GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Let's get down to bidness, as in bids to the NCAA Tournament. It's bubble time, although the No. 11 Gators aren't anywhere near the bubble. It's still an exciting time. Let's follow the Worldwide Leader in sports, shall we? But before we delve into the latest rankings, there's a little NBA business to address.
Gottlieb: NBA Draft Board 2.0 (Insider)
Doug Gottlieb gives his second version of his draft board, with Florida freshman Bradley Beal sneaking into the top 5 and some concerns about Patric Young.
The Bilas Index: Gators hovering (Insider)
In Week 10 of Jay Bilas’ top 68 rankings, Florida is ranked No. 11.
Gottlieb: NBA Draft Board 2.0 (Insider)
Doug Gottlieb gives his second version of his draft board, with Florida freshman Bradley Beal sneaking into the top 5 and some concerns about Patric Young.
The Bilas Index: Gators hovering (Insider)
In Week 10 of Jay Bilas’ top 68 rankings, Florida is ranked No. 11.
Peter Kalambayi with four more offers 
February, 22, 2012
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Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Peter Kalambayi is picking up scholarship offers by the bunches.
The ESPNU 150 Watch List linebacker prospect from Matthews (N.C.) Butler recently picked up four more offers, from Ole Miss, North Carolina, Oregon and Wake Forest.
The ESPNU 150 Watch List linebacker prospect from Matthews (N.C.) Butler recently picked up four more offers, from Ole Miss, North Carolina, Oregon and Wake Forest.
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WR Travis Johnson not ready to trim list
February, 22, 2012
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
There is a long line of prospective suitors for Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit wide receiver Travis Johnson.
The list that includes USC, Ohio State, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn continues to get longer and shows no signs of slowing down.
"There are a lot of good programs to choose from right now and I'm not really close to trimming the list," Johnson said. "There are a lot of programs that I'm going to check out both in state and out of state."
The list that includes USC, Ohio State, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn continues to get longer and shows no signs of slowing down.
"There are a lot of good programs to choose from right now and I'm not really close to trimming the list," Johnson said. "There are a lot of programs that I'm going to check out both in state and out of state."
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Peach State DE works for his UF offer
February, 22, 2012
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By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
It's that time of the year. Every day this month it seems, another Peach State prospect is emerging with major offers -- and that should come as no surprise. With the number of annual FBS-level signees out of Georgia inching closer and closer to 200, college coaches are scouring film and highlights in search of the next big talent. This week, one such prospect has surfaced, and the SEC East is all over him.
Defensive end Antonio Riles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer) felt he did pretty well as a junior, but as a two-way player the 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect was not satisfied with his performance on defense. So when his coach talked to him this month, he was surprised to hear the news.
“I was in the middle of offseason workouts and my coach told me I had a Kentucky offer,” Riles said. “I was tired so I did not know what to think about it. Then I got home and told everyone. It was crazy.”
Defensive end Antonio Riles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer) felt he did pretty well as a junior, but as a two-way player the 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect was not satisfied with his performance on defense. So when his coach talked to him this month, he was surprised to hear the news.
“I was in the middle of offseason workouts and my coach told me I had a Kentucky offer,” Riles said. “I was tired so I did not know what to think about it. Then I got home and told everyone. It was crazy.”
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Offer No. 15 a special one for Josh Outlaw
February, 22, 2012
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By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The offers continue to pour in for offensive lineman Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), and after making a trip to one of the top programs in the Southeast, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect got big news that he had been waiting on.
Last weekend, Outlaw was in Gainesville to check out the University of Florida. The Gators offered him in mid-December, so while on campus he was able to focus on getting to know the coaches vying for his signature. They made sure to let Outlaw know his position was a priority for the 2013 class.
“I enjoyed spending time with the staff at Florida,” Outlaw said. “Coach [Will] Muschamp was very up front with me in letting me know that they need offensive linemen. It seems like with the depth chart right now there is an opportunity to play early there.”
Last weekend, Outlaw was in Gainesville to check out the University of Florida. The Gators offered him in mid-December, so while on campus he was able to focus on getting to know the coaches vying for his signature. They made sure to let Outlaw know his position was a priority for the 2013 class.
“I enjoyed spending time with the staff at Florida,” Outlaw said. “Coach [Will] Muschamp was very up front with me in letting me know that they need offensive linemen. It seems like with the depth chart right now there is an opportunity to play early there.”
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UF commit: 'Alabama is my dream school'
February, 22, 2012
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida landed six top prospects during its incredible junior day on Saturday. When linebacker Dillan Lawson announced on Facebook that he had committed to Florida, most had the same reaction -- who?
For the 6-foot-3, 218-pound linebacker from Crestview (Fla.) Crestview HS, he shouldn't have to worry about college coaches not knowing who he is anymore. Lawson, who since his announcement and subsequent film review has moved into the ESPNU 150 Watch List, said his commitment to Florida was even a surprise to him.
"I mean I was born and raised in Alabama," Lawson said. "I have an Alabama tattoo on my chest. That's the reason why. I'm just an Alabama fan. That's all there is about it. I mean Alabama is my dream school, off the top, No. 1. I told coach Will [Muschamp], 'Coach I was a Gator fan when I was in Alabama, they were like my second favorite team. But when I moved to Florida I saw how cocky and crazy these Gator fans where, so that kind of turned me away from Florida.' I told him that."
For the 6-foot-3, 218-pound linebacker from Crestview (Fla.) Crestview HS, he shouldn't have to worry about college coaches not knowing who he is anymore. Lawson, who since his announcement and subsequent film review has moved into the ESPNU 150 Watch List, said his commitment to Florida was even a surprise to him.
"I mean I was born and raised in Alabama," Lawson said. "I have an Alabama tattoo on my chest. That's the reason why. I'm just an Alabama fan. That's all there is about it. I mean Alabama is my dream school, off the top, No. 1. I told coach Will [Muschamp], 'Coach I was a Gator fan when I was in Alabama, they were like my second favorite team. But when I moved to Florida I saw how cocky and crazy these Gator fans where, so that kind of turned me away from Florida.' I told him that."
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RecruitingNation 411: Junior day windfall
February, 22, 2012
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By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
In this episode of RecruitingNation 411, we look at the big recruiting weekends for Florida, Michigan and Texas A&M. The Gators cleaned up with six commitments, including two five-star prospects. We also look into the bizarre day for Davonte Neal, the only uncommitted member of the ESPNU 150 for the 2012 class.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's Will Yeguete limped off the court, sat down on the bench, and took the sneaker off his left foot.
He pointed to a spot below his ankle on the outside of his foot for Florida trainer Duke Werner to examine. Moments later, he hobbled off into the locker room -- for what may be the last time this season.
The 6-foot-7, 222-pound reserve forward suffered a broken bone in his foot and is out indefinitely, according to team spokesperson Denver Parlor. It's a sobering development that dulled the 11th-ranked Gators' 63-47 victory over Auburn in front of 10,150 at the O'Connell Center Tuesday night. Yeguete had just returned from missing one game (Alabama) because of a concussion he suffered against Tennessee on Feb. 11.
He pointed to a spot below his ankle on the outside of his foot for Florida trainer Duke Werner to examine. Moments later, he hobbled off into the locker room -- for what may be the last time this season.
The 6-foot-7, 222-pound reserve forward suffered a broken bone in his foot and is out indefinitely, according to team spokesperson Denver Parlor. It's a sobering development that dulled the 11th-ranked Gators' 63-47 victory over Auburn in front of 10,150 at the O'Connell Center Tuesday night. Yeguete had just returned from missing one game (Alabama) because of a concussion he suffered against Tennessee on Feb. 11.
OT Marcell Lazard adds Florida offer
February, 21, 2012
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By Roger Brown | ESPN.com
Offensive tackle Marcell Lazard (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) reeled in a scholarship offer from Florida on Tuesday.
Lazard, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound junior, also has offers from Buffalo, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia.
Lazard, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound junior, also has offers from Buffalo, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia.
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Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.) Watch List defensive end Jordan Sherit enjoyed his weekend visit to Florida but still left Gainesville without an offer.
"I had a great time there and talked with Coach [Derek] Lewis quite a bit about everything," Sherit said. "It was really nice to see everything the school had to offer.
"Touring all the facilities and the different football meeting rooms. I've been to a few places with nice facilities, but Florida was the best I've ever seen."
"I had a great time there and talked with Coach [Derek] Lewis quite a bit about everything," Sherit said. "It was really nice to see everything the school had to offer.
"Touring all the facilities and the different football meeting rooms. I've been to a few places with nice facilities, but Florida was the best I've ever seen."
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Rapid Reaction: Florida 63, Auburn 47
February, 21, 2012
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida recovered from a sloppy first half and put itself in position to clinch a first-round bye in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
The Gators shot 62.5 percent in the first half but trailed 30-27 at the break because they committed 12 turnovers. UF only turned it over four times in the second half and outscored Auburn 36-17. The 17 points were the fewest the Gators have allowed in a half this season.
The 11th-ranked Gators (22-6, 10-3 SEC) can clinch one of the top four seeds and the accompanying first-round bye in the SEC Tournament if Tennessee loses to Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Player of the game: Kenny Boynton scored 20 points and made 6-of-9 3-pointers. He has scored 45 points and made 9-of-17 3-point attempts in the past two games.
The Gators shot 62.5 percent in the first half but trailed 30-27 at the break because they committed 12 turnovers. UF only turned it over four times in the second half and outscored Auburn 36-17. The 17 points were the fewest the Gators have allowed in a half this season.
The 11th-ranked Gators (22-6, 10-3 SEC) can clinch one of the top four seeds and the accompanying first-round bye in the SEC Tournament if Tennessee loses to Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Player of the game: Kenny Boynton scored 20 points and made 6-of-9 3-pointers. He has scored 45 points and made 9-of-17 3-point attempts in the past two games.
UF baseball falls to No. 2 in power rankings
February, 21, 2012
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By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
Other than the Cal State Fullerton-Florida matchup in Gainesville, Fla., and the Vanderbilt-Stanford series out west, the opening weekend of college baseball lacked a lot of intrigue. But there were some upsets and a few surprises. Eric Sorenson takes a quick swing around the highs and lows of week one, followed by this week's Power Rankings.
Gators and Aggies clean up in recruiting
February, 21, 2012
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By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Depending on how you look at it, Christmas either came late or really early for Florida and Texas A&M over the weekend.
During Saturday's junior day for 2013 prospects, the Gators owned the day, gaining six verbal commitments, with five being named to the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Texas A&M's good fortune started on Saturday, as well, and carried over into Monday, as the Aggies' coaching staff picked up seven verbals over the extended weekend.
After missing on a few offensive players at positions of need in his 2012 class, Florida coach Will Muschamp reeled in a pretty big get when five-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day), the son of former Gators star running back Fred Taylor, was the first to commit Saturday. Kelvin Taylor is now the second running back in Florida's 2013 class, but he comes in with more attention than just about any other commit Florida has had since Muschamp took over.
During Saturday's junior day for 2013 prospects, the Gators owned the day, gaining six verbal commitments, with five being named to the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Texas A&M's good fortune started on Saturday, as well, and carried over into Monday, as the Aggies' coaching staff picked up seven verbals over the extended weekend.
After missing on a few offensive players at positions of need in his 2012 class, Florida coach Will Muschamp reeled in a pretty big get when five-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day), the son of former Gators star running back Fred Taylor, was the first to commit Saturday. Kelvin Taylor is now the second running back in Florida's 2013 class, but he comes in with more attention than just about any other commit Florida has had since Muschamp took over.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Will Muschamp and Florida had a big weekend with six commitments stemming from the Gators’ junior day, and the good news continued to come on Monday, halfway across the country. No, the Gators did not pick up another commitment, but they are in great position to land another ESPNU Watch List prospect.
“Probably Florida out of all them,” Avon (Ind.) defensive end Elijah Daniel said when asked about favorites.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior watched the haul the Gators pulled in this weekend from afar, too.
“Probably Florida out of all them,” Avon (Ind.) defensive end Elijah Daniel said when asked about favorites.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior watched the haul the Gators pulled in this weekend from afar, too.
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UF, UW offers excite Watch List LB
February, 21, 2012
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Inside linebacker Tim Kimbrough Jr. has picked up a handful of new offers over the last few weeks, and his latest two offers have the normally reserved ESPNU Watch List prospect excited.
An offer from Florida came last week, and the Gators are another program Kimbrough is high on at this juncture.
“A coach had seen me last year when he came to one of our practices, and he liked me a lot,” Kimbrough said. “I guess they just came up with the offer because they liked my film. My coach has been talking to them a lot. I was real excited about [the offer], too.”
An offer from Florida came last week, and the Gators are another program Kimbrough is high on at this juncture.
“A coach had seen me last year when he came to one of our practices, and he liked me a lot,” Kimbrough said. “I guess they just came up with the offer because they liked my film. My coach has been talking to them a lot. I was real excited about [the offer], too.”
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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.