Lets talk OL recruiting

[risktaker]

I'm going to try not to talk about the last few years recruiting and the misses that have put us in kind of a bind on the OL. Those classes are past and I'd rather talk about what we can expect/hope for from this years class. I personally feel that the OL is the most important position for the next couple of years recruiting.

I find myself going back and forth between agony and ecstacy when thinking about the possibilities for this class. Let me also explain that I'm definitely NOT a "trust the coaches" kind of fan. I'm also not all wrapped up in recruiting rankings though and realize that the OL is a terribly difficult position to evaluate. I look more at a player's offer list because the coaches are the guys that will win or lose based on how they recruit and coach up these kids. So lets break down how the board looks. I'm going to assume that we keep all our current commitments. We have a decent class now, but we need a SPECTACULAR class this year, in terms of quality AND quantity. This class will be made or lost with a few more key players choosing UF.

Max Garcia-Guard: I count him as a recruit for this year because he's going to be a new addition to the team. I don't remember what he was ranked coming out of high school, but he's already D1 tested and I seem to remember that he was all frosh-ACC or something. I wish we didn't have to wait 2 years to see him in the Swamp.

Octavious Jackson-3 star Tackle: I just don't get this one. He definitely doesn't have the prototypical size for a tackle and we seem to be his only decent offer. So am I supposed to believe our coaching staff has noticed something no one else in the country has? He's in Georgia's back yard and they have no interest in him. What am I missing?

Cameron Dillard-3 star Guard/Center: Another 3 star that I'm torn about. He has solid size for an internal lineman and a decent offer list. It worries me that he's from Michigan and doesn't have offers from any of the regional powers. What do you all think of him?

So this is all we have locked up so far. Now on to the players that we could still land.

Tyler Moore- T:Nebraska transfer who has also done well already at the college level. I always worry about transfers, but he doesn't seem to be a problem child. There are rumors that say he's about to commit to us and others have him saying that he'd rather go back to Neb than play here.

Laremy Tunsil-5 star T: I can't believe such an immensely talented player in our backyard seems to have no interest in UF.

Trenton Brown-4 star T (JC/uga commit): Perfect tackle size, physically ready, taking him from uga could ease pain of possibly/probably losing Tunsil to them. I'm always concerned about JC Olinemen though. We've had alot of busts going this route lately. I think he's one of the best tackle options we have left that we have a legit shot at.

Kenny Lacy-4 star T: Seems a little light for a tackle and I don't see him coming all the way from AZ with so many options closer. If we get him on campus though, anything could happen. Personally he'd be a plan B option IMHO behind Moore and Brown.

Rod Johnson-3 star T: Perfect tackle size and rumor seems to be that his grades are keeping him from having a better offer list. The door might still be slightly ajar for this former GATOR commit.

Ira Denson-4 star G(f$u commit): Prototypical G size and many say he's acting more like a UF commit than f$u. He seems to be our best option a guard. We REALLY need to flip him.

David Dawson-4 star G(michigan commit): Great size and amazing offer list. Our window seems to have closed with him, but he obviously had interest and seems to have been scared off by losing his scholly. He could still end up being a NSD flip like Fowler.

Josh Outlaw-4 star G(former UF commit): Solid size and offer list. I can't remember the reasons, but that door seems to have closed (was it his choice or ours?).

Well those seem to be all the players I think we have even a remote chance with. We obviouly have a great shot to add a couple of great tackles and maybe a guard. Looking at what we have already I think it's a must that we add 2 more, but I'd probably feel more comfortable with 3, especially if a couple are transfers that will have to sit out a year. If I had to guess, I'd say we end up with Moore, Brown and Denson. I'd be THRILLED with that class and think we have pretty good chances with all 3.

What are your thoughts on how we could close? Do you honestly think I'm off base with my assesment of our commits? PLEASE give me a reason to believe (beyond "trust the coaches").

[gator7_5]

Apparently, Brown has us as his new leader and UGA has cooled on him..

So I say we get Brown and Moore.

[Gator1865]

I am going to try to touch on a few of your points, but I am a little bit confused because as we stand with the recruits listed above, I firmly believe we will have the top offensive line in the SEC next year and we will be known nationally for it.

First point of reference would be Octavius Jackson. Jackson is a OL known for getting down the field in run blocking and short passing plays. When he gets down the field he is a force to be reckoned with and one of the best at his level. That being said he obviously will need some work technically with the pass protection phase, but I believe the plan will be for him to red shirt this year along with Dillard to go through the workout program and learn some more of the technical skills from Davis.

On Dillard, I believe Michigan, who I am assuming you are referring to with the "school's up there" knew that he had no interest in going there and thus did not offer, along with their plethora of top tier guys. Now I am not going to argue that he is in the same level of guys like Dawson, Tunsil, etc. but he is a solid center/OG with tons of potential that will get time to perfect his skills.

Tyler Moore will be a Gator. Tyler Moore will start. Tyler Moore will be a beast.

Tunsil will not be a Gator. We like Moore better than Tunsil. So long Tunsil.

Trenton Brown has us leading at this moment and I also believe he will be a Gator and have a big presence on this line next year. As you said he has great size to play tackle and that is where he wants to play, a major reason he is rethinking UGA.

Lacy, Johnson, Denson, and Outlaw we have either cooled on them or they have cooled on us. Don't see any in this class. But that is just my opinion.

David Dawson is an enigma that was scared away from visiting when that news leaked near FNL. His Michigan coaches then were able to talk to him and get some of their other commits to do the same. Don't see him in this class.

That being said, if we can add Moore and Brown who are ready to play day 1, I think our line could be something special next year. After those two I think the last spot will be held for someone we want rather than just getting one more OL.

[your_perfect_enemy]

How many juco o-lineman have we even brought in recently that we've had a lot of busts going that route at the position? I'm struggling to come up with any.

[lurkingator1]

I think we get Brown and Moore and with Garcia, Dillard and Jackson that's a very decent class!

[The_Graygator]

I would say we are sitting a little prettier with OL recruits right now after watching our OL the last couple of weeks really coming on.

Let's sit back and wait and see who jumps on board by NSD.

[GATORAZ]

TRUST THE COACHES. Yes the Oline is difficult to evaluate but how can you not like Florida's Oline recruiting?

Garcia- started as a freshmen has been killing it a practice CWM has mentioned him on multiple occasions even though he cant play

Dillard- 3 star on some sites 4 star on others is one of the top center recruits

Octavious Jackson- is really athletic did you watch his film or just look at his stars and offer list? A day before he committed to the Gators FSU and Alabama called his coach and tried to convince them to hold off on his commitment so they could evaluate him more. He is going to play guard. And with his athleticism he will be a good one down the road Oline is a development position. Also remember he camped with Florida so Davis & CWM has seen him up close and personal and though enough of the kid to offer him a scholarship after Dawson didnt show up.

I would rather have a battled test player in Moore than any OL recruit in the country and it looks like the Gators are going to get him. Then it comes down to Brown Dawson and Johnson any one of the 3 will do.

I dont think we will take 3 O linemen just seems like overkill with limited spots left in the class. And I dont think we take Denson. If the coaches really wanted Denson they would have already flipped him or at least had him coming on campus in the next few weeks.

[LAGatorDoc]

Also the ship hasn't sailed on Outlaw. I saw an article last night that when asked he is visiting Clemson but is still STRONGLY considering the gators...

[Gator1865]

Originally Posted by LAGatorDoc

Also the ship hasn't sailed on Outlaw. I saw an article last night that when asked he is visiting Clemson but is still STRONGLY considering the gators...

The question is, are we still strongly considering him if we add Moore and Brown. My thought would be, doubtful.

[LAGatorDoc]

Exactly... We will get who WE want

[StrangeGator]

With Garcia and possibly Moore ready to play immediately, the other OL don't need to be first or even second year contributors. They just need to be big, athletic and coachable. We'll get back on track recruiting five and high level four star OL in 2014. With a JUCO and a transfer in this class, we'll probably need to sign four or five next year.

[LAGatorDoc]

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

With Garcia and possibly Moore ready to play immediately, the other OL don't need to be first or even second year contributors. They just need to be big, athletic and coachable. We'll get back on track recruiting five and high level four star OL in 2014. With a JUCO and a transfer in this class, we'll probably need to sign four or five next year.

Well, except for Trent Brown if we get him since he only has 2 yrs of eligibility being a JUCO. And the fact that he is huge and strong, I think he'd be a perfect RT on our 3rd and short plays next to Halapio or Dunker.

[stomp_and_chomp]

I think we'll get Moore, but I am uncertain how prepared he'll be after sitting out a year. It would be nice to red-shirt him to give Dillman and some of the other guys on the staff some time to work with him. Plus, I don't think he counts toward the cap number for the recruits we can take this cycle, he is added in to the overall number.

I think Brown is a take at this point. He'll commit to us, no doubt, imho.

Octavius Jackson is good for depth. I don't know how well he plays, I guess we'll all see when he gets here... But I still think this is a depth scholly.

Cameron Dillard is a good OL. He can play OG or OC... I think we play him as OC.

Ira Denson is our NSD stud. We have a really good shot, I think.

Same with Derrick Dawson. We have a shot at him still. Alabama beating Michigan disenchanted some of their recruits. Any team that wants a NC should be able to beat Bama any week of the schedule.

We need more inside guys than OT's, atm. Considering we get both Brown and Moore, then I think our focus would have to shift to the inside. And if thats the case, then Denson and Dawson are our best options, them being committed to other schools or not.

[LAGatorDoc]

Originally Posted by stomp_and_chomp

I think we'll get Moore, but I am uncertain how prepared he'll be after sitting out a year. It would be nice to red-shirt him to give Dillman and some of the other guys on the staff some time to work with him. Plus, I don't think he counts toward the cap number for the recruits we can take this cycle, he is added in to the overall number.

I think Brown is a take at this point. He'll commit to us, no doubt, imho.

Octavius Jackson is good for depth. I don't know how well he plays, I guess we'll all see when he gets here... But I still think this is a depth scholly.

Cameron Dillard is a good OL. He can play OG or OC... I think we play him as OC.

Ira Denson is our NSD stud. We have a really good shot, I think.

Same with Derrick Dawson. We have a shot at him still. Alabama beating Michigan disenchanted some of their recruits. Any team that wants a NC should be able to beat Bama any week of the schedule.

We need more inside guys than OT's, atm. Considering we get both Brown and Moore, then I think our focus would have to shift to the inside. And if thats the case, then Denson and Dawson are our best options, them being committed to other schools or not.

Well we got Moore and I don't see why he can't transfer in the summer semester to UF and start practicing right after Spring ball

[LAGatorDoc]

Oh and he is taking his red shirt now so he doesn't lose a year of eligibility.

[bleedorangeblue]

Octavius Jackson is going to be a beast. His current head coach is Rush Propst, the former head coach at Hoover High. Although I don't care too much for the man, I do believe he knows football. He said the only reason Jackson was not recruited harder was because of shoulder surgery Jackson had after his junior year. Propst said that Jackson was the best offensive lineman he has coached in his 32 years and if you know anything about Hoover and its success in the state of Alabama, that's saying a lot about Jackson.

[RD_gator]

What will be the projected OL (starters/back-ups) for Florida in 2013? Who will Florida lose after this season?

[RD_gator]

Two years from now, UF will still have Chaz Green, Dunker, DJ Humphries, Silberman & Thurman and the new transfers Moore & Garcia as the future offensive linemen. That makes seven OL.

Additionally, the new potential recruits: Dillaird (potential new Center?), Octavius Jackson (?G).
Perhaps UF could reel in a couple of more players here in Trenton Brown & Roderick Johnson (blocks for RB Greg Bryant) at OT. Tunsil is a long shot.

At Guard, the potential recruits could be the following:
- Joshua Outlaw,

[stomp_and_chomp]

Moore is a solid pick-up. He has to get to campus after this semester, he has to work out with the team. He has to have time to let Dillman and the other coaches to condition him. I am not really expecting him to come in and play day 1 without that.

Trenton Brown should round out this class at OT. I still believe that he'll pick UF. 100%

Cameron Dillard seems like a band-aid recruit. We need him at Center, really, but he could play Guard. I guess we'll put him wherever he is needed most.... More than likely at Center.

Octavius Jackson at Guard is nice. It's always good to have some solid guard committed when most of our other targets at that position are already committed elsewhere.

I wouldn't count on Outlaw coming back. From what I have read, there is no contact between the two... no contact since he decommitted.

Rod Johnson has a chance to jump back on, but still, I don't see that happening with us getting Moore and being in the race for Brown. His grades are still an issue.

Denson is a person we could work toward flipping on NSD.

If Derrick Dawson takes a visit to Florida, then I will say most assuredly, he'll flip.

If we are taking 5-6 OL this cycle, then I guess it would look like this:

OT - JUCO - Trenton Brown
OT - Transfer - Tyler Moore
OG - Octavius Jackson
OG/OC - Cameron Dillard

+ OG - Derrick Dawson??
+ OG - Ira Denson??

^---- That's a pretty good scenario right there. If we don't get Denson or Dawson, then we'll probably pick up the best OL available and call it a day.

Overall though, can't really complain. OL was a problem for the last few years, but I think those days are over.

[GATORAZ]

yeah I dont expect Outlaw or Denson to be in this class