Florida Gators: FSU recruiting
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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Recruiting rivalries: UF, FSU in 2014 
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
9:25
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
With just a few short months left until national signing day, Florida and Florida State, as always, have two of the best recruiting classes in the country. 2014 will be no different. Here's a look at some of the top prospects Florida and Florida State will battle for next year.
DE Andrew Williams (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing): The ESPN Watch List defensive end visited Florida over the summer and came away impressed with the Gators. Williams also visited FSU for its game against the Gators. Other schools will be heavily involved in Williams' recruitment, but these two schools are sure to be near his top schools throughout.
DE Denzel Ware (Crestview, Fla./Crestview): Ware has been committed to FSU since September, but the Gators continue to pursue the talented defensive end. Ware took an unofficial visit to Florida for a game this year and came away impressed. He remains firmly committed to FSU, but Florida is still lingering.
DE Andrew Williams (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing): The ESPN Watch List defensive end visited Florida over the summer and came away impressed with the Gators. Williams also visited FSU for its game against the Gators. Other schools will be heavily involved in Williams' recruitment, but these two schools are sure to be near his top schools throughout.
DE Denzel Ware (Crestview, Fla./Crestview): Ware has been committed to FSU since September, but the Gators continue to pursue the talented defensive end. Ware took an unofficial visit to Florida for a game this year and came away impressed. He remains firmly committed to FSU, but Florida is still lingering.
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- With the addition of ESPN 150 safety Marcell Harris, Florida has moved to the No. 1 spot in the latest class rankings.
The Trojans had held on to the top spot for a while -- with 16 of their 17 commits in the ESPN 300, and 11 in the ESPN 150. But Harris becoming Florida’s 10th ESPN 150 prospect and the 16th four-star recruit in UF's 22-player class was enough to overtake USC for the No. 1 ranking.
The Trojans had held on to the top spot for a while -- with 16 of their 17 commits in the ESPN 300, and 11 in the ESPN 150. But Harris becoming Florida’s 10th ESPN 150 prospect and the 16th four-star recruit in UF's 22-player class was enough to overtake USC for the No. 1 ranking.
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ESPN 150 S Marcell Harris picks UF
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- ESPN 150 safety Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) verbally committed to Florida on Thursday morning. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound four-star prospect chose Florida over Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas in a ceremony at his school.
Harris, whose father, Mike, played safety for the Gators in the mid 90s, said he felt Florida was the best fit for him.
"It just felt like the place I needed to be at," Harris said. "They are all great schools, they all fit my type of playing style, but in the end I had to pick Florida. The Florida coaching staff, they are all great to me. It's close to home as always, but that really never played a factor. It was just the family feeling, being at home and playing with some great players."
The No. 7-ranked safety said Florida coach Will Muschamp was quick to react when he informed him of his decision.
"He was just happy and excited," Harris said. "He was just happy to add me to the roster ...
"He got Vernon Hargreaves, he got Keanu Neal, Nick Washington and me. We have to build this 'No Fly Zone' and now we representing. We have to represent in 2014. We have a bright future ahead and there's more to come."
UF, FSU often clash for recruits
November, 20, 2012
11/20/12
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By
Corey Dowlar and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Florida State
Timmy Jernigan: Growing up, there was never a question where Jernigan would play his college football. And there wasn't a question if he would make it to the next level. He was elite, even from a young age. And Jernigan loved the Florida Gators.Defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins didn't waver, though. He continued working hard to get Jerngian on campus, coached him up on camps and eventually made headway. Finally, FSU got a stranglehold on Jernigan. And by the time national signing day rolled around, Florida didn't even send a letter of intent and Tallahassee was his destination.
James Wilder Jr.: A legend in the prep ranks from early on in his career, this powerful running back was considered to be a UF lean for a while. Florida State and Georgia entered the picture, too. All three programs battled it out intensely.
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Corey Holmes (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) is nearly through his junior season of football and continues to experience success on the field and in the recruiting process.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound receiver has added a couple of new offers, but with a newly-made highlight tape, perhaps some more could be on the way.
"My season has gone pretty well for me so far," he said. "I just made a new highlight tape for the first half of the season so I want to send that out to schools. I'm up to 11 offers now. UCF, Syracuse, Houston and Notre Dame are the latest ones."
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound receiver has added a couple of new offers, but with a newly-made highlight tape, perhaps some more could be on the way.
"My season has gone pretty well for me so far," he said. "I just made a new highlight tape for the first half of the season so I want to send that out to schools. I'm up to 11 offers now. UCF, Syracuse, Houston and Notre Dame are the latest ones."
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Linebacker Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) is no longer a commitment for LSU's 2014 class, his mother confirmed Tuesday.
Daub's reversal is the latest blurb in a long line of recruiting news for the Tigers this week -- though this is the first instance of bad news for LSU. The ESPN Watch List member projects to be one of the top players in the state of Florida next season, and he'll likely be one of the best defenders in the nation.
The decommitment doesn't come as a huge surprise with Daub, as he recently allowed earlier this season that he'd reopen his recruitment to other schools after having shut it down. The Tigers were hoping to reaffirm their status with Daub during last weekend's massive home game against Alabama, but he was unable to make the nine-hour trip.
Daub's reversal is the latest blurb in a long line of recruiting news for the Tigers this week -- though this is the first instance of bad news for LSU. The ESPN Watch List member projects to be one of the top players in the state of Florida next season, and he'll likely be one of the best defenders in the nation.
The decommitment doesn't come as a huge surprise with Daub, as he recently allowed earlier this season that he'd reopen his recruitment to other schools after having shut it down. The Tigers were hoping to reaffirm their status with Daub during last weekend's massive home game against Alabama, but he was unable to make the nine-hour trip.
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Giant OL Trenton Brown adds FSU offer
November, 4, 2012
11/04/12
4:59
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Florida State's coaches took advantage of the bye week by getting out on the road to scout and offer pitches to some of their top-rated recruits.
Offensive line coach Rick Trickett, always on the hunt for prospects to beef up his group in the trenches, even extended a new offer. While up in Georgia, Trickett made his interest in Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College) formal.
"I knew it was coming about two weeks ago, but it meant a lot to me from my favorite team growing up offering me a scholarship," he said. "They came on late for a reason and he told me why, but right now, I'd have to say it is between them, Florida and Oklahoma.
Offensive line coach Rick Trickett, always on the hunt for prospects to beef up his group in the trenches, even extended a new offer. While up in Georgia, Trickett made his interest in Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College) formal.
"I knew it was coming about two weeks ago, but it meant a lot to me from my favorite team growing up offering me a scholarship," he said. "They came on late for a reason and he told me why, but right now, I'd have to say it is between them, Florida and Oklahoma.
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J.C. Jackson takes a trip to Florida
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
7:00
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), a 2014 commitment to Florida State, traveled to Gainesville to see their in-state rivals Florida host South Carolina over the weekend.
The 6-foot, 185-pound ESPN Watch List member hadn't been to the Florida for a game yet, but definitely enjoyed his time there.
"It was an exciting game," he said. "That was my first time going to a Gator game.
The 6-foot, 185-pound ESPN Watch List member hadn't been to the Florida for a game yet, but definitely enjoyed his time there.
"It was an exciting game," he said. "That was my first time going to a Gator game.
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Denzel Ware (Crestview, Fla./Crestview), a 2014 Florida State commitment, made his way to Gainesville this weekend to see Florida host South Carolina.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end really liked what he saw out of the Gators and their emphatic win. And even went as far as to say he saw some things out of the program he hadn't seen yet out of the Seminoles.
"I don't know about options, but they showed me a lot of stuff that Florida State hasn't shown me. It was real great. I liked the campus. I got a chance to actually be around their team. They seem like a pretty good team to be around."
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end really liked what he saw out of the Gators and their emphatic win. And even went as far as to say he saw some things out of the program he hadn't seen yet out of the Seminoles.
"I don't know about options, but they showed me a lot of stuff that Florida State hasn't shown me. It was real great. I liked the campus. I got a chance to actually be around their team. They seem like a pretty good team to be around."
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Lineman Josh Outlaw claims FSU offer
September, 23, 2012
9/23/12
10:04
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Florida State is again active in the offensive lineman market with the unfortunate news of the football career-ending head injury to Richy Klepal (Tampa, Fla./Plant).
Offensive guard Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), a former Florida Gators commitment, said he recently added an offer from the Seminoles.
"They offered me a little while ago," Outlaw said. "I just didn't know about it."
Offensive guard Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), a former Florida Gators commitment, said he recently added an offer from the Seminoles.
"They offered me a little while ago," Outlaw said. "I just didn't know about it."
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Seminoles make impression on McQuay
September, 23, 2012
9/23/12
7:22
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Leon McQuay III (Seffner Fla./Armwood) certainly made the most of his Saturday.
The ESPN 150 safety started off in Gainesville, Fla., unexpectedly taking in the Florida-Kentucky game before heading up the road to Florida State for the showdown with Clemson. He wasn't able to spend too much time speaking with the Florida coaches because of the time crunch.
"It was all right," McQuay said of his time at the Gators' game. "I just watched the game and that's it."
The ESPN 150 safety started off in Gainesville, Fla., unexpectedly taking in the Florida-Kentucky game before heading up the road to Florida State for the showdown with Clemson. He wasn't able to spend too much time speaking with the Florida coaches because of the time crunch.
"It was all right," McQuay said of his time at the Gators' game. "I just watched the game and that's it."
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Keyon Brown's (Wauchula, Fla./Hardee) summer camp circuit was impressive no matter where he went.
In the month of July, both Florida and Florida State appeared to be on the verge of offering the 6-foot-2, 227-pound defensive end because of the performances they saw from him in person. Those offers haven't come yet, but still seem likely.
This Saturday, Brown expected to make the trip up to the state's capital city to take in the Clemson-Florida State game. But as it would turn out, other plans came up.
In the month of July, both Florida and Florida State appeared to be on the verge of offering the 6-foot-2, 227-pound defensive end because of the performances they saw from him in person. Those offers haven't come yet, but still seem likely.
This Saturday, Brown expected to make the trip up to the state's capital city to take in the Clemson-Florida State game. But as it would turn out, other plans came up.
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Though he himself doesn't garner all the headlines, Mason Cole (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake) anchors an offensive line that serves as a catalyst for a high-flying offense.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
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As isn't far from the norm at this time of the year, 2014 wide receiver Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer) is ready to get the season going.
Recruiting, then, goes to the back burner. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound target is OK with that, though.
"It is going pretty good right now," he said. "It is kind of slow right now, but everything has been going pretty good.
Recruiting, then, goes to the back burner. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound target is OK with that, though.
"It is going pretty good right now," he said. "It is kind of slow right now, but everything has been going pretty good.
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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.