Florida is hosting more than 25 of the top junior football prospects on campus today, just a few days before the Class of 2009 members sign national letters of intent on Feb. 4. Gator Country breaks down those members of what will be the Class of 2010 to give you an inside look at who the targets are and what exactly they bring to the table as prospects.
Trey Burton, QB, 6-3, 205, Nokomis, Fla. (Venice): The top quarterback prospect in the state of Florida, Burton committed to the Gators last summer after receiving a verbal offer following a summer camp at Florida. This weekend will be about getting to know new quarterback coach Scot Loeffler, who takes over for Dan Mullen at the spot. Mullen, now the head coach at Mississippi State, had a great rapport with the Burton family, and this weekend will be about trying to establish that type of relationship with Loeffler as well.
Mack Brown, RB, 5-11, 186, Lithonia, Ga. (Martin Luther King) : One of the big early targets on the board for Florida at the running back position, the Gator staff has targeted Brown as one of their early priorities for the Class of 2010. Brown has good size, but what is most impressive is the sub-4.4 speed he possesses. If the Gators miss on Trent Richardson next week, look for the Gators to really turn up the heat here.
Roy Finch, RB, 5-8, 175, Niceville, Fla. (Niceville): A military brat who played his first season at Niceville last year after moving from Oklahoma, Finch was a first-team all-state performer in Class 5A ball last year. Although he had to split touches in a crowded backfield at Niceville, Finch went over a 1,000 yards on the season while averaging about 10 yards per carry. He is a favorite of the Florida coaching staff and believed to be a prospect who could fill the Brandon James role which will be vacated after next season. After losing Greg Reid in the Class of 2009, Finch becomes even more of a priority.
Corvin Lamb, RB, 5-9, 185, Miami, Fla. (Northwestern): Like Finch, Lamb is a dynamic returner, although he hasn’t quite shown the propensity to be a big-time threat out of the backfield quite yet. Lamb only rushed for about 300 yards for Northwestern (in a backfield with two other BCS-level running backs) last season. However, he did have a streak of five consecutive games with a kickoff return for a touchdown and that’s pretty impressive, to say the least. Florida is believed to be an early leader here.
Kedrick Rhodes, RB, 5-10, 170, Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic): Rhodes will be making the trip up with Kadron Boone. But make no mistake about it, Rhodes is a great prospect in his own right. After getting a chance to see him up close against Pahokee in the FHSAA Class 2B state title game last month, I was blown away by his ability as a junior. While Rhodes needs to gain some weight, he is a big-time BCS-level recruit for 2010, along with fellow teammate Dionte Ponder.
Kadron Boone, WR, 6-0, 190, Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic): Boone has seen his recruitment simply explode this winter. Notre Dame and Tennessee are the two most recent programs to make a strong run at the Trinity Catholic product. A beautiful meshing of speed and strength make Boone such a touted prospect. I can’t think of a single wide receiver at Florida who Boone resembles. He’s faster than all the big receivers who have played here and bigger than all the fast ones. Clearly one of the top prospects on the board for 2010, look for Boone to make a spring decision, with Florida currently at the top of his list.
Ted Meline, WR, 6-2, 180, Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington): Athletically, Meline has few peers. He has impressed scouts and observers at camps all over the place. However, he played sparingly this year due to injuries, and to silence the doubters that he isn’t just an “All-American in shorts,” Meline has made the move to Booker T. Washington to prove his mettle on the field. Meline could project on either side of the ball, but most feel he is best suited for wide receiver on the next level.
Chaz Green, OL, 6-5, 290, Palm Harbor, Fla. (Tampa Catholic): Green stunned many with an amazing performance in Orlando where he ran a sub-5.1 at almost 290 pounds. A basketball refugee, Green has an incredibly thick frame that will allow for plenty of weight as he continues to be molded. The offers have been flying in for Green, and he recently picked up one from the Gators as well. USC recently offered both Chaz and his teammate Christian Green (no relation) and expect the Crusader star to get a whole lot more tenders before he makes a decision.
Leon Orr, OL, 6-5, 295, New Port Richey, Fla. (Gulf): Orr will be heading up to Gainesville today with one of his coaches in tow. Gulf head coach Jay Fulmer has been quoted in the past as saying that Orr has “NFL-type” talent. While Orr lines up at tight end for Gulf, he projects as a offensive or defensive lineman at the next level. Orr made it to a number of games (including the Miami tilt) last season, so he is well-versed in what the Gators have to offer as a program.
Ian Silberman, OL, 6-5, 275, Orange Park, Fla. (Fleming Island): Silberman committed to the Gators last summer and has been one of Florida’s best recruiters on the trail to date. Despite getting a number of offers from big-time programs this fall and winter, Silberman still looks locked in to what Florida brings to the table. Still growing, and gaining strength, Silberman is just a young pup (he turned 16 at the beginning of his junior season) and looks to have an upside that is through the roof. He could be a cornerstone for Florida at tackle down the road.
Johnathon Hankins, DT, 6-3, 322, Detroit, Mich. (Southeastern): Sort of a surprise addition to the list this week, Hankins is the teammate of defensive end William Gholston, and both look to be national recruits in short order. While Gholston, who Florida offered recently, couldn’t make the trip, Hankins did and both are eager to find out what Florida is all about. While it’s early, assistant coach Vance Bedford will be using his Michigan contacts on this one, and look for the Gators to make a real run at this talented defensive line duo.
Louis Nix, DT, 6-2, 315, Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines): Nix is committed to Miami, but you would think Florida has a shot here with some of the comments he has made recently to various media outlets. Nix made it to two Florida games (Miami and LSU) last season and was scheduled to go to a third (South Carolina) before a high school game that Raines was playing in was moved to a Saturday afternoon start time. Nix is widely considered the top defensive tackle in the state, and Florida would love to snatch him away from the Hurricanes if possible.
Gideon Ajagbe, LB, 6-2, 205, Coconut Creek, Fla. (Ransom Everglades): Ajagbe is a tremendous athlete, running in the 4.5-second range at just over 200 pounds. He is long and wiry with a good frame. He played a lot of running back and defensive back for Ransom Everglades, going over 1,000 yards rushing in the process. Ajagbe projects best as an outside linebacker on the college level. Florida looks to be in pretty good shape here.
Tyrone Cornelius, LB, 6-1, 190, Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson): Cornelius has put on a lot of good weight over the past year and is really starting to look like a linebacker. At the Orlando Under Armour All-American Combine recently, Cornelius ran in the 4.5-second range while weighing in right at 190 pounds. He has been a big-time performer at outside linebacker for Stephenson High School, and he has family connections to the Gators (a sister attends school here and his father is a UF alumnus Class of 1984). It’s safe to say that if Cornelius gets an offer, Florida will be in pretty good shape here.
Jeff Luc, LB, 6-1, 235, Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Treasure Coast): Luc’s film has made him a You Tube sensation overnight. He just destroys people on film and moves surprisingly well for a young man who is already so big. He reminds me a bit of blue-chip prospect Vontaze Burflict, who is currently committed to USC to sign with the Trojans next week. The only concern here is his size. Will he be able to hold his weight in check or will he grow into a defensive lineman? Either way, he’s such a tenacious player, most schools won’t hesitate to sign him regardless. If he outgrows linebacker, he sure would excel on the defensive line as well despite his height.
Demar Dorsey, DB, 6-1, 175, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Boyd Anderson): Taken more for his physical gifts than his exploits on the field to date. Dorsey, who has committed to Florida, is the very definition of “potential.” A track star who ran in the 10.5-second range in the 100 meters as a sophomore, Dorsey has great height, great speed and great range. After seeing him in Orlando, I think he probably has the hips to play corner as well. Regardless, he is a kid whose upside is huge and Florida can’t wait to take advantage of it when he gets on campus.
Derek Owens, DB, 5-10, 160, Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson): Owens led Andrew Jackson to an 11-0 start last season (it took an 11-0 St. Augustine team to beat Jackson). One of the best defensive back prospects in Florida for 2010, Owens also potentially projects as a slot receiver on the next level as well. After being down a bit in the last couple of years, Jacksonville is going to come back in a big way in 2010 and Owens is certainly a part of that movement. He will be coming in with fellow Jackson High product Marquel Wade today.
Matt Elam, S, 6-0, 205, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Dwyer): One of the first commitments in the Class of 2010 for Florida, Elam is one of the top prospects in all of Florida for the coming year. He was a real force on offense last season, racking up about 1,000 yards from scrimmage in earning Palm Beach County Player of the Year honors. Most feel he projects best as a safety on the next level, however, the same position his brother Abram plays for the New York Jets.
Christian Green, ATH, 6-2, 195, Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic): Green is one of the more impressive athletes in the state of Florida. He lead the Crusaders to a 2A state title appearance last year against Madison County and fell just short in making it happen for a second straight year in 2008. Green plays quarterback for Tampa Catholic, but many feel he is best suited for wide receiver at the next level. Florida, Florida State and Michigan (which likes him as a quarterback) look to be his early top three. Green is the cousin of former Florida State wide receiver E.G. Green.
Cornelius Whitehead, ATH, 6-2, 175, Mount Dora, Fla. (Mount Dora Bible): The competition that Whitehead goes against isn’t all that impressive. However, his athletic ability is something that does turn heads. Whitehead has the ability to play a number of positions at the next level, including wide receiver, cornerback or safety. The Gators look to be slightly ahead of Florida State and Georgia for his services. Whitehead is coached by former FSU tight end Lonnie Johnson.
Other prospects on campus today: Tiger Powell, RB, 6-1, 215, Lake City, Fla. (Columbia); Charles Fashaw, TE, 6-5, 210, Miami, Fla. (Monsignor Pace); Kevin Nelson, LB, 6-0, 220, Gainesville, Fla. (Gainesville); Tony Grimes, DB, 6-0, 170, Miramar, Fla. (Hollywood Hills); Jaylen Watkins, DB, 6-0, 170, Cape Coral, Fla. (Cape Coral); Blake Sims, ATH, 5-11, 180, Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville); Terrance Brooks, ATH, 5-10, 160, Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon); Marquel Wade, ATH, 5-10, 160, Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson).