The Florida Gators didn’t sign a linebacker in the Class of 2014 and the coaching staff is aiming for 4-5 linebackers in the Class of 2015 as next year the Gators will only have seven scholarship linebackers on the team.
Heading into this week the Gators had two top tier linebackers committed in Adonis Thomas and Jerome Baker but in just a matter of days they have both decommitted from the Florida Gators, leaving Florida with no linebacker commits.
To make things worse top middle linebacker product Tevon Coney committed to Notre Dame over Florida on Thursday morning leaving the Gators with one less target uncommitted.
The good news for Florida is that it’s only October and there is still a chance for the Gators to sign a decent linebacker class but with Coney early enrolling in January and Thomas leaning heavily towards Alabama now, it will be tough to get those guys back in the picture for the Gators. Thomas is still however thinking about taking an official to Florida in December.
So let’s take a look at some guys that are uncommitted or committed but looking hard at Florida.
Still left on the board
Roquan Smith (Montezuma, GA) is still on the board but he’s very tight with Adonis Thomas so things may not be in Florida’s favor here but the Gators will continue to battle with Georgia for him.
Derrick Graham (Wauchula, FL) is someone that Florida likes a lot as he was very impressive during the Florida Gators camp in June and right now Florida and Arkansas are battling for his commitment with an official to Florida still on the board.
Jeffery Holland (Jacksonville, FL) has been considered a Florida lean for sometime now but Auburn is hot on the Gators tail as Holland has family ties to the Tigers. There is some concern on Holland’s academics as to whether or not he will be able to enroll on time but nonetheless the Gators are in good shape here.
Miami commit Charles Perry picked up a Florida offer in July and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin visited him a few weeks ago as the Gators try to get Perry up for a visit to Gainesville. Perry is someone that I think Florida is in decent shape for but they need a visit from him.
Mississippi State commit Darrien McNair is from Ocala and has an offer from Florida but McNair says the Gators have been in contact with him lately but if the Florida Gators decide to pursue him more than McNair is a possible flip candidate.
Final Thoughts
I’m stating the obvious here but the Gators MUST sign three linebackers in this class and in my opinion one of those guys has to be able to play the middle linebacker position.
should never have slow played coney. actually pisses me off. hes gonna be a good one and a great kid.
He’s going to be very good IMO because he’s athletic and a very smart player
Maybe UF’s criteria for picking a coach will be if he and the staff he chooses can bring any linebackers with them. Face it, no one is going to say yes to Florida right now with this staff. If UF loses to Georgia, the present staff will be more worried about finding jobs than getting a blank stare from recruits they try to get to come to UF. Only Muschamp, Roper, and maybe Summers have guaranteed contracts that will pay them even when they are fired. Unless they are guys like the present in-state commits that are very happy with an offer from Florida, no one else is coming until a new staff is hired. What’s particularly troubling is that it is a good bet that Morrison leaves early, and along with the Seniors, that’s going to leave hardly anyone who has played. The highly rated guys from a couple of years ago, Anzalone, Rolin, and McMillian haven’t shown anything to get excited about on the field yet. Adding East Carolina also means the schedule is tougher next year, things aren’t getting any easier for UF.
I agree the schedule is getting tougher but I think the linebacker class can still be salvaged somewhat.