
UPDATE: Look for updates at the bottom of the list right up through Friday, July 22.
Emerging from the haze of a nice, long summer vacation, there is one thing looming at the forefront of my mind — Friday Night Lights.
Friday Night Lights (also known as FNL) is a one-night summer camp, or showcase, for high school football players from around the country. It was the brainchild of Urban Meyer and his inaugural staff at Florida in 2005, and it has grown into a monster.
Within a few years of its inception, FNL became the best-known on-campus summer showcase in the nation. It benefits most from being among the last camps of the summer, so as to maximize the number of elite recruits who can attend. It also benefits from the atmosphere of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at night with music blaring and videos of Gator exploits on a massive TV screen.
As the years have gone by, FNL has attracted more and more top prospects. And while there were some questions about how new Florida coach Will Muschamp would embrace and continue FNL, all signs are pointing to this year’s event being the biggest yet.
With about a week and a half to go, this blog will serve as the updated list of who is planning to attend. The Gator coaching staff has to be overjoyed to see so many players (and so many at important positions of need) expected to be on hand.
I will not be surprised if UF picks up a commitment or two or even three. In fact, as spots begin to fill up in the Gators’ Class of 2012, some of the battles on Florida Fields this July 22 could actually have an impact on who makes it into the class. This year’s edition of FNL very well may be its most competitive.
So without further adieu, here is the latest list with a disclaimer that recruiting (as always) is an ever-changing, fickle and unpredictable mistress.
QUARTERBACKS
Brice Ramsey (2013 Georgia commit)
Hunter Boyett (2014)
RUNNING BACKS
Matt Jones (Florida commit)
Mike Davis (Florida commit)
Brandon Sturdivant – fullback
Jamie Gilmore
Derrick Henry (2013 Georgia commit)
Kelvin Taylor (2013)
Raphael Webb (2013)
Tarean Folston (2013)
Greg Bryant (2013)
Daryl Chestnut (2013)
Sony Michel (2014)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Latroy Pittman (Florida commit)
Nelson Agholor
Stefon Diggs
Malcolm Lewis
Amari Cooper
Marty Williams
Devonte Mathis
Raphael Andrades
Danterio Fowler (2014)
TIGHT ENDS
Kent Taylor
Sean Culkin
Mike Heuerman (2013)
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Avery Young
Evan Goodman
D.J. Park (2013)
Travis Bennett (2013)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
JaFar Mann (Florida commit)
Quinteze Williams (Florida commit)
Dante Phillips (Florida commit)
Carlos Watkins (may not work out)
Darius Hamilton
Tyriq McCord
Tyler Nero
Jay Ellison (2013)
DE/LB HYBRID (BUCK)
Jordan Jenkins
Dante Fowler (may not work out)
LINEBACKERS
Jeremi Powell (Florida commit)
Lorenzo Phillips (Florida commit)
Antonio Morrison
Quanzell Lambert
Kenneth Bynum
Darren Hambrick (2013)
Reuben Foster (2013 Alabama commit)
Nigel Harris (2013)
CORNERBACKS
Tracy Howard
Damonte Jones (2013)
Jamonte Jones (2013)
Marcus Davis (2013)
SAFETIES
Marcell Harris (2013)
MAY BE ATTENDING
QB – John Wolford (2014)
RB – Lorenzo Woodley (2013)
WR – Kwinton Smith (South Carolina commit)
WR – Demarcus Robinson (2013)
OT – Jessamen Dunker (Florida commit)
WR – Dionte Taylor (2013)
DE – Jhaustin Thomas
DT – Monty Nelson (2013)
UPDATES
July 13 – Moved S Marcell Harris and LB Reuben Foster from maybe to attending; removed DL Danny O’Brien, who will not attend but reportedly hopes to schedule an official visit.
July 14 – Added WR Raphael Andrades
July 15 – Added WR Stefon Diggs
July 18 – Moved CB Tracy Howard, QB Hunter Boyett (2014) from maybe to confirmed; removed S Marcus Maye and RB Adam Lane (2013), who will not attend; added OL Travis Bennett (2013)
July 20 – Added RB Jamie Gilmore, RB Daryl Chestnut (2013), WR Devonte Mathis, DT Dante Phillips (Florida commit), DE/LB Tyriq McCord, and LB Darren Hambrick (2013); moved WR Malcolm Lewis from maybe to confirmed; moved OL Jessamen Dunker (Florida commit) from attending to maybe; removed OT D.J. Humphries, who will not attend; removed LB Kaiwan Lewis, who visited UF on Wednesday; removed TE Colin Thompson (Florida commit), who will not attend; removed CB Willie Bailey (Florida commit), who will not attend; removed LB Trey Johnson (2013), who said it was very unlikely he would attend; removed CB Chris Bivins, who will not attend.
I hope we get Dante Fowler
Jeff, great piece, but as much as I try to read EVERY article on Gatorsports (well at least about FB or BBall) I don’t know who every prospect is or how they are rated, or who is truly considering, etc….more, more, more please!
@NCG8R Agreed, and that is why I removed Don Hand’s post and told him he isn’t welcome here. No room for that in this (or any) community.
@G8torB8 You should check out our rapidly expanding database site – http://Recruits.Gatorsports.com – it’s a work in progress, but we are updating constantly with bios, rankings, mugshots, videos, analysis, top schools, etc.
@ Don Hand
That’s the stupidest post I think I have ever seen on this site. Who cares what color their skin is!?!?!?! If they can play, if their good people, bring them in.
What a moron. Sad to think we still have such an openly racist jerk in our midst.
IG2BaFG
I hope we dont.
“Recruiting (as always) is an ever-changing, fickle and unpredictable mistress.”
Awesome
Already an impressive group. I can’t wait for the updates. Great job Jeff!!!
Two names stuck out to me.
Bivens and Taylor,love to see both these kids end up on campus.
Thanks for posting the recruiting database link, Jeff. That is a great resource for those of us who can’t get enough Gator recruiting info. You guys are rocking, keep it up!
Any chance your going to start a thread Jeff? Would love to discuss the event and updates. I would but it would go further and stay on topic with your name on it. Good job also, I’m starting to warm up to your style. Ed left a big hole to fill but your definitely creating your own niche. Keep it up and keep them coming.
@FunnGun Here’s the FNL thread on the GSMB: List of FNL attendees
Keep an eye on the list here in this blog as well. I’ll be posting updates at the bottom.
Thanks for the article and all of the great information! Keep up the good work.
I also like the recruit database, but I’ve got one plea / recommendation. If it’s not possible to allow viewers to sort it (by Name, Pos, Verbal, and maybe State/Town), could you please sort it for us (either by Pos, then Verbal or vice versa)?
Either way, again… thanks and keep up the good work! Go Gators!
Kelvin TAYLOR !!!
Jamie Gilmore 2012 RB North Marion will be there.
Demarcus Robinson is the real deal plays 4 Peach Co.High n Ga. 1 of the top high school program n the state of Ga.He plays 4 the same school that produce #5 Jacques Green former Gator great i watch this kid last yr. as a sophmore triple coverage couldn’t stop this kid another tip his uncle is Marcus Robinson played 4 South Carolina & Chicago Bears look 4 this kid name really start 2 take off just a jr. will b the top wide-out 2013.um willing 2 bet on it.
I hope you can block people like that from being a part of this site! The only colors that matter are red, white and blue! (Of course orange and blue too) He was more than likely from some other HATER program! I visit this site frequently for my dose of Gator information and anything you can tell us Jeff is much appreciated. I want to add that I believe that our defense will be a monster to deal with this year and the rest of the SEC wont know what hit them! GO GATORS!!!
I thought Stefon Diggs was attending?
Jeff,
Are fans allowed in for FNL?
Can any athlete attend? Or is this by invitation only?
Who pays expenses for travel, meals, housing?
Thanks.
Allen
Though this is a great list, there seems to be a descent list of players that arent on here. Was really hoping Eddie Goldman (though we have 3 DT’s committed already), Noah Spence, Kwon Alexander, Noor Davis, Tracy Howard, Chris Black, John Theus, & Nelson Agholor would have been there. Those are some BIG TIME players right there that would fill our areas of need. Any word Jeff on some of these players? Nelson Agholor I would think has to be very high on the list for the Gator coaches.
[…] Who’s coming to Florida’s Friday Night Lights camp? […]
Scratch the Nelson Agholor part…i see he is on the WR list. That’s very good to see. Hopefully Tracy Howard decides to come. It would still be nice if those other players i listed could come.
If known can you include those who have an offer even though not committed thanks!
Any chance that ESPN or SunSports would be interested in broadcasting. ESPN’s broadcast of spring games had been and I bet that FNL and other schools’ workouts would be even more popular.
WR/S Stefon Diggs will be there as well from Our Lady of Good Counsel, MD.
Is FNL open to the public?
It has always been free and open, but I am still trying to confirm this.
Added five-star WR Stefon Diggs (6-0, 185, Olney, Md. Our Lady Good Counsel … same school as 2009 five-star linebacker Jelani Jenkins). That’s just huge, getting a top prospect to come down for a visit to your premier summer showcase. I look forward to speaking with Diggs.
2013 TE?DE Hunter Henry from Little Rock, Arkansas will be at FNL.
Hunter Henry already holds 4 SEC offers and is considered the top prospect in the state of Ark for 2013.
2013 QB Tim Brady Friendship Collegiate Academy of Washington DC will be in attendance also. This kid has a cannon for an arm and will definitely turn heads. Coach Brian White invited him to the FNL event. I just watched him play in the Mel Kiper 7 on 7 in Chantilly, VA. This kid was the stand out QB he out played David Stills of Red Lion beating them 32-24 and showed better mecahnics and arm strength than Beeney Coney of Plant City, FL. This kid is the real deal and he runs a 4.49 40 yd dash.
Is D.J. HUMPHRIES still attending FNL? I’ve heard from many sources that is is indeed not coming?
@Tim Sources?
Great stuff…….like others I will await your confirmation and info about us peons attending. Thanks….good job.
Mods on Volquest (not sure if reliable) says his dad has to work and he will not be able to make it down. Is there any way you can confirm if this is true?
D.J. will not be attending.
I’m the editor / webmaster of our football booster site. Since we have a player attending FNL, I contacted UF to see about obtaining a media pass for the event. The partial response was “Friday Night Lights is kind of a unique event and we do not allow media access. “The stands will be open and media are welcome to watch and take photos from the stands” …”we do not allow any interviews with the athletes while they are in our facilities.” Hope this helps clear things up. The stands will be open…but interviews will have to be done outside it seems.
@Mark That’s how it’s always been. I expected to confirm as much on Wednesday. Same FNL as always. Should start around 7 p.m. and end between 11 and 11:30 p.m.
I saw Kelvin Taylor play he is a man among boy’s….I hope he becomes a GATOR. Does anyone know what the deal is on his status?
Can’t believe we are letting Brice Ramsey participate, He will only be there RECRUITING HARD FOR GEORGIA. Also, Derrick Henry.
Jeff,
With DJ Humphries not attending, do you feel the rumors are true about him already committed to UT as it’s all over different message boards.
Jeff, is Derrick Henry for sure attending?