2013 Feb 16th. Junior Day

[Zanso]

Picked up a committment Travaris Dorsey: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Travaris-Dorsey-126501

Travonte Valentine has decommitted:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/florida/football/recruiting/player-Travonte-Valentine-129073;_ylt=AmYDSAKmnnlH5AswwsHk4jtir5B4

[Zanso]

Benjamin Knox has committed to UF. http://247sports.com/Player/Benjamin-Knox-26810?pi=43697

Can't find a rivals profile.

[LAGatorDoc]

Today is the 16th, but awesome news!!

[Zanso]

Today is the 16th, but awesome news!!

Late night, mod edit it please lol.

[Zanso]

We are now leading for 2015 RB Jacques Patrick and 2014 WR Travis Rudolph (Miami commit)

[Zanso]

@ZachAbolverdi
ATH J.C. Jackson told me #UF is now his No. 1 school and it's only a matter of before he decommits from #FSU. #Gators #Noles

[gatormonk]

Rivals still shows Valentine committed, albeit a soft verbal.

[Zanso]

Rivals still shows Valentine committed, albeit a soft verbal.

He's not. @ZachAbolverdi
DT Travonte Valentine has decommited from #Gators via Facebook because he said he needs to "take a step back" and weigh out his options.

@DerekTysonESPN
Travonte Valentine decommitting from UF was a long time coming. That's the second time he's decommitted.

etc.

[StrangeGator]

So for the weekend, we've lost a 4 star DT, gained two unranked, unrated OL and lead for an unrated, unranked RB and WR.

Maybe I should take a break from this board till June or so.

[Zanso]

Jc Jackson is a 4 star player, one of the ol is 3 star, other has not even been evaluated. The Rb is likely a 5 star, but that's 2015.

Majority of rankings aren't released yet and sites have tons of evaluating to do. We wouldn't take commitments from players this early that aren't very good especially with limited spots.

[lean_gator]

So for the weekend, we've lost a 4 star DT, gained two unranked, unrated OL and lead for an unrated, unranked RB and WR.

Maybe I should take a break from this board till June or so.

Idiotic post. Just take a break from it forever.

[TrillGator]

Anybody got anything on Benjamin Knox? Can't find tape or anything

[TiGator]

Christian Miller committed! LB/DE consensus top 100 player

[sbcg8r]

Bam! per Tyson...

[StrangeGator]

Miller is a huge get, right out of Columbia, SC.

[gator7_5]

Idiotic post. Just take a break from it forever.
Yeah, really. Not one of your better posts Strange. If boom offers an OL on jr day, they have skills. I have no doubt AT ALL these kids can play. This isn't fsu signing day desperation Ol recruiting we're talking about.

[StrangeGator]

Idiotic post. Just take a break from it forever.

Maybe, but I've got 24,000 more posts than you and a decent rep on this board, never mind the fact that I was a mod for two years. Regarding this post, I was here two years ago when we were handing out offers to half the people who showed up, some of whom committed, some of whom recommitted and others washed out.

We've got a limited number of ships for this coming year. Don't know if it's a good idea to give out half our OL ships before we've seen these guys at camp, much less seen them play they're seen their senior year. Yes we should trust the coaches, but I was trusting the coaches when we Jafar Mann committed and my nephew who played against him said he was a fat slob who couldn't move.

IMHO, it's early to be taking any commits unless they are absolutely verified studs.

[RayGator]

Late night, mod edit it please lol.

Yes sir. It's done.

:)

[Zanso]

Yes sir. It's done.

:)

Appreciate it man :D

In more news, Justin Thornton enjoyed his visit and will likely be ours before August.

[UFreak]

Geesh, Strange is one of the staples of this site. No need to go all short term memory on him here.
Interesting insight Strange. My guess is that some of these guys will end up being fairly high ranked. But, I also was surprised when I saw these names yesterday.

[GATORAZ]

thoughts on junior day

Going into Jr day I thought Florida had a good shot at getting commits from Dorsey Miller and Thornton. Even though we didn’t get Thornton I am very delighted with the outcome.

Christian Miller- Christian is the son of former New York Giants LB Corey Miller. While Miller is from South Carolina because of his father’s presence on the radio it is best for both South Carolina colleges and the Miller family that he leave the state to play his college ball. The eldest Miller played under Lawing which was obviously a big reason Christian picked the Gators.

Why I am excited about this commitment- Christian is such a versatile football player with a great upside. Florida took 4 big time LB’s in 2014 but none of them have the pass rushing abilities of Miller. Miller is just not a pass rusher he can also has the ability he could stay on the field even in nickel http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1583457/highlights/31777385

Now the staff will work to add an inside LB with a host options. If the staff decides we need another OLB as well I would love for it to be in state prospect Richard Yeargin III who is 6-4 218 and played for Chaminade last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n9opouVa5vY

Dorsey- I can’t find much film on him but I am pleased with the addition. I am pleased is because he came to camp and got an offer. The staff knows what they are getting with him and you have to “trust the coaches”. Both Dorsey and Corey Martinez camped and Dorsey is the one who left with an offer.

So where does this leave Corey Martinez? I know a few people on the board have thought Florida would get OG Corey Martinez but I was/am not one of them. I like Corey’s game (size more than anything) but I don’t love it. The bigger problem is Dorsey’s commit. At this time there is really no need for another guard in this class IMO. The only other interior linemen Florida should take is a center everybody else should be a tackle prospect. That being said I am not a coach or staff and I expect them to continue to stay in constant contact with Corey. The Martinez family is Gator fans and would love for Corey to get that offer. I wish him well Gator offer or not. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/872677/highlights/27723385

Benjamin Knox- I had not heard his name until today when he committed. Judging from his film he is super athletic with a great frame. Nice find by the staff very soon good tackle prospect IMO. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/604607/highlights/21732380

Travis Randolph- got his Florida offer today and it is well deserved. Randolph is one of the smoothest WR’s I have seen in the 2014 class and I have watched a ton of WR tape. I do however think he is a notch below targets like Drake Harris and Josh Malone. Check out the highlights yourself here http://www.hudl.com/athlete/507309/highlights/33658375



JC Jackson- JC has made it pretty clear lately that he likes the Gators more than the noles even though he is committed to FSU. Today was the icing on the cake when he wore a Florida beanie today. I like the way JC plays but I think it might be too early to take a commitment from him. There are some great CB’s Florida is on in and would like to see the staff wait and see how it pans out obviously the staff feels a little different and really likes Jackson.

Thornton- He showed up late to campus because of car trouble but I always think that’s a good thing. It means more 1 on 1 time with the staff. I was hoping he would commit but it seems as though he will wait awhile to make that decision. I am not sure that was his decision or the coaching staffs. One thing to remember is the staff likes to get their hands on kids at a camp.

Other thoughts

Travonte Valentine de commit- a lot of people saw this coming from a mile away. Valentine had been complaining about not getting enough attention from other schools even though he was committed to Florida. I am not worried about the decommitment of Valentine even though he is going to be a great football player. I have no doubt in my mind CWM can and will get him back in the fold IF he has the grades. A lot of rumblings his grades are horrible he even said as much when he first committed to the Gators.

Read another comment about “don’t want and Easley type player that celebrates’”. If we get Easley type players I don’t care what they do after they have made the play as long as they don’t get a flag. If you watch high school tape you see a ton of kids celebrating it is what it is. I know many people around here hate it but the way Florida fly’s around the ball and celebrates is resonating with recruits on defense. Kids continue to talk about the “swag” we play with as one of the main reasons they like the Gators.

Georgia FSU Tennessee and LSU had junior days this week so I wouldn't be alarmed if some big names were not on campus this week they are coming in eventually. It also looks like nobody we really wanted committed to another school this weekend which is huge.

One player I hope makes it to campus in the next couple of weeks is Kendall Grant. Grant is a hard hitting safety from the same school as Gator FB target Kennard Swanson. While Florida is the only school to offer you can tell from his tape he is a big time player. His father is former NFL player Grant. Hopefully Florida pushes for his commit at one of the junior days. One thing I don’t know is how many safeties the staff plans on taking this cycle after getting 3 in 2013. That could obviously impact Grant’s and the staff’s decision http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aXNV-a2c_CQ

[themistocles]

So for the weekend, we've lost a 4 star DT, gained two unranked, unrated OL and lead for an unrated, unranked RB and WR.

Maybe I should take a break from this board till June or so.

Hah, good one Strange.

Yes, it is rather INSANE to be paying attention to things like the recruiting of kids who have yet to play their senior season yet.

I think I will join you in a hiatus until perhaps December.

[Nicho]

Great post, AZ. Personally, I thought the original Easley comment (to which you responded) was ridiculous.

[grayg8rstevo]

So for the weekend, we've lost a 4 star DT, gained two unranked, unrated OL and lead for an unrated, unranked RB and WR.

Maybe I should take a break from this board till June or so.

You are a part of GC...you have been here forever.
However, you are losing any perspective on recruiting that you might have had.
Lost is a term for rookies. GATOR recruitniks know these things to be true:
a. you cannot lose what you don't have
b. nothing is permanent until a year from now...ONE YEAR.
c. BOOM does what he think is best...and he is one terrific evaluator.
When one cannot acknowledge those truths...tim e for a sitz bath.
And a colon cleansing...a vacation...a trip to the moon,ALICE ...
so, we will see you down the road, my friend. Be well.:yes:

[rounds]

Muschamp has repeatedly stated that he is the Recruiting Coordinator. He states furthermore that he puts zero stock in the silly numbers espoused by espin, rivals, 247, scouts, lemmings and others with no SKIN IN THE GAME. He is the decider. He is not blind and knows the fit and need far more than anyone else. No one can be 100% correct in the business and he won't be either...
Would you? (the players are not invisible just because they are 11th graders.)

[ofmgator]

Strange ,24,000 posts qualifies you for what? I've been a Gator for over fifty years, and have follwed recruiting for a long,long time but I don't have a lot of posts. I trust the coaches even though guys like Debose don't always pan out.

[thedyc09]

Jafar Mann was definitely fat, but even with all the bad weight he would have needed to shed to get on the field, he moved pretty damn well in the games I watched him play. He had a good motor on the field, but you have to have the desire and want-to off the field also, and it would appear he just couldn't handle it. It happens.

[GATORAZ]

Jafar Mann was definitely fat, but even with all the bad weight he would have needed to shed to get on the field, he moved pretty damn well in the games I watched him play. He had a good motor on the field, but you have to have the desire and want-to off the field also, and it would appear he just couldn't handle it. It happens.

CWM should have never recruited Mann the negative signs were everywhere but we needed bodies so he took a chance and we see the result

[Ahab]

What was the downside of taking Mann? Are you saying we passed over other higher rated players to take him?

[GATORAZ]

What was the downside of taking Mann? Are you saying we passed over other higher rated players to take him?

Mann didnt last a semester that is a recruiting mistake

[GATORAZ]

JAKELL MITCHELL from Opelika High School in Opelika, AL was offered at junior day and I really like what I see in his film http://www.hudl.com/athlete/137080/highlights/39930376

[g0ggles]

Like what I've seen so far. Long strider, looks smooth with ball in his hands, couple of nice seal blocks on the edge. What position is he being recruited for? Saw a couple of defensive snaps, but not able to see too much on a cellphone screen.

[StrangeGator]

What was the downside of taking Mann? Are you saying we passed over other higher rated players to take him?

He was one of our first commits. We weren't passing over anyone at the time.

[eastowest]

Per Zach
We have offered a kid from NYC(DT) who has only played 8 football games.......EVER:huh:
In my mind I picture a big ,bad, bruiser from the bronx:joecool:

[DieAGator]

Per Zach
We have offered a kid from NYC(DT) who has only played 8 football games.......EVER:huh:
In my mind I picture a big ,bad, bruiser from the bronx:joecool:

Not all offers committable though right? Sometimes I think staffs give out an "offer" but it's more a way of getting in early so you have a relationship.

[GATORAZ]

Per Zach
We have offered a kid from NYC(DT) who has only played 8 football games.......EVER:huh:
In my mind I picture a big ,bad, bruiser from the bronx:joecool:

he got offers from FSU and Miami earlier in the week

here is his tape

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2305863/highlights/38710389

we also have a Jersey DE Andrew Trumbetti on campus today

[TrillGator]

he got offers from FSU and Miami earlier in the week

here is his tape

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2305863/highlights/38710389

we also have a Jersey DE Andrew Trumbetti on campus today

This tape is impressive, I like his motor. It's noticeable he hasn't played the game much but no doubt has a lot of potential. Once he fixes his pad level and gettin off the ball becomes more natural he will be a force.

[GATORAZ]

Stanton Truitt is visiting today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySiaLE-PdpU

Andrew Trumbetti was on campus Wednesday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcqlbfIfDrY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAkuu5FvPbE

[int1974]

Whos is better out of Valentine, Christmas, Clark at DT? Can we get 2 of them?

[gator7_5]

Andrew Brown. According to a thread on SECrecruiting, many fans around the SEC are predicting him to UF.

[Nicho]

Andrew Brown. According to a thread on SECrecruiting, many fans around the SEC are predicting him to UF.

Wasn't aware of that. Would be great but I don't expect it to be easy when pursuing a 5 star from outside of our main recruiting territory.

[gator7_5]

Wasn't aware of that. Would be great but I don't expect it to be easy when pursuing a 5 star from outside of our main recruiting territory.

Floyd going early first rd can't hurt. We shoukd be putting a few DL, especially DT's in the nfl in the near future.

[StrangeGator]

Andrew Brown. According to a thread on SECrecruiting, many fans around the SEC are predicting him to UF.

He is the Sharrif Floyd of this class, maybe better. Let's lock him up.

[GATORAZ]

LB Dillon Bates talks a little about Jr Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUJ0RMhB4Ms

[HudsonGator]

From the video, he is visiting a lot of schools this Spring, including Bama, Texas, OU, Ohio State, Tenn.