Where UF recruiting stands on defense 
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's recruiting board is taking its final shape, as detailed in Tuesday's look at the offense. Here is a position-by-position look at where the Gators currently stand on defense:
SAFETY
Commits: Marcus Maye and Rhaheim Ledbetter
Prospects: none
SAFETY
Commits: Marcus Maye and Rhaheim Ledbetter
Prospects: none
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Jon Haskins joins Florida support staff
January, 24, 2012
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has hired Jon Haskins as its new director of player personnel.
Haskins spent the 2011 season at Nevada after spending the previous three at Stanford, where he was a four-year starter as a linebacker from 1994-97. At Nevada, Haskins oversaw all aspects of recruiting, according to the school's web site.
Haskins takes over for Mark Pantoni, who left in November to join former UF coach Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Pantoni's duties included football operations, working with recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill and helping run UF's Friday Night Lights, a popular one-night summer camp and recruiting showcase. Haskins' exact duties are not yet established.
Haskins spent the 2011 season at Nevada after spending the previous three at Stanford, where he was a four-year starter as a linebacker from 1994-97. At Nevada, Haskins oversaw all aspects of recruiting, according to the school's web site.
Haskins takes over for Mark Pantoni, who left in November to join former UF coach Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Pantoni's duties included football operations, working with recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill and helping run UF's Friday Night Lights, a popular one-night summer camp and recruiting showcase. Haskins' exact duties are not yet established.
UF DT Leon Orr gets deferred prosecution
January, 24, 2012
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida reserve defensive tackle Leon Orr was given deferred prosecution for his arrest earlier this month on possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
According to Alachua County court records, Orr was fined $50 and also will have to either serve 12 1/2 hours of community service or pay an additional $150 fine.
Orr was arrested by University of Florida police on Jan. 10 after a bag of marijuana, a pipe and rolling papers were found in Orr’s dorm room. He was charged with misdemeanor possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug equipment.
Orr, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound redshirt freshman who had 10 tackles and one sack in 2011, is the eighth player to be arrested since Muschamp took over for Urban Meyer in January 2011.
UF spokesman Daniel Apple said last week that Gators coach Will Muschamp is aware of the incident and has handled the matter, but was unable to say whether Orr has been suspended. Apple said Tuesday that the school would have no further comment.
Where UF recruiting stands on offense
January, 24, 2012
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The countdown is on until national signing day. With just over a week left until the big day, Florida's recruiting board is taking its final shape. Here is a position-by-position look at where the Gators currently stand:
QUARTERBACK
Commits: none
Prospects: Skyler Mornhinweg, Paxton Lynch and Jacob Guy
QUARTERBACK
Commits: none
Prospects: Skyler Mornhinweg, Paxton Lynch and Jacob Guy
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Three-star offensive tackle Jake Meador (Whiteland, Ind./Whiteland) recently had a final three of Florida, Indiana and Missouri.
He still has a final three, except a new team resides in Indiana's place.
Meador texted ESPN.com that Wisconsin, which offered on Sunday, is now in his top three, replacing Indiana. Meador will officially visit Wisconsin this weekend, his fifth and final official visit.
He still has a final three, except a new team resides in Indiana's place.
Meador texted ESPN.com that Wisconsin, which offered on Sunday, is now in his top three, replacing Indiana. Meador will officially visit Wisconsin this weekend, his fifth and final official visit.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- We've got a whole lot of rankin' going on. We'll start with future Gators before leaping back to the present tense for the current Florida squad.
Class of 2012 updated ESPNU 100
Florida only has one player in our top 100, point guard Braxton Ogbueze, who fell from No. 35 to No. 46 in our latest rankings. The big man on the board is Florida's top target, power forward Anthony Bennett, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Class Rankings: Arizona on top, Gators in the mix (Insider)
Florida checks in at No. 25 with Ogbueze and a pair of shooting guards from in-state in Michael Frazier and Dillon Graham. Look for a big surge if Billy D gets that big man he's after.
Bilas Index: Kentucky claims No. 1 (Insider)
ESPN Insider Jay Bilas has Week 6 of the Bilas Index, ranking the top 68 college basketball teams in the country. This week, he hasn't changed his thoughts on the Gators too much, noting how UF is having success without a whole lot of size.
Class of 2012 updated ESPNU 100
Florida only has one player in our top 100, point guard Braxton Ogbueze, who fell from No. 35 to No. 46 in our latest rankings. The big man on the board is Florida's top target, power forward Anthony Bennett, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Class Rankings: Arizona on top, Gators in the mix (Insider)
Florida checks in at No. 25 with Ogbueze and a pair of shooting guards from in-state in Michael Frazier and Dillon Graham. Look for a big surge if Billy D gets that big man he's after.
Bilas Index: Kentucky claims No. 1 (Insider)
ESPN Insider Jay Bilas has Week 6 of the Bilas Index, ranking the top 68 college basketball teams in the country. This week, he hasn't changed his thoughts on the Gators too much, noting how UF is having success without a whole lot of size.
The 25th anniversary of the 3-point line
January, 24, 2012
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By
Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
In 1986, based on the research presented by Ed Steitz, the secretary-editor of the NCAA basketball rules committee, the 3-pointer was officially introduced into college basketball. Received then with all the enthusiasm of a root canal, the 3-pointer celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. Check out the entire package of stories and videos on ESPN.com.
Billy Donovan, the NCAA's first long-range star
The 3-point shot was vilified by many coaches, but young Rick Pitino saw it as a godsend for his Providence Friars and a career-maker for one Billy Donovan.
The art of recruiting 3-point shooters (Insider)
Pitino was all in from the start with Billy the Kid bombing away (and wearing those short shorts).
Top 25 3-point shooters in the 2012 class (Insider)
Our look at 25 of the best 3-point shooters in the 2012 class features two Gator commits.
Living and dying by the 3 (Insider)
John Gasaway looks at the five major conference teams that are most reliant on the 3-point shot: Florida, Vandy, Michigan, Iowa State and Duke. For the Gators, he says, it's a departure from their frontcourt-heavy emphasis of the last couple of seasons.
Billy Donovan, the NCAA's first long-range star
The 3-point shot was vilified by many coaches, but young Rick Pitino saw it as a godsend for his Providence Friars and a career-maker for one Billy Donovan.
The art of recruiting 3-point shooters (Insider)
Pitino was all in from the start with Billy the Kid bombing away (and wearing those short shorts).
Top 25 3-point shooters in the 2012 class (Insider)
Our look at 25 of the best 3-point shooters in the 2012 class features two Gator commits.
Living and dying by the 3 (Insider)
John Gasaway looks at the five major conference teams that are most reliant on the 3-point shot: Florida, Vandy, Michigan, Iowa State and Duke. For the Gators, he says, it's a departure from their frontcourt-heavy emphasis of the last couple of seasons.
Notebook: Leonard Williams visiting UF
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators' biggest recruiting weekend of the year has apparently gone into overtime.
After several failed attempts to visit the Gators this year, Florida defensive end prospect Leonard Williams finally made it on campus for an official visit. He arrived on Monday and is planning on returning to his home in Daytona Beach (Fla.) on Wednesday.
Williams visits Florida fresh off another official visit, this one to Southern Cal this past weekend. Most believe Williams will decide between Florida, Auburn, FSU and USC on national signing day.
After several failed attempts to visit the Gators this year, Florida defensive end prospect Leonard Williams finally made it on campus for an official visit. He arrived on Monday and is planning on returning to his home in Daytona Beach (Fla.) on Wednesday.
Williams visits Florida fresh off another official visit, this one to Southern Cal this past weekend. Most believe Williams will decide between Florida, Auburn, FSU and USC on national signing day.
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In this edition of Recruiting Nation 411, ESPN’s recruiting experts take a look at all of the top news from the weekend including some good news for Penn State, more success for Vanderbilt, and some heated battles in the state of Florida.
With official visits to his final three teams now out of the way, it is decision time for three-star Edwardsville (Ill.) defensive tackle Vincent Valentine Jr.
Florida, Illinois and Nebraska make up Valentine’s finalists.
“I think I’ll have my decision by the end of the week,” Valentine said. “This week is for me to sit down and just think about everything and what are the advantages and disadvantages of me being some places. I was sitting in class [Monday] writing on a piece of paper about the three colleges.”
Florida, Illinois and Nebraska make up Valentine’s finalists.
“I think I’ll have my decision by the end of the week,” Valentine said. “This week is for me to sit down and just think about everything and what are the advantages and disadvantages of me being some places. I was sitting in class [Monday] writing on a piece of paper about the three colleges.”
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Scouts: Gators raiding North Carolina
January, 23, 2012
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By
Craig Haubert | ESPN.com
Florida continues to enjoy success on the recruiting trail in the state of North Carolina. On the heels of landing ESPNU 150 D-End Jonathan Bullard (Shelby, N.C./Crest), Monday the Gators secured a verbal from defensive end prospect Alex McCalister (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth).
The four-star may not be as college ready as his fellow North Carolinian and Gator commit Bullard, but he is a promising prospect. He is a tall, lean, and rangy kid who needs to keep filling out his frame, but he is physical and can explode off the ball and be an active and disruptive defender. He can be tough against the run, but to be consistently productive at the next level he needs to get bigger and stronger and be sure to keep his pads down and use his hands better. He can move well and cover some ground in pursuit. He flashes good ability as a pass rusher, but can be a bit raw and has room to improve.
The four-star may not be as college ready as his fellow North Carolinian and Gator commit Bullard, but he is a promising prospect. He is a tall, lean, and rangy kid who needs to keep filling out his frame, but he is physical and can explode off the ball and be an active and disruptive defender. He can be tough against the run, but to be consistently productive at the next level he needs to get bigger and stronger and be sure to keep his pads down and use his hands better. He can move well and cover some ground in pursuit. He flashes good ability as a pass rusher, but can be a bit raw and has room to improve.
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Ja'Quay Williams appears solid to Auburn
January, 23, 2012
1/23/12
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By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Auburn Tigers commitment Ja’Quay Williams (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) took an official visit to Georgia over the weekend. Did this super receiver from the Peach State see enough to change his commitment from Auburn to Georgia?
“I know Ja’Quay told me the visit went really good to Georgia,” Sandy Creek coach Chip Walker said today. “But nothing has changed and Ja’Quay showed up with all his Auburn gear on today.”
Earlier today Auburn head coach Gene Chizik showed up to the school and, according to Walker, it appears all but wrapped up for the Tigers and this four-star recruit.
“I know Ja’Quay told me the visit went really good to Georgia,” Sandy Creek coach Chip Walker said today. “But nothing has changed and Ja’Quay showed up with all his Auburn gear on today.”
Earlier today Auburn head coach Gene Chizik showed up to the school and, according to Walker, it appears all but wrapped up for the Tigers and this four-star recruit.
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UF's dedication huge for '13 commit Lane
January, 23, 2012
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Adam Lane knew he was in trouble when he heard the snap.
The Winter Haven (Fla.) rising junior running back had just completed a spin move when he was hit in the hip by a tackler. Somehow, Lane's foot got trapped underneath the defender when they landed.
He knew his 2011 season was over even before it began -- the injury occurred on the Friday before the season opener -- when the doctors told him he had fractured his lower fibula. But what about the future? Was his status as one of the state’s top running backs in 2013 in jeopardy? Would schools still want a back with a metal plate and six small screws in his leg?
The Winter Haven (Fla.) rising junior running back had just completed a spin move when he was hit in the hip by a tackler. Somehow, Lane's foot got trapped underneath the defender when they landed.
He knew his 2011 season was over even before it began -- the injury occurred on the Friday before the season opener -- when the doctors told him he had fractured his lower fibula. But what about the future? Was his status as one of the state’s top running backs in 2013 in jeopardy? Would schools still want a back with a metal plate and six small screws in his leg?
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As Florida's big recruiting weekend came to a close Monday, the Gators landed their third verbal commitment in the last three days.
On Monday afternoon, four-star defensive end Alex McCalister (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth) joined Florida's other weekend pledges, linebacker Bryan Cox Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) and 2013 running back Adam Lane (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven).
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Four-star DE Alex McCalister picks UF
January, 23, 2012
1/23/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Four-star defensive end Alex McCalister (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth) verbally committed to the Florida Gators on Monday, just after his official visit this past weekend to Gainesville.
McCalister chose the Gators over Georgia Tech and in-state team North Carolina.
McCalister is being recruited by Florida to play its buck position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position. Bryan Cox Jr. (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), also recruited for the buck position, committed to Florida on Saturday.
With the addition of McCalister, the Gators now have 20 verbal commitments for the 2012 class.
McCalister chose the Gators over Georgia Tech and in-state team North Carolina.
McCalister is being recruited by Florida to play its buck position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position. Bryan Cox Jr. (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), also recruited for the buck position, committed to Florida on Saturday.
With the addition of McCalister, the Gators now have 20 verbal commitments for the 2012 class.
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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.