2014 RB Tony James of Gainesville High School, Gainesville FL

[LimeyGator]

James interests me - it will be interesting to see how his recruitment plays out.

I don't get the "We are not interested" comments - reading quotes from James himself as far back as last summer, it seems quite clear he's had a good relationship with the staff for some time and has been involved in watching a fair few practices (he will be back during Spring Ball too, according to Rivals).

I understand the natural conclusion about jet sweeps etc but he returns kicks too for GHS - we've been missing one of those since as certain other guy called James, perhaps even less heralded, 5'7", 160ish was available to us and he did ok I suppose

To my untrained, outsiders eye, RB doesn't look like a major position of need in the 2014 recruiting cycle. If we can get a speedy back who can fill roles in specific game situations like James, I'd be all for it. As of last summer we were clearly his leader and he seemed appreciative of the route his fellow GHS teammate (Thompson) took to the Swamp. That has to bode well doesn't it?

[ETGator1]

Mack Brown is gone after this season. I think a RB stable of 5 rather than 4 is optimal for player growth and injuries. IMO, we should use 2 of our 22 on RBs. I'd be selective and only go after the best of the best.

Bama has 8 RBs and they plan to take Bo Scarborough plus 1 more which is clearly overstocking at RB. How Saban does this when he admits 5 is optimal is a mystery to me.

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by ETGator1

Mack Brown is gone after this season. I think a RB stable of 5 rather than 4 is optimal for player growth and injuries. IMO, we should use 2 of our 22 on RBs. I'd be selective and only go after the best of the best.

Bama has 8 RBs and they plan to take Bo Scarborough plus 1 more which is clearly overstocking at RB. How Saban does this when he admits 5 is optimal is a mystery to me.

I do agree with this concept.

However (and I appreciate you cite Alabama as a scenario where it works!) I don't see why an elite RB would consider Florida next year with 3 outstanding young backs on the roster as sophs/frosh, including the best RB in the previous class in Taylor. Surely the very best RBs will want playing time off the cuff and they are not likely to get it in Gainesville compared to another school with a shortfall, right?

I think that's one heckuva sell to make. Wouldn't it be more productive to fill the need this year and then prioritise the position the year after?

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by LimeyGator

I do agree with this concept.

However (and I appreciate you cite Alabama as a scenario where it works!) I don't see why an elite RB would consider Florida next year with 3 outstanding young backs on the roster as sophs/frosh, including the best RB in the previous class in Taylor. Surely the very best RBs will want playing time off the cuff and they are not likely to get it in Gainesville compared to another school with a shortfall, right?

I think that's one heckuva sell to make. Wouldn't it be more productive to fill the need this year and then prioritise the position the year after?

It is the job of the staff to convince an elite RB to come in and play. Tony James is a good RB but not elite. His skill set is better found in a WR that we will have more use for. We are not desperate for a RB so the staff has plenty of time to wait and convince 1 guy to jump on board James can wait. The staff is interested in James and in contact with him he is just not a take right now for us IMO. I dont think he is a take for any of the big schools that have offered him.

Basically I think we can find a WR that is better on the jet sweeps a better punt returner and kick returner. It also should not be that hard to find one elite RB to join the team this year when its all said and done.

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

It is the job of the staff to convince an elite RB to come in and play. Tony James is a good RB but not elite. His skill set is better found in a WR that we will have more use for. We are not desperate for a RB so the staff has plenty of time to wait and convince 1 guy to jump on board James can wait. The staff is interested in James and in contact with him he is just not a take right now for us IMO. I dont think he is a take for any of the big schools that have offered him.

Basically I think we can find a WR that is better on the jet sweeps a better punt returner and kick returner. It also should not be that hard to find one elite RB to join the team this year when its all said and done.

Who is better that we have a strong shot at landing?

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by LimeyGator

Who is better that we have a strong shot at landing?

Pretty much everybody we have offered at RB besides Dee Johnson is better than James. We will have a great shot at whoever UGA doesn't take. Its early we only need one nothing to really worry about. We can always take Tony James Dee Johnson or somebody similar late in the cycle if it comes to that. IMO James isnt really fighting for a spot with the RB's he is fighting fo a spot with the slot WR's because thats the role he would be playing.

[GATORAZ]

speaking of slot WR's I want to see how this kid does at camp