Daniel Pigott went 3-for-3 with a home run and drove in four runs in Florida's 6-3 victory over Georgia on Sunday. The Gators (31-9, 11-7 in the Southeastern Conference) won the rubber match to take the series against the Bulldogs (24-17, 8-10).
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood was a standout among the defensive line at the Orlando Nike Football Training Camp Sunday.
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
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Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing Area), an ESPN 150 linebacker, committed to Ohio State on Saturday.
Anzalone, ranked No. 61 in the ESPN 150, told GatorNation reporter Derek Tyson in a text message he committed to the Buckeyes.
Ranked fifth among outside linebackers nationally, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior is the Buckeyes' 10th commitment but first linebacker in the 2013 class.
Anzalone, ranked No. 61 in the ESPN 150, told GatorNation reporter Derek Tyson in a text message he committed to the Buckeyes.
Ranked fifth among outside linebackers nationally, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior is the Buckeyes' 10th commitment but first linebacker in the 2013 class.
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Four-star offensive line prospect John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett) committed to Notre Dame following its spring game on Saturday.
"I have committed to to Notre Dame," Montelus said.
The 6-foot-5, 293-pound 16-year-old chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State and Virginia among others.
Montelus had named Florida his leader after visiting Gainesville on Wednesday.
Montelus becomes the fifth offensive line commit and the 11th verbal commit overall for Notre Dame. He is the ninth four-star player to commit to the Irish.
"I have committed to to Notre Dame," Montelus said.
The 6-foot-5, 293-pound 16-year-old chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State and Virginia among others.
Montelus had named Florida his leader after visiting Gainesville on Wednesday.
Montelus becomes the fifth offensive line commit and the 11th verbal commit overall for Notre Dame. He is the ninth four-star player to commit to the Irish.
Three-star cornerback Chad Davis (Richmond, Texas/Bush) still holds a solo offer from Texas Tech, but he continues to intrigue more and more schools.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound shutdown cornerback said he spoke with Florida and Baylor this past week, and both schools are showing high interest. He said he conversed with Florida tight ends coach Derek Lewis on Tuesday and Baylor defensive tackle coach Chris Achuff.
“They said they were just going to keep me posted and see me in spring football,” Davis said. “They mentioned offering, but they wanted to see me go through drills, back-pedaling and stuff like that.”
Davis, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, has interest from Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Kansas State, Arizona State and a few other schools. He is considered the nation’s 34th-best cornerback and is ranked No. 61 among players in Texas.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound shutdown cornerback said he spoke with Florida and Baylor this past week, and both schools are showing high interest. He said he conversed with Florida tight ends coach Derek Lewis on Tuesday and Baylor defensive tackle coach Chris Achuff.
“They said they were just going to keep me posted and see me in spring football,” Davis said. “They mentioned offering, but they wanted to see me go through drills, back-pedaling and stuff like that.”
Davis, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, has interest from Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Kansas State, Arizona State and a few other schools. He is considered the nation’s 34th-best cornerback and is ranked No. 61 among players in Texas.
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Northeast (Oakland Park, Fla.) wide receiver Stacy Coley still has plenty of mail to sift through but hopes to trim his list by the end of the spring, according to Northeast head coach Donnell Bennett.
"Right now Stacy is still wide open," Bennett said. "He hasn't made any decisions yet, but I'm hoping we'll get it done by the end of spring."
Bennett has been assisting the 2013 Under Armour All-American with his recruitment and speaking to the majority of the coaches who have called during the spring evaluation period.
"Right now Stacy is still wide open," Bennett said. "He hasn't made any decisions yet, but I'm hoping we'll get it done by the end of spring."
Bennett has been assisting the 2013 Under Armour All-American with his recruitment and speaking to the majority of the coaches who have called during the spring evaluation period.
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Florida ready for key series vs. Georgia
April, 20, 2012
4/20/12
1:10
PM ET
By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The No. 1-ranked Florida Gators baseball team (29-8, 9-6 in the Southeastern Conference), in the midst of a critical nine-game homestand, looks to stay within striking distance of the SEC overall lead with three games against the rival Georgia Bulldogs (23-15, 7-8), today through Sunday. Here are the details:
Today, 7 p.m. ET
Florida sophomore right-hander Jonathon Crawford (4-1, 4.05) will start the series-opener against Georgia redshirt sophomore left-hander Alex Wood (5-1, 2.61).
Watch live on ESPN3 online
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
Junior left-hander Brian Johnson (5-1, 3.88) will face Bulldog senior righty Michael Palazzone (1-5, 5.81)
Watch live on ESPN3 online
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Junior right-hander Hudson Randall, from Atlanta, Ga., (3-1, 3.56) will start the finale against a UGA pitcher to be announced.
Watch live on ESPN3 online and on ESPN2
GatorNation interview: Catcher Mike Zunino
April, 20, 2012
4/20/12
1:01
PM ET
By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
Florida catcher Mike Zunino talks about the midpoint of the Southeastern Conference season with GatorNation's Michael DiRocco. Zunino, who leads the Gators with a .346 average, 10 home runs and 39 RBIs, talks about his production at and behind the plate. He also touches on the Gators' rivalry with Georgia.Less thought, more production for Fontana
April, 20, 2012
4/20/12
8:19
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Nolan Fontana’s new approach of less thinking has resulted in more offensive production.
Florida’s junior shortstop has been pounding the baseball in his last seven games, hitting .542 (13 for 24) and driving in seven runs, since he quit being so picky about which pitches he chose to try and hit. He’s no longer over-analyzing every at-bat and has simplified his approach to: See good pitch, hit good pitch.
"I guess sometimes I was in those modes where I’m being too patient and being too picky," Fontana said as the top-ranked Gators (29-8, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) prepared to play host to Georgia (23-15, 7-8) for a three-game series beginning Friday. "He [coach Kevin O’Sullivan] has talked to me about it, and what I’m trying to do lately is focus on seeing the ball well and hitting it."
That’s exactly what he’s doing. Fontana has had at least two hits in five of his last seven games, including a 4-for-4 performance against Tennessee on April 13. He followed up with four walks the following day against the Vols.
"Instead of the ball looking like it does, it looks a little bigger -- like a grapefruit," he said. "Sometimes even softball size.
"You just try not to think, and I feel that the more I think as a hitter the more trouble I get into instead of just seeing the ball and hitting the ball."
Florida’s junior shortstop has been pounding the baseball in his last seven games, hitting .542 (13 for 24) and driving in seven runs, since he quit being so picky about which pitches he chose to try and hit. He’s no longer over-analyzing every at-bat and has simplified his approach to: See good pitch, hit good pitch.
Marvin Gentry/US PresswireShortstop Nolan Fontana has been lights out at the plate for Florida lately.
That’s exactly what he’s doing. Fontana has had at least two hits in five of his last seven games, including a 4-for-4 performance against Tennessee on April 13. He followed up with four walks the following day against the Vols.
"Instead of the ball looking like it does, it looks a little bigger -- like a grapefruit," he said. "Sometimes even softball size.
"You just try not to think, and I feel that the more I think as a hitter the more trouble I get into instead of just seeing the ball and hitting the ball."
Muschamp: Gators already better than 2011
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
9:45
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The quarterbacks have a combined two career starts.
The projected starting running back, a senior, has never started a game.
The receivers have been MIA for the last two seasons.
Yet despite all that, Florida coach Will Muschamp believes his team, which just had its spring game on April 7, tops last year’s team -- right now.
"I mean this: I think we’re better right now than we were at any point last year," Muschamp said Thursday night just before he spoke to the Titletown Gator Club in Gainesville.
The projected starting running back, a senior, has never started a game.
The receivers have been MIA for the last two seasons.
Yet despite all that, Florida coach Will Muschamp believes his team, which just had its spring game on April 7, tops last year’s team -- right now.
"I mean this: I think we’re better right now than we were at any point last year," Muschamp said Thursday night just before he spoke to the Titletown Gator Club in Gainesville.
UF in mix for ESPN 150's Brendan Langley 
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
3:27
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By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
It was his third visit since receiving an offer from the University of Georgia, but for defensive back Brendan Langley (Marietta, Ga./Kell) the G-Day spring scrimmage showcased some different aspects of the Bulldogs’ program.
“The spring game was everything I expected, but it was actually more intense than I thought,” Langley said. “I really like the way Coach [Todd] Grantham runs his defense and his attention to detail. It is a game of inches, so his attention to detail is important. The coaches also pointed out how Branden Smith was lined up on offense in the spring game, and they pointed out that it could be me in a few years.”
Georgia recently took the lead for prospect ranked at No. 84 in the nation, and his feelings have not changed since his time last weekend in Athens.
“The spring game was everything I expected, but it was actually more intense than I thought,” Langley said. “I really like the way Coach [Todd] Grantham runs his defense and his attention to detail. It is a game of inches, so his attention to detail is important. The coaches also pointed out how Branden Smith was lined up on offense in the spring game, and they pointed out that it could be me in a few years.”
Georgia recently took the lead for prospect ranked at No. 84 in the nation, and his feelings have not changed since his time last weekend in Athens.
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ESPN 150 TE DeSean Smith eyeing Florida
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
3:25
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) plans to make his decision in January, during the U.S. Army All-American Game.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
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Now that the initial ESPN 150 is out, it's time to take a look at how each SEC team is doing in the world of recruiting as the spring comes to an end.
Florida leads the SEC with seven 150 members, while Alabama and Georgia have six each. Auburn was one of two teams to have two top-10 150 members in its class.
Yes, it's very, very early, but recruiting is something that never seems to lose its popularity.
Here's a look at each SEC team's class thus far:
ALABAMA
2013 verbal commitments: 11
Spotlight: Linebacker Reuben Foster of Auburn, Ala., is not only the top linebacker prospect out there but he's the No. 2-rated player in the country, according to ESPN recruiting services. Alabama is rarely short of talent at the linebacker position and from all accounts, Foster won't have a problem fitting in. He registered 185 total tackles, including 144 solo tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 18 sacks as a junior
ESPN 150 members: 6 (2. ILB Reuben Foster of Auburn, Ala.; TE-H of O.J. Howard of Prattville, Ala.; RB Altee Tenpenny of North Little Rock, Ark.; RB Tyren Jones of Marietta, Ga.; OG Andy Dodd of Lindale, Ga.; ATH ArDarius Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
ARKANSAS
2013 verbal commitments: None
Spotlight: None
ESPN 150 members: None
AUBURN
2013 verbal commitments: 8
Spotlight: Carl Lawson of Alpharette, Ga., is only the No. 2 defensive end in the country because Robert Nkemdiche just happens to play his position. He's considered one of the most explosive players in the country, regardless of position, and registered 31 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks as a junior.
ESPN 150 members: 4 (DE Carl Lawson of Alpharetta, Ga.; DT Dee Liner of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; WR Earnest Robinson of Pinson, Ala.; ILB Trey Johnson of Lawrenceville, Ga.
FLORIDA
2013 verbal commitments: 15
Spotlight: Running back Kelvin Taylor of Belle Glade, Fla., is the top running back prospect in the country and he's a Gator legacy. His father, Fred Taylor, was an All-American running back at Florida and Kelvin hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. He's been playing varsity since eighth grade and rushed for 2,884 yards and 40 touchdowns last year.
ESPN 150 members: 7 (DT Caleb Brantley of Crescent City, Fla.; RB Kelvin Taylor of Belle Glade, Fla.; OLB Daniel McMillian of Jacksonville, Fla.; WR Ahmad Fulwood (Jacksonville, Fla.; S Nick Washington of Jacksonville, Fla.; S Keanu Neal of Bushnell, Fla.; OLB Quinton Powell of Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Florida leads the SEC with seven 150 members, while Alabama and Georgia have six each. Auburn was one of two teams to have two top-10 150 members in its class.
Yes, it's very, very early, but recruiting is something that never seems to lose its popularity.
Here's a look at each SEC team's class thus far:
ALABAMA
2013 verbal commitments: 11
Spotlight: Linebacker Reuben Foster of Auburn, Ala., is not only the top linebacker prospect out there but he's the No. 2-rated player in the country, according to ESPN recruiting services. Alabama is rarely short of talent at the linebacker position and from all accounts, Foster won't have a problem fitting in. He registered 185 total tackles, including 144 solo tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 18 sacks as a junior
ESPN 150 members: 6 (2. ILB Reuben Foster of Auburn, Ala.; TE-H of O.J. Howard of Prattville, Ala.; RB Altee Tenpenny of North Little Rock, Ark.; RB Tyren Jones of Marietta, Ga.; OG Andy Dodd of Lindale, Ga.; ATH ArDarius Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
ARKANSAS
2013 verbal commitments: None
Spotlight: None
ESPN 150 members: None
AUBURN
2013 verbal commitments: 8
Spotlight: Carl Lawson of Alpharette, Ga., is only the No. 2 defensive end in the country because Robert Nkemdiche just happens to play his position. He's considered one of the most explosive players in the country, regardless of position, and registered 31 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks as a junior.
ESPN 150 members: 4 (DE Carl Lawson of Alpharetta, Ga.; DT Dee Liner of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; WR Earnest Robinson of Pinson, Ala.; ILB Trey Johnson of Lawrenceville, Ga.
FLORIDA
2013 verbal commitments: 15
Spotlight: Running back Kelvin Taylor of Belle Glade, Fla., is the top running back prospect in the country and he's a Gator legacy. His father, Fred Taylor, was an All-American running back at Florida and Kelvin hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. He's been playing varsity since eighth grade and rushed for 2,884 yards and 40 touchdowns last year.
ESPN 150 members: 7 (DT Caleb Brantley of Crescent City, Fla.; RB Kelvin Taylor of Belle Glade, Fla.; OLB Daniel McMillian of Jacksonville, Fla.; WR Ahmad Fulwood (Jacksonville, Fla.; S Nick Washington of Jacksonville, Fla.; S Keanu Neal of Bushnell, Fla.; OLB Quinton Powell of Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Notes, thoughts on my visit to Gainesville
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
3:08
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Some extra thoughts and notes on my time in Gainesville from last weekend:
- I'll start things off by talking about defensive end/Buck Ronald Powell, who will be out four to six months after tearing his ACL in the Orange and Blue Debut. Before the injury, most around Florida's program felt Powell was having the best spring of any of the defenders. After two seasons in which people expected more from Powell, he really turned it up this spring. He was more aggressive, tougher and caused more headaches for Florida's offense than he had during any other time. Coach Will Muschamp might have found that dangerous pass rushers he needs in his defense. Now, Muschamp must turn elsewhere and things will start with OLB Lerentee McCray. He was out with an injury this spring, but played the Buck in place of Powell at times last fall. He made his biggest jump as a player last season and is one player Muschamp and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are especially excited about.
- True freshmen Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard will get chances to play at the Buck, too, but keep an eye on Neiron Ball. He didn't play last season because of the arteriovenous malformation found in his brain in February of 2011. There has been no word yet if Ball could resume playing for the Gators, but if he remains healthy and the SEC clears him, Ball could get a shot at play at the Buck.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Fresh off his visit Wednesday to Florida, four-star offensive line prospect John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett) has named the Gators' as his leader.
"It was really good," Montelus said. "I was looking for the good atmosphere, a good coaching staff and basically what I want academically. I was really excited to come down here and I got exactly what I expected. They are definitely on top, and after this Notre Dame visit I will probably commit soon. I'm going to see how Notre Dame goes tomorrow then probably commit."
While on his visit, the 6-foot-5, 293-pound prospect had a chance to spend some time with Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis and head coach Will Muschamp.
"It was really good," Montelus said. "I was looking for the good atmosphere, a good coaching staff and basically what I want academically. I was really excited to come down here and I got exactly what I expected. They are definitely on top, and after this Notre Dame visit I will probably commit soon. I'm going to see how Notre Dame goes tomorrow then probably commit."
While on his visit, the 6-foot-5, 293-pound prospect had a chance to spend some time with Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis and head coach Will Muschamp.
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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.