Florida Gators: Football Recruiting
Gators add sleeper TE commitment
May, 23, 2013
May 23
11:14
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Looking ahead to the 2013 season, the University of Florida appears to lack any proven depth at tight end. On the roster now are junior converted defensive end Clay Burton, junior converted defensive end Tevin Westbrook, sophomore Kent Taylor, and redshirt freshman Colin Thompson, who is coming off an injury. Florida hopes to have filled its tight end need for the 2014 recruiting cycle Thursday with an emerging talent that just happens to be teammates with one of the elite talents in the country.
Coming into this week, Cyontai Lewis was off the recruiting map and without any offers. On Wednesday, Mississippi State extended a scholarship, and a day later Florida came through with an offer. Just a few hours later, Lewis decided he did not want to wait and secured his spot, calling coach Will Muschamp to give him the news.
"He was pumped up," Lewis said. "He said he was going to make a commitment to me to not recruit anymore tight ends as long as I commit to him that I'm going there."
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound prospect likely had more offers headed his way soon, but he pounced on the chance to play for the Gators.
“I committed to Florida because I just feel like Florida is the place to be right now,” Lewis said. “Coach D-Lew [Derek Lewis] seems like he knows what he's doing with tight ends and I'm trying to go to the league after college and he says he knows how to get me there. And I'll be playing for a winning team so I might as well go on and commit.”
With his size and receiving ability, the Gators’ coaching staff plan to flex Lewis out to create mismatches against linebackers and cornerbacks.
“They want me as a hybrid tight end, where I can play on the line of scrimmage and then move out to the slot because I have good hands and good ball skills,” Lewis said.
Lewis, who had 20 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, becomes commitment No. 8 for Florida. His addition reverses a string of bad news earlier in the week, when ESPN 150 linebacker Christian Miller (Spring Valley, S.C./Spring Valley) and four-star receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar) both decommitted, dropping the Gators to No. 8 in the ESPN class rankings.
Coming into this week, Cyontai Lewis was off the recruiting map and without any offers. On Wednesday, Mississippi State extended a scholarship, and a day later Florida came through with an offer. Just a few hours later, Lewis decided he did not want to wait and secured his spot, calling coach Will Muschamp to give him the news.
"He was pumped up," Lewis said. "He said he was going to make a commitment to me to not recruit anymore tight ends as long as I commit to him that I'm going there."
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound prospect likely had more offers headed his way soon, but he pounced on the chance to play for the Gators.
“I committed to Florida because I just feel like Florida is the place to be right now,” Lewis said. “Coach D-Lew [Derek Lewis] seems like he knows what he's doing with tight ends and I'm trying to go to the league after college and he says he knows how to get me there. And I'll be playing for a winning team so I might as well go on and commit.”
With his size and receiving ability, the Gators’ coaching staff plan to flex Lewis out to create mismatches against linebackers and cornerbacks.
“They want me as a hybrid tight end, where I can play on the line of scrimmage and then move out to the slot because I have good hands and good ball skills,” Lewis said.
Lewis, who had 20 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, becomes commitment No. 8 for Florida. His addition reverses a string of bad news earlier in the week, when ESPN 150 linebacker Christian Miller (Spring Valley, S.C./Spring Valley) and four-star receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar) both decommitted, dropping the Gators to No. 8 in the ESPN class rankings.
Christian Miller (Spring Valley, S.C./Spring Valley) does not feel like he rushed into his decision when he committed to Florida in February. He does, however, admit it might have been wise to see a few more places. While Miller felt comfortable being part of the Gators’ 2014 class, he did not want any regrets about the decision.
The decision to decommit came after being upfront with Florida coaches about his desires.
That is not to say Miller, the No. 76 prospect in the country, wants the Gators to stop recruiting him. His father spoke to Florida coach Will Muschamp who informed him that Christian is still one of their top guys, they still want him to be a Gator and they do not think anything has changed.
The decision to decommit came after being upfront with Florida coaches about his desires.
That is not to say Miller, the No. 76 prospect in the country, wants the Gators to stop recruiting him. His father spoke to Florida coach Will Muschamp who informed him that Christian is still one of their top guys, they still want him to be a Gator and they do not think anything has changed.
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If you know ESPN 150 offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), then you know that nothing tends to bother him. Not the stress of being the No. 2 player in the state of Missouri. Not being a four-star athlete.
Not even his recruiting process -- one that seems to remix every day.
Not even his recruiting process -- one that seems to remix every day.
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Each week, Tales From The Road will provide news and updates about where Florida's coaches are recruiting and the prospects making headlines.
This week's targets: Along with a few in-state targets, the Gators have visited or will visit several out-of-state targets this week. Florida coaches headed to Illinois on Monday to check in on inside linebackers Clifton Garrett and Nyles Morgan, then headed to New York to check out athlete Curtis Samuel.
The coaching staff then headed up the East Coast and stopped in on Maryland defensive tackle Damian Prince, Washington D.C. cornerback Jalen Tabor, Virginia defensive end Da'Shawn Hand and North Carolina defensive end Lorenzo Featherston. Georgia insider linebacker Raekwon McMillian will also get a visit from Florida coaches. Committed offensive lineman Travaris Dorsey and uncommitted offensive tackle David Sharpe will have Florida coaches at their spring games this week.
This week's targets: Along with a few in-state targets, the Gators have visited or will visit several out-of-state targets this week. Florida coaches headed to Illinois on Monday to check in on inside linebackers Clifton Garrett and Nyles Morgan, then headed to New York to check out athlete Curtis Samuel.
The coaching staff then headed up the East Coast and stopped in on Maryland defensive tackle Damian Prince, Washington D.C. cornerback Jalen Tabor, Virginia defensive end Da'Shawn Hand and North Carolina defensive end Lorenzo Featherston. Georgia insider linebacker Raekwon McMillian will also get a visit from Florida coaches. Committed offensive lineman Travaris Dorsey and uncommitted offensive tackle David Sharpe will have Florida coaches at their spring games this week.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Jacob Pugh (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) has aspirations to play in the NFL, just like many players his age. Regardless of where his football career takes him, this 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete has another dream that he plans to fulfill.
"I want to own my own trucking company," Pugh said. "For one, my uncle had a trucking business for a long time. A couple people that go to my church are truck drivers. They just talk to me about what they do and it seems fun and interesting. It's something I'd really like to do.
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Get ESPN 150 safety Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron) in any competitive environment and you’ll begin to understand very quickly why he’s so coveted.
Take for example the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp in Allen, Texas, on April 7 when he set the tone in 1-on-1 drills by shoving a wide receiver three yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
Adams, the No. 23 player overall and No. 3 safety, isn’t naming any favorites. But we caught up with him to get a sense for where he stands with a few of the programs generally thought to be in the mix.
Take for example the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp in Allen, Texas, on April 7 when he set the tone in 1-on-1 drills by shoving a wide receiver three yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
Adams, the No. 23 player overall and No. 3 safety, isn’t naming any favorites. But we caught up with him to get a sense for where he stands with a few of the programs generally thought to be in the mix.
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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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With basketball season over, the No. 1 prospect in Florida can finally hit the road to check out some college campuses. The No. 12 overall prospect in the ESPN 150 David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has no shortage of options to choose from.
During spring break, Sharpe visited in-state Florida and Florida State. Over the weekend, he spent time at two out-of-state programs. Sharpe got to Clemson on Friday morning and stayed there until Saturday morning. He then spent the rest of the day in Athens, Ga., before visiting with some family in Georgia.
During spring break, Sharpe visited in-state Florida and Florida State. Over the weekend, he spent time at two out-of-state programs. Sharpe got to Clemson on Friday morning and stayed there until Saturday morning. He then spent the rest of the day in Athens, Ga., before visiting with some family in Georgia.
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Florida's No. 4 recruiting class took a huge hit Friday as one of its top pledges said he is no longer committed.
Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in South Carolina, No. 2 outside linebacker in the country and No. 76 in the ESPN 150.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s time to dip into the GatorNation recruiting mailbag and answer your questions. Because of the amount of questions we’ve received, we won’t be able to get to all of them today -- but we encourage you to post your questions on our Insider fan forum, The Chompions Club.
rrush9289: What's the latest with the buck position board? Hearing positive things about Lorenzo Carter and other guys.
rrush9289: What's the latest with the buck position board? Hearing positive things about Lorenzo Carter and other guys.
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GatorNation's Rankings Week concludes with a list of the Gators’ top needs in recruiting for the class of 2014, as well as a list of the top players the Gators are pursuing at those positions.
Ranking UF’s needs for 2014
1. Offensive line
Ranking UF’s needs for 2014
1. Offensive line
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CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. -- He's only a freshman, but Wakulla wide receiver Keith Gavin has already garnered offers from Florida State, Florida, Clemson, South Carolina and Ole Miss.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound 2016 prospect is just starting the recruiting process but has caught the eye of many college across the southeast.
"It's been crazy," Gavin said. "Just about every week I've been having a different coach come to see me and watch me practice."
Gavin acknowledges that it's still too early to narrow down his choices, but he admits there is a school he grew up rooting for.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound 2016 prospect is just starting the recruiting process but has caught the eye of many college across the southeast.
"It's been crazy," Gavin said. "Just about every week I've been having a different coach come to see me and watch me practice."
Gavin acknowledges that it's still too early to narrow down his choices, but he admits there is a school he grew up rooting for.
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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. -- Everyone calls him “Pee Wee,” but not in an ironic way that you would call a big man “Tiny.” No, defensive tackle Davonte Lambert (Milledgeville, Ga./Georgia Military College) was born to that nickname.
“I was a premature baby and my auntie came up with that name when I was little, so it just stuck with me ever since,” Lambert said. “I was under five pounds.”
Now Lambert tips the scales at 280 pounds and stands 6-foot-3 atop the wish lists of a number of major college programs.
“I have offers from Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi State, Miami, Texas Tech -- I don’t know all of them off the top of my head,” Lambert said. “I get a ton of letters every day with a lot of handwritten ones.”
Not too shabby for a guy who didn’t get much attention in high school. Now in junior college, Lambert is enjoying the spotlight.
“
“I was a premature baby and my auntie came up with that name when I was little, so it just stuck with me ever since,” Lambert said. “I was under five pounds.”
Now Lambert tips the scales at 280 pounds and stands 6-foot-3 atop the wish lists of a number of major college programs.
“I have offers from Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi State, Miami, Texas Tech -- I don’t know all of them off the top of my head,” Lambert said. “I get a ton of letters every day with a lot of handwritten ones.”
Not too shabby for a guy who didn’t get much attention in high school. Now in junior college, Lambert is enjoying the spotlight.
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Ranking UF top 10 freshmen contributors 
May, 16, 2013
May 16
9:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
It’s Rankings Week at GatorNation. Every day we’ll rank some aspect of the Florida football program heading into the 2013 season. Today we’re ranking the top 10 UF freshmen with the chance of making the biggest impact in the fall. On Friday we’ll rank the Gators’ top needs in recruiting for the Class of 2014, as well as give you the top players the Gators are pursuing at those positions.
Freshmen with the best chance of making an impact
Freshmen with the best chance of making an impact
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Each week, Tales From The Road will provide news and updates about where Florida's coaches are recruiting and the prospects making headlines.
This week’s targets: For the fourth straight week, Florida coaches were on the road recruiting. This week a Florida coach headed to Orlando to check in on defensive end Trent Harris, who recently decided to postpone his May 23 commitment date. Florida also checked in on 2015 Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick.
Running backs coach Brian White headed to Alabama to check out defensive tackle Cory Thomas, running back Bo Scarbrough and outside linebacker Torrence Brown. Linebacker Dillon Bates had Florida coaches visit him at his practice on Tuesday.
This week’s targets: For the fourth straight week, Florida coaches were on the road recruiting. This week a Florida coach headed to Orlando to check in on defensive end Trent Harris, who recently decided to postpone his May 23 commitment date. Florida also checked in on 2015 Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick.
Running backs coach Brian White headed to Alabama to check out defensive tackle Cory Thomas, running back Bo Scarbrough and outside linebacker Torrence Brown. Linebacker Dillon Bates had Florida coaches visit him at his practice on Tuesday.
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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.