OT Marcell Lazard adds Florida offer 
February, 21, 2012
2/21/12
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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
2/21/12
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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
2/21/12
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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
2/21/12
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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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UF seeks sixth year for starting OG
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida is seeking a sixth year of eligibility for offensive lineman James Wilson, and the Gators are hopeful to have an answer from the NCAA by the time spring practice begins next month, UF spokesman Dan Apple confirmed.
The 6-foot-4, 334-pound Wilson has battled injuries throughout his career since arriving at Florida as ESPNU's top-ranked guard in 2007. He has played in only 38 games in his previous five seasons because of four knee surgeries and two broken feet.
If Wilson were to return, he'd enter the spring as the starter at left guard. All six of his career starts have come at that spot.
Wilson, who was ESPNU's No. 44 overall player in ’07, was originally a Southern California commitment. He redshirted in 2007, played in 10 games in 2008, and played in all 14 games in 2009. He missed 10 games in 2010 with a left knee injury and played in 11 games in 2011.
The 6-foot-4, 334-pound Wilson has battled injuries throughout his career since arriving at Florida as ESPNU's top-ranked guard in 2007. He has played in only 38 games in his previous five seasons because of four knee surgeries and two broken feet.
If Wilson were to return, he'd enter the spring as the starter at left guard. All six of his career starts have come at that spot.
Wilson, who was ESPNU's No. 44 overall player in ’07, was originally a Southern California commitment. He redshirted in 2007, played in 10 games in 2008, and played in all 14 games in 2009. He missed 10 games in 2010 with a left knee injury and played in 11 games in 2011.
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Gators answered challenge in practice
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/April L. BrownExtra time in the gym led directly to Erving Walker's career-high 31-point outburst on Saturday.
AP Photo/April L. BrownExtra time in the gym led directly to Erving Walker's career-high 31-point outburst on Saturday.Donovan criticized his team after back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Tennessee, saying his players didn't have the proper mentality and understanding of what goes into winning. They needed to be more mature, fight through fatigue and be more consistent in practice.
They did that last week, Donovan said, and look at the results: a 61-52 victory over Alabama despite not having key reserves Will Yeguete and Mike Rosario, and a 98-68 rout of Arkansas.
GatorNation analysis: Junior day recap
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
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By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
GatorNation's Derek Tyson and Jeff Barlis recap Florida's big junior day, talk about how it happened, who's in Florida's 2013 class and what's next.
After visit, UF leads for Shedrick Williams
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Madison (Fla.) County cornerback Shedrick Williams didn't think he'd be impressed with what he was going to see during Florida's annual junior day.
He couldn't have been more wrong. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Williams came away from Saturday's visit in awe.
"I was thinking it wasn't going to be that good, that it was going to be like every other college, but it's totally different," Williams said. "The atmosphere, the sights and everything.
He couldn't have been more wrong. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Williams came away from Saturday's visit in awe.
"I was thinking it wasn't going to be that good, that it was going to be like every other college, but it's totally different," Williams said. "The atmosphere, the sights and everything.
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Florida commits show faith in Muschamp
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
The 2011 season wasn't kind to Florida head coach Will Muschamp. The Gators were assigned arguably the hardest schedule in the SEC and by the middle of October they were mentally and physically beaten down.
Although the season was somewhat salvaged with a Gator Bowl victory over Ohio State, a 7-6 record doesn't go over well in Gainesville and in order to improve that record it was clear that Florida needed better players.
Although Florida landed a top-five recruiting class and made major upgrades on the offensive line, defensive line and secondary, fans were only interested in the prospects that didn't come through. Tracy Howard, Nelson Agholor, Avery Young, Leonard Williams, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Stefon Diggs were all late misses and all seemed to have Florida out front at one point during their recruitment.
Although the season was somewhat salvaged with a Gator Bowl victory over Ohio State, a 7-6 record doesn't go over well in Gainesville and in order to improve that record it was clear that Florida needed better players.
Although Florida landed a top-five recruiting class and made major upgrades on the offensive line, defensive line and secondary, fans were only interested in the prospects that didn't come through. Tracy Howard, Nelson Agholor, Avery Young, Leonard Williams, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Stefon Diggs were all late misses and all seemed to have Florida out front at one point during their recruitment.
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GatorNation interview: DB Nick Washington
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
4:54
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By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
Five-star safety/cornerback prospect Nick Washington talks about his commitment to Florida with GatorNation's Derek Tyson on Saturday.Beal wins SEC award for sixth time
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
12:45
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Make it a six-pack for Florida's Bradley Beal.
The 6-foot-3 guard was named the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season on Monday. Beal averaged 17.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the Gators' road victories over Alabama and Arkansas last week. He had 14 points and eight rebounds against the Crimson Tide and 21 points and nine rebounds against the Razorbacks.
No other freshman in the SEC has won the award more than three times.
The 6-foot-3 guard was named the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season on Monday. Beal averaged 17.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the Gators' road victories over Alabama and Arkansas last week. He had 14 points and eight rebounds against the Crimson Tide and 21 points and nine rebounds against the Razorbacks.
No other freshman in the SEC has won the award more than three times.
UF's big junior day: What does it mean?
February, 20, 2012
2/20/12
12:27
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill had a pretty memorable birthday on Saturday.
The Gators landed six verbal commitments including five-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day), for whom Hill was the primary recruiter. Hill also helped Florida land talented St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood wide receiver Rodney Adams.
Taylor was a big pick-up for the Gators. Florida has struggled to land top backs over the last six years due in large part to running the spread offense. With the addition of Taylor and Adam Lane (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven) the Gators have two running back commitments who are ranked with five- and four-stars, respectively, by ESNPU.
The Gators landed six verbal commitments including five-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day), for whom Hill was the primary recruiter. Hill also helped Florida land talented St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood wide receiver Rodney Adams.
Taylor was a big pick-up for the Gators. Florida has struggled to land top backs over the last six years due in large part to running the spread offense. With the addition of Taylor and Adam Lane (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven) the Gators have two running back commitments who are ranked with five- and four-stars, respectively, by ESNPU.
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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.