Lets talk WR recruiting

[risktaker]

Along with the OL, IMHO this is the most important position this recruiting cycle. We could lose quite alot of talent on defense, but we've got alot of talent already waiting in the wings so we're really just reloading on that side. On the OL we've got ALOT of talent coming back next year, but we're terribly light on numbers and need to build depth with this class.

The wide receiver position is a different animal all together. We're recruiting right now to fill positions that will need to contribute in their true frosh year. It really boggles my mind how we seem to have been recruiting solidly, but we just don't seem to have any true difference makers at WR. There are opportunities for both slot and outside receivers to come in a contribute in their first year. The top players around the country should be banging down our doors to commit. The only problem is that we haven't shown the ability or desire to throw it much so far this year. And before anyone starts yelling, I know we're doing what we must to win games. It would be stupid to chuck it downfield just to try to impress some 17 year old in the stands. ;)

We've got some really good players already, but could really use one more home run threat before we call it a class. Let's look at our current commits first:

1. Ahmad Fulwood-4 star, 6-4, 200 lbs, 4.7 40: He's definitely the gem so far. Offered by just about everybody imaginable and should be a great outside guy. You can't coach his kind of height and tall receivers seem to be the most dominant in the SEC the past few years.

2. Alvin Bailey-3 star, 5-11, 175 lbs: For some reason I can't see his offer list on the other site and I really don't get why he's rated so low. Defitely a gem. Does just about everything with the ball in his hands and has a nose for the endzone. The perfect slot receiver compliment to Fulwood.

3. Chris Thompson-3 star, 6 ft, 167 lbs, 4.43 40: This is my headscrather for the WR position. We offered early and he's camped, so the coaching staff likes him for a reason. He's also a slot guy though and don't see how he's better than Bailey. But we offered him long before we offered Bailey, so... again, the coaches must see something no other coaches or recruiting analysts see.

So that's what we have so far. If we stop here, we could be trouble in the passing game. Here's the rest of the players that I think we realistically have a shot at. I think the ship has sailed on Foster and Treadwell, so I'm not including them on the list. Everyone of these guys is the difference maker that we need.

1. Stacy Coley-4 star, 6-1, 175 lbs, 4.5 40: Wow is the first word that comes to mind. It seemed like there was alot of interest on both sides early and then he seems to have dropped off the map. I've heard grumblings about horrible grades, so that could explain why he hasn't committed to ANYONE yet. I wonder if we could get him after he goes the JC or prep school route (I'm just speculating about his grades. I don't know anything).

2. Demarcus Robinson-(clemson commit) 4-star, 6-2, 196 lbs, 4.6 40: There's been ALOT of chatter about him recently really making an effort to visit. I think one of the parents likes UF and the other doesn't (can't remember which). IMHO he's our number 1 target and best shot left at the position.

3. Marquez North-4 star, 6-3, 210 lbs, 4.5 40: Another superstar, big receiver. I was reading alot of great things about him earlier, but haven't heard anything recently. Would LOVE to have him and think we could have a shot on NSD.

So this appears to be it. With the way our numbers are shaking out, I think we only will be able to take 1 more. I feel all of our current commits are very strong and the magic number should be 4 at this position. My dream scenario would be to flip Robinson and then somehow catch Coley after a year or two. We REALLY need to get one of these final 3 in the class though and I and VERY confident we will.

What are your thoughts? Regardless of what else we add to our current class, if we can add one of these WR and close out the OL strong, then this class will have accomplished it's goals, damn the rankings. :)

[G8RNTN]

Would Robinson out of the remaining. Just don't l
Think wr likes the little amount of passes to our wideouts. But then again that's because we are limited at the position. Give it a year or so of recruiting the right ones.

[LAGatorDoc]

Marquis Hawkins is also recruited at WR. He's decent size and fast as well. I think ran a 4.7 with a pulled hamstring at a camp.

[DieAGator]

Marquis Hawkins is also recruited at WR. He's decent size and fast as well. I think ran a 4.7 with a pulled hamstring at a camp.

Yeah, so we either have 3 Safeties or 4 WRs, which is it?

[GATORAZ]

Dont think any of the Wr's committed are special but they will get the job done. Hawkins is coming in at WR. Never heard Robinson talk about his father once during recruiting he takes visits with his mother. Robinson is probably Florida's last chance to get an elite WR.

[DieAGator]

Dont think any of the Wr's committed are special but the will do the job. Hawkins is coming in at WR. Never heard Robinson talk about his father once during recruiting he takes visits with his mother. Robinson is probably Florida's last chance to get an elite WR.

Yeah but AZ, can we close a 5 WR class or did we take one too many commits too soon? I'm happy either way, just curious.

[GATORAZ]

Yeah but AZ, can we close a 5 WR class or did we take one too many commits too soon? I'm happy either way, just curious.

Robinson says yes he is in. Just not sure he says yeas, he is a little suspect about our lack of passing game

[gatordee]

I would be surprised if we do not pull in some decent talent at wr. I also believe Peace will snag a very good one by Feb. it may take the next two months or so to do it, but I see it happening

[DieAGator]

Robinson says yes he is in. Just not sure he says yeas, he is a little suspect about our lack of passing game

Do you think any of our WRs have any kind of conditional offer, or, if a Robinson-like WRs comes do we lose one naturally because he decides to a school with a smaller WR class perhaps?

[GATORAZ]

Do you think any of our WRs have any kind of conditional offer, or, if a Robinson-like WRs comes do we lose one naturally because he decides to a school with a smaller WR class perhaps?

I think if Robinson comes we have 5 Wr's come signing day. Hawkins is the only person I could see looking around but supposedly CWM has a great relationship with his high school coach so I think they all stick.

[Dreamliner]

We don't need wide receivers.

[MadduxFanII]

Every year we're going to sign 12 offensive linemen, 12 defensive linemen and a QB. Every fourth year we'll replace the QB with a kicker.

[DieAGator]

I think if Robinson comes we have 5 Wr's come signing day. Hawkins is the only person I could see looking around but supposedly CWM has a great relationship with his high school coach so I think they all stick.

So what then, next class we pick two hopefully superb WRs to balance out the size of this class?

[risktaker]

Dont think any of the Wr's committed are special but they will get the job done. Hawkins is coming in at WR. Never heard Robinson talk about his father once during recruiting he takes visits with his mother. Robinson is probably Florida's last chance to get an elite WR.

So you're not impressed with Fulwood or Bailey? I like both and think they're great compliments to eachother.

[LAGatorDoc]

It's unfortunate but

[GATORAZ]

So you're not impressed with Fulwood or Bailey? I like both and think they're great compliments to eachother.

I like all the WR commits just not sure if they are special. They will get the job done.

I will say I really like what I have seen out of Bailey this season. I am also very interested to see how Fulwood will be once he goes through a full year of S &C.

[risktaker]

I notice a glaring lack of discussion of Coley... and Thompson...

[GATORAZ]

I notice a glaring lack of discussion of Coley... and Thompson...

Well no one knows whats going on with Coley FSU seems to be confident (lets see how his grade are). Thompson's a project that's been hurt this season. Pease liked him enough to tell CWM to offer him a scholarship (he also perfromed well at 2 camps).

[StrangeGator]

I notice a glaring lack of discussion of Coley... and Thompson...

Coley has a glaring lack of academic prowess. I don't think any teams' fans are focused on him, unless it's West Virginia, South Florida or some JUCO program.

[StrangeGator]

We were falling over ourselves when Fullwood committed. There's something not being said out loud, like when the prom queen supposedly has herpes. We haven't had anyone that tall, that fast and that smart in quite a few years.

[UFFL]

We were falling over ourselves when Fullwood committed. There's something not being said out loud, like when the prom queen supposedly has herpes. We haven't had anyone that tall, that fast and that smart in quite a few years.

I don't understand. What's not being said aloud?

[15gator05]

We were falling over ourselves when Fullwood committed. There's something not being said out loud, like when the prom queen supposedly has herpes. We haven't had anyone that tall, that fast and that smart in quite a few years.

What?

[Gator4Christ]

I would be surprised if we do not pull in some decent talent at wr. I also believe Peace will snag a very good one by Feb. it may take the next two months or so to do it, but I see it happening

Wayne Peace????? or Brent Pease

[g8r925]

We were falling over ourselves when Fullwood committed. There's something not being said out loud, like when the prom queen supposedly has herpes. We haven't had anyone that tall, that fast and that smart in quite a few years.

Ahmad Fulwood will be a difference maker for us. I don't no about any STD's he may or maynot have:wave:

[MadduxFanII]

I don't understand. What's not being said aloud?

I believe that's Strange's point. We've gone from "Ahmad Fulwood, hell yeah!" to "Yeah, he's fine, I suppose," and the only real justification for the change in attitude has to be some significant flaw that no one's saying out loud.

[UFFL]

I believe that's Strange's point. We've gone from "Ahmad Fulwood, hell yeah!" to "Yeah, he's fine, I suppose," and the only real justification for the change in attitude has to be some significant flaw that no one's saying out loud.

He seems great to me. Very stable in his commitment, great relationships with fellow recruits, very smart and well-spoken (seriously go listen to an interview), and an amazing athlete. I'm very happy he's coming. A BIG get

[StrangeGator]

He seems great to me. Very stable in his commitment, great relationships with fellow recruits, very smart and well-spoken (seriously go listen to an interview), and an amazing athlete. I'm very happy he's coming. A BIG get

Yes but…

Dont think any of the Wr's committed are special but they will get the job done.

It really boggles my mind how we seem to have been recruiting solidly, but we just don't seem to have any true difference makers at WR.

Ahmad Fulwood-4 star, 6-4, 200 lbs, 4.7 40: He's definitely the gem so far.

4.7? He supposedly ran 4.45 in the spring. Looks to have a very high top gear. He's in everybody's top 100. Good kid from a very good school.

Let's be happy with what we have. We'd have a decent shot at North or Treadwell if we started throwing the ball around more. I see us throwing the ball around less and less with each game.

[GATORAZ]

While I like our WR commits Robinson North Treadwell are just in a different class and its not hard to see. Just like last year you could see Digg was in a different class. Like I have said a few times in this thread our commits will get the job done it would just be great to get an elite WR just not optimistic its going to happen .

[LAGatorDoc]

I think you can add Coley to this list. If Kermit Whitfield was 3 inches taller, he'd be there as well. That said I think Fulwood and Bailey are almost there (definitely at the edge of the next tier down as far as high school WRs go)

[stomp_and_chomp]

While I like our WR commits Robinson North Treadwell are just in a different class and its not hard to see. Just like last year you could see Digg was in a different class. Like I have said a few times in this thread our commits will get the job done it would just be great to get an elite WR just not optimistic its going to happen .

If Derek Dooley gets fired, I believe we will get North. It would just be too big of a question mark to want to commit to a place with all that going on.

And personally, because I am a betting man, I would take a Florida WR over any other. That's why I think Fulwood should be on the same page as the other top WR's in this cycle. Out of all of them, I think Robinson is the best, and who I would prefer for the 5th WR spot.

But seriously though, I know there have some been busts to muck up the equation, but the top 3-4's WR's from the state have, time and time again, proven themselves to be elite.

I think Bailey is going to be real special too.

[GATORAZ]

If Derek Dooley gets fired, I believe we will get North. It would just be too big of a question mark to want to commit to a place with all that going on.

And personally, because I am a betting man, I would take a Florida WR over any other. That's why I think Fulwood should be on the same page as the other top WR's in this cycle. Out of all of them, I think Robinson is the best, and who I would prefer for the 5th WR spot.

But seriously though, I know there have some been busts to muck up the equation, but the top 3-4's WR's from the state have, time and time again, proven themselves to be elite.

I think Bailey is going to be real special too.

what does Fulwood have besides elite size ? All I have seen is his JR highlights maybe you have access to some video I have not seen. I would not put him in the same category but understand others will.

I am intersted to see Bailey as a punt returner I can not figure out where he fits in for Florida's O since we don't have a player like him (I dont like the patton comparisons).


Stomp after reading that interview not sure Norths dad would let him come to Florida. We are probably trailing UNC and Clemson.

[GATORAZ]

I think you can add Coley to this list. If Kermit Whitfield was 3 inches taller, he'd be there as well. That said I think Fulwood and Bailey are almost there (definitely at the edge of the next tier down as far as high school WRs go)

Coley is elite so are about 4 other WR's in the 2013 class. Robbie Rhodes is going to kill people in the big 12 playing for Baylor

[GATORAZ]

I really liked Rodney Adams SMH

[stomp_and_chomp]

what does Fulwood have besides elite size ? All I have seen is his JR highlights maybe you have access to some video I have not seen. I would not put him in the same category but understand others will.

I am intersted to see Bailey as a punt returner I can not figure out where he fits in for Florida's O since we don't have a player like him (I dont like the patton comparisons).


Stomp after reading that interview not sure Norths dad would let him come to Florida. We are probably trailing UNC and Clemson.

Fulwood has size, speed and hands. Can't really sum it up any better. He's a great-case-scenario for a guy like Driskel who will be entering his Jr. year... A young, tall, fast WR with great hands... heh. If Fulwood is able to get open against some of the types of DB's that we have to play yearly, it will definitely show in the numbers.

I am really hoping we are done with WR's though. We have our 4, I believe them to be solid.

We could use the other spot for one of our flips. (hopefully)

[stomp_and_chomp]

I really liked Rodney Adams SMH

I really liked Tony Stevens. I think that kid is going to be good.

[GATORAZ]

Fulwood has size, speed and hands. Can't really sum it up any better. He's a great-case-scenario for a guy like Driskel who will be entering his Jr. year... A young, tall, fast WR with great hands... heh. If Fulwood is able to get open against some of the types of DB's that we have to play yearly, it will definitely show in the numbers.

I am really hoping we are done with WR's though. We have our 4, I believe them to be solid.

We could use the other spot for one of our flips. (hopefully)

if by flips you mean Collins or Robinson then I am with you:drool:

Man I think Fulwood is going to have a tough time getting on the field next year everybody returns but Frankie. And Fulwood cant enroll early.

Not sure if he will be ready to beat press coverage in the SEC.

[GATORAZ]

I really liked Tony Stevens. I think that kid is going to be good.

Who do you like better if Ahmad wasn't a gator?

[stomp_and_chomp]

Who do you like better if Ahmad wasn't a gator?

I'd have to say Ahmad, but because if Ahmad wasn't committed right now, he would be the #1 WR we would be pursuing.

I like Stevens because he makes BIG TIME catches. If he can translate what he has going for him in HS into College, He will make a name for himself.

I really don't know why we aren't pursuing him. Seems like he has the size, the speed and the ability, and he is really shaky on his FSU commit... unless he did decommit recently. (i could have sworn he decommitted, but rivals still lists him as a FSU commit)

[StrangeGator]

What is likely to happen to Coley? Seems like he was leaning pretty hard our way before the grade issues came up, but there's a narrow margin between not being able to get in as a scholar athlete at UF and not being able to get in anywhere. How do we decide who is worth the Reggie Nelson treatment and who do we walk away from?

[nawlinsgator]

For Fulwood, It's a case of out of sight, out of mind. If he wasn't committed right now, everyone would be like "OMG, I can't believe we are letting this guy get away".
Fullwood looks like the real deal. No worries here.

[stomp_and_chomp]

What is likely to happen to Coley? Seems like he was leaning pretty hard our way before the grade issues came up, but there's a narrow margin between not being able to get in as a scholar athlete at UF and not being able to get in anywhere. How do we decide who is worth the Reggie Nelson treatment and who do we walk away from?

Possibly Clemson. Possibly FSU. Possibly Miami. Possibly JUCO.

It's all up in the air, really. But one thing is for certain, he will not be in this class... I don't think. If he got his grades to a good level and we whiff on every 5th WR we are recruiting and Collins sticks to Miami... Then there may be a chance really really late in the process, maybe even close to NSD.... But I _highly, highly_ doubt it.

In my mind, this guy is in the same boat as guys like Demarcus Walker and Derrick Henry... Great FL options in the beginning, but for any number of reasons, they ain't coming here.

[GatorChomping]

I really liked Tony Stevens. I think that kid is going to be good.

q

[Dreamliner]

I wonder if WR recruiting was at least in the back of the coaches' minds when we threw downfield, a bit, vs. USC ?