Florida Gators: Will Grier
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators finished with the No. 2 overall recruiting class in the country last year and are again off to a hot start for the 2014 cycle. Six of Florida's 10 verbal commitments are in the new ESPN 300 rankings.
Running back Dalvin Cook (No. 22), who rushed for 1,501 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, continues to lead the way for Florida commits. Cook was previously committed to Clemson before making the switch to UF in early April.
Record-setting quarterback Will Grier dropped eight slots from No. 45 to No. 53, but will have a chance to improve his ranking with a strong performance at the Elite 11 camp at the end of the month.
Running back Dalvin Cook (No. 22), who rushed for 1,501 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, continues to lead the way for Florida commits. Cook was previously committed to Clemson before making the switch to UF in early April.
Record-setting quarterback Will Grier dropped eight slots from No. 45 to No. 53, but will have a chance to improve his ranking with a strong performance at the Elite 11 camp at the end of the month.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Spring evaluations are over and the summer camps are now upon us. The Gators will host a week-long camp starting Saturday. It’s their first of the summer.
The importance of Florida's camp cannot be understated. Two of Florida's eight verbal commitments, Will Grier and Duke Dawson, camped at Florida last summer. Both earned offers after having solid performances and both eventually gave their pledge to the Gators.
Dawson, who made the switch from quarterback to cornerback at last year's camp, said Florida's camp was invaluable to him as a prospect who was hoping to earn an offer.
The importance of Florida's camp cannot be understated. Two of Florida's eight verbal commitments, Will Grier and Duke Dawson, camped at Florida last summer. Both earned offers after having solid performances and both eventually gave their pledge to the Gators.
Dawson, who made the switch from quarterback to cornerback at last year's camp, said Florida's camp was invaluable to him as a prospect who was hoping to earn an offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators signed five wide receivers in their 2013 recruiting class, four of whom were rated four-star players. Florida, however, has no proven playmakers at the position and will once again try to sign some top pass-catchers for its 2014 class.
Florida parted ways with its lone 2014 wide receiver commit, Ryshene Bronson, because of some off-the-field concerns. Here's a closer look at some of the top wideouts the Gators are targeting.
Florida parted ways with its lone 2014 wide receiver commit, Ryshene Bronson, because of some off-the-field concerns. Here's a closer look at some of the top wideouts the Gators are targeting.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Offensive tackle prospect Denzel Ward didn't participate at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend at IMG Academy, where he attends school, but the 6-foot-8, 305-pound lineman came out to watch the competitive tournament.
Ward took time out to talk about the latest with his recruiting.
Ward took time out to talk about the latest with his recruiting.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators concluded spring football with a big recruiting weekend last weekend. Led by the commitment of running back Dalvin Cook, the Gators are on pace for yet another top recruiting class.
Now that spring is over, the Florida coaching staff is close to diving in to the spring evaluation period. Here is a closer look at some key recruiting events and dates to know in the upcoming months.
Now that spring is over, the Florida coaching staff is close to diving in to the spring evaluation period. Here is a closer look at some key recruiting events and dates to know in the upcoming months.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators picked up three commitments, Ahmad Fulwood, Tre Bell and Josh Outlaw, in last year's spring game. Two of the three, Outlaw and Bell, eventually signed elsewhere, but it catapulted the Gators in to the top of the recruiting rankings and paved the way for a very successful class.
This year, many big-time prospects are expected to be in attendance and Florida fans can only hope it brings similar success.
This year, many big-time prospects are expected to be in attendance and Florida fans can only hope it brings similar success.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Lessons Learned: Charlotte NFTC 
March, 24, 2013
Mar 24
6:07
PM ET
By Miller Safrit and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
CORNELIUS, N.C. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in the Charlotte area on Saturday as many top players from the Carolinas and beyond showcased their skills at Hough High School. With deep running back and linebacker groups set to go head-to-head, the weather ultimately might have been the big winner. In spite of cold temperatures and a chilling rain, several players earned MVP honors and many more stood out.
Recruiting Nation writers Miller Safrit and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Recruiting Nation writers Miller Safrit and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
UF week in review: defense and updates
March, 23, 2013
Mar 23
9:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Spring practice is nearly halfway over and the NCAA tournament is finally underway, and that makes it a busy week for Florida sports.
GatorNation kept you up to date, starting with a story about the middle of UF’s defense. Coach Will Muschamp believes you have to be strong up the middle -- meaning at defensive tackle, middle linebacker and safety, and he believes the Gators can do that despite having new starters at each position.
However, the Gators’ depth at linebacker took a bit of a blow with the loss of freshman early enrollee Alex Anzalone to a damaged labrum in his right shoulder. He’ll be out for the rest of the spring but should be cleared to return in August. Anzalone was No. 2 on the depth chart at middle linebacker behind starter Antonio Morrison. Darrin Kitchens, who is listed as the starter at weakside linebacker, is also taking reps at middle linebacker.
Anzalone was one of the players who drew praise from the coaches during the Gators’ two open practices last weekend. Ten observations from those two days can be found here.
UF also is overhauling the left side of its offensive line with new starters D.J. Humphries and Max Garcia.
GatorNation kept you up to date, starting with a story about the middle of UF’s defense. Coach Will Muschamp believes you have to be strong up the middle -- meaning at defensive tackle, middle linebacker and safety, and he believes the Gators can do that despite having new starters at each position.
However, the Gators’ depth at linebacker took a bit of a blow with the loss of freshman early enrollee Alex Anzalone to a damaged labrum in his right shoulder. He’ll be out for the rest of the spring but should be cleared to return in August. Anzalone was No. 2 on the depth chart at middle linebacker behind starter Antonio Morrison. Darrin Kitchens, who is listed as the starter at weakside linebacker, is also taking reps at middle linebacker.
Anzalone was one of the players who drew praise from the coaches during the Gators’ two open practices last weekend. Ten observations from those two days can be found here.
UF also is overhauling the left side of its offensive line with new starters D.J. Humphries and Max Garcia.
The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp circuit continues with the fourth installment this Sunday at Charlotte (N.C.) Hough High School. Both Carolinas, as well as a few standouts from eight other states, are set to attend the highly touted camp. Here are five storylines worth keeping an eye on as the camp approaches.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Though Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day) planned to be in Gainesville, Fla., over the weekend, the ESPN Watch List quarterback changed things up at the last minute to work out at the VTO Sports Prep 100 in Charlotte.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The VTOSports Prep 100 is annually one of the strongest fields for the camp series, and this year’s 208 participants certainly helped to continue that tradition of excellence.
Recruiting Nation writer Miller Safrit attended the event and here are five things he learned:
Recruiting Nation writer Miller Safrit attended the event and here are five things he learned:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s time to dip into 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.
kendallland1: How firm is Will Grier's commitment, and do you expect it to stick?
kendallland1: How firm is Will Grier's commitment, and do you expect it to stick?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
DT Travonte Valentine decommits from UF
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
10:02
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida lost its first recruit from the Class of 2014 on Saturday when defensive tackle Travonte Valentine announced via Facebook that he was decommiting.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Valentine (Palm Bay, Fla./Bayside) said on Facebook that he needs to "take a step back and [weigh] out my options."
The Watch List prospect later confirmed he had decommitted.
Valentine had previously been committed to Louisville before he told UF coach Will Muschamp last July 29 that he was giving his pledge to Florida.
The Gators have six players committed: Watch List QB Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day), Watch List WR Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar), Watch List S Duke Dawson (Cross City, Fla./Dixie County), OT Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand), Watch List OG Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Watch List linebacker Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley).
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Valentine (Palm Bay, Fla./Bayside) said on Facebook that he needs to "take a step back and [weigh] out my options."
The Watch List prospect later confirmed he had decommitted.
Valentine had previously been committed to Louisville before he told UF coach Will Muschamp last July 29 that he was giving his pledge to Florida.
The Gators have six players committed: Watch List QB Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day), Watch List WR Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar), Watch List S Duke Dawson (Cross City, Fla./Dixie County), OT Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand), Watch List OG Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Watch List linebacker Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley).
Recruiting outlook: 2014 and 2015
February, 13, 2013
Feb 13
8:00
AM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Will Muschamp not only signed one of the nation’s top classes last week, he was able to address most of the Gators’ needs in the process.
UF added five receivers, seven defensive linemen, and four linebackers to address the Gators’ most critical areas heading into the 2013 season. But now it’s time to look ahead.
Where do the Gators need the most help in 2014 and 2015? In what areas should Muschamp concentrate while on the recruiting trail?
UF added five receivers, seven defensive linemen, and four linebackers to address the Gators’ most critical areas heading into the 2013 season. But now it’s time to look ahead.
Where do the Gators need the most help in 2014 and 2015? In what areas should Muschamp concentrate while on the recruiting trail?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Now that signing day is complete, it's time to dive in to the GatorNation recruiting mailbag and answer the questions you want to know. 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 ask your questions on our Insider fan forum, The Chompions Club.
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.