Q.) For the 2014 class, will UF fare better in the state of Florida than FSU or Miami as was the case with the 2013 class?
A.) I think so, yes. Florida has already landed a top running back in state and they are in good shape with several other top prospects in the state.
Q.) Andrew, as of today, who do you think will be in this class come NSD?
A.) Haha my favorite question. I’m not ready to put that prediction out there but I feel good in saying that David Sharpe, Trent Harris, Travis Rudolph and Jalen Tabor will be in the class.
Q.) How big will this class be? How are we looking for DE Lorenzo Carter?
A.) The number I keep hearing is 22-23 but as always, that could get bigger with players leaving early or more transfers. Florida trails Alabama and Georgia for Carter but with a summer visit looming, anything can happen.
Q.) How do we look for Artavis Scott and Ermon lane?
A.) Florida is right in the thick of things for both Lane and Scott. It will be a long time before either decides but I think Florida lands at least one of those two.
Q.) Some people are saying they expect Knox and Paul to decommit too. Is it too late to get Ira Denson over here?
A.) I thought we were done talking about Ira. Haha. But I think Benjamin Knox is in the class come February now Joseph Paul, I’m not so sure on him. Right now I would say he isn’t in the class, as he on thin ice with the coaching staff right now and is talking about taking more visits. Florida wants to see him this summer though.
Q.) Do the recent decommits cause the staff to reshuffle their board and cause them to reconsider recruits that otherwise might not be targets?
A.)Not really, Florida is always keeping their board updated and consistently considering everyone. With Ryeshene Bronson, even though he was listed as a commitment, he was always someone Florida knew could be out at any given day. Now Christian Miller, he was a shock to the staff.
Q.) How much effort do the coaches make to get a recruit back who has announced they have decommitted or do they consider it finished?
A.)Depending on who it is, someone like Christian Miller, the staff is working hard to get back in the fold. Now Ryeshene Bronson, that’s different because technically he didn’t decommit.
Q.) Does the Cook commitment mean that Miami-Dade County is more in play for the Gators, or not really?
A.)Yes, Miami is in play for Florida, especially this year. The commitment of Cook will help them big time because he is someone who can talk with other local guys down there.
Q.) Do the recruits ever share with you recruiting tactics from the competition that cause you concern with regard to recruiting ethics?
A.)All the time. They sometimes tell me about the negative recruiting that goes on and what other coaches are saying. I had a recruit last year tell me about how much Georgia was bashing Florida.
Q.) Is it true that there have been recruits we have lost because the coaches have given them ultimatums about visiting other schools?
A.)Yes and no. Will Muschamp is OK with prospects visiting schools as long as they are honest and it isn’t multiple trips. It also depends on how comfortable Muschamp feels about their commitment to Florida.
Q.) What other running back do you see in this class?
A.) This one is a tough one right now honestly. There is a lot of positive signs with Bo Scarbrough despite his location and distance but until he visits, I’m not going to put much into it.
Q.) Do you think we get Devonte Phillips (friend of Cook?) in this class?
A.)Phillips is a 2015 prospect but yes I think he commits to Florida this summer.
Q.) Who are the remaining offensive recruits that the staff really want bad and are pressing hard for?
A.) To name a few. Bo Scarbrough, Ermon Lane, Travis Rudolph and David Sharpe.
Q.) How do we look for Speedy Noil, Davon Godchaux and Gerald Willis? Do you think we will continue to make a big push in the state of Louisiana? I love seeing us on the list for so many recruits in that state and having Paul committed.
A.) Despite Noil saying LSU isn’t in his top 3, I still expect him to be a Tiger on NSD. Godchaux says he will visit this summer but right now I think Florida State leads for him. With Gerald Willis, I think he likes Florida a lot but I think the pressure to stay home will take him to LSU. Lastly, yes, I think Florida will continue to recruit the top talent in Louisiana.
Q.) Any JUCO’s that would commit early to us?
A.) Davonte Lambert, a JUCO from Georgia Military, is a guy that Florida is in good shape with but battling Georgia.
Q.) What’s your prediction on Pugh?
A.) I think he picks Florida.
Q.) When you offer so many scholarships, how do you cut down to the number you can legally have at the end?
A.) At the end of the day, the only offers that mean anything are the ones that get sent out in writing in August and those that get a letter of intent come signing day.