Bell adds two offers, sets three visits 
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Junior cornerback Tre' Bell (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) picked up a pair of new offers over the last 24 hours.
North Carolina came through with an offer Monday and Boise State tendered Bell an offer Tuesday afternoon.
In April, Bell will head south to make three visits -- Florida (April 7), South Carolina (April 14) and West Virginia (April 21).
North Carolina came through with an offer Monday and Boise State tendered Bell an offer Tuesday afternoon.
In April, Bell will head south to make three visits -- Florida (April 7), South Carolina (April 14) and West Virginia (April 21).
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Florida SPARQ rewind: UF commits emerge
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
3:13
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By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
The Orlando Nike Football SPARQ Combine set an attendance record last Sunday with over 1,400 athletes receiving SPARQ Ratings. Five of Florida's 10 verbal commitments in the budding class of 2013 were on hand. RB Adam Lane, LB Quinton Powell and S Keanu Neal were among the 24 participants named to the All-Combine team. All three are featured in the Orlando SPARQ recap video. Several other prospects with Florida offers also received honors in Orlando and Miami.
Orlando SPARQ All-Combine team | Miami SPARQ All-Combine team
The AggreGator: Baseball power rankings
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
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By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida baseball team (7-1) may still be shaking off the early-season cobwebs, but the Gators remain near the top of the baseball rankings after a 5-0 week that included home wins over Bethune-Cookman, UCF and a sweep of William & Mary.
ESPN / USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll
Florida falls from the top spot to No. 2 in the second poll of the season, garnering 11 first-place votes.
Week 2 Power Rankings
With a series sweep of Texas, Stanford maintained its hot start and held onto to its No. 1 spot
Zunino the best hitter in college baseball? (Insider)
With Georgia Southern star OF Victor Roache possibly out for the season ESPN's MLB draft Insider Jason A. Churchill says "the best college power hitter is easily Florida catcher Mike Zunino." He also notes the strong offensive weekend from Florida SS Nolan Fontana, who normally is noticed for his flashy leather.
ESPN / USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll
Florida falls from the top spot to No. 2 in the second poll of the season, garnering 11 first-place votes.
Week 2 Power Rankings
With a series sweep of Texas, Stanford maintained its hot start and held onto to its No. 1 spot
Zunino the best hitter in college baseball? (Insider)
With Georgia Southern star OF Victor Roache possibly out for the season ESPN's MLB draft Insider Jason A. Churchill says "the best college power hitter is easily Florida catcher Mike Zunino." He also notes the strong offensive weekend from Florida SS Nolan Fontana, who normally is noticed for his flashy leather.
Poet Thomas earning offers at OT not DT
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
2:49
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Poet Thomas (Beverly Hills, Mich./Country Day) sent his highlight tape to schools with plays almost exclusively along the defensive line. He now has four offers, but all of them are to play on offense.
Colorado, Eastern Michigan, Florida and Toledo have all offered Thomas, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 290 pounds. A number of teams across the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast are also showing interest in Thomas.
The Gators are clearly the “name brand” offer among Thomas’ four, and he remembers watching Florida during the Tim Tebow years. Gators assistant Bryant Young is recruiting Thomas, and even a defensive line coach like Young can appreciate talent on the offensive line when he sees it.
Colorado, Eastern Michigan, Florida and Toledo have all offered Thomas, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 290 pounds. A number of teams across the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast are also showing interest in Thomas.
The Gators are clearly the “name brand” offer among Thomas’ four, and he remembers watching Florida during the Tim Tebow years. Gators assistant Bryant Young is recruiting Thomas, and even a defensive line coach like Young can appreciate talent on the offensive line when he sees it.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s time to dip in to the GatorNation recruiting mailbag and answer the questions you want to know. 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 ask your questions on our Insider fan forum, "The Chompions Club."
moorelinemen - What other running backs do you see committing to us?
A: Florida has commitments from two excellent backs in four-star Adam Lane and five-star Kelvin Taylor, but the Gators would like to land one more speed back to complement them. The likely candidates at this point are Ryan Green, Alvin Kamara and Josh Mercer. Green and Kamara are well known, but keep an eye out for Mercer. He has the speed and measurables Florida is looking for. He's definitely a name to remember. Green is also very high on the Gators.
moorelinemen - What other running backs do you see committing to us?
A: Florida has commitments from two excellent backs in four-star Adam Lane and five-star Kelvin Taylor, but the Gators would like to land one more speed back to complement them. The likely candidates at this point are Ryan Green, Alvin Kamara and Josh Mercer. Green and Kamara are well known, but keep an eye out for Mercer. He has the speed and measurables Florida is looking for. He's definitely a name to remember. Green is also very high on the Gators.
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RecruitingNation 411: February finish
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
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By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
No school has quite matched the junior day success of Florida, but in this episode of RecruitingNation 411, we look at recent recruiting success for Texas, Michigan State and Auburn. We also look into Oklahoma’s plans to match the big recruiting weekends of the Longhorns and Aggies.Donovan, Gators searching for leaders
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After five months of hoping senior point guard Erving Walker would become Florida's vocal on-court leader, coach Billy Donovan has decided he's going to look somewhere else.
Whether it's sophomore center Patric Young, sophomore guard Scottie Wilbekin, or freshman guard Bradley Beal, Donovan wants one of them -- or a combination of the three -- to become the player who huddles the team in critical situations, keeps them focused when things aren't going well, and ensures that the 13th-ranked Gators (22-7, 10-4 Southeastern Conference) play with a high level of passion and energy. Walker didn't do any of that in Saturday's loss at Georgia.
"Erving is a really good player and he’s done a lot of great things," Donovan said Monday. "He’s a pretty even-keeled guy, but there are sometimes where your team can reflect the personality of the guy in charge, and with him being in charge and when things are not going well for our team, there is sometimes that we need some more fire out of him.
"Especially when you play on the road, it’s hostile, it’s loud, someone has got to get in there and grab each other and say, 'This is what we’re doing,' and, 'Move on to the next play,' and there’s not a lot of that. Erving has always been a kid since I’ve coached him here [who] has always tried to do on the court playing-wise what I’ve asked him to do. He’s always been very compliant, he’s coachable, he’s a great kid, he does all of that stuff. But some of the stuff that could take our team to a different level, I’m not so sure he’s capable or wants to."
Whether it's sophomore center Patric Young, sophomore guard Scottie Wilbekin, or freshman guard Bradley Beal, Donovan wants one of them -- or a combination of the three -- to become the player who huddles the team in critical situations, keeps them focused when things aren't going well, and ensures that the 13th-ranked Gators (22-7, 10-4 Southeastern Conference) play with a high level of passion and energy. Walker didn't do any of that in Saturday's loss at Georgia.
"Erving is a really good player and he’s done a lot of great things," Donovan said Monday. "He’s a pretty even-keeled guy, but there are sometimes where your team can reflect the personality of the guy in charge, and with him being in charge and when things are not going well for our team, there is sometimes that we need some more fire out of him.
"Especially when you play on the road, it’s hostile, it’s loud, someone has got to get in there and grab each other and say, 'This is what we’re doing,' and, 'Move on to the next play,' and there’s not a lot of that. Erving has always been a kid since I’ve coached him here [who] has always tried to do on the court playing-wise what I’ve asked him to do. He’s always been very compliant, he’s coachable, he’s a great kid, he does all of that stuff. But some of the stuff that could take our team to a different level, I’m not so sure he’s capable or wants to."
DE Jonathan Allen has UF in top six
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
5:19
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
ESPNU Watch List defensive end Jonathan Allen (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) has not heard from Oklahoma recently but his interest in the Sooners remains strong.
“I haven’t talked to them recently,” said Allen, who was offered by Brent Venables before the former OU defensive coordinator left for Clemson. “But I plan to talk with them more as the weeks progress. I’m still very interested. I’m narrowing my schools and Oklahoma is still one of them.”
A superb basketball player, Allen fits the mold of the hybrid defensive end/linebacker the Sooners have been recruiting in recent years.
“I haven’t talked to them recently,” said Allen, who was offered by Brent Venables before the former OU defensive coordinator left for Clemson. “But I plan to talk with them more as the weeks progress. I’m still very interested. I’m narrowing my schools and Oklahoma is still one of them.”
A superb basketball player, Allen fits the mold of the hybrid defensive end/linebacker the Sooners have been recruiting in recent years.
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Powell, mother happy with pledge to UF
February, 27, 2012
2/27/12
8:00
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
WINTER GARDENS, Fla. -- ESPNU Watch List linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) surprised a lot of people last weekend by committing to the Florida Gators.
Though it was unexpected, Powell and his mother Michelle Young are happy with his decision to join Florida's 2013 recruiting class.
Powell said the opportunity to play for his childhood team was too great to pass up.
Though it was unexpected, Powell and his mother Michelle Young are happy with his decision to join Florida's 2013 recruiting class.
Powell said the opportunity to play for his childhood team was too great to pass up.
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Florida commits shine at SPARQ combine
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
9:41
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
WINTER GARDENS, Fla. -- Five of Florida's 10 verbal commits showed up at the Nike Football SPARQ Combine on Sunday afternoon in Central Florida.
For running back commit Adam Lane, who broke his lower fibula last fall and had a metal plate inserted in to his leg, this was his first extensive testing since the injury. The results were positive.
Forty-yard dash times were consistently slow on the day because of poor weather conditions, but Lane was still disappointed with his 4.72.
For running back commit Adam Lane, who broke his lower fibula last fall and had a metal plate inserted in to his leg, this was his first extensive testing since the injury. The results were positive.
Forty-yard dash times were consistently slow on the day because of poor weather conditions, but Lane was still disappointed with his 4.72.
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S Marcell Harris enjoys FSU junior day
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
9:24
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Four-star safety prospect Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) has been a busy man over the last two weeks. Harris visited Florida for its junior day on Feb. 18 and then Florida State on Saturday for another junior day.
Though he has seen Florida State a few times before, Harris said it was still enjoyable.
"It was pretty cool," Harris said at the Nike Football SPARQ Combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I have seen most of their stuff. Their athletic program is building up with all of the players that they have coming in. That will be a great program."
Though he has seen Florida State a few times before, Harris said it was still enjoyable.
"It was pretty cool," Harris said at the Nike Football SPARQ Combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I have seen most of their stuff. Their athletic program is building up with all of the players that they have coming in. That will be a great program."
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Watch List WR Benjamin planning visits
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
9:20
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- ESPNU Watch List wide receiver Richard Benjamin (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) boasts several scholarship offers, including new ones from Oklahoma and Alabama. Benjamin said on Sunday that some schools are starting to stand out for him.
"Florida, Miami, USF and USC are starting to standing out to me right now," Benjamin said from the Nike SPARQ combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I really like the coaches at atmosphere at all of those schools."
Benjamin declined to name a leader, but did say there are several out of state schools he will likely visit over spring.
"Florida, Miami, USF and USC are starting to standing out to me right now," Benjamin said from the Nike SPARQ combine in Winter Garden (Fla.). "I really like the coaches at atmosphere at all of those schools."
Benjamin declined to name a leader, but did say there are several out of state schools he will likely visit over spring.
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Tramel Terry visits Athens, talks recruiting
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
5:02
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By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C.) is one of the nation’s most coveted wide receivers. Last summer after Georgia’s Dawg Night summer camp he committed to Mark Richt and the Bulldogs. Shortly after, he backed off that pledge.
“I just did it too soon,” Terry said. “I wanted to look around just to be sure. I wanted to be sure that’s what I wanted to do. It just wasn’t fair to Georgia or me. Right now, I would consider myself open to Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and Florida.”
This past weekend Terry traveled to Athens once again and visited Georgia unofficially.
“I just did it too soon,” Terry said. “I wanted to look around just to be sure. I wanted to be sure that’s what I wanted to do. It just wasn’t fair to Georgia or me. Right now, I would consider myself open to Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and Florida.”
This past weekend Terry traveled to Athens once again and visited Georgia unofficially.
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Taj Williams: UF still on top after FSU visit
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
12:05
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Athlete Taj Williams (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) has been linked to the Florida Gators ever since the beginning of the year, but the 6-foot-3, 170-pound junior might have found some in-state competition for his commitment.
Williams took the short trip to Florida State for the Seminoles' junior day event and admits he was happy with what he saw.
"I really had a good time," Williams said. "It was an enjoyable trip and I hung out with a lot of good people."
Williams took the short trip to Florida State for the Seminoles' junior day event and admits he was happy with what he saw.
"I really had a good time," Williams said. "It was an enjoyable trip and I hung out with a lot of good people."
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Auburn emerges from the pack for Lawson
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
12:02
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By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) is one step closer to becoming an Auburn Tiger. Saturday’s junior day marked his fourth visit to see Gene Chizik and his program. The point of the trip was to have his parents take in the city, campus, and meet the coaches.
“I would say that’s a sign of what I am thinking about,” said Lawson with a laugh. “It’s true. They are No. 1 with me now. Auburn is No. 1 on my list. This trip was about my parents meeting coach (Gene) Chizik and the Auburn staff. This was the time to do that. It was a great experience for the both of them. It was an humbling experience. Let's just say that mom and dad both approve of Auburn, the program, coaches, school, the town and the people.”
Lawson, one of the premier defensive line prospects in the country, still has many unofficial visits to make before he makes his commitment. He will go to Tennessee next weekend and plans on seeing spring practices in Knoxville, Tallahassee, Oxford, Clemson, Gainesville and Tallahassee.
“I would say that’s a sign of what I am thinking about,” said Lawson with a laugh. “It’s true. They are No. 1 with me now. Auburn is No. 1 on my list. This trip was about my parents meeting coach (Gene) Chizik and the Auburn staff. This was the time to do that. It was a great experience for the both of them. It was an humbling experience. Let's just say that mom and dad both approve of Auburn, the program, coaches, school, the town and the people.”
Lawson, one of the premier defensive line prospects in the country, still has many unofficial visits to make before he makes his commitment. He will go to Tennessee next weekend and plans on seeing spring practices in Knoxville, Tallahassee, Oxford, Clemson, Gainesville and Tallahassee.
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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.