Florida Gators: Florida Gators
One down, two more to go before we have a winner.
On Friday, power forward Anthony Bennett (Brampton, Ont./Findlay Prep) tidied up his remaining list of suitors and removed the Florida Gators from consideration. The Gators, for a long time, had been rumored to be the clubhouse leader.
“At first I really liked Florida but when [Brad] Beal decided to leave it affected me, cause I was looking forward to playing with him,” Bennett said.
On Friday, power forward Anthony Bennett (Brampton, Ont./Findlay Prep) tidied up his remaining list of suitors and removed the Florida Gators from consideration. The Gators, for a long time, had been rumored to be the clubhouse leader.
“At first I really liked Florida but when [Brad] Beal decided to leave it affected me, cause I was looking forward to playing with him,” Bennett said.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star linebacker prospect Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing HS) decommitted from Ohio State on Friday and has eliminated the Buckeyes from contention. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound athlete confirmed his decision to reopen his recruitment via text message.
"After discussing it with my family, it was truly a decision based on my best interest," Anzalone wrote.
Ranked as the No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 61 player overall in the ESPN 150, Anzalone said he is still considering Florida, Stanford, USC, Penn State and Notre Dame.
Anzalone, who has already committed to play in the Under Armour All-America game, said he has no new timetable for making a decision.
"After discussing it with my family, it was truly a decision based on my best interest," Anzalone wrote.
Ranked as the No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 61 player overall in the ESPN 150, Anzalone said he is still considering Florida, Stanford, USC, Penn State and Notre Dame.
Anzalone, who has already committed to play in the Under Armour All-America game, said he has no new timetable for making a decision.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Jackson (Miss.) Jackson Prep quarterback Ryan Buchanan has seen his stock continue to climb. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound prospect has started to hear from the Florida Gators recently.
Buchanan says three Florida coaches have been in contact.
"I've talked to coach [Derek] Lewis," Buchanan said. "He is the recruiting coordinator for my area, and I got some good feedback from him. Coach Aubrey Hill is coming by my school (today) and then coach [Brent] Pease is coming by my school next week sometime to watch me throw. I talked to Coach Pease for a while. He wants me to come down and see Florida when I can, so I'll probably get down there as soon as possible."
Buchanan says three Florida coaches have been in contact.
"I've talked to coach [Derek] Lewis," Buchanan said. "He is the recruiting coordinator for my area, and I got some good feedback from him. Coach Aubrey Hill is coming by my school (today) and then coach [Brent] Pease is coming by my school next week sometime to watch me throw. I talked to Coach Pease for a while. He wants me to come down and see Florida when I can, so I'll probably get down there as soon as possible."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end prospect Jordan Sherit from Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough visited Florida with his mother and stepfather on Saturday. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound athlete said he was blown away by his experience.
"It was great, it really was," Sherit said. "I've been to Florida before but this was like the pinnacle. I saw everything from the O'Dome to alligators. I got to share this opportunity with my parents and show them what it's all about. I think their opinion is better than what it was before."
Florida offered Sherit in early April. This was the first time his parents had been to Gainesville with their son holding an offer from a school that was one of his childhood favorites.
"It was great, it really was," Sherit said. "I've been to Florida before but this was like the pinnacle. I saw everything from the O'Dome to alligators. I got to share this opportunity with my parents and show them what it's all about. I think their opinion is better than what it was before."
Florida offered Sherit in early April. This was the first time his parents had been to Gainesville with their son holding an offer from a school that was one of his childhood favorites.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Madison County (Fla.) Madison County HS offensive lineman Ira Denson has seen his stock increase dramatically since his standout performance at the Orlando NFTC on Sunday.
The 6-foot-4, 308-pound guard prospect had offers from Florida International, Western Kentucky and South Alabama heading in to the weekend, but that list will likely increase in the near future.
Denson said Odell Haggins from Florida State, Brian White from Florida and Jeff Stoutland from Alabama have all contacted him after his performance in Orlando.
The 6-foot-4, 308-pound guard prospect had offers from Florida International, Western Kentucky and South Alabama heading in to the weekend, but that list will likely increase in the near future.
Denson said Odell Haggins from Florida State, Brian White from Florida and Jeff Stoutland from Alabama have all contacted him after his performance in Orlando.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Jordan Sherit of Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough was one of the top defensive ends to participate at the Orlando NFTC on Sunday. But the 6-foot-4, 238-pound athlete's day was cut short when he went down with a shoulder injury during one-on-one drills and was not able to return.
The competitive Sherit was disappointed with the injury but said he was able to take in some valuable coaching lessons during the camp.
"I felt I did well during these drills," Sherit said, "but the one-on-one's I didn't really get an opportunity to do as much as I would have liked. Overall, I thought I learned some things and I did well. I can go back to my school and build on these things and get better all around."
The competitive Sherit was disappointed with the injury but said he was able to take in some valuable coaching lessons during the camp.
"I felt I did well during these drills," Sherit said, "but the one-on-one's I didn't really get an opportunity to do as much as I would have liked. Overall, I thought I learned some things and I did well. I can go back to my school and build on these things and get better all around."
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Florida Gators were well represented at the Orlando NFTC on Sunday. Six Florida verbal commits made the trip to ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Disney, and the group did not disappoint.
Four-star linebacker commit Quinton Powell led the way for the future Gators, as Powell earned MVP honors for linebackers and also received an invite to The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore., July 5-8.
Powell said he was honored to receive an invite to the prestigious Nike camp.
"It's something that I've always dreamed about," Powell said. "I thank God for the opportunity. It's just an eye-opening experience."
Powell will be joined by a future Florida teammate, wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood, who also received an invitation. Powell said he looks forward to spending time with his future teammates.
"It seems like in everything I go to there is always somebody that committed to Florida there," Powell said. "This is just another opportunity to just get closer with those guys that committed."
Fulwood said he looks forward to facing some of the top competition in the country in Oregon.
"It's a blessing to be invited," Fulwood said. "Ever since I saw it last summer I knew I wanted to be one of the chosen ones for this year's camp. I'm ready to go to Oregon and compete with the best in the country."
Lane back in action
Four-star running back commit Adam Lane missed his junior year with a broken fibula, so Sunday was Lane's first physical contact since the injury. He was pleased.
"It held up good," Lane said. "It felt great for my first time getting some contact. If felt great."
Lane was concerned with how he would do in the pass-blocking drills due to the injury, but he said after a slow start he gained confidence in the leg.
"I had a couple of misses at first," Lane said, "but after I warmed up, I thought I did real well."
Despite being committed to Florida, Lane said he is still hearing from USF, Purdue, FSU, Alabama, LSU and South Carolina. Lane said he remains a solid commitment to the Gators.
Other news and notes
Four-star linebacker commit Quinton Powell led the way for the future Gators, as Powell earned MVP honors for linebackers and also received an invite to The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore., July 5-8.
Powell said he was honored to receive an invite to the prestigious Nike camp.
"It's something that I've always dreamed about," Powell said. "I thank God for the opportunity. It's just an eye-opening experience."
Powell will be joined by a future Florida teammate, wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood, who also received an invitation. Powell said he looks forward to spending time with his future teammates.
"It seems like in everything I go to there is always somebody that committed to Florida there," Powell said. "This is just another opportunity to just get closer with those guys that committed."
Fulwood said he looks forward to facing some of the top competition in the country in Oregon.
"It's a blessing to be invited," Fulwood said. "Ever since I saw it last summer I knew I wanted to be one of the chosen ones for this year's camp. I'm ready to go to Oregon and compete with the best in the country."
Lane back in action
Four-star running back commit Adam Lane missed his junior year with a broken fibula, so Sunday was Lane's first physical contact since the injury. He was pleased.
"It held up good," Lane said. "It felt great for my first time getting some contact. If felt great."
Lane was concerned with how he would do in the pass-blocking drills due to the injury, but he said after a slow start he gained confidence in the leg.
"I had a couple of misses at first," Lane said, "but after I warmed up, I thought I did real well."
Despite being committed to Florida, Lane said he is still hearing from USF, Purdue, FSU, Alabama, LSU and South Carolina. Lane said he remains a solid commitment to the Gators.
Other news and notes
- The No. 64-ranked player in the country, Keanu Neal, a Florida safety commit, was in attendance but not able to participate due to a minor back injury he suffered while lifting weights. Neal said the injury should not keep him out of spring football.
- Florida defensive tackle commit Caleb Brantley did well during position and one-on-one drills, but Brantley said he was not happy with his performance overall. "I thought I did great," Brantley said, "but in my eyes I still underachieved."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Fresh off his visit Wednesday to Florida, four-star offensive line prospect John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett) has named the Gators' as his leader.
"It was really good," Montelus said. "I was looking for the good atmosphere, a good coaching staff and basically what I want academically. I was really excited to come down here and I got exactly what I expected. They are definitely on top, and after this Notre Dame visit I will probably commit soon. I'm going to see how Notre Dame goes tomorrow then probably commit."
While on his visit, the 6-foot-5, 293-pound prospect had a chance to spend some time with Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis and head coach Will Muschamp.
"It was really good," Montelus said. "I was looking for the good atmosphere, a good coaching staff and basically what I want academically. I was really excited to come down here and I got exactly what I expected. They are definitely on top, and after this Notre Dame visit I will probably commit soon. I'm going to see how Notre Dame goes tomorrow then probably commit."
While on his visit, the 6-foot-5, 293-pound prospect had a chance to spend some time with Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis and head coach Will Muschamp.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The initial ESPN 150 for the 2013 recruiting class was released Tuesday, and much to the delight of Gators fans Florida has seven prospects in the prestigious group, including four in the top 50.
Leading the way for the Gators are defensive tackle commit Caleb Brantley at No. 18 and running back Kelvin Taylor at No. 22. Both have committed to play in the Under Armour All-America Game next January.
Taylor, who was recently invited to The Opening this summer in Oregon, says it is a blessing to be on the list.
Leading the way for the Gators are defensive tackle commit Caleb Brantley at No. 18 and running back Kelvin Taylor at No. 22. Both have committed to play in the Under Armour All-America Game next January.
Taylor, who was recently invited to The Opening this summer in Oregon, says it is a blessing to be on the list.
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MIAMI -- Gulliver Prep junior defensive end Stacy Thomas was one of the defensive line standouts at the Nike Football Training Camp on Sunday. The 6-foot-3, 220 pound end said he came to the camp hoping to improve his game.
"I thought I did well," Thomas said. "I went up against good competition and felt like I got better today."
Thomas, who already holds offers from powerhouse programs such as Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin and LSU, said that a few schools are standing out to him right now.
"I thought I did well," Thomas said. "I went up against good competition and felt like I got better today."
Thomas, who already holds offers from powerhouse programs such as Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin and LSU, said that a few schools are standing out to him right now.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With less than 10 months until national signing day, the Florida Gators have already filled more than half of their 2013 recruiting class.
Will Muschamp and his staff have 15 verbal commits, including 11 who appear on the ESPN 150 Watch List. It's not just the number of commitments that is so impressive, it's that Florida has landed top players at positions of need.
In Florida's 2012 recruiting class, the Gators hoped to bring in at least four offensive linemen and three wide receivers. Falling short with only two offensive linemen and two receivers, Florida made those two positions a priority for this recruiting cycle.
Will Muschamp and his staff have 15 verbal commits, including 11 who appear on the ESPN 150 Watch List. It's not just the number of commitments that is so impressive, it's that Florida has landed top players at positions of need.
In Florida's 2012 recruiting class, the Gators hoped to bring in at least four offensive linemen and three wide receivers. Falling short with only two offensive linemen and two receivers, Florida made those two positions a priority for this recruiting cycle.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Over the next few weeks GatorNation will have a series of Q&As with Florida's incoming freshmen. Next up is Melbourne (Fla.) Holy Trinity safety Marcus Maye, who will enroll at Florida for Summer B in June.
GN: What number will you wear next season?
Maye: I talked to coach [Travaris] Robinson and coach [Will] Muschamp about it. I wanted my high school number -- 21 -- because that was my high school number since ninth grade. But Jabari Gorman has that, so I'll probably wear number 20 or something like that.
GN: What number will you wear next season?
Maye: I talked to coach [Travaris] Robinson and coach [Will] Muschamp about it. I wanted my high school number -- 21 -- because that was my high school number since ninth grade. But Jabari Gorman has that, so I'll probably wear number 20 or something like that.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Though Florida signed two of the top linemen in the country last year in D.J. Humphries and Jessamen Dunker, the Gators failed to land the total number of offensive linemen they wanted to sign.
Still low on numbers, Florida is looking to sign at least five offensive linemen for the 2013 recruiting class and took a big step in fulfilling that number by landing two out-of-state linemen this weekend.
Center prospect Cameron Dillard (Canton, Mich./Canton), who committed to Florida on Monday, grew up in North Carolina before moving up to Michigan. Dillard said he couldn't pass up a chance to play for his favorite childhood team.
Still low on numbers, Florida is looking to sign at least five offensive linemen for the 2013 recruiting class and took a big step in fulfilling that number by landing two out-of-state linemen this weekend.
Center prospect Cameron Dillard (Canton, Mich./Canton), who committed to Florida on Monday, grew up in North Carolina before moving up to Michigan. Dillard said he couldn't pass up a chance to play for his favorite childhood team.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end Jordan Sherit (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough) visited Gainesville Saturday to take in Florida's spring game.
Sherit, who holds offers from Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan, Stanford and Auburn, said while on his visit he picked up an offer he had been waiting for.
"I really enjoyed the visit and loved the atmosphere," Sherit said. "Leaving Gainesville this time with an offer makes it that much better. But since my parents weren't with me this time, I want to come back either later in the spring or early summer with my family."
Sherit, who holds offers from Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan, Stanford and Auburn, said while on his visit he picked up an offer he had been waiting for.
"I really enjoyed the visit and loved the atmosphere," Sherit said. "Leaving Gainesville this time with an offer makes it that much better. But since my parents weren't with me this time, I want to come back either later in the spring or early summer with my family."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end Jonathan Allen (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) visited Florida on Saturday to watch the Gators' annual spring game.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker said the visit impressed him enough that he would like to return in the fall.
"I had a great time," Allen said. "It was a great atmosphere for a spring game. I definitely want to get back there for a game during the season."
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker said the visit impressed him enough that he would like to return in the fall.
"I had a great time," Allen said. "It was a great atmosphere for a spring game. I definitely want to get back there for a game during the season."
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ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco covers University of Florida athletics for ESPN.com's GatorNation. He came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 ½ 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.
Jeff Barlis
Jeff Barlis joined ESPN in 2011 after seven years at The Gainesville Sun, covering the University of Florida and recruiting. Barlis graduated from UF's College of Journalism in 1993 and lives in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at jeffbarlis.espn@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.