Gator Country

gator996 · 02-07-2013, 08:23 AM

Well, he may not be known for recruiting but his coaching legacy is already helping us with the #1 player for 2014...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ases-new-top-5

Class of 2014 No. 1 Recruit Da'Shawn Hand Releases New Top 5
By Andrew Kulha(Featured Columnist) on February 5, 2013

There's really only one 2014 recruit who can steal away some headlines the day before 2013 national signing day, and that's 5-star defensive end Da'Shawn Hand.

Hand is the No. 1 overall recruit for 2014 according to the 247Sports composite, and he's the one name recruiting fans need to know this early into the process. Believe me, there are plenty of talented recruits in the 2014 class, but Hand is the only one who can grab the attention of the recruiting world this close to such a big day for the 2013 class.

What did the elite 2014 recruit do to cause a stir? According to quotes via Adam Friedman of Rivals.com, Hand has released a new top five:

"In no order, my new top five is Alabama, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina and Virginia Tech," the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Hand said. "I'm taking North Carolina out and putting Florida in because Coach (Brad) Lawingwent down there and he was one of the main reasons why I liked South Carolina. If it weren't for Coach Lawing, I wouldn't have even thought about Florida."

elrongator · 02-07-2013, 08:29 AM

Are we supposed to jump with excitement at this quote? It's a back handed compliment at best. "I wouldn't have even considered Florida", well that's just dumb to me. We are a top program in THE top conference. Doubt Muschamp does alot of begging to be honest.

gator996 · 02-07-2013, 08:53 AM

A little childish attitude by you, no?

Do you think every kid in America playing HS football starts out wanting to be a Gator?

He's the #1 DE in the country....obviously influenced by Lawing's work with Clowney, etc.
I'm glad he's interested in us because of one of our coaches.

Thank God you don't work for the Gator athletic dept in recruiting...

demosthenes · 02-07-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrongator

Are we supposed to jump with excitement at this quote? It's a back handed compliment at best. "I wouldn't have even considered Florida", well that's just dumb to me. We are a top program in THE top conference. Doubt Muschamp does alot of begging to be honest.

Before I moved to Florida my junior year of high school I never even thought about Florida as a college choice. Believe it or not there's a big world out there.

Briang8r · 02-07-2013, 09:14 AM

"In no order, my new top five is Alabama, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina and Virginia Tech,"

Alphabetical?

demosthenes · 02-07-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briang8r

"In no order, my new top five is Alabama, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina and Virginia Tech,"

Alphabetical?

Lol, nice catch.

elrongator · 02-07-2013, 11:18 AM

I'm not saying I wouldn't be glad to have a stud player.
I am saying I don't like hearing any recruit act like we are nowhere and nothing.
There's a difference. Also think recruiting gets more kids acting like their decision is the most important news ever spoken every year. I don't like the trend of recruits acting like dicks or jack asses.
But get one thing straight...if I was on our staff I'd close like a bat out of hell.
I'd be a flat out terror for UF and rivals would hate me.

gator996 · 02-07-2013, 11:26 AM

Think you might be reading a bit too much into his quote...

Isn't it possible he was just being honest and saying that he wasn't even considering us but is now because of coach Lawing?

Why jump to he's a dick or jackass?

**exiledgator** · 02-07-2013, 11:30 AM

355 days till NSD and Massengale candidates are emerging already.

DieAGator · 02-07-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demosthenes

Believe it or not there's a big world out there.

There are what, at least 200 other universities with football programs as well? I hope their feelings aren't hurt.

He must think a lot of Coach Lawing if willing to consider South Carolina and if he would have liked the SC environment he'll love UF's. Distance could play a factor in the end but if he's willing I know this staff will give us a good shot in the process.

StrangeGator · 02-07-2013, 11:45 AM

UF is invisible in South Carolina. Never understood it. The world is flat and ends at the Georgia border to the south and the Virginia border to the north. Carlos Dunlap was the first SC native ever to sign with UF. Part of that might be due to the very brief history UF has playing against any SC teams. Before SC joined the conference, we probably played Furman and the Citadel more times than the Cocks.

Full court press on Hand. Given that we only signed one or two possible Buck prospects, he would be the most important target for 2014. He might not have been a Gator for life up to this point, but he could easily be one for the rest of his life. Let's make a big impression on Junior Day.

Please don't let him go to Bama or SC. I know he didn't list them in order, but VT has to be last. They are the square peg in that group. Michigan is always a tough program to contend with. If I wasn't a Gator and I had a kid looking at those schools, I'd be pushing him in Michigan's direction. He would be a terror in the Big 10.

gator7_5 · 02-07-2013, 11:54 AM

Raz or anyone, is he a bama lock like they seem to think?

madgator · 02-07-2013, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator7_5

Raz or anyone, is he a bama lock like they seem to think?

I'm certainly thinking so

gatorcal · 02-07-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

Please don't let him go to Bama or SC. I know he didn't list them in order, but VT has to be last. They are the square peg in that group.

The kid is from Virginia - Woodbridge area. That is a Va. Tech hotbed and Bud Foster is all over this kid. Don't be so quick to count them out. I've actually heard they may be the early leader, along with Bama.

gator996 · 02-07-2013, 01:44 PM

Gatorcal, that's what I was thinking...VT has home field advantage

Better to have a shot versus no shot at all...

SmootyGator · 02-07-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrongator

Are we supposed to jump with excitement at this quote? It's a back handed compliment at best. "I wouldn't have even considered Florida", well that's just dumb to me. We are a top program in THE top conference. Doubt Muschamp does alot of begging to be honest.

99% of recruits don't even consider Florida.

gator7_5 · 02-07-2013, 02:14 PM

Hwhat? Pretty sure a solid 1/3 of the top recruits in the country consider UF. By your logic, only 2.5 of the top 250 would even consider us?

GatorAvatar · 02-07-2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootyGator

99% of recruits don't even consider Florida.

If these people where our recruiters, we wouldn't have signed, Pouncey twins, Elam, DRob etc.

TrillGator · 02-07-2013, 04:49 PM

It's a big world out there guys, as awesome as it would be not every prospect immediately has Florida on their list lol, This guy is a stud and I'm happy we have somewhere to start with him. Don't let one quote be the determining factor of a kids character.