Breneman gets UF offer; alters visit plans 
February, 9, 2012
2/09/12
12:12
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
The Gators grabbed the No. 2 tight end in the country in the 2012 class. They are hoping to do a little better in this year's class, as they offered the No. 1 tight end in 2013 on Wednesday.
And it just so happens both are from Pennsylvania.
Five-star junior tight end Adam Breneman (Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff) picked up an offer from Florida, who signed Philadelphia-area tight end Colin Thompson a week ago. Florida coach Will Muschamp and tight ends coach Derek Lewis spoke with Breneman on Wednesday.
And it just so happens both are from Pennsylvania.
Five-star junior tight end Adam Breneman (Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff) picked up an offer from Florida, who signed Philadelphia-area tight end Colin Thompson a week ago. Florida coach Will Muschamp and tight ends coach Derek Lewis spoke with Breneman on Wednesday.
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Gator softball poised for big things in 2012
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
3:19
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By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiFlorida outfielder Michelle Moultrie is the engine that drives Florida's potent offense.Last season, UF lost in the Women's College World Series championship series for the second time in the last three seasons. The Gators, ranked No. 4 in the ESPN/USA Softball’s Top 25, graduated longtime stalwarts Kelsey Bruder, Megan Bush, Tiffany DeFelice, Aja Paculba and Stephanie Brombacher but bring in a touted freshman class. Florida will rely heavily on returning players like Michelle Moultrie (.443 BA, 31 stolen bases), Brittany Schutte (22 home runs, 69 RBIs), Cheyenne Coyle (.318 BA, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs), Kasey Fagan (.247 BA, 16 stolen bases) and Hannah Rogers (36-8, 1.92 ERA, 265.2 IP).
The Gators begin their season Friday in the USF-Fairfield Inn Tournament in Tampa, Fla., with games against Long Island and Florida Gulf Coast. UF's first home game is Feb. 15 against Jacksonville.
Here's some reading to preview the season:
2013 RB Greg Bryant 'stuck on Oklahoma'
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
1:34
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma’s foray into Florida continues.
The Sooners are in hot pursuit of running back Greg Bryant Jr. (Delray Beach, Fla./Armerican Heritage-Boca-Delray), widely regarded as one of the top junior running back prospects. The Sooners signed three recruits from Florida in the class of 2012 and already have offered four other Florida prospects in the class of 2013.
“My son is really loving Oklahoma,” said Greg Bryant Sr., Bryant’s father. “I talk to him a lot about different schools, and he doesn’t know where he wants to go, but he definitely likes Oklahoma.
The Sooners are in hot pursuit of running back Greg Bryant Jr. (Delray Beach, Fla./Armerican Heritage-Boca-Delray), widely regarded as one of the top junior running back prospects. The Sooners signed three recruits from Florida in the class of 2012 and already have offered four other Florida prospects in the class of 2013.
“My son is really loving Oklahoma,” said Greg Bryant Sr., Bryant’s father. “I talk to him a lot about different schools, and he doesn’t know where he wants to go, but he definitely likes Oklahoma.
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On the weekend before signing day, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Watch List wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood took a trip to Clemson for its junior day event.
It was the second trip to Clemson for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior, and he wanted to check out some of the other parts of the campus.
"I really focused on a lot of non-football things for this trip," Fulwood said. "I wanted to look around the campus and the neighborhood.
It was the second trip to Clemson for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior, and he wanted to check out some of the other parts of the campus.
"I really focused on a lot of non-football things for this trip," Fulwood said. "I wanted to look around the campus and the neighborhood.
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Southern Cal has successfully recruited three top prospects out of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln over the past five years. Lane Kiffin and staff are hoping to make it four in six after offering 6-foot-3, 180-pound athlete Taj Williams, according to Lincoln head coach Yusuf Shakir.
The rising senior has played wide receiver and cornerback for Lincoln since his freshman year while making major contributions on special teams.
The rising senior has played wide receiver and cornerback for Lincoln since his freshman year while making major contributions on special teams.
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Pease gets his quarterback for Florida
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
8:00
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators signed four-star quarterback and former Penn State verbal commit Skyler Mornhiweg last Wednesday to the surprise of many.
Leading up to signing day, Mornhinweg was relatively unknown to Florida fans. After signing top signal-callers Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett in the 2011 class, it appeared the Gators would not take a quarterback in this class unless he was a top prospect.
Former Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis set his sights on Cyler Miles, the No. 10-ranked quarterback in the country. Once Miles committed to Washington, it looked like the Gators would just use that scholarship on another position.
Leading up to signing day, Mornhinweg was relatively unknown to Florida fans. After signing top signal-callers Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett in the 2011 class, it appeared the Gators would not take a quarterback in this class unless he was a top prospect.
Former Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis set his sights on Cyler Miles, the No. 10-ranked quarterback in the country. Once Miles committed to Washington, it looked like the Gators would just use that scholarship on another position.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's recent struggles on the football field can be seen in its dearth of NFL prospects this spring. Just three Gators were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Feb. 22-28 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Defensive tackle Jaye Howard will be joined by running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.
Howard, who is 6-foot-3, 292 pounds and has experience at defensive end and tackle, may be Florida's top prospect.
Rainey, who stands to gain the most with a fast time in the 40-yard dash, recently promised as much. At the Senior Bowl last month, he told ESPN's GatorNation he had been training in Orlando and honing his 40 time.
“My goal is a 4.1, so y’all be looking out for it,” Rainey said.
Howard, who is 6-foot-3, 292 pounds and has experience at defensive end and tackle, may be Florida's top prospect.
Rainey, who stands to gain the most with a fast time in the 40-yard dash, recently promised as much. At the Senior Bowl last month, he told ESPN's GatorNation he had been training in Orlando and honing his 40 time.
“My goal is a 4.1, so y’all be looking out for it,” Rainey said.
Rapid Reaction: Kentucky 78, Florida 58
February, 7, 2012
2/07/12
9:27
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Some quick initial thoughts after No. 1 Kentucky dismantled No. 7 Florida 78-58 on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena, where UK is now 48-0 under John Calipari:
Overview: Florida is the most talented team Kentucky has played in several weeks, but the Gators were simply outmatched in just about every phase of this one. The Wildcats played stifling defense, holding one of the nation's highest-scoring and best-shooting teams to just 35 percent from the field and 6-of-27 on 3-pointers (the six makes were a season-low). Meanwhile, they got to the rim nearly at will and hit 9-of-15 3s (a season-high 60 percent) themselves to bust the game wide open in the second half. Yep, this is the No. 1 team in the country.
Turning point: After trailing 38-26 at the half, Florida scored two quick buckets to get back within eight points. John Calipari called timeout 58 seconds into the half, and his team responded with a quick 11-0 run to seize momentum by the throat. Marquis Teague and Darius Miller hit 3-pointers during the run, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist capped it with a pretty spin move for a layup and a foul.
Overview: Florida is the most talented team Kentucky has played in several weeks, but the Gators were simply outmatched in just about every phase of this one. The Wildcats played stifling defense, holding one of the nation's highest-scoring and best-shooting teams to just 35 percent from the field and 6-of-27 on 3-pointers (the six makes were a season-low). Meanwhile, they got to the rim nearly at will and hit 9-of-15 3s (a season-high 60 percent) themselves to bust the game wide open in the second half. Yep, this is the No. 1 team in the country.
Turning point: After trailing 38-26 at the half, Florida scored two quick buckets to get back within eight points. John Calipari called timeout 58 seconds into the half, and his team responded with a quick 11-0 run to seize momentum by the throat. Marquis Teague and Darius Miller hit 3-pointers during the run, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist capped it with a pretty spin move for a layup and a foul.
Recruiting Nation 411: 2013 offense
February, 7, 2012
2/07/12
8:46
PM ET
By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
In this episode of RecruitingNation 411, we focus on the offensive side of the ball in the 2013 recruiting class. Our experts tell you which prospects are primed to be the stars of the 2013 class, and which ones have already given a verbal commitment.
E.J. Levenberry has a trio of schools to focus on and two schools that have fallen by the wayside.
The ESPN 150 Watch List linebacker from Woodbridge (Va.) C.D. Hylton's father, E.J. Levenberry Sr., said his son has a tentative top trio: Florida, Florida State and Michigan.
“Those are the three schools he's focusing on right now, but things change,” Levenberry Sr. said.
The ESPN 150 Watch List linebacker from Woodbridge (Va.) C.D. Hylton's father, E.J. Levenberry Sr., said his son has a tentative top trio: Florida, Florida State and Michigan.
“Those are the three schools he's focusing on right now, but things change,” Levenberry Sr. said.
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Can't get enough of Tebow-mania?
February, 7, 2012
2/07/12
3:51
PM ET
By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
Tonight at 10:30 p.m., ET, ESPN2 will air a SportsCenter Special: Face to face with Tim Tebow.
The timing will be excellent for Florida fans who will have recently finished watching the UF men's basketball team take on Kentucky at 7 p.m., ET, on ESPN. The Tebow special may not re-air, so some may want to set their DVRs.
The timing will be excellent for Florida fans who will have recently finished watching the UF men's basketball team take on Kentucky at 7 p.m., ET, on ESPN. The Tebow special may not re-air, so some may want to set their DVRs.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn turned down an offer to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator, according to a report in The Gainesville Sun.
Quinn just finished his first season at Florida after spending the previous 10 seasons in the NFL with four teams. He helped the Gators finish in the top 10 nationally in total defense (eighth, 299.5 yards per game), pass defense (seventh, 166.9 yards per game) and third-down defense (second, 27 percent). UF also finished 40th in rush defense (132.7 yards per game).
Nine starters return in 2012.
Quinn just finished his first season at Florida after spending the previous 10 seasons in the NFL with four teams. He helped the Gators finish in the top 10 nationally in total defense (eighth, 299.5 yards per game), pass defense (seventh, 166.9 yards per game) and third-down defense (second, 27 percent). UF also finished 40th in rush defense (132.7 yards per game).
Nine starters return in 2012.
Four-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) will announce his college decision this Friday, Feb. 10, according to his high school's twitter account.
The school, @gcfootball, tweeted: "BREAKING NEWS: #GC's Stefon Diggs will announce his college decision LIVE Friday night at 10PM on @csnwashington."
Diggs, who will choose between Florida, Ohio State, Auburn and Maryland, tweeted the following earlier on Tuesday: "Ohio state a great look Florida a great look Auburn a great look .. Although you only can pick one."
Diggs is the No. 3-ranked athlete and the No. 13-ranked player overall in the ESPNU 150.
The school, @gcfootball, tweeted: "BREAKING NEWS: #GC's Stefon Diggs will announce his college decision LIVE Friday night at 10PM on @csnwashington."
Diggs, who will choose between Florida, Ohio State, Auburn and Maryland, tweeted the following earlier on Tuesday: "Ohio state a great look Florida a great look Auburn a great look .. Although you only can pick one."
Diggs is the No. 3-ranked athlete and the No. 13-ranked player overall in the ESPNU 150.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After the Florida coaches get some much-needed time off, Florida will host its second junior day this year on Feb. 18. Some of the top prospects, not only in the state but the country, are expected to attend.
A large number of five-star prospects is expected to be in attendance -- OT Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), RB Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Central), S Leon McQuay III (Seffner, Fla./Armwood), WR Stacy Coley (Oakland Park, Fla./Northeast), WR Jordan Cunningham (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School) and DB Nick Washington (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian).
Other top-ranked prospects slated include S Marcell Harris (Groveland, Fla./South Lake), RB Ryan Green (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Pete Catholic), DE Jordan Sherit (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough), LB Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) and WRs Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood), Taj Williams (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) and teammate Reggie Davis (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln).
A large number of five-star prospects is expected to be in attendance -- OT Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), RB Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Central), S Leon McQuay III (Seffner, Fla./Armwood), WR Stacy Coley (Oakland Park, Fla./Northeast), WR Jordan Cunningham (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School) and DB Nick Washington (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian).
Other top-ranked prospects slated include S Marcell Harris (Groveland, Fla./South Lake), RB Ryan Green (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Pete Catholic), DE Jordan Sherit (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough), LB Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) and WRs Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood), Taj Williams (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) and teammate Reggie Davis (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln).
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Tough test for Young, Gators at UK
February, 6, 2012
2/06/12
5:11
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It appears the ankle tendinitis is finally starting to really affect Florida center Patric Young -- and it couldn't be happening at a worse time.
Young has had back-to-back ineffective games -- including scoring a season-low two points against Vanderbilt last Saturday -- because of conditioning issues due to a lack of practice while nursing the injury. The seventh-ranked Gators need him to snap out of his mini-funk quickly because they face their toughest test of the season on Tuesday night against top-ranked Kentucky and center Anthony Davis.
The 6-foot-10 Davis leads the nation in blocked shots (4.8 per game), and last weekend he recorded his 116th block of the season -- which broke Shaquille O'Neal's SEC freshman record (115).
Young has to be as close to full strength as possible or the Gators (19-4, 7-1 SEC) have no chance of beating the Wildcats (23-1, 9-0) in Rupp Arena for the first time since 2007.
Young has had back-to-back ineffective games -- including scoring a season-low two points against Vanderbilt last Saturday -- because of conditioning issues due to a lack of practice while nursing the injury. The seventh-ranked Gators need him to snap out of his mini-funk quickly because they face their toughest test of the season on Tuesday night against top-ranked Kentucky and center Anthony Davis.
The 6-foot-10 Davis leads the nation in blocked shots (4.8 per game), and last weekend he recorded his 116th block of the season -- which broke Shaquille O'Neal's SEC freshman record (115).
Young has to be as close to full strength as possible or the Gators (19-4, 7-1 SEC) have no chance of beating the Wildcats (23-1, 9-0) in Rupp Arena for the first time since 2007.
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.