(Part II of a three-part series)
The Gators have already lined up 14 commitments for the recruiting class of 2014 but there are still holes to be filled. Gator Country takes a look at the next ten prospects that the Gators are heavily involved with on the recruiting trail.
TEN MOST WANTED PROSPECTS
Safety Jamal Adams (6-0, 199, Lewisville, TX Hebron)
Stats: On offense, Adams has 158 yards rushing for two touchdowns to go with 125 receiving yards and four more touchdowns. On defense, Adams has 35 tackles, a forced fumble and three interceptions.
Florida wants to use Jamal like they did Matt Elam,” George Adams (Jamal’s father) said. “Jamal really likes the physical style of football they play at Florida.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Adams has taken officials to Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and will also visit Ohio State and Texas. With Adams being Joker Phillips’s godson and the draw of playing in the SEC, the Gators should win out here. Adams is a prospect that can help the Gators early because of his coverage skills but also his physical style of play at safety and nickel back.
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (5-10, 172, Gardena, CA Junipero Serra)
Stats: Jackson is much like Will Grier in that he puts up video game numbers. This year Jackson has 274 yards rushing and two touchdowns and has added 553 yards receiving and five more touchdowns on offense. On defense he has 16 tackles and an interception that he returned 102 yards for a touchdown to go with a forced fumble.
SPIVEY SENSE: It’s turning into a battle for Jackson as LSU is now strongly in the mix and USC is battling to get back into the mix. Jackson is scheduled to visit Florida for the FSU game in November and if that happens the Gators are in good shape. If he doesn’t visit again then there is cause for major concern. Jackson speaks to Florida regularly and talks to track coach Mike Holloway a lot as well. There is no question the Gators need a playmaker like Jackson who could contribute next year on offense, defense and special teams.
Running back Bo Scarbrough (6-2, 222, Bradenton, FL IMG Academy)
Stats: Scarbrough is averaging 10.35 yards per carry this year and has 1,118 yard rushing and 15 touchdowns. Scarbrough also has 131 yards receiving and two more touchdowns.
SPIVEY SENSE: Alabama commit Scarbrough has said publically he’s solid to the Crimson Tide but behind closed doors he’s nothing close to solid. Scarbrough will officially visit Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida, Notre Dame and Florida State but the race seems to be between the Tide and Gators. Scarbrough’s cousin C’yontai Lewis has been working him hard and the word around the south is if anyone has a chance to steal him it’s the Gators. If Florida is to land the talented running back it would be huge because the Gators don’t have a bruiser like Scarbrough on the team.
Offensive lineman David Sharpe (6-8, 275, Jacksonville, FL Providence School)
Coach (Tim) Davis tells me he needs me bad and that I have a great opportunity to play at Florida,” Sharpe said.
SPIVEY SENSE: Florida and Georgia are battling for yet another Jacksonville offensive lineman but in this case it’s Sharpe’s father who loves the Bulldogs more than the son. Sharpe had been fading quickly away from Florida but the Gators were able to land a visit two weeks ago and are now in great shape to land an official visit. While landing Sharpe would be great he still will likely need a redshirt year to develop into SEC football size.
Defensive end Lorenzo Carter (6-5, 235, Norcross, GA)
Stats: 64 tackles and six sacks is the stat line so far for Carter through seven games this year.
Florida wants me to play the BUCK linebacker position,” Carter said. “When I watched them play against Tennessee the defense played really well.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Stop me if you have this before but Florida and Georgia are battling for another prospect; this time it’s Lo Carter. Carter has been to both Florida and Georgia several times but still has an official to Georgia left. The Gators need to get Carter back in Gainesville again to feel great about him. Carter is an elite pass rusher that could help the Gators get to the quarterback if he lands in Gainesville.
Receiver Travis Rudolph (6-0, 189, West Palm Beach, FL Cardinal Newman)
Stats: Rudolph has 116 rushing yards this year but he’s making his name on the receiving end with 763 yards and 11 touchdown catches.
SPIVEY SENSE: Rudolph, or as I call him “Poker Face Travis” because he never lets any emotion out, is a tough one to read but most people close to him believe he will stay in the state of Florida. That means that Florida State and Florida will battle this one out with Tennessee and Ohio State right behind. Rudolph is one of the top pass catching receivers in the country because of his soft hands. He simply doesn’t drop many balls thrown his way, which is something Florida could use next season with the loss of Trey Burton and Solomon Patton.
Linebacker Clifton Garrett (6-2, 222, Joliet, IL Plainfield South)
Florida has an incredible defense and fast linebackers,” Garrett said. “They tell me all the time they need me to play beside Antonio (Morrison).
SPIVEY SENSE: LSU and Florida are going to battle this one out for a while and while I think LSU has the edge here, the Gators are trying to get Garrett back down to Gainesville for an unofficial. If that happens all bets are off. Garrett is a hard hitting physical linebacker much like Morrison and he’s someone that can play early at Florida.
Tight end Deandre Goolsby (6-4, 225, Derby, KS Derby High)
Stats: Goolsby has 11 touchdown catches through six games this year.
I just really love the state of Florida,” Goolsby said. “When I was a little, I always wanted to go on vacation in Florida.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Arkansas and Florida are likely the two teams that will battle it out for Goolsby but the lure of playing in the state of Florida is something Goolsby likes. Goolsby is a player who could provide instant help at tight end for Florida next year if he chooses to be a Gator.
Receiver Eric Lauderdale (6-1, 195, Mission Viejo, CA Saddleback C.C.)
Stats: Lauderdale has 13 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in just two games.
I’m very interested in Florida since they offered me,” Lauderdale said.
Spivey Sense: The Gators just offered the JUCO receiver two weeks ago which resulted in Lauderdale decommitting from Tennessee. Lauderdale is from Georgia and has a lot of interest in Florida. The Gators will see him play next week. Lauderdale is smooth route runner with good speed and could potentially help the Gators next year if he chooses Florida.
Defensive tackle Thomas Holley (6-4, 299, Brooklyn, NY Abraham Lincoln)
Stats: Holley has 29 tackles and 5 sacks through six games this year.
SPIVEY SENSE: Holley has only taken one official visit and that was to Penn State but up next are visits to Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State possibly. Holley and his uncle really enjoyed their visit to Gainesville this summer and that has positioned the Gators nicely. Ohio State, Notre Dame and Florida are considered the front-runners here. Holley is only in his third year of football but he has developed nicely and he could help provide depth to Florida next year and potentially earn some playing time.