"Talk of the Town" comin' at you - Live from O'Boys
Gang, as I'm typing this I'm at O'Boys in Winter Park waiting for the "guest of honor" (Hollywood Bob Redman) to arrive.
Hope to hear the latest on the DC situation as well as about Coach Meyer in addition to the recruiting recap. (Yum; my server just brought me an order of buffalo wings. Drinking iced tea tonight; there are cops all over the place setting up speed traps and the like - don't want to get caught doing something stupid.)
Will try to get as much in as I can; if the battery in my laptop goes dead I have pen and notepad handy. Watch for updates as the night progresses!
Hollywood Bob arrived 10 minutes ago. He's being introduced as I'm typing this.
Despite Meyer's retraction of his earlier decision to resign and having lost 4 assistant coaches, he complimented our coaching staff in bringing in the class that they did.
Says that Trey Burton is faster runner than Tebow; Tyler Murphy is also athletic-style QB. Was brought in since Jordan Reed is being moved to TE.
Mack Brown was #1 target at RB they went after from Day One; says FSU's Eddie Gran came after him hard but he never visited the SOW.
Star of WR corp recruits is Chris Dunkley; is "flash" but has good technique and can cut; he predicts he will eventually start later this year. Adrian Coxson is a bigger receiver; Zach Azzani really liked him. He also thinks Solomon Patton will play this year - has speed and will play in the slot. Quinton Dunbar, in his opinion, may redshirt.
Gerald Christian at TE, in his opinion, could start. He could remind us of CI. Mike McFarland is a "project" who needs to gain some weight and work on his footwork.
Our staff passed on some of the others because of the talent we already have in this class.
Chaz Green and Ian Silberman (OL) were early targets who the Gators wound up getting (Good job in recruiting).
Best DL class signed; 2 DT's ranked #1 & 2 (Sharrif Floyd and Dominique Easley). HUGE guys who will deliver pressure. Leon Orr ran a 4.6 40; was offered on the spot.
'Jewel of class" is Ronald Powell; runs legit 4.6 40; came to camp and amazed the coaches. Urban Meyer will also be using Powell a little at TE because he "is" that good. Is gaining some weight and is "monster".
Lynden Trail is "Jarvis Moss" type, but needs to gain weight and will likely redshirt. Hi-jumps 7 feet and runs 4.7 40.
Linebackers, we landed 4; Neiron Ball was picked up over UGA. Runs 4.5 40. Darrin Kitchens and Michael Taylor (Coach Meyer was "bored' and got to Kitchens after watching vid; really went after him). Taylor originally commited to UcheaT; got him after Under-Armour game. Matt Elam was a "flip-flopper" (pardon my use of a trite term) since he once decommited and pledged to SOW; this guy is best player in FL and perhaps SE region. Urban recruited him and has known him for a long time; he has HUGE Gator sticker on his SUV! Bob thinks his best position is RB, but Matt wants to play defense.
Jonathan Dowling is "interception machine"; staff are torn as to where he'll wind up. He can give us some speed. Jordan Haden is Joe's little bro and has some speed.
At CB; Jaylen Watkins and Josh Shaw have a little height. Cody Riggs is guy that's a "project".
In the athlete category we have Robert Clark who could play slot receiver as well as corner; and Travon Van - can play offense or defense and will likely start at CB.
As far as others, Demar Dorsey was dropped; he was looking around after having committed for a year - they weren't happy that he went to see Kiffin; the staff decided he wasn't worth chasing and has had bad past. Victor Hampton came to FNL, but the coaches didn't like his persona. Jordan Hicks wanted to come to UF, but Urban wasn't able to do an in-home visit with him and his mom had ties to Texas.
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As far as the veterans returning for 2010, our staff is very confident in Johnny Brantley. Four OL starters including Mike Pouncey (who's moving to center) are returning.
Entire RB corps (Demps, Moody, Rainey and Gillislee) are returning.
Zach Azzani has huge plans for Deonte Thompson; Andre Debose was helping to recruit Dunkley and wanted him to play with him in the WR corps.
Strong DL with Trattou being "churner and burner"; more speed on LB corps with Bostic leading. Faster secondary as well.
Couple of guys may have make-or-break spring: Gary Brown (attitude) and Earl Okine (effort; needs to find position).
Good depth at every position; young at QB.
SEC East is pretty much Florida's to lose and is clear favorite to win.
Regarding George Edwards: the NFL is a "promotion" for him. Urban knew what was happening with him. Bob thinks UF will promote from within and hire another defensive assistant.
(Got Twitter on too; according to Pat Dooley: "Gator hierarchy surprised when he said he was going up there to talk to Gailey on Monday. He did very little recruiting.")
He thinks UF will wind up signing a full class again next year.
Injury updates: Matt Patchan should be ready for spring practice; so will Jeff Demps. Andre Debose won't be rushed back into the lineup. Carl Moore was "running around The Swamp" yesterday and will be ready. Jeremy Brown is fine and should be ready to go.
Thinks Zach Azzani will do well with the receivers and may be better than Billy Gonzales.
Urban Meyer liked two-QB system with Leak and Tebow back in '06; we may see a "wildcat" guy or see a possiblity of seeing Trey Burton out there this fall. Likely UF will go after a big-name QB for Class of 2011.
Alabama will be a tough one since we go to Tuscaloosa this year.
(Before I forget, TYTY to Bright House for the WiFi tonight! Didn't know O'Boys would be an "internet cafe", but I made it happen!)
The million-dollar question: Where will Tebow end up? Bob would love it to be Jax; needs to go to a team willing to do the things Tebow can do in their offense.
Omar Hunter: set up to be starting nose guard; presents himself well and will get better.
Stephen Alli: Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins didn't like covering him in practice; but hasn't really had that much work with first team yet.
Dee Finley moved to OLB from safety. Bob impressed with how he covers the field; has great attitude.
Jaye Howard could start this year.
8:19 pm: Just got home; I did meet Hollywood Bob on the way out! Was enjoyable night; thank God I played it cool since an Altamonte Springs cop car was next to me on the way back. Watching the BB game right now; can't wait for spring practice!
