Instant analysis: Florida 84, Texas A&M 64
December, 17, 2011
12/17/11
5:35
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Looks like Florida made pretty good use of its week off.
The 13th-ranked Gators (8-2) rolled out to an 18-2 lead behind a stingy defense and hot shooting and cruised to an easy victory over 22nd-ranked Texas A&M Saturday in the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic in front of 11,262 at the BankAtlantic Center. UF (8-2) hadn't played since a Dec. 9 victory over Rider in Jacksonville, Fla.
Player of the game: UF guard Kenny Boynton scored 22 points, the sixth time this season he has surpassed 20 points. Boynton made 7-of-15 shots, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Boynton has now scored 48 in his last two games, including a season-high 26 against Rider.
Stat of the game: Texas A&M entered the game allowing 51.4 points per game. The Gators lead 50-25 at halftime. The Aggies had held opponents to less than 50 points four times this season.
What did we learn? Florida was able to handle Texas A&M's length pretty well despite center Patric Young being in foul trouble much of the game. Young scored just five points and grabbed four rebounds, but Will Yeguete, Casey Prather and Erik Murphy pitched in on the boards. They combined for 13 rebounds.
Noteworthy: During halftime, a fan made a promotional half-court shot for $25,000. ... Murphy was back in the starting lineup for the first time since the wright State game one Nov. 21. He had 13 points, including 10 in the first half on 4-for-4 shooting. Murphy missed three games with a right knee injury. ... The Gators committed just three turnovers in the first half. Texas A&M had 10 in the first half.
The 13th-ranked Gators (8-2) rolled out to an 18-2 lead behind a stingy defense and hot shooting and cruised to an easy victory over 22nd-ranked Texas A&M Saturday in the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic in front of 11,262 at the BankAtlantic Center. UF (8-2) hadn't played since a Dec. 9 victory over Rider in Jacksonville, Fla.
Player of the game: UF guard Kenny Boynton scored 22 points, the sixth time this season he has surpassed 20 points. Boynton made 7-of-15 shots, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Boynton has now scored 48 in his last two games, including a season-high 26 against Rider.
Stat of the game: Texas A&M entered the game allowing 51.4 points per game. The Gators lead 50-25 at halftime. The Aggies had held opponents to less than 50 points four times this season.
What did we learn? Florida was able to handle Texas A&M's length pretty well despite center Patric Young being in foul trouble much of the game. Young scored just five points and grabbed four rebounds, but Will Yeguete, Casey Prather and Erik Murphy pitched in on the boards. They combined for 13 rebounds.
Noteworthy: During halftime, a fan made a promotional half-court shot for $25,000. ... Murphy was back in the starting lineup for the first time since the wright State game one Nov. 21. He had 13 points, including 10 in the first half on 4-for-4 shooting. Murphy missed three games with a right knee injury. ... The Gators committed just three turnovers in the first half. Texas A&M had 10 in the first half.
Sources: UF interviews Kerwin Bell
December, 17, 2011
12/17/11
2:47
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Florida coach Will Muschamp has interviewed at least one candidate in his search for an offensive coordinator.
According to sources close to the situation, Muschamp met with Jacksonville University head coach Kerwin Bell last Wednesday during a break in Bell’s scheduled recruiting trips. The source, which requested anonymity, said Muschamp interviewed Bell on the JU campus and the two went to lunch.
Bell has been JU’s coach for five seasons and led the Dolphins to a 36-21 overall record and two Pioneer Football League titles. He has rewritten the school’s offensive record books since his arrival, and his 2010 offense led all Football Championship Subdivision teams at 486.3 yards per game.
Quarterback Josh McGregor recently wrapped up his career with 11,230 career passing yards -- second all-time among collegiate quarterbacks in state of Florida history -- and 116 career touchdown passes.
Bell quarterbacked the Gators from 1984-87 and was part of the first team to win an SEC title (later vacated). He finished his career with 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns passing.
Before he was hired at JU in 2007, Bell started the Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic High School football program and went 45-15 in five seasons with one state title.
According to sources close to the situation, Muschamp met with Jacksonville University head coach Kerwin Bell last Wednesday during a break in Bell’s scheduled recruiting trips. The source, which requested anonymity, said Muschamp interviewed Bell on the JU campus and the two went to lunch.
Bell has been JU’s coach for five seasons and led the Dolphins to a 36-21 overall record and two Pioneer Football League titles. He has rewritten the school’s offensive record books since his arrival, and his 2010 offense led all Football Championship Subdivision teams at 486.3 yards per game.
Quarterback Josh McGregor recently wrapped up his career with 11,230 career passing yards -- second all-time among collegiate quarterbacks in state of Florida history -- and 116 career touchdown passes.
Bell quarterbacked the Gators from 1984-87 and was part of the first team to win an SEC title (later vacated). He finished his career with 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns passing.
Before he was hired at JU in 2007, Bell started the Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic High School football program and went 45-15 in five seasons with one state title.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee dominated Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast 40-0 in the FHSAA class 7A state championship game on Friday night.
The Manatee defense held First Coast to 108 yards of offense and an astonishing minus-71 yards rushing.
2013 defensive tackle prospect Derrick Calloway (6-foot-1, 302 pounds) led the way for the Hurricanes. Calloway camped out in the First Coast backfield for a majority of the night and finished with three sacks and a forced fumble on the evening.
USF and Iowa State are the only school's to have offered the standout tackle, but Calloway said he is starting to hear from more colleges.
"USF for sure," Calloway said when asked about early offers. "Other colleges have been talking to me about offers, but I'm not sure. West Virginia, Boston College recently called, Miami and a lot of other schools."
Some college have yet to offer Calloway because of his short stature but Calloway said he uses his size to his advantage.
"Everybody wants to talk about my height," he said. "I practice on getting lower than I already am. Getting low and firing off, that's all I work on. Getting low and getting to the quarterback."
Calloway had a chance to see Florida over the spring and said that even though they struggled, he expects the Gators to get back to where they were.
"I talk to Florida," he said, "I went up to their campus and watched them practice. I like Florida. Honestly, they didn't do good this year but I'm pretty sure they will get their program back up."
When it comes to making a college decision, Calloway said he wants to feel comfortable at whatever school he chooses.
"I want to feel like I'm at home," Calloway said. "I'm a big home dude. I want to be able to visit my mom because she still lives here"
Calloway's teammate Demarcus Christmas will be another Manatee defensive tackle to watch in the future. Christmas, who is only a sophomore, already stands 6-3, 285. Christmas said after the game he is starting to hear from colleges but has no early leaders.
The Manatee defense held First Coast to 108 yards of offense and an astonishing minus-71 yards rushing.
2013 defensive tackle prospect Derrick Calloway (6-foot-1, 302 pounds) led the way for the Hurricanes. Calloway camped out in the First Coast backfield for a majority of the night and finished with three sacks and a forced fumble on the evening.
USF and Iowa State are the only school's to have offered the standout tackle, but Calloway said he is starting to hear from more colleges.
"USF for sure," Calloway said when asked about early offers. "Other colleges have been talking to me about offers, but I'm not sure. West Virginia, Boston College recently called, Miami and a lot of other schools."
Some college have yet to offer Calloway because of his short stature but Calloway said he uses his size to his advantage.
"Everybody wants to talk about my height," he said. "I practice on getting lower than I already am. Getting low and firing off, that's all I work on. Getting low and getting to the quarterback."
Calloway had a chance to see Florida over the spring and said that even though they struggled, he expects the Gators to get back to where they were.
"I talk to Florida," he said, "I went up to their campus and watched them practice. I like Florida. Honestly, they didn't do good this year but I'm pretty sure they will get their program back up."
When it comes to making a college decision, Calloway said he wants to feel comfortable at whatever school he chooses.
"I want to feel like I'm at home," Calloway said. "I'm a big home dude. I want to be able to visit my mom because she still lives here"
Calloway's teammate Demarcus Christmas will be another Manatee defensive tackle to watch in the future. Christmas, who is only a sophomore, already stands 6-3, 285. Christmas said after the game he is starting to hear from colleges but has no early leaders.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Not much went right for Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast as they were defeated by Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee 40-0 in the FHSAA class 7A state championship game on Friday night.
One bright spot for the Buccaneers was the the play of junior linebacker Daniel McMillian (6-foot-2, 220 pounds). McMillian posted 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a blocked field goal in the loss.
McMillian, who claims more than 40 scholarship offers, said now that his junior season has come to a close, he is planning on visiting several colleges. Though he can’t take official visits until his senior season, McMillian knows of one school who will get a visit.
“I plan on visiting a whole bunch of colleges coming up,” McMillian said. “Especially for my officials [visit] my senior year, Florida will be one of them, and I’ll commit at the U.S. Army game.”
McMillian said he has been in constant contact with Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
“He’s a great man,” McMillians said about Quinn. “I can talk to him about anything. He’ll be honest and truthful. He’ll tell me what I’m playing and he’ll be up front with me on what I need to do better. When I am doing good, he’ll tell me that too. He thinks I can play outside linebacker because I’m fast and can make a lot of plays, and I agree with him.
In addition to Florida, McMillian said he is hearing a lot from Alabama, Miami, Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina.
McMillian said he has a long way to go in the process and is not sure when he will narrow down his choices.
“I don’t really have a top three or top five,” he said. “Every night before I go to bed, I hit my knees and pray, 'Lord lead me in the right direction.' ”
McMillian’s isn’t the only standout linebacker for First Coast. His teammates Reggie Northrup and Joseph Jackson, who are committed to Miami and North Carolina respectively, combined for 16 tackles in the loss.
One bright spot for the Buccaneers was the the play of junior linebacker Daniel McMillian (6-foot-2, 220 pounds). McMillian posted 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a blocked field goal in the loss.
McMillian, who claims more than 40 scholarship offers, said now that his junior season has come to a close, he is planning on visiting several colleges. Though he can’t take official visits until his senior season, McMillian knows of one school who will get a visit.
“I plan on visiting a whole bunch of colleges coming up,” McMillian said. “Especially for my officials [visit] my senior year, Florida will be one of them, and I’ll commit at the U.S. Army game.”
McMillian said he has been in constant contact with Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
“He’s a great man,” McMillians said about Quinn. “I can talk to him about anything. He’ll be honest and truthful. He’ll tell me what I’m playing and he’ll be up front with me on what I need to do better. When I am doing good, he’ll tell me that too. He thinks I can play outside linebacker because I’m fast and can make a lot of plays, and I agree with him.
In addition to Florida, McMillian said he is hearing a lot from Alabama, Miami, Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina.
McMillian said he has a long way to go in the process and is not sure when he will narrow down his choices.
“I don’t really have a top three or top five,” he said. “Every night before I go to bed, I hit my knees and pray, 'Lord lead me in the right direction.' ”
McMillian’s isn’t the only standout linebacker for First Coast. His teammates Reggie Northrup and Joseph Jackson, who are committed to Miami and North Carolina respectively, combined for 16 tackles in the loss.
Watch List OT Raulerson gets 23rd offer 
December, 16, 2011
12/16/11
8:40
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ARLINGTON, Texas – Watch List offensive tackle Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas) is one of the most popular offensive linemen of the Class of 2013. He has 23 offers to prove it.
Raulerson picked up his 23rd offer -- and arguably one of his biggest -- from Ohio State on Thursday night. New Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is a familiar face of sorts, as Raulerson used to attend Meyer’s youth camps when he was at Florida.
“I had the chance to talk to him, and he said I had an offer,” said Raulerson, who was at Cowboys Stadium on Friday watching Argyle (Texas) and his friend, three-star tackle and Texas Tech commit Trey Keenan, play for the Texas Class 3A Division II championship against Wimberley (Texas).
Raulerson picked up his 23rd offer -- and arguably one of his biggest -- from Ohio State on Thursday night. New Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is a familiar face of sorts, as Raulerson used to attend Meyer’s youth camps when he was at Florida.
“I had the chance to talk to him, and he said I had an offer,” said Raulerson, who was at Cowboys Stadium on Friday watching Argyle (Texas) and his friend, three-star tackle and Texas Tech commit Trey Keenan, play for the Texas Class 3A Division II championship against Wimberley (Texas).
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- I know, I know, you can't turn anywhere these days without seeing Tim Tebow's face or getting someone's opinion on the guy. What's more Tebow content to Gator fans, though? It's not like you're in danger of Tebow burnout. Actually, today's Daily Tebow is filled with intriguing and uplifting tales. You know you want to click ...
Reilly and Bayless on Tebow Mania
First Take's Skip Bayless has gone off the deep end. He's left the studio so he can be closer to "his people," also known as Denver Broncos fans. Maybe he just needed a break from noted Tebow-denier Stephen A. Smith. Whatever. Someone should tell Skip about GatorNation's Daily Tebow.
More videos: Bayless also talked with Woody Paige, who says Tebow should be in the Pro Bowl. Another Tebow-denier, Mark Schlereth, explains why he won't hop on the bandwagon. Schlereth was booed lustily by the Denver crowd, despite the fact he won two Super Bowls as a Broncos offensive lineman.
Even more: Now here are some must-sees from First Take's YouTube channel: DJ Steve Porter mashes up Bayless in a catchy song called "All He Does Is Win" and ESPN personalities say whether they're on or not on #SkipsTebowBandwagon.
Suspended for 'Tebowing'
Riverhead High student Connor Carroll talks to SportsCenter about being suspended for 'Tebowing' in school.
LeGrand's motivation
Paralyzed Rutgers defensive lineman and lifelong Broncos fan Eric LeGrand joins SportsCenter to talk about the latest in his recovery and being motivated by Tebow.
How Pats Can Stop Tebow-Time
The NFL Live crew looks ahead to the Patriots-Broncos game this Sunday.
Tebow, Broncos CAN beat Patriots
Sarah Phillips writes the ever-insightful "Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics" for Page 2. She checks in with this affirmation that those who doubt Tebow come to know Tebow. She also just started following me on Twitter, which is flattering. You should follow me, too.
Lindsey Vonn talks of friendship with Tebow
After meeting Tebow at the ESPYs this past summer, rumors have swirled of Vonn dating Tebow. She clears the air, explaining that she's only just begun divorce proceedings, while acknowleging it probably didn't help when she was recently seen sitting in the Tebow family box for last Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears ... or that she was photographed "Tebowing" after winning a recent Super-G event.
Reilly and Bayless on Tebow Mania
First Take's Skip Bayless has gone off the deep end. He's left the studio so he can be closer to "his people," also known as Denver Broncos fans. Maybe he just needed a break from noted Tebow-denier Stephen A. Smith. Whatever. Someone should tell Skip about GatorNation's Daily Tebow.
More videos: Bayless also talked with Woody Paige, who says Tebow should be in the Pro Bowl. Another Tebow-denier, Mark Schlereth, explains why he won't hop on the bandwagon. Schlereth was booed lustily by the Denver crowd, despite the fact he won two Super Bowls as a Broncos offensive lineman.
Even more: Now here are some must-sees from First Take's YouTube channel: DJ Steve Porter mashes up Bayless in a catchy song called "All He Does Is Win" and ESPN personalities say whether they're on or not on #SkipsTebowBandwagon.
Suspended for 'Tebowing'
Riverhead High student Connor Carroll talks to SportsCenter about being suspended for 'Tebowing' in school.
LeGrand's motivation
Paralyzed Rutgers defensive lineman and lifelong Broncos fan Eric LeGrand joins SportsCenter to talk about the latest in his recovery and being motivated by Tebow.
How Pats Can Stop Tebow-Time
The NFL Live crew looks ahead to the Patriots-Broncos game this Sunday.
Tebow, Broncos CAN beat Patriots
Sarah Phillips writes the ever-insightful "Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics" for Page 2. She checks in with this affirmation that those who doubt Tebow come to know Tebow. She also just started following me on Twitter, which is flattering. You should follow me, too.
Lindsey Vonn talks of friendship with Tebow
After meeting Tebow at the ESPYs this past summer, rumors have swirled of Vonn dating Tebow. She clears the air, explaining that she's only just begun divorce proceedings, while acknowleging it probably didn't help when she was recently seen sitting in the Tebow family box for last Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears ... or that she was photographed "Tebowing" after winning a recent Super-G event.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Most recruiting experts know about Miami running back commit Randy “Duke” Johnson and Illinois linebacker commit Keith Brown, and rightfully so.
The teammates helped Miami Norland defeat Crawfordville (Fla.) 38-0 in the FHSAA class 5A state championship game Friday afternoon.
Johnson accounted for 269 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, and Brown was in on several plays defensively, but it was a pair of 2013 prospects who are starting to garner attention.
Wakulla offensive linemen Chris Griffin said after the game that he is starting to hear from programs such as Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida State and Miami. Griffin, who is 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, camped at Florida over the summer and came away impressed with Florida offensive line coach Frank Verducci.
“It was good, I liked it,” Griffin said about Florida’s camp. “I liked him [Verducci] as a coach.”
Griffin admits he still needs to work on his run blocking. He said his best attribute is pass blocking.
“I think one of my biggest strengths is probably pass blocking,” he said. “I think I could improve my run blocking a little bit, getting off the ball quicker.”
Norland junior linebacker Treyvon Williams (5-11, 190) had several tackles on Friday, including a bone-jarring hit on a Wakulla running back in the second quarter.
Williams said he has no early offers, but schools are showing interest.
“Miami, Rutgers and Alabama have been sending me a lot of letters and stuff like that,” Williams said. Williams said the hometown Hurricanes are standing out early for him.
“I like Miami. If not Miami, I like Alabama,” he said. “I just like the tradition and the swag. They play football hard.”
Williams hasn’t heard from Florida but said he expects to soon.
The teammates helped Miami Norland defeat Crawfordville (Fla.) 38-0 in the FHSAA class 5A state championship game Friday afternoon.
Johnson accounted for 269 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, and Brown was in on several plays defensively, but it was a pair of 2013 prospects who are starting to garner attention.
Wakulla offensive linemen Chris Griffin said after the game that he is starting to hear from programs such as Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida State and Miami. Griffin, who is 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, camped at Florida over the summer and came away impressed with Florida offensive line coach Frank Verducci.
“It was good, I liked it,” Griffin said about Florida’s camp. “I liked him [Verducci] as a coach.”
Griffin admits he still needs to work on his run blocking. He said his best attribute is pass blocking.
“I think one of my biggest strengths is probably pass blocking,” he said. “I think I could improve my run blocking a little bit, getting off the ball quicker.”
Norland junior linebacker Treyvon Williams (5-11, 190) had several tackles on Friday, including a bone-jarring hit on a Wakulla running back in the second quarter.
Williams said he has no early offers, but schools are showing interest.
“Miami, Rutgers and Alabama have been sending me a lot of letters and stuff like that,” Williams said. Williams said the hometown Hurricanes are standing out early for him.
“I like Miami. If not Miami, I like Alabama,” he said. “I just like the tradition and the swag. They play football hard.”
Williams hasn’t heard from Florida but said he expects to soon.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Bowl season kicks off with three games on Saturday. It's the most wonderful time of the year! That's the song that plays over and over in my head during bowl season. So let's go back to the bowls ...
Taking the temperature of bowl season
Mark Schlabach looks at what's hot and what's not this postseason. The SEC, as always, is hot. The Pac-12, New Year's Day and the coaching carousel are not.
What to watch in the SEC bowls
SEC blogger Edward Aschoff checks in with five things to watch in the league's bowl games. The coordinator shuffle and Urban Meyer are on his list.
VIDEO: The Best of the non-BCS bowls
Ivan Maisel and Gene Wojciechowski offer up their selections for the best non-BCS bowl games. They like the Outback and Cotton and are intrigued by the Gator (or "The Urban Meyer Challenge" as Maisel calls it). Woj agrees that Meyer will cast a sizable shadow over this game, and Florida has a chance to put a "complete trainwreck" of a season in the rear-view mirror.
Picking all 35 college bowl games for 2011 season
Will Harris has all his picks and confidence points for the 2011-12 edition of College Bowl Mania. He picks Ohio State over Florida in the Gator Bowl, giving UF only one advantage -- home cookin' from a partisan crowd. Also, check out Pickcenter Plus (Insider) to take all the guesswork out of your bowl picks.
SEC podcast
SEC bloggers Chris Low and the aforementioned Aschoff discuss all the coaching movement in the conference. Who will replace Charlie Weis in orange and blue?
Big Ten is best bowl conference (Insider)
ESPN Insider KC Joyner writes that while the SEC deserves the attention it receives, a look at the numbers shows that the Big Ten is underrated as a league this season and will win more bowl games.
On to the recruiting trail, and I know it's like a broken record, but that Meyer guy can be persuasive ...
Urban renewal (Insider)
Meyer flipped a pair of ESPNU 150 prospects from conference rivals, and has other top recruits now considering the Buckeyes. Safe to say recruiting in the Big Ten might never be the same.
Let's check out the first Bracketology of the year ...
Bracketology
Joe Lunardi has Florida as a No. 4 seed, so no need to watch the bubble picture at this time (if you insist, here's a full Insider rundown). You can also read the chat transcript from Thursday.
Taking the temperature of bowl season
Mark Schlabach looks at what's hot and what's not this postseason. The SEC, as always, is hot. The Pac-12, New Year's Day and the coaching carousel are not.
What to watch in the SEC bowls
SEC blogger Edward Aschoff checks in with five things to watch in the league's bowl games. The coordinator shuffle and Urban Meyer are on his list.
VIDEO: The Best of the non-BCS bowls
Ivan Maisel and Gene Wojciechowski offer up their selections for the best non-BCS bowl games. They like the Outback and Cotton and are intrigued by the Gator (or "The Urban Meyer Challenge" as Maisel calls it). Woj agrees that Meyer will cast a sizable shadow over this game, and Florida has a chance to put a "complete trainwreck" of a season in the rear-view mirror.
Picking all 35 college bowl games for 2011 season
Will Harris has all his picks and confidence points for the 2011-12 edition of College Bowl Mania. He picks Ohio State over Florida in the Gator Bowl, giving UF only one advantage -- home cookin' from a partisan crowd. Also, check out Pickcenter Plus (Insider) to take all the guesswork out of your bowl picks.
SEC podcast
SEC bloggers Chris Low and the aforementioned Aschoff discuss all the coaching movement in the conference. Who will replace Charlie Weis in orange and blue?
Big Ten is best bowl conference (Insider)
ESPN Insider KC Joyner writes that while the SEC deserves the attention it receives, a look at the numbers shows that the Big Ten is underrated as a league this season and will win more bowl games.
On to the recruiting trail, and I know it's like a broken record, but that Meyer guy can be persuasive ...
Urban renewal (Insider)
Meyer flipped a pair of ESPNU 150 prospects from conference rivals, and has other top recruits now considering the Buckeyes. Safe to say recruiting in the Big Ten might never be the same.
Let's check out the first Bracketology of the year ...
Bracketology
Joe Lunardi has Florida as a No. 4 seed, so no need to watch the bubble picture at this time (if you insist, here's a full Insider rundown). You can also read the chat transcript from Thursday.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida won’t have many visitors this weekend, but all four will be important in how the Gators' 2012 recruiting class unfolds. Here’s an unofficial list of who will be here:
• Leonard Williams (6-4/260, Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) Williams is being recruited by Florida as a strongside defensive end or defensive tackle. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he is big and athletic enough to play either. Williams has said recently that Auburn and Florida were his top two schools but sounded like Auburn seemed to have the slight advantage over the Gators. This visit and the departure of Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof to Central Florida could go a long way in Williams recruitment.
• Visesio Salt (6-3/340, Walnut, Calif./Mt. San Antonio C.C.) Salt visited Cal last weekend and came away very impressed. With his massive frame, Salt is the big defensive tackle Florida is looking for to play in their 3-4 defense. Cal appears to be the leader at this time, but things could change after he visits Gainesville.
• Leonard Williams (6-4/260, Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) Williams is being recruited by Florida as a strongside defensive end or defensive tackle. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he is big and athletic enough to play either. Williams has said recently that Auburn and Florida were his top two schools but sounded like Auburn seemed to have the slight advantage over the Gators. This visit and the departure of Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof to Central Florida could go a long way in Williams recruitment.
• Visesio Salt (6-3/340, Walnut, Calif./Mt. San Antonio C.C.) Salt visited Cal last weekend and came away very impressed. With his massive frame, Salt is the big defensive tackle Florida is looking for to play in their 3-4 defense. Cal appears to be the leader at this time, but things could change after he visits Gainesville.
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Meyer offers Watch List defensive end
December, 15, 2011
12/15/11
10:12
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Avon (Ind.) junior Elijah Daniel was starting to think Ohio State just wasn’t going to recruit him. Then he got a phone number for new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and gave him a call.
“It was real good,” Daniel said of the conversation, which ended with an offer. “He was talking about my work ethic and that he likes coaching guys like me and that he’s put a lot of defensive ends in the league.”
Daniel, a Watch List member who already holds offers from a handful of prestigious programs, thought the ship had already sailed on an Ohio State offer.
“It was real good,” Daniel said of the conversation, which ended with an offer. “He was talking about my work ethic and that he likes coaching guys like me and that he’s put a lot of defensive ends in the league.”
Daniel, a Watch List member who already holds offers from a handful of prestigious programs, thought the ship had already sailed on an Ohio State offer.
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It has been a busy week for Noah Spence (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt), the No. 4 overall player in the country. After shutting down his recruitment for most of his senior season, Spence probably has more on his plate now than he has since September.
On Monday, LSU and Notre Dame made in-home visits. Friday, Spence will play in the state championship game. And on Saturday, he will visit Ohio State, his first official of the process and first visit to Columbus.
What does Spence's father, Greg, say about what the family is most looking forward to on the OSU visit?
On Monday, LSU and Notre Dame made in-home visits. Friday, Spence will play in the state championship game. And on Saturday, he will visit Ohio State, his first official of the process and first visit to Columbus.
What does Spence's father, Greg, say about what the family is most looking forward to on the OSU visit?
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Florida program coordinator staying
December, 15, 2011
12/15/11
2:25
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- When Florida’s director of administration and recruiting Mark Pantoni left to join new Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer in Columbus, Florida replaced Pantoni with program coordinator Brendan Donovan.
A source close to the Florida program confirmed on Wednesday that Donovan has turned down an offer to join Charlie Weis’ staff at Kansas, electing to stay at Florida.
The source said Donovan, who worked under Weis at Notre Dame, chose to stay because Florida head coach Will Muschamp and Weis were good friends, and Donovan didn’t feel like he was betraying Weis by remaining in Gainesville.
A source close to the Florida program confirmed on Wednesday that Donovan has turned down an offer to join Charlie Weis’ staff at Kansas, electing to stay at Florida.
The source said Donovan, who worked under Weis at Notre Dame, chose to stay because Florida head coach Will Muschamp and Weis were good friends, and Donovan didn’t feel like he was betraying Weis by remaining in Gainesville.
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Chomp Confidential: Recruiting notes
December, 15, 2011
12/15/11
2:20
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GatorNation brings you the latest installment of Chomp Confidential, a look inside Florida football recruiting for GatorNation subscribers only.
As with anything confidential, what's reported in the weekly Chomp Confidential must stay in The Chompions Club forum. We are providing this information for our subscribers and expect you will keep the information here.
A few things discussed in this week's update:
Check out the weekly Chomp Confidential.
As with anything confidential, what's reported in the weekly Chomp Confidential must stay in The Chompions Club forum. We are providing this information for our subscribers and expect you will keep the information here.
A few things discussed in this week's update:
- Latest on RB Mike Davis
- Where does Florida stand with Agholor, Diggs?
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McCord to see Georgia
ESPNU 150 defensive end Tyriq McCord (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson) will be taking his official visit to Georgia this weekend.
McCord has already taken official visits to Miami and South Carolina. TCU and USC will also get official visits in January. His final group of schools also includes Florida but the Gators won’t get an official visit.
ESPNU 150 defensive end Tyriq McCord (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson) will be taking his official visit to Georgia this weekend.
McCord has already taken official visits to Miami and South Carolina. TCU and USC will also get official visits in January. His final group of schools also includes Florida but the Gators won’t get an official visit.
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Two big visitors for LSU
It won’t be a big weekend, numbers wise at LSU, but there are two very big recruits officially visiting the Tigers in five-star safety Landon Collins (Geismar, La./Dutchtown) and athlete Anthony Alford (Petal, Miss.)
Collins, the No. 7 overall recruit in the ESPNU 150, made his official visit to Alabama back in November when the Crimson Tide hosted the Tigers. He was scheduled to visit Texas this past weekend but had to cancel that trip.
It won’t be a big weekend, numbers wise at LSU, but there are two very big recruits officially visiting the Tigers in five-star safety Landon Collins (Geismar, La./Dutchtown) and athlete Anthony Alford (Petal, Miss.)
Collins, the No. 7 overall recruit in the ESPNU 150, made his official visit to Alabama back in November when the Crimson Tide hosted the Tigers. He was scheduled to visit Texas this past weekend but had to cancel that trip.
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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.