Gators pick up QB commit for '13 class
Published: Monday, June 18, 2012 at 5:08 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 18, 2012 at 5:08 p.m.
Going into this week, Florida was the only SEC school without a quarterback in its 2013 class.
That changed Monday when Max Staver gave his verbal commitment to the Gators immediately after receiving a scholarship offer.
“I called them and they asked me if I was ready to be a Florida Gator, and I committed on the spot,” said Staver, who is from Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tenn.
He is the third pickup for UF coach Will Muschamp in the last five days and the second from the 2013 class, which now has 18 members.
After missing on the nine out-of-state QBs they offered, Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease had Staver camp at Florida on June 9 and his impressive performance made him the top target at the position.
The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder found everything he was looking for in a school at UF.
“Florida has one of the best football programs in the SEC, great academics and a great college atmosphere,” he said. “I think it’s just an overall good fit for me.”
Now that the recruiting process is over, Staver has set forth several goals for himself.
“I’m ready to get some other recruits to commit,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to leading the program, the school, the team and the community once I get there. I’m going to work hard, prepare well and be mentally tough.”
Staver apparently has the ability to go with attitude. He attended the Atlanta Elite 11 camp in April and ESPN National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill called him one of the most gifted passers at the event.
“He’s got ideal height. He’s already got significant bulk to his frame. But most importantly, the ball absolutely jumps off of his hand,” Luginbill said in his video evaluation of Staver. “He’s got natural wrist velocity, he can make all the throws and he’s got a lot of consistency within his drops from center and how he gets the ball out. There’s not a lot of wasted movement. He gathers and he balances himself quickly within the pocket.”
Staver is the 12th ESPN300 member to commit to the Gators and the 17th four-star recruit according to ESPN, which has Florida ranked No. 2 in its team rankings. Verbal commitments are not binding until prospects sign their national letters of intent.
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