RECRUITING: Waggener faxes in LOI

It has been a big day for Gator recruiting. With the verbal commitments of running back Bo Williams and quarterback John Brantley the Gators added two big time players to a growing class that is destined to be among the nation’s best. The first National Letter of Intent has also arrived signifying the first official Gator for the 2007 class. Bryan Waggener will be on campus in a couple of weeks.

Waggener (6-4, 226) is excited to get going with his Gator career and offers a little reassurance in the spring where Tim Tebow is currently the only quarterback on roster. Quarterback Cam Newton is also expected in the spring, but he cannot sign a Letter of Intent until February with the rest of the high school prospects. Waggener will be asked to learn the system right away.

The Glendora (CA) Citrus College thrower made quick work of signing the dotted line and making sure it got to the right place.

“I got it in the mail yesterday, signed it today and faxed it about 12:20 this afternoon out here in California,” Waggener said. “Everything is done, I just have to get my official transcript over there and I am out of here.”

There is also one other big hurdle. There is this thing called Interstate 10 that stretches from California to Florida and Waggener will making his way to Florida via his truck, a supped up ’95 Chevy S-10 with an oversized suspension. It’s just part of his overall plan to be a Gator.

“I am going to be there the first day the dorms open, I am actually driving there so I can have my truck,” he said. “My dad and I are going to make the 36 plus hour trip.”

And just how is he going to bring all of his belongings?

“We are mailing anything that we can’t fit in my truck,” he said.

Waggener talked to Quarterback Coach Dan Mullen about an hour before this interview and was informed of Brantley’s decision today. He’s all for the competition and wants to get started.

“I just want to get there, see what it’s like, and start working out with the team,” he said. “I just want to be around the guys.”