It’s National Signing Day…and Groundhog Day. Maybe it is not a coincidence that these two events occur on the same day. Experts will be guessing, predicting the future based on silly factoids, and testing one another’s “crystal balls”. Speaking of balls, it takes some serious cajones to anoint F$U as "being back" based on one solid recruiting year. Speaking of crystal, we have two crystal trophies from the past decade to entice players to come to Titletown, plus a plethora of NFL coaching expertise to help these student athletes make it to the next level.
Per NCAA rules, no school may have more than 85 scholarships, and no more than 28 recruits per year off of 25 scholarships each year. This means about 3 per year are going without scholarship or are waiting for that dummy to screw up and open up a scholarship for him. Right now, we have 7 early enrollment athletes, 10 verbal commitments, 3 on the fence, 4 long shots, and 3 that you will have to hear other fans taunt us about for losing. That means we definitely have 20 recruits, and should snag a couple more to put us at about 22 or 23 by the end of the day. Should the Gator Nation worry that we may only have 23 recruits in a class that may be ranked #20? Thanks to a very good recruiting class of 2010, we can absorb a “subpar” recruiting class “only” ranked at #20 or so. I would not get caught up in falling out of the top 10 in recruiting, at least not in a transition year.
As long as we address our needs at safety, defensive end, linebacker, and receiver we should be fine with this recruiting class. Expect a few surprises from the new coaches, but give them some slack for the shortened recruiting cycle.
UPDATE: The groundhog, Punxatawney Phil, did not see his shadow this morning and predicts an early spring for the Florida Gators! Have hope, Gator faithful! We will see a decent recruiting class, and these baby Gators will help end this long, cold winter for the Gator Nation.
Early enrollment (7):
- Jeff Driskell, QB (#1) – Probably will be #2 QB, but should be good motivation for Brantley.
- Mike Blakely, RB (#7) – Injured. Will probably redshirt, or at least play 2nd team and work his way up.
- A.C. Leonard, ATH (#7) – Moved to TE. May see some action in 2011.
- De’Ante ”Pop” Saunders, ATH (#10) – Moved to DB. Will probably develop for a year before seeing significant playing time.
- Javares McRoy, WR (#28) – Nice addition. Will probably be 2nd team.
- Clay Burton, DE (#22) – Let’s hope he is half as good as his brother, but will likely be special teams and 2nd team defense.
- Kyle Christy, K (#4) – Definitely immediate starter.
Verbal commitments (10):
- Ja’Juan Story, WR (#6) – After some wavering with his recruiter, Stan Drayton, leaving he looks to be a lock thanks to his relationship with Jeff Driskell.
- Jabari Gorman, S (#8) – Verbally committed on ESPN. Could get significant time with safety up for grabs between him, Elam, and Evans.
- Loucheiz Purifoy, ATH (#31) – Will play DB, probably 2nd team.
- Valdez Showers, ATH (#51) – Will play DB, probably 2nd team.
- Graham Stewart, OLB (#53) – Committed Saturday. We could use this guy, possibly in 2011.
- Trip Thurman, OT (#68) – We could use this guy, possibly in 2011.
- Chris Johnson, S (#56) – Probably 2nd team.
- Tommy Jordan, OT (#122) - Probably 2nd team.
- Hunter Joyer, FB (#7) – Could make immediate start due to lack of actual fullbacks.
- Tevin Westbrook, DE (not ranked) – Raw talent at 6’5″, 260 lbs and still growing! Little playing experience, but lots of upside.
On the fence (3):
- Curtis Grant, ILB (#3) – Could pick UF, tOSU, and UNC. Probably the most solid of the “on the fence” group.
- Marcus Roberson, S (#9) – Spurned by Auburn, considering USCw or UF–and USCw has probably over-recruited.
- Jacob Fisher, OT (#82) – Also considering both Michigan schools. Doubt it.
Long shots (4):
- Jermauria Rasco, DE (#17) – Muschamp had a relationship with him from Texas. Look for the surprise Muschamp miracle here.
- Elkino Watson, DT (#75) – Miami, Florida, and Louisville are all in the hunt. First test for Aubrey Hill as a recruiter. Can he pull some of his old potential recruits to Gainesville?
- Jacoby Brissett, QB (#25) – Offered a grey-shirt by Meyer, but he will likely look at Miami. He is playing it smart and signing after National Signing Day.
- Junior Pomee, TE (#13) – Probably will choose USC.
Forget About It (3)
- Stephone Anthony, OLB (#1)
- Tim Jernigan, DT (#2) – Latest rumor: Tennessee.
- Curt Maggitt, OLB (#3)
