Florida Gators: Florida recruiting
Central Florida drives UF's recruiting 
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
8:00
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- South Florida used to be where college football coaches would flock to try to land the next great football star. For the most part, that is still the case -- but Florida's focus appears to have shifted north.
Since Florida coach Will Muschamp took the reins at UF, the Gators have finished with recruiting classes ranked Nos. 12, 4 and 2 in the country.
Of the 61 players signed in those three classes, only 18 percent (11) were from South Florida.
Since Florida coach Will Muschamp took the reins at UF, the Gators have finished with recruiting classes ranked Nos. 12, 4 and 2 in the country.
Of the 61 players signed in those three classes, only 18 percent (11) were from South Florida.
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Junior college defensive tackle Jarran Reed (Goldsboro, N.C./East Mississippi CC) has signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of Florida.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman chose Florida over Alabama.
Reed, who previously had been committed to Ole Miss before officially decommitting last Thursday, joins two other defensive tackles in Florida's class: commit Caleb Brantley and early enrollee Darious Cummings.
Reed, Cummings and Florida defensive tackle Damien Jacobs all attended EMCC.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman chose Florida over Alabama.
Reed, who previously had been committed to Ole Miss before officially decommitting last Thursday, joins two other defensive tackles in Florida's class: commit Caleb Brantley and early enrollee Darious Cummings.
Reed, Cummings and Florida defensive tackle Damien Jacobs all attended EMCC.
DT Jay-nard Bostwick signs with Florida
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
8:30
AM ET
By
Mitch Sherman and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick (Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Centennial) joined Florida's No. 1-ranked recruiting class on Wednesday morning, making the announcement in a ceremony at his high school. Bostwick picked the Gators over Alabama and Miami.
He is the 27th-ranked player nationally at his position and 286th in the ESPN 300.
He is the 27th-ranked player nationally at his position and 286th in the ESPN 300.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida defensive back commitment Nick Washington took some time this weekend to respond to questions from Florida fans that were submitted on Twitter using the #AskNW hashtag. Nick's answer's were not altered in anyway. If you have more questions for Nick, feel free to send him a message on Twitter: @NickWashingtonn.
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GatorNation recruiting reporter Derek Tyson answered UF-related questions via Twitter -- below are the highlights. See the full chat thread here.
ATLANTA -- Some of the players in the new ESPN 150, such as No. 2 Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton), did not have any offers before they were invited to play in the 2011 Georgia Junior Bowl. Some had only one offer, like running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), who is now the No. 32 player in the 150 and is set to choose between Alabama and Georgia.
This year, tailback Sedrick Palmer (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) hopes to be the breakout player whose performance in the Junior Bowl has heads turning.
Palmer is a powerfully built 5-foot-10, 205-pound junior who has also played linebacker. He impressed his coaches and onlookers in the first three practices before the all-star game.
This year, tailback Sedrick Palmer (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) hopes to be the breakout player whose performance in the Junior Bowl has heads turning.
Palmer is a powerfully built 5-foot-10, 205-pound junior who has also played linebacker. He impressed his coaches and onlookers in the first three practices before the all-star game.
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CROSS CITY, Fla. -- ESPN Watch List defensive back Duke Dawson (Cross City, Fla./Dixie County) has verbally committed to Florida. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior chose the Gators over in-state rival Florida State.
Dawson announced his decision at a ceremony held at his high school Tuesday afternoon.
The talented 2014 safety said his relationship with the Florida program is what ultimately persuaded him to choose the Gators.
"For one, I have felt the love there since day one and things haven't changed since," Dawson said. "I love talking to Coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson), Coach [Will] Muschamp, Coach [Bryant] Young, Coach [Jeff] Dillman and the rest of them."
Dawson's comfort level with Florida started after receiving his first official scholarship offer at Florida's camp during the summer.
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Derek Tyson/ESPNWatch List DB Duke Dawson committed to UF's 2014 class, citing a great relationship with coaches.
Derek Tyson/ESPNWatch List DB Duke Dawson committed to UF's 2014 class, citing a great relationship with coaches.The talented 2014 safety said his relationship with the Florida program is what ultimately persuaded him to choose the Gators.
"For one, I have felt the love there since day one and things haven't changed since," Dawson said. "I love talking to Coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson), Coach [Will] Muschamp, Coach [Bryant] Young, Coach [Jeff] Dillman and the rest of them."
Dawson's comfort level with Florida started after receiving his first official scholarship offer at Florida's camp during the summer.
The commitment of Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County) on Monday is huge for the Gators. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Robinson has the size and athleticism that will allow him to compete for playing time early.
Robinson is the only one of Florida's five WR commits slated to enroll early. If he follows through with his plan, the U.S. Army All-American has a chance to earn a starting spot early in his career.
Quinton Dunbar led all Florida receivers with just 306 receiving yards. After Dunbar, Andre Debose stands second among returning receivers with two receptions for 11 yards. Florida needs production from its wideouts and needs it now.
Robinson is the only one of Florida's five WR commits slated to enroll early. If he follows through with his plan, the U.S. Army All-American has a chance to earn a starting spot early in his career.
Quinton Dunbar led all Florida receivers with just 306 receiving yards. After Dunbar, Andre Debose stands second among returning receivers with two receptions for 11 yards. Florida needs production from its wideouts and needs it now.
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ATLANTA -- Two of the Peach State’s top outside linebackers recently met in the backfield of the Rising Seniors Bowl game and threw down the West team’s quarterback, Brooks Barden (Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville). Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) came of the right end and Dante Sawyer (Flowery Branch, Ga./North Gwinnett) crashed the left side and both caught Barden before he could slip away. While it was clear Barden never had a chance, credit for the sack was a highly-contested debate.
“Oh, that was my sack.” Allen-Williams said. “Look, Dante and I had a little bet going on to see who would get the most sacks, so we ended up tying on them. So you know [when] there are two good ends on this field, you’re bound to have a good pass rush every now and then.”
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- 2014 defensive end Keyon Brown (Wauchula, Fla./Hardee) had a blistering pace to his process going when four offers flew in from Louisiana-Lafayette, Miami, Pittsburgh and UCF.
Things now have been a little more manageable. Brown says he's still talking to teams the same, but it is at a slower rate.
"Right now, I am not really decided or anything like that," he said. "I probably won't decide until next year where I am going. The recruiting process started off crazy. It has kind of slowed down, it is steady, but it isn't as crazy as it was."
Things now have been a little more manageable. Brown says he's still talking to teams the same, but it is at a slower rate.
"Right now, I am not really decided or anything like that," he said. "I probably won't decide until next year where I am going. The recruiting process started off crazy. It has kind of slowed down, it is steady, but it isn't as crazy as it was."
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (Crescent City, Fla./Crescent City) decommitted from Florida after the Under Armour All-America Game practice on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound athlete announced his decision via Twitter and later confirmed with ESPN.com.
Brantley, who had been committed to Florida since Jan. 28, declined to comment on his change of heart other than that he was opening things back up and was planning to take his official visits.
Brantley said he was unsure of which schools he intends to visit.
The Gators have 24 verbal commitments in the nation's top-ranked recruiting class, but only one defensive tackle among them: junior college transfer Darious Cummings.
Brantley, who had been committed to Florida since Jan. 28, declined to comment on his change of heart other than that he was opening things back up and was planning to take his official visits.
Brantley said he was unsure of which schools he intends to visit.
The Gators have 24 verbal commitments in the nation's top-ranked recruiting class, but only one defensive tackle among them: junior college transfer Darious Cummings.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. –- On Day 3 of practice for the Under Armour All-America Game at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) finally confirmed what has been speculated around the recruiting world for months.
“It would be hard to see myself not going to Ole Miss because it is a family thing,” Nkemdiche said. “My whole family wants me to go there. They are on the rise and doing a lot of good things.
"Ole Miss is the team to beat, but LSU is still in the mix, too."
“It would be hard to see myself not going to Ole Miss because it is a family thing,” Nkemdiche said. “My whole family wants me to go there. They are on the rise and doing a lot of good things.
"Ole Miss is the team to beat, but LSU is still in the mix, too."
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN 150 defensive end Elijah Daniel (Avon, Ind./Avon) recently visited Ole Miss. The 6-foot-3, 249-pound athlete said he was impressed with the Rebels had to offer.
"It was probably the best visit I've ever taken during the recruiting process," Daniel said.
Daniel, who has also taken official visits to Marshall and Mississippi State, will officially visit Florida on Jan. 11. The four-star end said he is just looking to interact with the Florida coaches on his visit.
"It was probably the best visit I've ever taken during the recruiting process," Daniel said.
Daniel, who has also taken official visits to Marshall and Mississippi State, will officially visit Florida on Jan. 11. The four-star end said he is just looking to interact with the Florida coaches on his visit.
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Hargreaves ready to get reacquainted
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
3:34
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With a strong performance at the Under Armour All-America Game this week, five-star defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (Tampa, Fla./Wharton) would have an opportunity to earn the top overall ranking in the ESPN 150.
However the nation’s top-rated cornerback says he won’t play for rankings, even the one held by Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson).
“No I’m not really into the rankings and you know that,” Hargreaves said. “I only found out I moved up off of Twitter when someone told me. I just want to enjoy the great competition.”
However the nation’s top-rated cornerback says he won’t play for rankings, even the one held by Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson).
“No I’m not really into the rankings and you know that,” Hargreaves said. “I only found out I moved up off of Twitter when someone told me. I just want to enjoy the great competition.”
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators landed a commitment from arguably their top overall 2014 target as ESPN Watch List quarterback Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day) gave his pledge to Florida today.
Grier, a dual-threat quarterback, chose Florida over in-state programs North Carolina and NC State, as well as Tennessee.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller is the son of Davidson Day's coach and has all of the intangibles a team could want from a quarterback. He is a strong-armed, accurate and athletic quarterback.
Grier, a dual-threat quarterback, chose Florida over in-state programs North Carolina and NC State, as well as Tennessee.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller is the son of Davidson Day's coach and has all of the intangibles a team could want from a quarterback. He is a strong-armed, accurate and athletic quarterback.
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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.