Although Florida’s football season is just halfway through, high school football is starting its stretch run to playoffs that will begin in most states in early November. It’s a good time to catch up with all of Florida’s commitments for stats, comments and opinion about how firm they stand in their decision to be Gators.
This is part one of a three part-series. Part two will deal with Gator Country’s Ten Most Likely list and follow that up by Five Long Shots. The Ten Most Likely list is comprised of the ten players who haven’t made a commitment yet but seem likely to be heading Florida’s way on National Signing Day. The Long Shots list is the five guys whose odds of signing with Florida seem unlikely for any number of reasons even though there is mutual interest.
THE COMMITMENTS
Offensive lineman Dontae Angus (6-6, 330, Philadelphia, PA M.L. King)
Stats: Angus has been playing both sides of the ball this year but on defensive has 18 tackles.
I feel like (Tyler) Murphy is holding the ball a little too long right now, but the team is getting better every week.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Angus has been excited about being a Gator since he committed back in July and Angus plans to visit for the Florida State game in November. Angus plays both offensive and defensive line in high school but at 330-pound the Gators expect him to play on the offensive side of the ball at Florida.
Defensive end Taven Bryan (6-5, 250, Casper, WY Natrona County)
I’ve been impressed by the defense so far,” Bryan said. “The defensive line has been playing pretty good especially since losing (Dominique) Easley.”
SPIVEY SENSE: The question for Bryan isn’t whether or not he will be a Gator; it’s whether he will play offensive or defensive line. Right now it looks like Bryan will start out at defensive end but he may need a year to develop.
Defensive tackle Khairi Clark (6-2, 325, Hollywood, FL Chaminade Madonna)
Stats: In five games Clark has 21 tackles and five sacks but has been injured in two games.
SPIVEY SENSE: Ever since Clark committed to Florida he’s been solid and that’s still true today. Clark may need a redshirt year at Florida to get in better football shape and to learn proper technique but Clark has a lot of unteachable tools already. One thing Clark needs to get better at is playing lower.
Running back Dalvin Cook (5-11, 192, Miami, FL Central)
Stats: In 6 games Cook has 57 carries for 728 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The [Florida] offense is struggling pretty bad right now,” Cook said. “I think it’s the quarterback change because everything revolves around the quarterback. They need some more playmakers too.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Cook has stated several times he wanted to take official visits and he will take officials to Arkansas, USC and he hasn’t yet decided on his fifth one. Cook will take his official to Florida for the Florida State game. I know when prospects take visits there is reason to worry but with Cook, I believe he’s just looking for free visits. Cook is a prospect that should contribute as a freshman at Florida next year.
Cornerback Duke Dawson (5-11, 195, Cross City, FL Dixie County)
Stats: In seven games Dawson has 7 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
The defense is playing really good and Vernon (Hargreaves) is playing great at corner,” Dawson said.
SPIVEY SENSE: Dawson wants to take a few official visits with one going to Alabama and the other to Florida State but overall it will take a lot for Dawson to go somewhere other than Florida. Dawson is a physical cornerback who reminds me a lot of Brian Poole, which could mean Dawson plays some nickel at Florida.
Offensive lineman Travaris Dorsey (6-3, 314, Jacksonville, FL Raines)
Stats: Dorsey said he’s having a good year on the offensive line for Raines High School.
I think they can improve some on the offensive line but overall they are doing better,” Dorsey said. “Hopefully I can come in and help them on the line next year.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Dorsey plans to take an official to Miami in January but I think that’s just a fun visit. Right now I believe Dorsey is pretty solid to Florida and the Gators are very high on him potentially being a top offensive guard in the SEC in a few years.
Quarterback Will Grier (6-2, 177, Davidson, NC Davidson Day)
Stats: Yes these are Grier’s official stats through 7 games: 2,501 yards passing, 70% completions, 42 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions; 63 carries for 816 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
I know a lot of people have been down on the offense but I don’t think it’s been that bad,” Grier said. “I think (Tyler) Murphy has played well these last few games too.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Video game numbers are exactly what Grier puts up even though it’s mostly against below average teams. Grier has been told he will likely redshirt next year but after that all bets are off on what Grier will accomplish. Grier has pinpoint accuracy and rocket arm and he’s athletic to make plays with his legs.
Cornerback J.C. Jackson (5-10, 175, Immokalee, FL Immokalee)
Stats: Through five games Jackson has 18 catches for 621 yards and 9 touchdowns.
SPIVEY SENSE: An electric playmaker, Jackson is still being recruited heavily by the likes of Miami. Anytime you have an Immokalee prospect committed you have to worry and Jackson does raise some cause for concern. If Jackson sticks with the Gators expect him to get looks at both corner and receiver as he is a dynamic playmaker.
Offensive lineman Nolan Kelleher (6-6, 285, Mt. Pleasant, SC Wando)
Wherever I can contribute at Florida, I will,” Kelleher said. “I just want to play football.”
SPIVEY SENSE: When Kelleher committed to Florida over Clemson his recruitment ended and he’s stuck to that. Kelleher is guy who reminds the staff of Tyler Moore or Kyle Koehne because he is versatile enough to play guard and tackle and could also project as a center. Kelleher is a smart football player and could contribute early at Florida.
Cornerback Chris Lammons (5-9, 168, Plantation, FL Plantation High)
Stats: Lammons has 339 yards rushing and five touchdowns from the quarterback position through 5 games.
SPIVEY SENSE: As long as the Gators want Lammons he will be a Gator and right now there is no reason to say that Florida doesn’t want him. The key for Lammons is that he plays quarterback in high school and it will take time for him to make the permanent move to cornerback at the college level.
Receiver Ermon Lane (6-2, 172, Homestead, FL Homestead High)
Stats: Through 6 games Lane has 18 catches for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns.
SPIVEY SENSE: Lane will visit USC and FSU but he says those are just free visits and right now I have no reason to doubt him. Lane and Quincy Wilson are good friends and want to play together. Lane is capable of contributing at Florida next year but it may take a year for him to become a dominant playmaker for the Gators.
Tight end C’yontai Lewis (6-5, 212, Alabaster, AL Kingwood Christian)
Stats: In 6 games this season Lewis has 27 catches for 443 yards and 7 touchdown grabs. Lewis is also playing defense where he has two interceptions and 36 tackles.
The offensive line just needs to give (Tyler) Murphy more time to throw the ball,” Lewis said. “They have (Trey) Burton and (Solomon) Patton for playmakers but Murphy doesn’t have time to throw the ball.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Lewis will take officials to Florida State and Miami but the Alabama native is solid to Florida and is recruiting Bo Scarbrough to the Gators. Lewis will need a redshirt once he arrives in Gainesville but once he’s added a little weight, Lewis could be a huge target on the offensive side of the ball.
Defensive end Justus Reed (6-3, 215, Clearwater, FL Central Catholic)
Stats: 44 tackles and 7 sacks as the stat line for Reed through 6 games this year.
SPIVEY SENSE: Reed has been solid to Florida since earning his offer at Will Muschamp’s football camp this past summer. The Clearwater native has had a good senior season and has shown his pass rushing skills. Reed will likely need a redshirt year but after that could contribute to a Florida line that is struggling to get a pass rush.
Cornerback Quincy Wilson (6-2, 195, Fort Lauderdale, FL University School)
Stats: In 6 games Wilson has 3 interceptions including two returned for touchdowns. Wilson also has 12 tackles, a blocked punt and a forced fumble
Florida’s defense has been playing well and the cornerbacks are locking down out there. LSU kind of wore them down some with a good running game though,” Wilson said. “Ermon (Lane) and I are ready to get to Florida.”
SPIVEY SENSE: Wilson is solid to Florida and has been an active recruiter for Florida as of late. Wilson is a long physical corner that fits the bill of a Will Muschamp cornerback.