Post Camp: Offensive line board

As of Monday the NCAA new mandated summer dead period begins and won’t end until July 13th so Gator Country decided it would be a good time to get everyone caught up on where the Gators stand at each position.

Over the next week we will  take a look at each position and get everyone up to date on who’s in the class and who may end up in the Class of 2015.

One thing we are also going to add to each position is a quick look at who to keep an eye on for the upcoming Class of 2016.

So far, we’ve covered quarterback, running back, right end and receiver. Now we are going to take a look at the big boys up front on the offensive line.

Florida has one commit already in offensive lineman Tyler Jordan (6-5, 270, Jacksonville, FL Bishop Kenny) who is slotted to play the center position for Florida.

Jordan is a big physical lineman that has played all over the line but has the mental makeup to become a top-notch center, once he learns the position and gets more comfortable with snapping.

With Jordan in the class the Gators are looking to add 4-5 more prospects in the Class of 2015 and Florida is looking to continue adding depth to depleted offensive line.

Here’s how the board shakes out, in Gator Country’s opinion, and who we think will end up in the class with Jordan. These are in no particular order.

Offensive lineman Martez Ivey (6-5, 271, Apopka, FL High) is the top rated lineman in the state of Florida and the Gators are in great shape here as Ivey grew up pulling for Florida, plus the distance from home is something he likes. Auburn is also in contention for Ivey due to his best friend Chandler Cox committing to the Tigers. His recruitment won’t be done until January at the earliest but a good season will definitely help the Gators. Florida is my pick as of today but a bad year for the Gators could send Ivey to Auburn.

Offensive lineman George Brown (6-5, 264, Cincinnati, OH Winton Woods) will be making an announcement in late July but before he announces his decision he will visit Florida. Brown is likely to choose between Florida and Kentucky but Brown has talked about wanting to play at a big time program. Brown has spoken to Will Muschamp a few times recently and he has the green light to commit to Florida if he chooses too. A good indication of where Brown will go will depend on how his visit goes. Kentucky is my pick as of today but that could change to Florida after his visit, honestly.

Offensive lineman Tyree St. Louis (6-5, 300, Bradenton, FL IMG Academy) has spoken very highly of his relationship with offensive line coach Mike Summers and Florida wants St. Louis at the guard position. Florida is one of St. Louis’ top schools heading into his official visits and he also plans to visit Gainesville in July with his uncle. Right now I’m unsure on where St. Louis will land and I think it depends on who Florida lands at the position before he commits.

Offensive lineman Abdul Bello (6-5, 298, Montverde, FL Academy) is very new to the recruiting game and the game of football as well. However, Bello is growing into a good offensive tackle and the Gators are fighting Florida State for him. Bello is likely to take several official visits before making a decision but the Gators will be end the mix until the end. Right now I see Bello being a Gator.

Offensive lineman Jalen Merrick (6-5, 295, New Smyrna Beach, FL High) is another prospect that is new to the recruiting game but so far Florida has taken a pretty good lead in his recruitment due to his relationship with Mike Summers. South Carolina is also in the mix for Merrick but his recruitment could come to end when he visits Florida for Friday Night Lights in July.

Offensive lineman Christian Pellage (6-6, 291, Brooksville, FL Nature Coast) camped at Florida in June and came away talking highly of the Gator coaches but right now Florida State seems to have the leg up in his recruitment. Pellage is a tackle prospect that Florida likes a lot but getting him back on campus for Friday Night Lights is important. FSU is my pick as of today.

Offensive lineman Matthew Burrell Jr. (6-4, 286, Woodbridge, VA C.D Hylton) grew up rooting for Florida but a late offer from the Gators put them behind the 8-ball. Ohio State is a school that is in great shape for Burrell heading into his visit to Gainesville in July. Depending on how the visit goes, Florida could have a shot but I think Burrell is a Buckeye today.

Offensive lineman Javon Patterson (6-2, 311, Petal, MS High) visited Florida in June and had a good trip that pushed Florida into his top 5 with Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Auburn. It’s always tough to pull a player from Mississippi but Patterson seems like someone that wouldn’t mind going away from home. Patterson will visit again in the fall for an official visit.

Offensive lineman Mirko Jurkovic Jr. (6-5, 276, Bradenton, FL IMG Academy) has a top 3 of Florida, Nebraska and Ohio State but Jurkovic admits that he likes the sunshine state after living in Indiana for years. Jurkovic is a guard prospect that I think ultimately will land at Florida if he visits this summer like he says.

 

Look ahead to 2016

Florida has yet to land an offensive lineman for the Class of 2016 but, once again,  will be looking to add a big class and so far Florida has seven known offers handed out.

Offensive lineman Clark Yarbrough (6-6, 257, Woodberry Forest, VA High) has some family that played at Florida in the past and Yarbrough likes Mike Summers. While Yarbrough is far from deciding the Gators will be in the mix.

Offensive lineman E.J. Price (6-6, 260, Lawrenceville, GA Central Gwinnett) is the teammate of Adonis Thomas and if the Gators land him in 2015 than Florida will have the leg up here. Price visited Florida in June and a had visit.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.