High school football will be cranking up soon and so will recruiting after a month of relative silence due to two-a-days starting at both high schools and colleges. The prep season begins in a matter of days in some places, and once the season begins, we’ll start seeing some movement on the recruiting board as kids commit and others will be trimming their lists down to the schools they’re going visit officially.
Here is a look at the seniors I’ve been covering for Gator Country with an update on where they’re thinking and where they’re leaning.
RANTAVIOUS WOOTEN, WR (5-10, 166, Belle Glade, FL Glades Central): Wooten will announce his commitment between Georgia and LSU on August 29, but I believe he’ll announce Georgia. Florida offered him a few weeks back and he realizes he would be a great fit in Gainesville on and off the football field. That’s something he can be reminded of if or when the Gators decide to recruit him harder. I’m hoping to find out exactly why he is committing so early if he does feel that way. Regardless, if the Gators were to miss out on some of the other receivers and decide they want him, it may be possible to sway Wooten to Florida.
KENDALL KELLY, WR (6-4, 215, Gadsden City, AL): I just got word from Kelly that the Gators are in his top 10 favorites. He lists Florida, Florida State, LSU, Alabama, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Auburn, Oregon, Texas and Clemson. No one has ever really predicted he’d be in this class and I don’t see it happening. I get the feeling he actually WANTS to get out of state, and he has given Clemson some high praise.
DARION HOWARD, TE (6-4, 225, Cedar Falls, IA): Howard couldn’t make the trek to Friday Night Lights, but caught the attention of a lot of people including the coaches during an earlier camp. He’s a great athlete with even better hands. His offer sheet is thin, with a recent offer from Iowa State getting top billing. This is good for the Gators, as they have been in contact with him from the beginning and could decide to take him late to complement Desmond Parks. Coach Dan McCarney’s connections to the state of Iowa don’t hurt, either. Considering Orson Charles is probably out of the picture, it looks like it will come down to Howard vs. Gabe Holmes, with the Gators being the winner either way.
TRENT RICHARDSON, RB (5-11, 223, Pensacola, FL Escambia): Richardson was a stud at Friday Night Lights, and much has been made about his “February is a long way away/anything can happen” quotes these last few months, but I think he’s just enjoying the recruiting process for what it’s worth. He has to love the attention he’s received since opening up to other schools. He would be an absolutely great get, and the staff has proven they are capable of working some recruiting magic, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed committed to Alabama.
RODNEY SCOTT, RB (5-10, 195, Cross City, FL Dixie County): Within the span of 15 minutes, my opinion on Scott has flip-flopped numerous times. Initially I was going to say that there is next to no chance he ends up keeping his commitment to Auburn through NSD. I talked to him a little while ago and asked if he officially de-committed yet, and said, “With how things are looking, I’ll probably stay there.” Some of the other schools backed off a little bit recently, and after talking with his coach, he got the feeling he should stay put. I asked why would these schools back off … and he said, “In the beginning of football season, it’ll probably pick back up and then I’ll probably might want to change my mind again.” Auburn is the “best choice” for him right now, but who knows what will happen in the upcoming months. In summation, if his grades aren’t an issue and the other backs on the board fall through, I think Florida’s if somehow the Gators decide they want him in the class.
XAVIER NIXON, OT (6-6, 270, Fayetteville, NC Jack Britt): I’m going to try and get an update on him in the next few days. The coaching staff has the luxury of already having a great offensive line recruiting class, so taking the time to swoon Nixon won’t be a burden. Florida, LSU, Miami, maybe Notre Dame and probably a state school like North Carolina will be with this kid until the end.
KEDRIC JOHNSON, DE (6-4, 215, Palmetto, FL): Dyron Dye is obviously a #1 priority at defensive end, but the Gators are considering adding Johnson among other linemen to the class. Although he grew up an FSU fan, Johnson went out of his way to let me know he loves Florida. It may be a payback mindset, as the Noles haven’t showed much interest in him. He put up some impressive numbers last year, and if he has similar success he could be Florida’s for the taking.
DRE KIRKPATRICK, CB (6-3 180, Gadsden City, AL): The coaching staff would love to land a big time shutdown corner like Kirkpatrick, but I don’t think they see the need in putting the full-court press on an Alabama kid, especially when there is already some depth at the position. He actually talked up his Texas visit when I spoke with him about some of the camps before Friday Night Lights, but that may have worn off by now.