The need for playmakers at the University of Florida is something that even the casual fan can point out and the Gators are trying to recruit playmakers at the receiver position in the Class of 2014.
One of the top targets remaining at the receiver position is receiver Eric Lauderdale (6-1, 195, Mission Viejo, CA Saddleback C.C.) who grew up in Georgia but now feels disrespected by the Bulldogs.
“I grew up in Georgia but now I want to play against Georgia since they didn’t recruit me very hard at first,” Lauderdale said. “I grew up a Georgia fan because Brandon Boykin went to school with me and he got me liking Georgia. They are trying to recruit me a little now but it’s too late for them.”
Even though he grew up a Georgia fan Lauderdale says he has a new team he likes now.“I like Florida now though,” Lauderdale said.
With Lauderdale being a Georgia native and also being a fan of the Bulldogs he has watched plenty Florida/Georgia games in his past and that is one game he enjoys watching.
“I like when Florida plays Georgia because it’s so physical and intense,” Lauderdale said. “I like the way the crowd is split half and half. I know coach (Will) Muschamp doesn’t like losing to Georgia so I know he wants to beat Georgia bad.”
Florida is hoping to get Lauderdale on campus for an official visit soon so they can sell him on the opportunity to play early.
“I was going to visit for the Florida State game but it’s a holiday so I’m going to spend time with my family since I don’t get to see them much,” Lauderdale said. “I’ll probably visit Florida during December. Coach Joker (Phillips) tells me that I’m one of his top targets and that I can come in and play early at Florida because they don’t have a lot of receivers coming back.”
Not only does Florida have coaches recruiting Lauderdale hard, he also got an unexpected phone call from the Gators quarterback commit Will Grier last week.
“I talked to Will Grier a few days ago about recruiting and stuff,” Lauderdale said. “I don’t know how he got my number but it was cool to talk to him. He has crazy stats even though he’s still in high school. He was telling me about how we could make a good connection at Florida together.”
Not only will Lauderdale take an official visit to Florida he also has two other official visits planned so far.
“I’m going to take an official to Miami and I told Tennessee that I was going to take an official there since I was committed to them at one time,” Lauderdale said. “They have too many receivers already.”
Lauderdale has nine touchdowns in six games this year for Saddleback Community College.