Florida Gators: ACC
PERRY, Fla. -- When former Florida State defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot left to take the defensive coordinator position at Kentucky, four-star wide receiver Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County) was caught off guard.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
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Muschamp can't figure out Floyd's drop
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
8:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Former Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam have traded orange and blue for purple. In Floyd's case, it came a little later than most everyone thought, and nobody's quite sure why.
The Minnesota Vikings took Floyd with the 23rd selection of the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Roughly an hour later, the Baltimore Ravens selected Elam with the round’s final pick. Elam was regarded as a borderline first-round selection, but Floyd was projected by several draft analysts to be a top-five pick and his freefall down the draft board was the night’s biggest surprise.
AP Photo/Jason DeCrowFormer Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd said he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder, but a "bag of Lay's" about his draft drop.The 6-foot-3, 297-pound Floyd was considered the top defensive tackle in the draft but Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson (No. 13 to the New York Jets) and Utah’s Star Lotulelei (No. 14 to Carolina) were taken before him. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock reported that a team executive told him the drop was because of character concerns.
UF coach Will Muschamp said he doesn’t understand why anyone would say that.
"I was with the young man for two years and he’s as good a young man as we’ve had on our football team and in our locker room," Muschamp said. "He’s as good a kid as I’ve been around. There’s absolutely no character issues. I don’t know where that comes from, from people grasping at straws when a guy slides a little bit in the draft."
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said his team found no off-the-field issues with Floyd and former Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes, the Vikings’ second first-round pick.
"Very clean," Spielman said in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "We met with both of them numerous times. There were not personal issues, no off-field issues when it comes to what we look for in bringing [players] into our building."
The Minnesota Vikings took Floyd with the 23rd selection of the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Roughly an hour later, the Baltimore Ravens selected Elam with the round’s final pick. Elam was regarded as a borderline first-round selection, but Floyd was projected by several draft analysts to be a top-five pick and his freefall down the draft board was the night’s biggest surprise.
AP Photo/Jason DeCrowFormer Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd said he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder, but a "bag of Lay's" about his draft drop.UF coach Will Muschamp said he doesn’t understand why anyone would say that.
"I was with the young man for two years and he’s as good a young man as we’ve had on our football team and in our locker room," Muschamp said. "He’s as good a kid as I’ve been around. There’s absolutely no character issues. I don’t know where that comes from, from people grasping at straws when a guy slides a little bit in the draft."
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said his team found no off-the-field issues with Floyd and former Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes, the Vikings’ second first-round pick.
"Very clean," Spielman said in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "We met with both of them numerous times. There were not personal issues, no off-field issues when it comes to what we look for in bringing [players] into our building."
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), as expected, was one of the top wideouts in attendance at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Watch List running back Tony James (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) picked up an offer from the Oregon Ducks on Tuesday afternoon.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound speedster said he believes he would fit well in the Oregon offensive system.
"That offer means a lot to me, actually," James said. "This is one of those offers that I have kind of been waiting on. It shows my dedication and hard work have been paying off. Oregon is the type of offense where I know I would fit in. They spread the ball out a lot and I feel I could really do well in that offense."
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound speedster said he believes he would fit well in the Oregon offensive system.
"That offer means a lot to me, actually," James said. "This is one of those offers that I have kind of been waiting on. It shows my dedication and hard work have been paying off. Oregon is the type of offense where I know I would fit in. They spread the ball out a lot and I feel I could really do well in that offense."
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HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Watch List wide receiver Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) is a man of few words. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound soft-spoken athlete doesn't say much during interviews or even at school to his friends, and that's perfectly OK with Homestead head coach Pat Burrows.
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FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle Anthony Moten has narrowed his list to 10 schools.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators picked up commitment No. 7 on Monday night as offensive guard Joseph Paul (New Orleans, La./Saint Augustine) gave his pledge to Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
Paul chose Florida over offers from Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound interior lineman said he just felt at home when he visted Florida this past weekend.
"I prayed and I asked God to give me a sign and when I woke up this morning I was thinking about Florida and I took that as my sign," Paul said. "I felt real good when I went there -- it felt like home."
Paul said that Muschamp was excited to learn of his commitment to the Gators.
"He was real excited," Paul said. "He was happy for me to be apart of the program. He told me that there was a big opportunity when I get there. He was just real excited for me to get there."
Being from New Orleans, Florida fans might be concerned that LSU might make a push, but Paul said Gators fans need not worry.
"If LSU offered, that wouldn't change my mind," Paul said. "My father taught me to be a man of my word and to stick to my word and that's what I'm going to do. I gave Florida my word and that's where I'm going to go."
So what kind of player can Florida fans expect from the massive lineman?
"They are going to get a player that works hard," he said. "A guy that's going to the best he can do to help that team win. If the opportunity comes for me to play early then I'm going to work my tail off and do the best I can in everything and strive to be the best I can be with everything I do."
Paul joins offensive guard Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand) as Florida offensive line commits.
Paul chose Florida over offers from Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.
- Joseph Paul
- Offensive guard
- 2014
- Committed: Florida
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 26 | | 77 | New Orleans, LA |
"I prayed and I asked God to give me a sign and when I woke up this morning I was thinking about Florida and I took that as my sign," Paul said. "I felt real good when I went there -- it felt like home."
Paul said that Muschamp was excited to learn of his commitment to the Gators.
"He was real excited," Paul said. "He was happy for me to be apart of the program. He told me that there was a big opportunity when I get there. He was just real excited for me to get there."
Being from New Orleans, Florida fans might be concerned that LSU might make a push, but Paul said Gators fans need not worry.
"If LSU offered, that wouldn't change my mind," Paul said. "My father taught me to be a man of my word and to stick to my word and that's what I'm going to do. I gave Florida my word and that's where I'm going to go."
So what kind of player can Florida fans expect from the massive lineman?
"They are going to get a player that works hard," he said. "A guy that's going to the best he can do to help that team win. If the opportunity comes for me to play early then I'm going to work my tail off and do the best I can in everything and strive to be the best I can be with everything I do."
Paul joins offensive guard Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand) as Florida offensive line commits.
Lessons Learned: Orlando NFTC 
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
12:30
PM ET
By Derek Tyson & Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Orlando on Saturday as several top players from the Central Florida area showcased their skills at West Orange High School. There were individual standouts at every position as well as several players who put themselves on the map with impressive performances.
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MIAMI, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Miami on Saturday as several top players from South Florida showcased their skills at West Orange High School. The wide receiver and offensive line position groups were loaded and several players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
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Here are five storylines for the Miami NFTC.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida signed a large class of 30 players in the 2013 recruiting cycle. The Gators finished with the No. 2-ranked class in the country and met a majority of their needs.
The Gators are off to a good start for the 2014 recruiting class and will look to solidify certain areas of their roster. Here's a closer look at five positions where Florida will likely focus its attention in the upcoming class.
The Gators are off to a good start for the 2014 recruiting class and will look to solidify certain areas of their roster. Here's a closer look at five positions where Florida will likely focus its attention in the upcoming class.
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ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- The New Level Athletics 7-on-7 Southeast regional tournament this weekend featured some of the top talent in the Southeast. Here's a closer look at some of the standout performers.
WR Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman) -- The Miami commitment excelled on both offense and defense. In the first game of the tournament, Rudolph made a 40-yard acrobatic over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown -- one of several big catches he made during the two day tournament. Defensively, he usually matched up against the other team's best receiver and more than held his own. Though committed to Miami, Rudolph said Florida and Auburn are still in contention for him.
WR Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman) -- The Miami commitment excelled on both offense and defense. In the first game of the tournament, Rudolph made a 40-yard acrobatic over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown -- one of several big catches he made during the two day tournament. Defensively, he usually matched up against the other team's best receiver and more than held his own. Though committed to Miami, Rudolph said Florida and Auburn are still in contention for him.
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ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- Linebacker Richard Yeargin III (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School) recently picked up two offers from in-state schools Florida and Florida State. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound outside linebacker also holds offers from schools such as Tennessee, UCLA and Georgia Tech.
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Athlete Jeffrey Holland (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian) is only a sophomore, but the 6-foot-2, 225-pound prospect has already earned offers from top schools including Miami (Fla.), UCF, Florida, USF, Florida State, Ohio State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Holland, who is participating on Jacksonville's Pro-Impact team at the New Level Athletics 7-on-7 Southeast Regional tournament, said another big-time program might be close to offering.
Holland, who is participating on Jacksonville's Pro-Impact team at the New Level Athletics 7-on-7 Southeast Regional tournament, said another big-time program might be close to offering.
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ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.