Florida stands at 15 verbal commitments for the Class of 2009 as of Thursday evening with the announcement by Marsalis Teague, a cornerback/wide receiver from Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn., forsaking Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Alabama to join the Gators.
With precious few spots remaining (I’m figuring seven) there are some tough decisions for head coach Urban Meyer and his staff to make. The good thing is Florida is in position to choose those prospects rather than be chosen by them. Regardless, the final touches are being added to a spectacular 2009 class, allowing Meyer and Co. to look ahead to the Class of 2010 and what the new year and a strong crop of Sunshine State prospects might bring.
QUARTERBACK
Committed to Florida: Jordan Reed (6-3, 230, New London CT/New London, No. 138 ESPNU 150).
In play: Denard Robinson (6-0, 179, Deerfield Beach, FL/Deerfield Beach, No. 136 ESPNU 150).
Keep an eye on: Raymond Cotton (6-4, 216, Fort Meade, MD/Meade); Rob Henry (6-2, 190, Ocala, FL/Trinity Catholic) committed to Purdue.
Notes: A lot of the same at the quarterback position. Denard Robinson’s season ended a little earlier than expected in the regional finals as the Bucks lost to Eugene Smith and the Miramar Patriots. Robinson made a surprise visit to Florida last weekend, and from all reports he came away very impressed. He remains one of the top priorities for the Gators in the 2009 class. While he told our Ryan Moss that he is not committed, by all accounts, there were a lot of good vibes surrounding Robinson’s visit to Gainesville last weekend. Georgia, which he visited in September, and Michigan are among the prime contenders for Robinson.
Rob Henry looked solid in the Class 2B title game last weekend against Pahokee. He is a superb athlete who still needs considerable work as a passer at the next level. Raymond Cotton is another who has emerged on the radar. He is a big, raw gem at the position who needs some polishing. He would probably remind some of slightly smaller version of Cam Newton coming out of high school (Cotton is 6-4, 220; Newton was 6-5, 230). So that is something to keep in mind. I don’t expect anything serious to develop between Florida and Cotton, but it also isn’t a possibility you can rule out either if Tim Tebow decides to leave following this season.
Read the rest on our exclusive, members only Insider Recruiting Forum!
Not a member? Join Gator Country today and get the REAL inside scoop!