Anyone concerned about OL recruits?

[gator34654]

Don't get me wrong, love our recruitment, being #2 nothing to sneeze about. I am thankful we have added depth on the OL but they are all 3 star players. Now it's true 3 star players can develop and play like 5 star and 5 star like 3 star. And no doubt we added depth but I guess only time will tell if it's quality depth. I know we have a starting OG who was a 3 star and imo he's still playing like a 3 star. I am hoping we can develop these players. As we all know only too well, the OL plays such a vital role in the success of an O.
What I like is numbers which this class has so i am hoping some if not all develop.

[ugaGator]

Most of our last few 5-star OL didn't play like we'd hoped. Nixon was spotty and Wilson was almost always injured. Humphries has been an exception.

[gator996]

Tyler Moore was a 3 star?

[1984Gator]

Don't get me wrong, love our recruitment, being #2 nothing to sneeze about. I am thankful we have added depth on the OL but they are all 3 star players. Now it's true 3 star players can develop and play like 5 star and 5 star like 3 star. And no doubt we added depth but I guess only time will tell if it's quality depth. I know we have a starting OG who was a 3 star and imo he's still playing like a 3 star. I am hoping we can develop these players. As we all know only too well, the OL plays such a vital role in the success of an O.
What I like is numbers which this class has so i am hoping some if not all develop.

Add that top the two top recruits we added last year and the two transfers that are turnkey proven and ready top go, Trenton Brown and no, I am not conncerned!

[gator7_5]

Warchant is that way >.

Seriously, Max Garcia is dominant. Including transfers, this is one of the best OL classes we've had in years.

[Bradass]

Warchant is that way >.

Seriously, Max Garcia is dominant. Including transfers, this is one of the best OL classes we've had in years.

Agreed...what is OP looking at?!?

[sgtfury]

5 stars generally sign if the depth looks like they can contribute right away; that is, get on the field and play if not start. ie TUNSIL to OLE MISS. The schools he had listed early in his recruitment UF, BAMA, UGA, FSU he would have had to compete with no guarnatee of playing time. UF has proven starters and depth. We signed OL athletes that are going to develop and play when they are ready.

[rserina]

Last year we had two highly rated linemen. This year, we added two solid transfers with high major starting experience and one highly regarded JUCO. The other three kids are all versatile, developmental kids.

Plus, the argument about Halapio is sort of silly. He was a three star, but he was our best lineman last year, or at least he was better than five stars Nixon and Wilson or four star Green. The problem isn't the star ranking, but fit for the system, strength and conditioning, and development.

[luciaboy]

no one gets all 5 star lineman and someone has already pointed out that some of our past five star lineman never were five star players. IMO, we did very well with the ol recruits especially the transfer and juco additions

[GatorAvatar]

The Pouncey's were 4 stars I think. Not sure about the rankings of the rest of that oline.

[madgator]

Agreed...what is OP looking at?!?


I can understand what the OP is saying. First off, our OL play has been poor the last 3 years. Couple that with the fact that we have whiffed on a few local stud recruits the last few years, brought in low numbers of OL players overall, and had a few "star busts" come through at the position; Patchan, Alajaian etc.

if you look at the group right now, we have what appears to be both a lack of overall depth as well as experience.

I think we have the pieces to be ok overall this year. However, next year we have to have a class of 4-5 OL.

[Chompsuey]

I'm pretty sure Bama always has good linemen. Per rivals they signed 4 OL. 1 4 star and 3 3 stars

[Chompsuey]

Ira Denson was a 4 star yet nobody seemed to want him. I trust the coaches evaluations. Some of you star gazers amaze me.

[madgator]

Last year we had two highly rated linemen. This year, we added two solid transfers with high major starting experience and one highly regarded JUCO. The other three kids are all versatile, developmental kids.

Plus, the argument about Halapio is sort of silly. He was a three star, but he was our best lineman last year, or at least he was better than five stars Nixon and Wilson or four star Green. The problem isn't the star ranking, but fit for the system, strength and conditioning, and development.


If Halapio was our best OLmen last year, then we had a really bad offensive line.


oh wait, we did have a really bad offensive line last year.

[rsanner]

To the OP's point, Muschamp's one concern mentioned during his press conference yesterday was the O-line recruitment. He basically said they are not getting the numbers they need on the O-line and wanted 1 to 2 more. I am not that caught up on the stars but we have very few underclassmen on the roster and that can come back to bite you. Three years in a row we have had low numbers of Freshman.

From 2011 One Player remains
From 2012 Two players, one who has had issues staying out of trouble and I would not count on.
From 2013 Three players.

Those are low and should be a cause for concern.

[madgator]

To the OP's point, Muschamp's one concern mentioned during his press conference yesterday was the O-line recruitment. He basically said they are not getting the numbers they need on the O-line and wanted 1 to 2 more. I am not that caught up on the stars but we have very few underclassmen on the roster and that can come back to bite you. Three years in a row we have had low numbers of Freshman.

From 2011 One Player remains
From 2012 Two players, one who has had issues staying out of trouble and I would not count on.
From 2013 Three players.

Those are low and should be a cause for concern.


Anyone have any updates on the Dunker situation?

[DieAGator]

I'll be concerned if we don't have a top OL class 2014. We probably need 2 HS OTs, and another outstanding JUCO type.

[rserina]

To the OP's point, Muschamp's one concern mentioned during his press conference yesterday was the O-line recruitment. He basically said they are not getting the numbers they need on the O-line and wanted 1 to 2 more. I am not that caught up on the stars but we have very few underclassmen on the roster and that can come back to bite you. Three years in a row we have had low numbers of Freshman.

From 2011 One Player remains
From 2012 Two players, one who has had issues staying out of trouble and I would not count on.
From 2013 Three players.

Those are low and should be a cause for concern.
Actually, that wasn't the opening poster's point. Just the opposite. His concern was not numbers, which he said were fine, but stars.

Yours is a relevant concern, but it is ameliorated significantly by the transfers. First of all, Moore now counts in that 2011 group. And second, the addition of Brown, Garcia, and Moore, means likely that none of the 2011-12 kids has to contend for a starting spot in the next year or so unless he is ready to play.

We definitely need a good sized class next season (five or so) to get the numbers where we want them and start developing those kids for 2015 and beyond, when they will be needed, but again in terms of putting together, say, a top eight or nine guys, we are fine for the next two seasons. Without a good group next year, things could get dicey.

[TheRaid]

Plus, the argument about Halapio is sort of silly. He was a three star, but he was our best lineman last year, or at least he was better than five stars Nixon and Wilson or four star Green. The problem isn't the star ranking, but fit for the system, strength and conditioning, and development.

The problem is that Halapio did not rise to 5 star level. He remained a 3 star. The issue is that all the others who were rated higher played down to make it where Halapio was our best OL. That alone is cause for concern.

[GATORAZ]

Don't get me wrong, love our recruitment, being #2 nothing to sneeze about. I am thankful we have added depth on the OL but they are all 3 star players. Now it's true 3 star players can develop and play like 5 star and 5 star like 3 star. And no doubt we added depth but I guess only time will tell if it's quality depth. I know we have a starting OG who was a 3 star and imo he's still playing like a 3 star. I am hoping we can develop these players. As we all know only too well, the OL plays such a vital role in the success of an O.
What I like is numbers which this class has so i am hoping some if not all develop.

let me guess you haven't watched any of OL recruits film?

[GATORAZ]

Max Garcia started at Maryland. Tyler Moore was an all world recruit out of high school. Tyler has 3 years of eligibility left and started at Nebraska as a freshmen. Here are my breakdowns of the three freshmen we brought in

Octavius Jackson
Octavius Jackson is a 6-4 305 lbs tackle out of Georgia who plays for former Hoover high coach Rush Probst. Even though Jackson is already 305lbs he has the frame to probably carry 20 or 30 more lbs comfortably. Jackson biggest asset is his athleticism, for a man his size he can really run. This is vital for the offense Florida has installed this year. Brent Pease has pulled guards often and Jackson should excel in this department at the college level. The downside to Jackson is although he is very athletic he struggles to bend at the knees, so even though he plays tackle in high school it looks like he will move inside to guard once he gets to Gainesville. Florida is loaded across the Oline next year so expect for Jackson to redshirt.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1199268/highlights/9146065

Roderick Johnson
Great Frame long arms, quick, explosive initial punch, willing run blocker, ability to get the the 2nd level…. I could go on and on there is a lot to like about the American Heritage OL Rod Johnson. He really has all the tools you look for in an OL prospect. The most impressive attribute about Johnson is probably his initial punch it is violent and explosive. Johnson is 6-6 315 and will probably end up playing at 330+. Johnson will likely redshirt his freshmen year but will probably end his career as the starting right tackle or guard for the Gators.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/678150/highlights/20632373

Cameron Dillard
Cameron might look like the nicest person in the world but when the lights come he is a downright nasty football player. Cameron comes off the ball extremely well and drives his man into the ground until the whistle is blown. Watching Dillard’s film you get the sense he really enjoys playing the game on multiple occasions you see him fist pumping when he makes a good block. Cameron is a sneaky good athlete and runs really well for his size overall he is just a great interior linemen prospect that will end up at center at Florida. Expect Cameron to redshirt his 1st year on campus then fight for the starting center job his RS freshmen season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR-F9AULf9o

[gator34654]

You are right, i did get caught up with the star thing. As I said earlier, stars aren't always a good indicator of talent/development. If Nixon was a 5 star player that alone should call into question player's ratings.
I just would like to see uf having a better OL than we have had for the past 3 years. I am glad really glad for the OL transfers.

[iam4uf]

Scout.com, which has OL rankings by position (http://florida.scout.com/a.z?s=168&p=9&c=14&view=3&yr=2013), has UF at #15 with the four we signed. Some of the teams ahead of us are there only because they signed a lot of linemen. With the addition of two transfers, iirc both of whom started for Division I schools as freshmen, then we easily have a top five class. I'm happy with this.

[Ahab]

Garcia, Moore & Brown are going to fill in the holes we have in the previous 2 OL classes. The 3 frosh OL were all guys we targeted early so it's not like we got Plan B recruits like F$U.

[GATORAZ]

Garcia, Moore & Brown are going to fill in the holes we have in the previous 2 OL classes. The 3 frosh OL were all guys we targeted early so it's not like we got Plan B recruits like F$U.

All 3 freshmen attended a Florida camp so the staff has worked with them personally and knows what they are getting.

[StrangeGator]

Recruiting services have a spotty record rating OL. It's hard to do, requires more time looking at film and there aren't stats to rely on. This is an area where we have to "trust the coaches" because there is no one else you can trust. Our coaches watch their games, watch them on film and bring them to campus to see what they can do up close.

Not concerned with this class at all. Our OL coach has been on board through one season and one entire recruiting cycle. He knows what he has, knows what he needs and knows what he's looking for. If he's happy, I'm happy. The transfers will be great and will give the coaches time to develop the freshmen who all seem to have plenty of potential.

[rserina]

I just would like to see uf having a better OL than we have had for the past 3 years. I am glad really glad for the OL transfers.
No doubt. We improved drastically last year in the run phase, but we still have a long way to go in pass protection. The transfers will sort of help right the ship and next year's class is absolutely essential to setting us up going forward. I've heard the line class in the state is much better for then 2014s.

[SavageGator]

I do not see what good can come from worrying about it now. We'll have to wait until fall to get a better idea of what is what. That said, I'm a believer in CWM's judgment.

[socraticsilence]

Hopefully the transfers work out better than the ND transfer Weis brought in who was supposedly going to be a dominant force.

[sbcg8r]

I think Jackson is vastly underrated. He'll start 2-3 years at OG. We're definitely huge on the OL- most of these guys will play at 320+.

[rserina]

Hopefully the transfers work out better than the ND transfer Weis brought in who was supposedly going to be a dominant force.
Are you serious? Wenger lost his job at Notre Dame and was injury prone throughout his career, even being granted a sixth-year of eligibility due to the injuries. No one expected him to start, let alone become "dominant force."

[lurkingator1]

I would like to see our depth a few players deeper on the oline, even Muschamp said so during the press conference he said Ideally we would have about two more guys on the Oline from this class, it's not a quality but numbers

[gatordee]

With the ones we have on board and the ones we landed, I feel we are better off than we have been since the Pounceys.

[ofmgator]

I've been following recruiting since 1960 and the one thing that stands out to me is that the number of stars means nothing to coaches. Do you honestly believe that WM cares what a so called "recruiting Guru" thinks. One explanation I read (back before the internet & recruiting "Guru's) was that a five star can compete early, afour star after a year or two and son on. That said our past is littered with failed five stars and filled with success story's like Fred Taylor and Louis Oliver to name a couple.
You also need to measure a class by filling needs and adding new recruits to the existing positions by class. This class is a big win and a damned good one!

[iam4uf]

Are you serious? Wenger lost his job at Notre Dame and was injury prone throughout his career, even being granted a sixth-year of eligibility due to the injuries. No one expected him to start, let alone become "dominant force."

About to post the same thing. Wenger was more of an "assistant coach" to help with transition & play a few downs.

[gator1986]

I'm sure Tyler Moore and Max Garcia were both 4 stars? And 3 star is actually good when it comes to O Line, since they seem to tend to give higher ranking stars to more defensive and other types of offensive players...

[gator7_5]

About to post the same thing. Wenger was more of an "assistant coach" to help with transition & play a few downs.

SS is a jackleg

[MadduxFanII]

I'm a big fan of getting numbers on the offensive line, which made the last three years a little disconcerting. You always need at least five of the guys to run an offense, you want to go two-deep if you're a big-time program, you need a bunch of them to run an effective practice, the injury rate at the position is pretty high and it seems like the bust percentage for big-time OL recruits is higher than at most positions.

None of that means you start throwing scholarship offers at every high school lineman over 250 pounds, but it's good to bring in a lot of bodies along the offensive line.

[luciaboy]

muschamp said almost 95% of the class had attended camp at uf

[DeBigLeezard]

Max Garcia is a proven comodity. He's big, fast and mean.
Tyler Moore, (like RAZ said) is one of the few freshman offensive linemen to ever start at Nebraska.)
Check out Moore's pic. He is an animal.
I have been following recruiting since the late 70's. Moore is a beast.

[bullish]

If you are concerned about our OL, look at Tiger.net and see what Clemson got, not much. They wanted everybody we have.

Garcia, Moore, Roderick J., Octavious, Cam, and big Trenton Brown, what could you be worried about. These guys, Humphries, Harrison, not even mentioning all the backups, I could put together a line our offense will excell with.

Now, if we can just get a few balls downfield more than 10 yards and mix it up a little better, maybe we can beat Georgia. LOL

[HotlantaGator]

I think we got good numbers on the OL when you add in the transfers...

The HS OL signees are not 5 star players, and generally, year over year, class over class, 5 stars do perform better than 3 stars...

However, I wonder whether that may be less true at OL than other positions...

OL seems to be a harder position to really gauge the HS to college transition than other positions, for a couple reasons:

1) all the prospects a school like UF looks at, whether they are 3 stars or 5 stars, usually just DWARF their opponent in HS, its hard to tell whether their domination in HS is due just to their size ( which means it will disappear when they face a 300 lb DT), or due to superior athleticism and work ethic, which should translate to the college game;

2) so many OL regardless of their stars can't stay healthy b/c the human body has a hard time carrying the kind of weight college OL need to be at, there is simply a a random injury factor that you cannot predict at the OL position, and it knocks over 5 star prospects like Patchan and James Wilson while modestly talented guys like Wylie Ritch or Kyle Koehne stay healthy and end up contributing.

[jhbyrd]

Mountain out of a mole hill. This talented OL group loads up UF's OL for next season and the OL group UF brings in next recruiting season will put UF back on track. The vaccuum at UF will pull in the needed talent as long as we have Muschamp.

[PSGator66]

This is a great OL class!! Are you kidding me! You may need to up your prozac.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

One of the main issues with pass protection in this offense, has been the play of the tackles (Green and Nixon). Nixon was merely an above-average player, who routinely got beaten by the elite athletes around the SEC, and Green has been spotty at times.

I think that we'll see elevated play at the tackle positions this year, considering the development of Humphries and the addition of two guys (Garcia and Moore) who played good football at other schools. In fact, Garcia started every game at LT for Maryland as a sophomore, one of only five players on the entire team that year to do so. He was/is considered a pro prospect at his position. Moore was set to be the starting LT at Nebraska, and I believe he racked up more starts in his first season than any true freshman in school history.

Garcia and Moore may turn out to be the biggest gets from this class. I also trust the staff's ability to evaluate talent, and I wouldn't sleep on Dillard, Johnson and Jackson simply because they have three stars. We brought in an excellent group.

[GCNumber7]

OL is the hardest to assess in HS it seems. I saw some article a couple of years back that showed most first round OL picks were of the 2, 3 star or unranked variety. So when it comes to OL, you really can't trust their rating. Much more important to have good coaching and build them up.

[coldsteel120]

Stars are a marketing gimmick!

[woltes]

Big ROD Johnson is going to be a STUD.

[nflgator]

You guys have the right to take each player and rip them apart .. spend all season placing them under the microscope .. searching for any flaw.
I guess our class was # 1 or 2 and that is pretty good.
Do you have the "Fire WM" site ready to go?
Last year we were 11-2, now i know we didn't win the SEC or NC.
This happened in WM's 2nd year .. mabye it is not good enough.
If we have not won a NC by 2015/2016 i will be upset. We will win one even earlier.

[The_Graygator]

If you are concerned about our OL, look at Tiger.net and see what Clemson got, not much. They wanted everybody we have.

Garcia, Moore, Roderick J., Octavious, Cam, and big Trenton Brown, what could you be worried about. These guys, Humphries, Harrison, not even mentioning all the backups, I could put together a line our offense will excell with.

Now, if we can just get a few balls downfield more than 10 yards and mix it up a little better, maybe we can beat Georgia. LOL

If we could just quit having an annual turnover-fest against UGA like we have had the last two years (10 combined turnovers in the last two games), we'd beat them. lol

[Ahab]

To be a successful OL, you have to be a technician. That means you have to project the mental aspects of the position more so than others. Barrett Jones was not a highly rated recruit but will go down as one of the greatest college OL.

[gatorchamp27]

Lets be honest while we have a group with tremendous upside and I do like this class. Its a solid class and thats hard to accomplish. However, none of these guys have played a down in our league just yet. So heres hoping and trusting that WM and Co. can bring the beast out of these kids and they can grow to be eventual consistent starters, and then game changers.