We all thought LSU weekend was going to be the mega recruiting weekend for Florida, until the stakes were raised. Florida enters South Carolina weekend with the goal of getting to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Saturday’s winner heads down glory road, while the loser slips down into a mediocre bowl game.
Florida will have a slew of top recruits in Gainesville this weekend for what is expected to be quite the exciting Saturday night game. It’s all about the quality of recruits headed in for the Gators this weekend. Sunday might not be filled with any new commitments for the Gators, but this weekend will go a long way toward building the 2011 class.
Here’s a look at some of the big names expected in town:
Commits
QB Jeff Driskell (Oviedo Hagerty)
RB Mike Blakely (Bradenton Manatee)
FB Hunter Joyer (Tampa Catholic)
WR Ja’Juan Story (Brooksville Nature Coast)
WR Javares McRoy (Lakeland)
WR Latroy Pittman (Citra Marion County) 2012
TE AC Leonard (Jacksonville University Christian)
OL Tommy Jordan (Ridgefield, Conn.)
CB Nick Waisome (Groveland South Lake)
CB De’Ante “Pop” Saunders (DeLand)
CB Loucheiz Purifoy (Pensacola Pine Forest)
S Chris Johnson (Ocala Trinity Catholic)
ATH Clay Burton (Venice)
ATH Omari Phillips (Venice) 2012
This is huge for Florida to basically get its entire class into The Swamp Saturday. Expect Driskel and Blakely to do the most recruiting for the Gators. They are the biggest commitments Florida has and what they say will go a long way for uncommitted recruits.
Two guys who were expected to visit were Plantation linebacker Ryan Shazier and Dover, Del., offensive lineman Trip Thurman. Shazier said Friday that he’s having ride issues and likely won’t make it for Saturday’s game. Thurman confirmed Friday that he won’t be able to make it either, but he is officially visiting on Dec. 11. Shazier will probably official visit then, too.
Recruits of Interest:
WR George Farmer (Gardena, Calif., Serra) — From everything I’ve been told, it would a total shocker if he didn’t end up at USC. He’s always listed Florida as one of his top schools, and I beleive he’s the best player in the country. He’s tall and has great speed. The Gators are a long shot, but Urban Meyer has a knack for closing on surprises late. I still give USC the major edge here.
WR Sammy Watkins (South Ft. Myers) — Though he’s the half brother of current Gator freshman Jaylen Watkins, he doesn’t list Florida as one of his top schools. Michigan, Clemson and Miami are the schools he’s favoring right now. He’s perfect for Florida’s offense and if he’s impressed with what he sees and what Florida’s coaches tell him, the Gators might creep back into the discussion here.
WR Chris Black (Jacksonville First Coast) 2012 — He’s been to The Swamp a few times this year and Florida is defintely one of his top schools. He will probably be the top receiver prospect in the state next year.
TE Junior Pomee (Moreno Valley, Calif., Rancho Verde) — He was once committed to UCLA, but decommitted after receiving an offer from Florida after Friday Night Lights. All indications are that Florida is his top school and many think this could be the weekend he commits. Former teammate Ronald Powell will no doubt be in Pomee’s ear this weekend during his official visit. However, this one still isn’t a done deal for Florida.
OL Jordan Prestwood (Plant City) — He committed to Notre Dame and then backed off earlier this year. Of course that means Florida became a school of interest for him (like every other Notre Dame decommitment). It looks like he’s down to Florida State and Florida, and word is that he had a great time in Tallahassee last week. The good news for the Gators is that he didn’t commit, but he’s definitely leaning toward FSU right now. This is an official visit for him.
DE Aaron Lynch (Cape Coral Island Coast) — Like Prestwood, Lynch was committed to Notre Dame. And just like Prestwood, he’s down to FSU and Florida. Word is that both would love to play together in college and probably will. He grew up an FSU fan, and after his visit last week he’s leaning that way as well. But Meyer has been really chatting it up with Lynch’s mom and that’s a good sign for the Gators. FSU has the advantage, but his official this weekend could change that. He’ll announce within the next couple of weeks.
LB A.J. Johnson (Gainesville, Ga.) Tennessee commit — From the start, I liked Florida’s chances with Johnson and he came away from Friday Night Lights with Florida as his favorite. He first committed to Tennesee, then decommitted after Lane Kiffin left. Johnson then recommitted to the Vols this fall, but still visited Florida the same weekend. This is his second trip to The Swamp for a game this year. I still like Florida’s chances in the end, but he’s being recruited as a defensive end. Johnson wants to play linebacker in college. This one isn’t over.
ATH Marqise Lee (Gardena, Calif., Serra) — Farmer’s teammate is coming in for an official visit as well. This is big for Florida because Lee projects to play safety in college, and with the dismissal of Jonathan Dowling, Lee is starting to get even more interest from Florida’s coaches. He’ll be one of Florida’s top priorities this weekend, but Oregon and USC are the teams at the top right now.
ATH Teddy Bridgewater (Miami Northwestern) Miami commit — Bridgewater’s visit is a very interesting one. He favored the Gators early, but the staff wants him as a receiver, not a quarterback. If he’s on board for playing receiver, Florida has a chance here, but I think his heart is at quarterback. We’ll see what happens.
The biggest disappointment for Florida’s coaches will be the absence of Ft. Lauderdale Dillard safety Wayne Lyons. He was supposed to ride with Shazier, but since neither could find a ride, he won’t make it to Gainesville. Florida is still one of his top schools and he’s expected to get on campus at some point this year. He said last month that he doesn’t intend to officially visit any Florida schools but will take unofficials.
Man, what a list. I have a good feeling about this weekend. The Swamp will be a madhouse, and with all of those committed guys in the audience as well, we could get some big commits, or at least make up a lot of ground with some of these guys….GO GATORS
Man.. tell those guys about Miami Bus service or GMG! Its 45 bucks round trip from south florida to gainesville. This will be a great weekend!
If the Gators lose Tim Jernigan, it would be embarrassing.Heck, he’s right in our back yard…..Please…….please don’t let him go to Alabama. That would be devastating……I would love to see George Farmer as a Gator, we need the bigger, more physical receivers in this offense. It is a very long list of very vital recruits for this program. I just hope the Gators show up and play like they are capable of this weekend. This team has the potential to be great. Let’s hope they discover greatness Saturday night. GO GATORS!!……….I love Spurrier, but I hope the Gators beat the livin’ heck out of the Gamecocks. We need a decisive win.
If you see the Swamp in it’s electric glory what else is there to say, tonights the night
Well, I’m glad that some of the biggest prospects could not make it. I can’t believe they would be impressed by what a doormat the Gators have become. The only thing that can be enticing is that any offensive or defensive line players or wide receivers have to believe they will get starting time quite soon. We are awful in all three areas.
too bad that electricity only lasted a quarter!
And what a weekend for stupid Adazio to show up at the ball game and even dumber for Meyer to use him for an offensive coordinator.
Hopefully these kids saw the SC game last night and thought “Wow, I can go to Florida and play right away, they need me here!” and not “No way I am coming to Florida just to be coached by Addazio!” Note to Edward: Ahmad Black leading the team in tackles is not a bright spot. Generally, when a safety leads a team in tackles, it means the D-line and line backers are not very good. A safe conclusion to draw this season. Our line backers will get better (at least a little) with this season under their belt, I cannot say the same about the D-line.
BTW: I can’t find a ride sounds like no way am I going to Florida!
Well, maybe we can get the kids who didn’t see the game last night……
I agree with rooferman – they should come here because they can play right away! Time to start Reed and Burton and let Brantley sit. His carefreee responses after the game were just as maddening as the offensive regression.
Too bad all those recruits saw this game. I bet all of them were thinking “no way will I go to that train wreck in Florida”.
how embarrassing for us…good gawd…i personally apologize to all of those recruits
yeah…if i was a recruit, I would not consider coming to UF unless something changes. I’m looking at you Steve Adazzio.
addazio*
All of you who booed….say good bye to the recruits. Thanks for your stupidity. This is not pro football. Maybe you should remember that the next time you feel inclined to boo college athletes….or a coach that just won you two NC. TRUE GATORS DO NOT BOO GATOR players or coaches….PERIOD. You might want to….but you don’t. Show more GATOR NATION pride next time….please.
Yep, and what a weekend too. A big haul of recruits to watch Steve Addazio wreck in one night everything that WR’s coach Zach Azzanni fixed in the weeks before UGA and through to Vandy. Once again, Meyer will have to do MAJOR damage control with recruits and try to instill confidence in them that this isn’t the future of UF football. Well recruits, I will tell you the same. I can practically guarantee you that a competent, proven OC will be leading the Gator O next year, and not Steve Addazio. Addazio will move on after this year.
I hope the Gator coaches have seen enough of small, fast LB’s being pushed all over the field. We need some sturdy LB’s like Spikes. I see where we have a commitment from a Johnson (LB) at 5’11 and 185 lbs. Please!
@ TampaGator: I say let the boo birds sing, Addazio has earned it!
Sorry guys….you don’t boo college kids. And we just have to face the facts….Addazio, Azzanni….no matter. The problem is we got our hopes up based on Vandy and JawJaw. Two bad teams. Either play Jordan Reed and run the “Tebow” offense or scrap everything for Brantley. No other choices exist. Too much square peg/round hole gong on all year.
THAT WAS THE WORST GAME GAME IVE SEEN OTHER THAN MISS ST. FOR THE SEC TITLE ON THE LINE N THATS HOW WE PLAY WOW! MAN I HATE S.O HES A EMBARSMENT TO GATOR FOOTBALL. THANK GOD IN BASKETBALL U DONT NEED A O.C
A*
I guess there’s no hope for the Texas Longhorns, either,… not!
IGTBAG!
Ciao
IMHO, at the level the Gators are privileged to recruit, talented prospects are a dime-a-dozen, therefore character (+) should be the prime & deciding factor.
Compare freshmen Trey Burton and Dominique Easley, or QB’s Tim Tebow and Cameron Newton.
IGTBAG!
Ciao
Steve Adazzio took a great offensive machine and over the last two years turned it into an unmitigaged disaster. Last year, with dominant playes on both sides we were educed to winning ugly even against lesser teams. Supporters said a win is a win don’t worry about it. This year the defense is not able to create as many turn overs for touchdowns and now Adazzio’s offense is exposed for what it is. Disjointed and predictable. I hold him responsible for Tebow not winning the Heisman trophy and for turning this year into an embarrasment. Time for a change, excuse me, past time.
How Bout Linebackers, from the look of the Fla defense this year they need some stud linebackers that won’t get dragged by big opposing running backs. Its a shame when the leading tackler in the game is the strong safety.
This is just not the Gators year. Almost EVERY team drops off after losing a Heisman QB!!! It is simply growing pains. The team just needs to finish strong this year. THERES ALWAYS THE FSU GAME TO TRY TO WIN!!!
Robbie,
Any feedback directly from the recruits on Saturday night?
DO NOT BOO AT OUR GAMES. GET RID OF ADDAZZIO AFTER FSU GAME.
URBAN WILL NEVER BE THE COACH THAT HE WAS BEFORE HIS QUIT & COME BACK WEEK. HE WILL NOT DO THE HOURS ANY MORE THAT MADE HIM BETTER. SO WE NEED SUPER ASST TO PICK UP THE SLACK. WE USED TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR TEAM NO MATTER WHO GOT HURT. WE DO NOT DO THAT ANY MORE. I.E. PLAT POUNCEY AT CENTER PLAY BRANTLEY AT CENTER IN RUN OFFENCE.
IDEA VS FSU PLAY BRANTLEY, BURTON, AND REED AT SAME TIME. LET BRANTLEY READ DEF AND CALL PLAYS. PLAY NO HUDDLE. PLAY REED AT FB/QB HE BLOCKS OR IS QB. TAKE DRESS OFF BRANTLEY TELL HIM HE IS QB/BLOCKING BACK/WR. MIX IN BURTON ONCE IN A WHILE (RED ZONE).PLAY ADDL OL AT TE IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO BLOCK.(PROTECT BRANTLEY)