In this week’s edition of the Maibag, GC’s Andrew Spivey provides the latest on where the Florida Gators stand in the recruitment of several top defensive tackle prospects.
Spivey also answers questions on silent commitments and which players he expects will round out Florida’s 2013 class.
Q.) What’s the latest on Harris?
A.) Marcell Harris is scheduled to announce next Thursday on ESPNU. I still feel like he picks Florida but he will be in Tallahassee on Saturday to watch this weekends game.
Q.) Also, when is Trenton Brown making his announcement?
A.) Brown visits Oklahoma this weekend, and he said he will announce sometime next week.
Q.) Who else is on the OL board besides Brown?
A.) Rod Johnson, Laremy Tunsil and Trevon Young are names Florida is recruiting right now. The Gators would like to get at least one more, but would prefer two.
Q.) Do we have any silents? I’m not asking for names or positions. We’ll know when they are ready to let us know. However, just would like to know and if yes how many.
A.) No silents at this time but there are a few guys the staff feels good on like Brown and Harris.
Q.) I read that Adam Lane may have some grade concerns and I noticed he is not an EE anymore. What are you hearing about this? He is also credited with a 415 pound bench press and called the strongest back in Fla …. we need this guy!
A.) Lane will not early enroll, but he will be fine to enroll in the summer with the rest of the class.
Q.) Can we land JUCO DT Jarran Reed, Darious Cummings & keep Caleb Brantley all in this class? Will we land Elijah Daniel if you had to say today? What about Montravius Adams and is he discouraged by our JUCO addition(s)?
A.) Yes, I think three defensive tackles is needed in this class big time. Brantley may act upset but he understands it. Yes, as of today I say Daniel is in the class, but I don’t think Montravius Adams will be.
Q.) What about Ebenezer Ogundeko and Daniel (recently recommitting from Clemson) do we take both or only one, if so then who?
A.) If both want in then Florida will take them both, and I could see it where both get in.
Q.) How good is Reed as a DT? I know that our staff likes him, but he doesn’t seem very highly recruited. Are we that desperate to land another DT in this class? How does Reed compare to some of our other DT recruits or players at the moment?
(A.) The need for defensive tackles is huge, but Reed is also a very good prospect. I think he could be as good as Cummings after a year in the system. Plus, Reed is basically a high school prospect because he has four years to play three.
Q.) With Easley saying he’s coming back for his senior season and possibly playing at DT, and with the addition of Cummings over the weekend, do we take another DT as in Reed or Adams? And if we add another DT does that scare Brantley away from us?
A.) I think Florida will get one more defensive tackle and call it a day. I don’t see it scaring Brantley away he just wants attention.
Q.) Andrew, As of today, who do you think will be the final commits for the 2013 class?
A.) I feel good on Harris, Brown and Daniel right now.
Q.) Help me understand why Daniel McMillian and especially James Hearns, who raved about how UF was the only school to call him while he was out with a major injury the prior year, would waiver on their commitments? Should I be worried and/or pissed…b/c I’m getting there. Especially when it involves Benedict Meyer.
A.) McMillian has a lot to do with Ryan Stamper being there, but I wouldn’t be too worried about either honestly.
Q.) What’s the status of our “soft” verbals?
A.) Hearns, McMillian, Brantley and Quinton Powell are whom I’m assuming you’re talking about. Until they start visiting somewhere else a lot, then they are fine.
Q.) Do you see UF landing another CB this class?
A.) Right now I don’t. Unless Jalen Ramsey decides to flip, I don’t see another one.
Q.) With many coaches either on the hot seat or fired in the SEC, do you see UF pursuing any of those recruits?
A.) Maybe Trey Johnson at Auburn or Jalen Ramsey at USC but Florida has been recruiting both of those guys for some time.
Q.) What’s the latest on Ramsey? I know Max Staver is pushing for him to flip.. Is there any chance he flips to us?
A.) Honestly, nothing new on Ramsey, but he had put his recruitment on hold until after his season which is now over. I think Florida has a shot but a long one.
Q.) Do you think this game has any impact on any recruits for this year and next and if so could you tell us who?
A.) It has some impact but not a huge one. One game usually doesn’t make a difference in a prospect’s mind. But a good showing goes along ways.
Q.) What JUCO WR are we after?
A.) Quantavious Leslie is the big name who is committed to LSU, but he needs to visit first.
Q.) How could we get Ryan Green in this class
A.) First get him on campus again, which seems likely, and then let things play out at FSU with Alex Collins and he may starting look elsewhere.
Q.) Your prediction for the FSU game?
A.) Florida wins 13-10.
Q.) Artavis Scott, how are we looking for him and what position is he being recruited at?
A.) He really likes Ohio State, but also likes Florida. Right now I say OSU leads, and he is being recruited as a receiver.
Q.) What actually happened with the O-Line prospect David Dawson? Never heard much after his visit.
A.) He wanted to stay close to home near his mom so she could watch him play.