ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
The AggreGator: Pardon the hoopterruption
January, 31, 2012
1/31/12
12:55
PM ET
By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Before we return you to your regularly scheduled recruiting freak-out, here are some Gator-related college basketball links we think you'll enjoy. Distractions are good, people.
Bilas Index: Kentucky still No. 1 (Insider)
ESPN Insider Jay Bilas updates the Bilas Index, a ranking of the top 68 college basketball teams in the country. This week, the Kentucky Wildcats retain the No. 1 overall ranking, and Florida moves up to No. 9.
SEC Power Rankings
After its big swing through the Magnolia State, Florida jumps up to No. 2 in the league, says Andy Katz.
Bilas Index: Kentucky still No. 1 (Insider)
ESPN Insider Jay Bilas updates the Bilas Index, a ranking of the top 68 college basketball teams in the country. This week, the Kentucky Wildcats retain the No. 1 overall ranking, and Florida moves up to No. 9.
SEC Power Rankings
After its big swing through the Magnolia State, Florida jumps up to No. 2 in the league, says Andy Katz.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Will it be boom or bust for the Gators on signing day?
The hoopla actually gets started early, as defensive end Darius Hamilton will make his decision on Tuesday at 8 p.m., ET. He's down to Rutgers, Florida and Miami.
On Wednesday, several top prospects who have the Gators near the top of their lists will announce. Wish so many unknowns heading into signing day, here's a chronological look at announcement details for some of the top prospects.
The hoopla actually gets started early, as defensive end Darius Hamilton will make his decision on Tuesday at 8 p.m., ET. He's down to Rutgers, Florida and Miami.
On Wednesday, several top prospects who have the Gators near the top of their lists will announce. Wish so many unknowns heading into signing day, here's a chronological look at announcement details for some of the top prospects.
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Recruiting Nation 411: Signing day buzz
January, 31, 2012
1/31/12
6:00
AM ET
By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
In the last RecruitingNation 411 prior to national signing day, our host of recruiting experts from around the country shares all the latest information on what the top uncommitted recruits are thinking, and where they might end up.
Vincent Valentine Jr. is trying to take it slow. The problem is he has a little more than 36 hours to make a decision.
The three-star defensive tackle from Edwardsville, Ill., is down to a final three of Florida, Illinois and Nebraska. He took his last official visit on Jan. 20 and spent last week mulling his options over.
“This week has been crazy,” he said. “Nonstop coaches are calling me, Facebooking me and working me all day. All of my [high school] coaches are giving me their opinions.
The three-star defensive tackle from Edwardsville, Ill., is down to a final three of Florida, Illinois and Nebraska. He took his last official visit on Jan. 20 and spent last week mulling his options over.
“This week has been crazy,” he said. “Nonstop coaches are calling me, Facebooking me and working me all day. All of my [high school] coaches are giving me their opinions.
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Under Armour All-America cornerback Brian Poole (Bradenton, Fla.) has been heavily recruited by Notre Dame and even had a in-home visit from Brian Kelly last week.
But the 82nd-ranked prospect in the nation wants to make it clear, he's all Gator.
"Notre Dame has continued to come at me pretty hard but on Wednesday I'm signing with Florida," Poole said. "There's no secret to that."
But the 82nd-ranked prospect in the nation wants to make it clear, he's all Gator.
"Notre Dame has continued to come at me pretty hard but on Wednesday I'm signing with Florida," Poole said. "There's no secret to that."
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Powell still plans to sign with Florida 
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
6:58
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star outside linebacker Jeremi Powell isn't wavering on his commitment to Florida despite having a good time on an official visit to Marshall this past weekend.
The Largo, Fla./Pinellas Park High School standout said Monday afternoon that he will sign a letter of intent with the Gators on Wednesday.
"I'm planning on it," Powell said.
The Largo, Fla./Pinellas Park High School standout said Monday afternoon that he will sign a letter of intent with the Gators on Wednesday.
"I'm planning on it," Powell said.
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Florida recruiting: Hot Five trending
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
6:40
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --Two weeks ago GatorNation released its Hot Five list of Florida's top targets remaining on the board. With only a short time remaining until signing day we will revisit that list. Here is the Hot Five prospects and where they are trending.
1. Stefon Diggs (Olney Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) -- Trending: ↓
Diggs visited Ohio State this past weekend and by all accounts enjoyed his visit to Columbus. He will make his announcement on Feb. 10. Diggs' mother did not make the trip with him, as she did on his Florida visit. The Gators still stand a great chance with him, but Ohio State has certainly closed the gap.We have him as trending down, not because of anything Florida has done, but more based on what Ohio State has done recently.
1. Stefon Diggs (Olney Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) -- Trending: ↓
Diggs visited Ohio State this past weekend and by all accounts enjoyed his visit to Columbus. He will make his announcement on Feb. 10. Diggs' mother did not make the trip with him, as she did on his Florida visit. The Gators still stand a great chance with him, but Ohio State has certainly closed the gap.We have him as trending down, not because of anything Florida has done, but more based on what Ohio State has done recently.
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The countdown to national signing day is basically being measured by hours at this point, but the clock for 2013 was started ages ago.
As we get ready to usher in the 2012 members, coaches are pulling double duty by getting a head start on the future, as the focus begins to shift to next year's bag of recruiting goodies.
That's why it should come as no surprise that a few SEC schools received some pretty good news from next year's class over the weekend.
Alabama got three verbal commitments at Saturday's Junior Day. The big get was ESPN 150 Watch List running back Altee Tenpenny (North Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock), who committed. Tenpenny missed all of his junior season after he fractured his fibula a week and a half before the season opener.
As we get ready to usher in the 2012 members, coaches are pulling double duty by getting a head start on the future, as the focus begins to shift to next year's bag of recruiting goodies.
That's why it should come as no surprise that a few SEC schools received some pretty good news from next year's class over the weekend.
Alabama got three verbal commitments at Saturday's Junior Day. The big get was ESPN 150 Watch List running back Altee Tenpenny (North Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock), who committed. Tenpenny missed all of his junior season after he fractured his fibula a week and a half before the season opener.
Poll: Who will have biggest signing day?
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
12:51
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
National signing day is almost here and while communication between prospects and coaches has stopped, hoping hasn't. Coaches and fans are sending out as much positive energy as possible before signing day.
So with the days ticking down, we wanted to get your thoughts on which school will have the biggest day Wednesday.
Will it be Alabama? The national champions currently have the top class in the country, according to ESPN.com recruiting services, and 27 verbal commitments. Twelve of those commitments are ESPNU 150 members.
It would take something absolutely catastrophic for Alabama's class to not be ranked near the top, and some top prospects, including No. 1 defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (Washington, D.C./Collegiate Academy), No. 3 outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford, Ala.) and No. 8 defensive tackle Korren Kirven (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) are still looking at Alabama, as the Tide could probably bring in one or two more players.
(Remember, while SEC teams can only sign 25 prospects per class, Alabama could ask a couple of prospects to grayshirt or count back to previous years as early enrollees in order to make it to 25 in this one.)
So with the days ticking down, we wanted to get your thoughts on which school will have the biggest day Wednesday.
Will it be Alabama? The national champions currently have the top class in the country, according to ESPN.com recruiting services, and 27 verbal commitments. Twelve of those commitments are ESPNU 150 members.
It would take something absolutely catastrophic for Alabama's class to not be ranked near the top, and some top prospects, including No. 1 defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (Washington, D.C./Collegiate Academy), No. 3 outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford, Ala.) and No. 8 defensive tackle Korren Kirven (Lynchburg, Va./Brookville) are still looking at Alabama, as the Tide could probably bring in one or two more players.
(Remember, while SEC teams can only sign 25 prospects per class, Alabama could ask a couple of prospects to grayshirt or count back to previous years as early enrollees in order to make it to 25 in this one.)
Coach 'T-Rob' helped Florida land Bullard
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
12:13
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Pulling Jonathan Bullard, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end from Shelby, N.C./Crest HS, away from the nearby Clemson Tigers was no easy feat.
Bullard said it was ultimately Florida's focus on family that won he and his family over. Bullard was recruited by Florida's ace in North Carolina, linebackers/special teams coach D.J. Durkin, but all of the Gator coaches pitched in, including defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson.
"My family was on the Florida side when it came down to discussion," Bullard said. "T-Rob won my grandparents. My grandmother loves him. My grandmother has cancer, and every time they came down here, they make a special trip to her house to talk to her.
Bullard said it was ultimately Florida's focus on family that won he and his family over. Bullard was recruited by Florida's ace in North Carolina, linebackers/special teams coach D.J. Durkin, but all of the Gator coaches pitched in, including defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson.
"My family was on the Florida side when it came down to discussion," Bullard said. "T-Rob won my grandparents. My grandmother loves him. My grandmother has cancer, and every time they came down here, they make a special trip to her house to talk to her.
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ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
With national signing day fast approaching on Wednesday, here's a look at the latest involving SEC schools:
- Tennessee lost ESPNU 150 linebacker Dalton Santos to Texas. Santos had started looking around again after Tennessee lost defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon to Washington. Santos, who's from Van, Texas, is rated by ESPN as the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the country. The Longhorns didn't offer Santos until late, and he confirmed on Sunday that he would be signing with Texas.
- The Vols are one of the favorites for Cordarrelle Patterson, who's rated as one of the top junior college receivers in the country. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Patterson is originally from Rock Hill, S.C., but is currently at Huchinson (Kan.) Community College. Georgia and Ole Miss are also finalists for Patterson.
- Arkansas is still keeping its fingers crossed that receiver Dorial Green-Beckham will pick the Hogs on signing day. Green-Beckham is rated as the No. 3 prospect in the country by ESPN, and is expected to pick between Arkansas and Missouri on signing day. He will make his announcement on ESPNU.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons, the No. 1-ranked player in Georgia, will be making his college announcement on Wednesday morning.
Harvey-Clemons sat down with DawgNation for a lengthy interview on his recruitment and the decision facing him this week. Here are five burning questions from that interview that might interest Gators fans:
RN: What school do you feel needs you the most?
Harvey-Clemons sat down with DawgNation for a lengthy interview on his recruitment and the decision facing him this week. Here are five burning questions from that interview that might interest Gators fans:
RN: What school do you feel needs you the most?
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Quarterback Paxton Lynch (Deltona, Fla./Trinity Christian), one of the fastest-rising prospects this winter, has committed to Memphis while on campus for an official visit, multiple sources report.
Florida A&M was Lynch's only other scholarship offer but Florida was also heavily recruiting the 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior. However, the Gators are expected to land a four-star quarterback this weekend.
Florida A&M was Lynch's only other scholarship offer but Florida was also heavily recruiting the 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior. However, the Gators are expected to land a four-star quarterback this weekend.
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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.