Notebook: WR would have walked on at UF
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
8:20
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
[+] Enlarge
Davide De Pas for ESPN.comRaphael Andrades had offers from Notre Dame, Arkansas, Illinois and Stanford.
Thankfully for him, he doesn’t have to.
Florida signed the 6-foot, 190-pound three-star receiver out of Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln High School on Wednesday. He’s not a name Gators fans might recognize, but he was someone UF coach Will Muschamp had been keeping his eye on.
“We’ve recruited him all along,” Muschamps said. “He’s a guy that we liked. He did a great job in camp. That’s why you have a deep board.”
Andrades caught 41 passes for more than 800 yards and a single-season school-record 13 touchdowns last season. His offensive coordinator at Lincoln is former UF standout receiver Jacquez Green, who told GatorNation earlier Wednesday that Andrades wanted to play at UF so badly that he would have walked on.
UF desperately needs playmakers at receiver, and Andrades may have been some insurance in case the Gators don’t land four-star receiver Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who is scheduled to announce his choice on Feb. 10. The Gators also signed Latroy Pittman, a four-star player out of Citra, Fla./North Marion who enrolled early, but Muschamp said Pittman may play some safety, too.
Florida's NSD filled with near misses 
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
8:19
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators started off Wednesday hoping to build on what already was considered by most to be a highly ranked class. But as the ink on the letters of intent began to dry and faxes started pouring in, the hopes for a No. 1-ranked class faded.
Florida got off to a hot start with nine signatures from committed players before 9 a.m., ET. Outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons then committed to Georgia, followed by cornerback Tracy Howard, who selected Miami over Florida.
The Gators received good news mid-morning when four-star defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., switched his commitment from Florida State to Florida. Fowler had been committed to FSU for more than a year before flipping to Florida.
Florida got off to a hot start with nine signatures from committed players before 9 a.m., ET. Outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons then committed to Georgia, followed by cornerback Tracy Howard, who selected Miami over Florida.
The Gators received good news mid-morning when four-star defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., switched his commitment from Florida State to Florida. Fowler had been committed to FSU for more than a year before flipping to Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Welcome to GatorNation's live coverage of national signing day for the Florida Gators. We'll be with you throughout the day and night, providing GatorNation up-to-the-minute news and analysis. Stay tuned ...
Watch LIVE! on ESPN3 | Talk about it in The Chompions Club
| Free Chomp Talk forum
2:08 p.m.: Four-star offensive tackle Avery Young picks Auburn over Florida, his final two schools. Florida was involved in four live announcements on ESPNU, but didn't land Young, WR Nelson Agholor, CB Tracy Howard or LB Josh Harvey-Clemons. -- Derek Tyson
1:46 p.m.: Here's our Insider scouting report on surprise wide receiver commit Raphael Andrades. He's listed at 6-foot, 196 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.73 and is noted by ESPN scouts as having good hands. ESPNU ranks him the 152nd best receiver in the nation and the 199th best prospect in the state of Florida. Just a couple of weeks ago, Andrades said he was down to Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt or Notre Dame. -- Jeff Barlis
1:10 p.m.: Florida has received a letter of intent from Jafar Mann, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive tackle from Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson. He is the last of UF's committed players to return their letter of intent. The Gators now have 23 players signed, which includes the six who enrolled early. UF is awaiting an announcement from four-star offensive lineman Avery Young at 2 p.m. -- Michael DiRocco
Watch LIVE! on ESPN3 | Talk about it in The Chompions Club
| Free Chomp Talk forum
2:08 p.m.: Four-star offensive tackle Avery Young picks Auburn over Florida, his final two schools. Florida was involved in four live announcements on ESPNU, but didn't land Young, WR Nelson Agholor, CB Tracy Howard or LB Josh Harvey-Clemons. -- Derek Tyson
1:46 p.m.: Here's our Insider scouting report on surprise wide receiver commit Raphael Andrades. He's listed at 6-foot, 196 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.73 and is noted by ESPN scouts as having good hands. ESPNU ranks him the 152nd best receiver in the nation and the 199th best prospect in the state of Florida. Just a couple of weeks ago, Andrades said he was down to Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt or Notre Dame. -- Jeff Barlis
1:10 p.m.: Florida has received a letter of intent from Jafar Mann, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive tackle from Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson. He is the last of UF's committed players to return their letter of intent. The Gators now have 23 players signed, which includes the six who enrolled early. UF is awaiting an announcement from four-star offensive lineman Avery Young at 2 p.m. -- Michael DiRocco
Four-star offensive lineman Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens) announced his decision to attend Auburn on Wednesday. Young selected Auburn over Georgia and in-state schools Florida and Miami.
Young said his comfort with Auburn ultimately persuaded him to choose the Tigers.
“Everything about the whole visit and the process, everything was perfect,” Young said. “They had really showed me that it was a great place, and everything about it I liked. It’s a little city, a little country to it, and I felt like I fit in with the whole team.
“I have a good friend [Tre Mason] on the team, but I got along with everyone on the team. I clicked real good with everybody on the team. I just couldn’t find anything wrong at all with Auburn.”
Young said his comfort with Auburn ultimately persuaded him to choose the Tigers.
“Everything about the whole visit and the process, everything was perfect,” Young said. “They had really showed me that it was a great place, and everything about it I liked. It’s a little city, a little country to it, and I felt like I fit in with the whole team.
“I have a good friend [Tre Mason] on the team, but I got along with everyone on the team. I clicked real good with everybody on the team. I just couldn’t find anything wrong at all with Auburn.”
Southern Cal has won the seemingly wide open recruiting battle for Under Armour All-American athlete Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley). The 6-foot-1, 180-pound talent selected USC over Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma on Wednesday on ESPN.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LB Miles picks Kansas over Florida, WVa
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
12:31
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
TAMPA, Fla. -- He may have only been on the job for a few short months, but Charlie Weis is already making his presence felt as a recruiter.
Three-star linebacker Schyler Miles (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep) signed with the Kansas Jayhawks. He announced at a press conference at his high school on Wednesday afternoon.
Miles selected Kansas over in-state power Florida and Orange Bowl winner West Virginia.
Three-star linebacker Schyler Miles (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep) signed with the Kansas Jayhawks. He announced at a press conference at his high school on Wednesday afternoon.
Miles selected Kansas over in-state power Florida and Orange Bowl winner West Virginia.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Former Ole Miss verbal Jake Meador (Whiteland, Ind.), a three-star prospect, signed with Wisconsin on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle made official visits to Southern Methodist (Dec. 2), Missouri (Dec. 9), Indiana (Jan. 13), Florida (Jan. 20) and Wisconsin (Jan. 27). Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Northern Illinois also offered earlier in the process.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle made official visits to Southern Methodist (Dec. 2), Missouri (Dec. 9), Indiana (Jan. 13), Florida (Jan. 20) and Wisconsin (Jan. 27). Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Northern Illinois also offered earlier in the process.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Fowler flips from Florida State to Florida
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:35
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., pulled off a signing day surprise when he flipped his commitment from Florida State to in-state rival Florida Wednesday.
Fowler, who is the No. 10-ranked defensive end and No. 71-ranked player in the country in the ESPNU150, decided to switch to the Gators because of the comfort level he had with the Florida coaching staff.
“I just feel more comfortable there,” Fowler said. “Coach [Will] Muschamp is one of the best defensive coaches in football. Coach [Dan] Quinn coached Jason Taylor, one of the best hybrids to play in the NFL. I’m a hybrid as well. I just feel like I can contribute more at Florida and come in early and play.”
Fowler, who is the No. 10-ranked defensive end and No. 71-ranked player in the country in the ESPNU150, decided to switch to the Gators because of the comfort level he had with the Florida coaching staff.
“I just feel more comfortable there,” Fowler said. “Coach [Will] Muschamp is one of the best defensive coaches in football. Coach [Dan] Quinn coached Jason Taylor, one of the best hybrids to play in the NFL. I’m a hybrid as well. I just feel like I can contribute more at Florida and come in early and play.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Gators surprise with three-star receiver
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:35
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Florida fans got a surprise on Wednesday when three-star wide receiver Raphael Andrades (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) signed a letter of intent with the Gators.
“God chose them for me!" Andrades said via text message. "He put me where I needed to be. Orange and Blue was in my blood.”
Andrades offensive coordinator, Jacquez Green, a former All-American wide receiver at Florida, said this wasn't a last-minute move by Florida.
“God chose them for me!" Andrades said via text message. "He put me where I needed to be. Orange and Blue was in my blood.”
Andrades offensive coordinator, Jacquez Green, a former All-American wide receiver at Florida, said this wasn't a last-minute move by Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Nation's No. 1 CB Tracy Howard picks UM
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
9:57
AM ET
By GatorNation staff | ESPN.com
Tracy Howard (Miramar, Fla./Miramar), the top-rated cornerback in the ESPNU 150, announces his commitment to Miami. ESPN's Corey Long reports it was one of the more tight-lipped decisions in recruiting, as Howard expressed much interest through the year in Florida and Florida State.
Four-star ESPNU 150 cornerback Tracy Howard (Miramar, Fla.) declared for Miami (Fla.) at 9:50 a.m. ET on ESPN. The No. 1 CB in the country selected the Canes over Florida State and Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), the top rated outside linebacker in the ESPNU 150, announces his commitment to Georgia.
Four-star outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), the top prospect in Georgia, No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 17 player in the ESPNU 150, announced his decision to remain inside state lines and play for the Bulldogs.
Georgia topped Florida and Florida State for Harvey-Clemons. Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Clemson, Alabama, Miami (Fla.), South Carolina, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Tennessee also offered Harvey-Clemons, who could end up playing anywhere from defensive end to outside linebacker to safety, or even wide receiver, according to ESPN's Tom Luginbill.
Georgia topped Florida and Florida State for Harvey-Clemons. Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Clemson, Alabama, Miami (Fla.), South Carolina, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Tennessee also offered Harvey-Clemons, who could end up playing anywhere from defensive end to outside linebacker to safety, or even wide receiver, according to ESPN's Tom Luginbill.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Tuesday night, ESPNU 150 defensive lineman Darius Hamilton (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco) announced for Rutgers, ESPNNY.com reports.
He made official visits to Florida (Dec. 9), California (Dec. 16), Rutgers (Jan. 20) and Miami, Fla. (Jan. 27). Hamilton, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound four-star prospect, considered programs such as Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan and LSU earlier in the process.
USC, Colorado, UConn, Maryland, Boston College, Michigan State, Syracuse, Virginia, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and South Carolina also offered Hamilton, who developed into one of the nation’s most coveted 2012 recruits.
Hamilton is the third best recruit in New Jersey according to ESPNU and now the top commitment for Rutgers.
He made official visits to Florida (Dec. 9), California (Dec. 16), Rutgers (Jan. 20) and Miami, Fla. (Jan. 27). Hamilton, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound four-star prospect, considered programs such as Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan and LSU earlier in the process.
USC, Colorado, UConn, Maryland, Boston College, Michigan State, Syracuse, Virginia, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and South Carolina also offered Hamilton, who developed into one of the nation’s most coveted 2012 recruits.
Hamilton is the third best recruit in New Jersey according to ESPNU and now the top commitment for Rutgers.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Updated: Harvey-Clemons still lists four
January, 31, 2012
1/31/12
9:06
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The top outside linebacker in the country was supposed to narrow his final list down to two schools Tuesday night. Instead, Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) will decide between Georgia, Florida, FSU and Miami at 9:15 am ET Wednesday on ESPNU.
Harvey-Clemons was originally scheduled to cut two schools from his final four at a Valdosta restaurant, as part of the Lowndes County Fourth Annual Season Celebration as Signing Show. He spoke at length about the schools involved in his recruitment, but in the end did not cut any of them.
When asked whether he was ready to trim his list to even three schools, he replied, “No.”
Harvey-Clemons was originally scheduled to cut two schools from his final four at a Valdosta restaurant, as part of the Lowndes County Fourth Annual Season Celebration as Signing Show. He spoke at length about the schools involved in his recruitment, but in the end did not cut any of them.
When asked whether he was ready to trim his list to even three schools, he replied, “No.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.