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...&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...&v=aXNV-a2c_CQ
Linear Mode
