a sixth year of eligibility as a medical hardship. "My biggest thing is experience and having guys who played and been in tough situations when the game is on the line. We didn't really have that in my year here."
That 2011 Gators offense sorely lacked for numbers and continuity up front and the struggles spilled over in pass protection. Coach Will Muschamp and his staff, at the time in their first UF season, could only play the O-line hand they were dealt during what turned out to be a 7-6 season.
Times have changed in two years.
So have the numbers.
"I'd like to have 15 to 17 guys on scholarship at that position," Muschamp said of the offensive front. "We have 15 now."
And more than half could be called on to line up in Southeastern Conference play with the confidence of Muschamp, offensive coordinator Brent Pease and line coach Tim Davis.
That's a good place to be in this league.
"We're a deep offensive line. You [can] take seven or eight guys that could be starters anywhere in the country," UF defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said of a unit that made its public debut Thursday night during the first of four preseason practices open to fans. "They've battled well with our D-linemen. They're making each other better."
The Gators O-line entered the preseason looking to replace two starters, left tackle Xavier Nixon and guard James Wilson, but also returned five players who combined for 45 starts last year, and welcomed transfers Max Garcia (Maryland) and Tyler Moore (Nebraska), who together added another 16 starts of BCS competition from their last eligible seasons.
"This is a championship-caliber offensive line," Garcia said. "You can see that already."
And that's without senior right guard and team captain Jon Halapio, who has yet to be cleared for contact since suffering a pectoral injury just before the start of camp. Halapio is taking part in select drills and hopes to be back in time for the Aug. 31 season opener at home against Toledo.
Against the Rockets, the offensive line could be sophomore D.J. Humphries at left tackle, Garcia at left guard, senior and returning 13-game starter Jon Harrison at center, Halapio at right guard and junior Chaz Green at right tackle.
Throw in Moore, who can play either guard or tackle spot, along with three more versatile guys in fifth-year senior Kyle Koehne, junior Ian Silberman and redshirt sophomore Trip Thurman, plus promising/massive 6-foot-8, 365-pound junior college transfer Trenton Brown, and the Gators would appear to have a well-stocked and deep pool up front to surround quarterback Jeff Driskel and make way for the running game.
"If we can stay healthy, we can be really good," Moore said.
Moore is a big reason the Gators have been able to withstand the the absence of Halapio and Thurman early in camp.
He signed with Nebraska out of Clearwater (Fla.) Countryside High and in 2011 merely became the first true freshman offensive lineman in school history to start a season opener for the Cornhuskers. Dave Rimington didn't do that. Neither did Dean Steinkuhler, Aaron Taylor or Will Shields.
At Lincoln, Neb., though, Moore found himself losing his passion for the game and chose to leave the team and return home. He was done with football; or so he thought.
"I never expected to play again, but then I started watching games and taking some visits," said Moore, who was taking classes at St. Pete College. "I gave myself some time and realized how much I loved it."
Moore enrolled at UF in January and last spring provided instant impact -- not to mention size (6-5, 315) -- to a line that also had welcomed Garcia (6-4, 307) the fall before.
Garcia, out of Norcross, Ga., opted to transfer from Maryland following a coaching change there, despite starting 12 games as a true sophomore left tackle. Garcia was sought by a slew of SEC schools before picking the Gators, who wanted him to play guard.
Swapping the glamor of protecting the quarterback's blindside for the grunt work of a guard was no problem for Garcia.
"No, it got me excited because I am a very physical player who loves to run block and hit people," he said. "You don't do that so much playing tackle. As a guard, you got to get down and dirty and be aggressive with a chip on your shoulder. It was an adjustment at first, having two people on each side of me, but I've learned to be aware of my space and I've embraced the transition."
His coaches and fellow linemen, meanwhile, have embraced the new-found depth and, with it, the options that present themselves.
"It's just really helpful to have such flexibility on the offensive line," said Harrison, who has started 27 of his 39 games at Florida. "A really stagnant offensive line, when players can only play a position, in my opinion, isn't really that productive. Because we have many guys who can play various positions it helps us progress as a unit."
That's big progress from a year ago.
And giant progress from the year before that.
"Now we have guys that understand what we're doing and are able to come in and not really miss a beat," Wenger said. "That's where you want and need to be; that's what building a program is about."
|
|