Gator Country

Apparently the Florida Gators feel good enough about the incoming freshmen and their prospects for 2009. Gator Country confirmed this morning that the Gators have told Will Witherspoon (6-7, 195, Lilburn, GA Berkmar) that they are taking a pass, choosing instead to save a scholarship for next season. If the Gators were to sign Witherspoon they would have to depend on some attrition to sign a second player for 2009 (Erik Murphy is already committed). By pulling out of the Witherspoon sweepstakes, the Gators will have at least two scholarships available for 2009 and there is the possibility that the number could increase to three with attrition of one player.

Of course, having extra scholarships is dependent on Marreese Speights going to the NBA. Everything that’s coming back from the NBA is positive on Speights right now but things could change when he participates in the NBA pre-draft combine down at Disney in late May. By not signing Witherspoon, the door is open for Speights to return, which means the Gators would have 13 on scholarship for the 2008-09 season. It’s pretty much unthinkable that Speights would be back for his senior year. Walter Hodge graduates after next season so that takes care of Murphy’s scholarship. Speights being gone either this year or after next would make two.

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About the author

Franz Beard

Franz has been writing sports for 42 years in various outposts like Gainesville, Jacksonville, Savannah, Richmond and Miami. He's been writing for Gator Country since 1999 and has served as the site's managing editor since 2004. He is also a contributing writer to Gator Country Magazine.

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