FloridaGatorforLife
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The signees: Brendan Beal, 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Bangor (Pa.) Liberty; Lerentee McCray, 6-foot-2, 205, Dunnellon.
The star: Beal is a potentially destructive force in the middle. He recorded 10 sacks and forced eight fumbles his senior year and was a Parade All-America and the player of the year in Pennsylvania.
The sleeper: McCray is currently a little undersized to be playing linebacker in the SEC, but he's fast, athletic and explosive and will be a factor as he gains weight and strength. He obviously has a feel for the position after averaging 17 tackles a game in his senior season.
One that got away: Ramon Buchanan, Melbourne Palm Bay. He committed to Miami back in the summer, but switched to Florida during an official visit three weeks before signing day. He pulled a double-switch when he surprised the UF coaches and signed with Miami on National Signing Day.
Grade: B+ After playing without a true backup at middle linebacker last season, the Gators may have one now (Beal) to spell junior Brandon Spikes. Beal is an early enrollee and has a chance to get in the playing rotation. McCray could see immediate playing time on special teams.
Top target in 2009? Frankie Telfort, 5-11, 190, Miami Gulliver Prep. He likely will be considered the No. 1 linebacker in the state of Florida next season. He played in only six games as a junior because of an injured thumb, but he still recorded 66 tackles, force two fumbles and recovered four fumbles. He already has offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
http://gatorsports.com/article/20080214/NEWS/508456354/1090
Go Gators!
The star: Beal is a potentially destructive force in the middle. He recorded 10 sacks and forced eight fumbles his senior year and was a Parade All-America and the player of the year in Pennsylvania.
The sleeper: McCray is currently a little undersized to be playing linebacker in the SEC, but he's fast, athletic and explosive and will be a factor as he gains weight and strength. He obviously has a feel for the position after averaging 17 tackles a game in his senior season.
One that got away: Ramon Buchanan, Melbourne Palm Bay. He committed to Miami back in the summer, but switched to Florida during an official visit three weeks before signing day. He pulled a double-switch when he surprised the UF coaches and signed with Miami on National Signing Day.
Grade: B+ After playing without a true backup at middle linebacker last season, the Gators may have one now (Beal) to spell junior Brandon Spikes. Beal is an early enrollee and has a chance to get in the playing rotation. McCray could see immediate playing time on special teams.
Top target in 2009? Frankie Telfort, 5-11, 190, Miami Gulliver Prep. He likely will be considered the No. 1 linebacker in the state of Florida next season. He played in only six games as a junior because of an injured thumb, but he still recorded 66 tackles, force two fumbles and recovered four fumbles. He already has offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
http://gatorsports.com/article/20080214/NEWS/508456354/1090
Go Gators!
