Florida Gators: Recruiting
ORLANDO, Fla. -- ESPN 150 safety Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) has set his college decision date for Nov. 16.
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety will chose between Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas. Harris hyperexented his knee in Dr. Phillips game last Thursday. The injury isn't severe and will only keep him out a few weeks, but Harris said it was enough for him to rethink his recruiting strategy.
"I took four official visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Florida State and Florida," Harris said. "I don't think there will be a fifth one with everything that's going on. My recruiting has been going pretty good. I've been talking with my coaches almost everyday. I think I'll have my decision by Nov. 16."
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety will chose between Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas. Harris hyperexented his knee in Dr. Phillips game last Thursday. The injury isn't severe and will only keep him out a few weeks, but Harris said it was enough for him to rethink his recruiting strategy.
"I took four official visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Florida State and Florida," Harris said. "I don't think there will be a fifth one with everything that's going on. My recruiting has been going pretty good. I've been talking with my coaches almost everyday. I think I'll have my decision by Nov. 16."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With their second top 10 matchup in three weeks, the Florida Gators will once again be bringing in several top prospects for Saturday's game against the No. 7-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. The list is heavy on prospects who are verbally committed to other schools, but there will be at least two big uncommitted prospects in attendance.
Four-star offensive guard David Dawson (No. 87 in ESPN 300; Detroit/Cass Tech) decommitted from Michigan just last week, and the Gators appear to be in the driver's seat for his services. Dawson, who will be taking his official visit to UF, said he is looking forward to spending time with other Florida commits on his visit to Gainesville.
"I'm just looking forward to seeing the campus, getting to chill with some of the other Florida commits again," Dawson said. "I'm also looking forward to seeing the facilities and all the Nike gear they have."
Four-star offensive guard David Dawson (No. 87 in ESPN 300; Detroit/Cass Tech) decommitted from Michigan just last week, and the Gators appear to be in the driver's seat for his services. Dawson, who will be taking his official visit to UF, said he is looking forward to spending time with other Florida commits on his visit to Gainesville.
"I'm just looking forward to seeing the campus, getting to chill with some of the other Florida commits again," Dawson said. "I'm also looking forward to seeing the facilities and all the Nike gear they have."
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Dawgs, Tide out in front for Laremy Tunsil 
October, 19, 2012
10/19/12
10:59
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- Five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) will take an unofficial visit to Florida for its game against South Carolina on Saturday. For the 6-foot-6, 295-pound No. 1-ranked offensive lineman in the country, this will be his second visit to Gainesville in the last three weeks.
Tunsil, who visited Florida for its game against LSU, said he enjoyed his trip to the Swamp.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators hosted several top prospects for their 14-6 victory over LSU on Saturday. Though Florida only had one official visitor, wide receiver Marquez North (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek), the Gators also brought in five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), Notre Dame linebacker commit Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), four-star safety Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips), four-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly Co.) and Florida State offensive line commit Ira Denson (Madison, Fla./Madison Co.).
Denson, the No. 3-ranked guard in the country, was impressed with Florida's offensive line enough that he set his official visit to Florida for the South Carolina game in two weeks. Florida's offensive line paved the way for running back Mike Gillislee, who was named offensive player of the week in the SEC. The Gators have been chasing Georgia and Alabama for Tunsil's services, but after a dominating performance by the line the Gators could be right back in the picture for the talented left tackle prospect.
Anzalone has been to Florida a few times since he committed to Notre Dame. The four-star prospect declined to speak with ESPN's GatorNation because he said Notre Dame coaches asked him not to do interviews after his visit to Florida.
Denson, the No. 3-ranked guard in the country, was impressed with Florida's offensive line enough that he set his official visit to Florida for the South Carolina game in two weeks. Florida's offensive line paved the way for running back Mike Gillislee, who was named offensive player of the week in the SEC. The Gators have been chasing Georgia and Alabama for Tunsil's services, but after a dominating performance by the line the Gators could be right back in the picture for the talented left tackle prospect.
Anzalone has been to Florida a few times since he committed to Notre Dame. The four-star prospect declined to speak with ESPN's GatorNation because he said Notre Dame coaches asked him not to do interviews after his visit to Florida.
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2014 QB Will Grier has "great" trip to UF
October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Top 2014 signal-caller Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day) played a game on Friday night, then drove in an RV with his family down to Gainesville to watch Florida take on LSU in the Swamp. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound quarterback said he loved what he saw from the Gators on Saturday.
"I had a great trip to Florida," Grier said. "The game was amazing and the stadium was extremely loud. I wanted to get dressed out and play."
Despite Florida's offensive struggles early on in the game, Grier says he could see himself playing for the Gators.
"I had a great trip to Florida," Grier said. "The game was amazing and the stadium was extremely loud. I wanted to get dressed out and play."
Despite Florida's offensive struggles early on in the game, Grier says he could see himself playing for the Gators.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators will be hosting several top 2013 and 2014 recruits when they take on LSU in The Swamp on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The list is headlined by five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), four-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly Co.), four-star safety Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) and four-star wide receiver Marquez North (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek), all of whom are in the ESPN 150.
This unofficial visit for Adams comes as somewhat of a surprise. Adams, the No. 11-ranked player in the country, has mentioned schools such as Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, USC, Oregon and LSU, but has rarely talked about Florida. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound tackle said he will take this opportunity to learn about the Florida program.
The list is headlined by five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), four-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly Co.), four-star safety Marcell Harris (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) and four-star wide receiver Marquez North (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek), all of whom are in the ESPN 150.
This unofficial visit for Adams comes as somewhat of a surprise. Adams, the No. 11-ranked player in the country, has mentioned schools such as Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, USC, Oregon and LSU, but has rarely talked about Florida. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound tackle said he will take this opportunity to learn about the Florida program.
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New Bama commit Henry has big night
September, 29, 2012
9/29/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
YULEE, Fla. -- After committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier in the day, four-star running back Derrick Henry capped off his exciting day by helping his Yulee (Fla.) team defeat Kelvin Taylor and his Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Day team 42-6 on Friday night. The 6-foot-3, 243-pound Henry rushed for 362 yards and six touchdowns on 35 carries.
Henry has amassed 864 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two weeks and now has 1,753 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in only five games this season. He has totaled 9,617 rushing yards in his career and is on pace to break Ken Hall's (Sugarland, Texas) national career rushing record of 11,232 yards. If he continues his current pace, Henry will finish the regular season wih 3,506 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns.
In addition to the career rushing record, Henry has his sights set on yet another rushing record. Former NFL player Travis Henry (Frostproof, Fla./Frostproof) holds the single-season rushing record in Florida with 4,087 yards in 14 games. If Yulee (4-1) makes a playoff run, Derrick Henry has a good chance at breaking Travis Henry's record.
Henry has amassed 864 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two weeks and now has 1,753 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in only five games this season. He has totaled 9,617 rushing yards in his career and is on pace to break Ken Hall's (Sugarland, Texas) national career rushing record of 11,232 yards. If he continues his current pace, Henry will finish the regular season wih 3,506 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns.
In addition to the career rushing record, Henry has his sights set on yet another rushing record. Former NFL player Travis Henry (Frostproof, Fla./Frostproof) holds the single-season rushing record in Florida with 4,087 yards in 14 games. If Yulee (4-1) makes a playoff run, Derrick Henry has a good chance at breaking Travis Henry's record.
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DE Greg Gilmore rates Florida visit an 11
September, 24, 2012
9/24/12
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 defensive tackle Greg Gilmore (Home Mills, N.C./South View) took an official visit to Florida this past weekend. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound four-star tackle said he enjoyed his trip to Gainesville.
"It was great man," Gilmore said. "I had a great time. It was a good game. The defensive front played well and that's really what I'm looking for is the defensive front. The whole defense, the whole offense, everybody played well.
"I talked to the coaches all the time I was there pretty much. They told me I would be a key essential to putting their defense together. They were saying they need more guys -- more guys that are good coming out of high school and more guys that need less development. I mean everyone needs development, but they are looking for guys that can play early."
"It was great man," Gilmore said. "I had a great time. It was a good game. The defensive front played well and that's really what I'm looking for is the defensive front. The whole defense, the whole offense, everybody played well.
"I talked to the coaches all the time I was there pretty much. They told me I would be a key essential to putting their defense together. They were saying they need more guys -- more guys that are good coming out of high school and more guys that need less development. I mean everyone needs development, but they are looking for guys that can play early."
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Chomp Confidential: Weekend visits
September, 14, 2012
9/14/12
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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 exclusive, what's reported in the weekly Chomp Confidential must stay here. A few things discussed in this week's update:
- Recruiting never stops
- Quinton Powell wavering?
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Recruiting mailbag: Remaining UF targets
September, 6, 2012
9/06/12
7:59
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s time to dip in to the GatorNation recruiting mailbag and answer your questions. Because of the amount of questions we’ve received, we won’t be able to get to all of them today -- but we encourage you to post your questions on our Insider fan forum, The Chompions Club.
rmoreiro: How many more recruits do we take, and can you list the positions?
A: This can be a tricky question because a lot will depend on attrition. Also, if Florida is able to land a transfer such as former Nebraska offensive lineman Tyler Moore, that would affect the final number Florida would take in its 2013 recruiting class. Obviously, with the decommitments of Rod Johnson (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) and Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), the Gators would like to sign at least one more offensive lineman. Florida would also like a linebacker, Marcell Harris at safety and a defensive tackle. If there ends up being room, the Gators would also like to add a tight end. I specify Harris at safety because if the Gators miss on him, I don't believe they will take another safety.
rmoreiro: How many more recruits do we take, and can you list the positions?
A: This can be a tricky question because a lot will depend on attrition. Also, if Florida is able to land a transfer such as former Nebraska offensive lineman Tyler Moore, that would affect the final number Florida would take in its 2013 recruiting class. Obviously, with the decommitments of Rod Johnson (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) and Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), the Gators would like to sign at least one more offensive lineman. Florida would also like a linebacker, Marcell Harris at safety and a defensive tackle. If there ends up being room, the Gators would also like to add a tight end. I specify Harris at safety because if the Gators miss on him, I don't believe they will take another safety.
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2014 QB Wade Freebeck has Gators on top
September, 2, 2012
9/02/12
3:47
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback Wade Freebeck, a 2014 prospect, picked up his first and only offer, from Florida, after camping with the Gators this summer. The 6-foot-3, 168-pound signal-caller from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Western returned Saturday to watch the Gators take on Bowling Green.
Freebeck said he is impressed with what Florida has to offer.
"I loved it," Freebeck said. "They treat me right, I liked the experience in general. The atmosphere is unmatched wherever you go. The overall experience was great, though."
Freebeck said he is impressed with what Florida has to offer.
"I loved it," Freebeck said. "They treat me right, I liked the experience in general. The atmosphere is unmatched wherever you go. The overall experience was great, though."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 cornerback and Georgia verbal commit Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) visited Gainesville on Saturday to watch Florida take on Bowling Green. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Under Armour All-American said he enjoyed his visit to Florida.
"The trip went well," Wiggins said. "If anything, my favorite part was the crowd."
For Wiggins, he says he didn't pay too much attention to the game itself, but focused more on the cornerback play, specifically on Florida sophomore Marcus Roberson.
"The trip went well," Wiggins said. "If anything, my favorite part was the crowd."
For Wiggins, he says he didn't pay too much attention to the game itself, but focused more on the cornerback play, specifically on Florida sophomore Marcus Roberson.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On a record-breaking night, ESPN 150 athlete Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee) has set his announcement date to choose between Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
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Gators' opener rich with visiting recruits
August, 31, 2012
8/31/12
8:11
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators will be bringing in a handful of prospects to watch Florida take on Bowling Green in The Swamp on Saturday afternoon. Georgia offensive tackle commit Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College) will be the only official visitor for the Gators.
For Florida, the visit by Brown is very important. The Gators are looking to add two more offensive linemen in this class, and Brown appears to be wavering on his Georgia commitment.
"I am committed to Georgia, but not as solid as I was," Brown said on Tuesday night. "I have been hearing that they are telling Laremy Tunsil that they are going to put me at guard and him at tackle. I asked coach [Will] Friend about it, and he said they put the best five on the field. That led me to believe that they are saying that, but I am going to talk to coach [Mark] Richt about it because I am not trying to play guard.
For Florida, the visit by Brown is very important. The Gators are looking to add two more offensive linemen in this class, and Brown appears to be wavering on his Georgia commitment.
"I am committed to Georgia, but not as solid as I was," Brown said on Tuesday night. "I have been hearing that they are telling Laremy Tunsil that they are going to put me at guard and him at tackle. I asked coach [Will] Friend about it, and he said they put the best five on the field. That led me to believe that they are saying that, but I am going to talk to coach [Mark] Richt about it because I am not trying to play guard.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Some colleges emphasize the importance of receiving official visits from prospects they are recruiting, but for the University of Florida, nothing is more important than getting prospects on campus for unofficial visits.
Just how important are unofficial visits to the Gators? Consider that 17 of Florida's 20 2013 verbal commitments committed to the Gators within a week of unofficially visiting the school.
"They were extremely important," Hargreaves said of his multiple visits to Florida. "You really get to see what the program is all about. I look at it as basically an official visit but without the game and you don't spend the night. You really get to see everything else, though, like the locker room and getting to hang out with the other plays. You get to hang out with the coaches. You get to see the academics. It's extremely important.
"You can sit down with the coaches and you can kind of do what you want to do. You can tell the coaches what you want to see and what you want to talk about. I think it would have been hard to commit without taking those unofficial visits to Florida."
For Florida head coach Will Muschamp, it's not just about a prospect getting to know more about his program, but rather it's an opportunity to learn more about what type of player the Gators are recruiting.
Just how important are unofficial visits to the Gators? Consider that 17 of Florida's 20 2013 verbal commitments committed to the Gators within a week of unofficially visiting the school.
Official Look At Unofficial Visits
Unofficial visits in college football mean - and cost - more than ever. Max Olson »
• Florida: The key to it all
• FSU: Noles know what they mean
• Georgia: Coaches keeping busy
• LSU: Setting the tone
• Michigan: Recruits savor BBQ
• Ohio State: The U word
• Oklahoma: Why fight it?
• Oregon: Proof is in the visit
• Penn State: Sooner the better
• Texas: Tales from the road
• Washington: Get 'em on campus
"They were extremely important," Hargreaves said of his multiple visits to Florida. "You really get to see what the program is all about. I look at it as basically an official visit but without the game and you don't spend the night. You really get to see everything else, though, like the locker room and getting to hang out with the other plays. You get to hang out with the coaches. You get to see the academics. It's extremely important.
"You can sit down with the coaches and you can kind of do what you want to do. You can tell the coaches what you want to see and what you want to talk about. I think it would have been hard to commit without taking those unofficial visits to Florida."
For Florida head coach Will Muschamp, it's not just about a prospect getting to know more about his program, but rather it's an opportunity to learn more about what type of player the Gators are recruiting.
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.