Florida Gators: Georgia football
ATHENS, Ga. –- When ESPN 150 running back Sony Michel committed to Georgia on Friday, live on ESPNU, Bulldogs fans were overjoyed. Those who were following another top prospect, ESPN 150 offensive guard Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood Senior), were beside themselves when he tweeted shortly after the announcement, “I guess I'm going to be blocking for Sony Michael.!! #DawgsOnTop.”
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Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites took a look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins today in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Click here to read the entire predraft series. Today: Defensive backs and special teams.
The Gators might have another first-round pick in today’s group and two other players who might not get drafted. S Matt Elam has been projected to go late in the first round -- most often to New England with the 29th pick -- after a junior season in which he was named an All-American. S Josh Evans and K Caleb Sturgis might very well not get drafted in April. Sturgis is one of the nation’s top kickers, but some teams are reluctant to draft kickers even in the later rounds if they have other needs. Then again, there are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted a punter in the third round.
Florida Gators
The Gators might have another first-round pick in today’s group and two other players who might not get drafted. S Matt Elam has been projected to go late in the first round -- most often to New England with the 29th pick -- after a junior season in which he was named an All-American. S Josh Evans and K Caleb Sturgis might very well not get drafted in April. Sturgis is one of the nation’s top kickers, but some teams are reluctant to draft kickers even in the later rounds if they have other needs. Then again, there are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted a punter in the third round.
Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites will look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins Friday in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Today: Defensive linemen and linebackers.
Florida Gators
The heart of the Gators’ 2012 defense will participate in the combine today. DT Sharrif Floyd, whose stock is rising rapidly as he is projected to be taken as high as No. 3, had a fantastic season and anchored UF’s front. He dominated Florida State’s front, and his mixture of size, strength and quickness has scouts drooling. ILB Jon Bostic started every game the past two seasons and was UF’s leader on defense. Nobody was more dependable than Bostic. OLB Jelani Jenkins was limited in 2012 because of a broken finger, a strained hamstring and a broken foot, but when healthy he’s a solid player. OLB Lerentee McCray was forced into action at the buck position (hybrid end/linebacker) because of the injury to Ronald Powell. He didn’t produce big numbers but was a high-effort, high-motor guy.
OLs from SEC can thrive at combine
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites will look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins Friday in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Today: Offensive linemen.
The Gators are represented by a player who never reached his potential (offensive tackle Xavier Nixon) and another who is just scratching the surface of what he could become (tight end Jordan Reed). Nixon started the last five games at left tackle as a freshman in 2009 and appeared ready to become a mainstay at that spot, but he spent time at right tackle in 2010 and then suffered through a mysterious illness after the season that caused him to lose about 55 pounds. Doctors were unable to diagnose his problem and he recovered before the 2011 season and was able to gain back most of the weight but was never quite the player he was as a freshman. Reed came to UF as a quarterback, starred in a wildcat role in 2010, but was moved to tight end in 2011. He's still learning the position but caught 73 passes for 866 yards and five touchdowns in the past two seasons.
Florida Gators
The Gators are represented by a player who never reached his potential (offensive tackle Xavier Nixon) and another who is just scratching the surface of what he could become (tight end Jordan Reed). Nixon started the last five games at left tackle as a freshman in 2009 and appeared ready to become a mainstay at that spot, but he spent time at right tackle in 2010 and then suffered through a mysterious illness after the season that caused him to lose about 55 pounds. Doctors were unable to diagnose his problem and he recovered before the 2011 season and was able to gain back most of the weight but was never quite the player he was as a freshman. Reed came to UF as a quarterback, starred in a wildcat role in 2010, but was moved to tight end in 2011. He's still learning the position but caught 73 passes for 866 yards and five touchdowns in the past two seasons.
Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites will look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins Friday in Indianapolis. Today: Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.
Perhaps it says something about LSU's offense in 2012 that among a record 13 players invited to the NFL combine from the Tigers, only two are offensive skill players who are generally considered, at this point, marginal talents. Running backs Spencer Ware and Michael Ford are the only skill players invited to Indianapolis, which is understandable when one considers LSU was 10th in the SEC in total offense. It's also a sign of youth. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger, fullback J.C. Copeland, running back Jeremy Hill and all of LSU's primary threats at wide receiver will return in 2013.
LSU Tigers
Perhaps it says something about LSU's offense in 2012 that among a record 13 players invited to the NFL combine from the Tigers, only two are offensive skill players who are generally considered, at this point, marginal talents. Running backs Spencer Ware and Michael Ford are the only skill players invited to Indianapolis, which is understandable when one considers LSU was 10th in the SEC in total offense. It's also a sign of youth. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger, fullback J.C. Copeland, running back Jeremy Hill and all of LSU's primary threats at wide receiver will return in 2013.
ESPN 150 CB Wiggins makes decision 
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
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By
Kipp Adams and
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Sunday, ESPN 150 cornerback Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) returned from an official visit to South Carolina. Later that evening he received a call from Mark Richt. The Georgia head coach asked if he should be worried about Wiggins changing his commitment from Georgia to the Gamecocks. Wiggins told Richt no, but that he still planned to take visits to Florida and Texas A&M.
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Recruiting rivalries: Georgia vs. Florida
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Georgia’s recent success against Florida has been a long time in coming. The Bulldogs had not beaten the Gators in back-to-back seasons in more than two decades, dating back to 1988-89. Florida has an 18-5 record over Georgia since 1990 so the rivalry has been mostly one-sided. But thanks to some recruiting success, Mark Richt has turned the annual showdown in Jacksonville, Fla., back into one of the most highly contested battles of the year.
And he did it with some ringers from the Sunshine State.
Quarterback Aaron Murray has struggled against the Gators but is 2-1 in his career against them. In his first win he completed four passes to tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla. All-SEC kicker Blair Walsh, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., always said the Florida game was the biggest of the year and he scored 22 points against the Gators in his career. Keeping Murray upright this year was a freshman from Jacksonville, right tackle John Theus.
And he did it with some ringers from the Sunshine State.
Quarterback Aaron Murray has struggled against the Gators but is 2-1 in his career against them. In his first win he completed four passes to tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla. All-SEC kicker Blair Walsh, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., always said the Florida game was the biggest of the year and he scored 22 points against the Gators in his career. Keeping Murray upright this year was a freshman from Jacksonville, right tackle John Theus.
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DawgNation links: Jacksonville showdown
October, 26, 2012
10/26/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes
: No. 10 Georgia has one loss, but with a win against No. 2 Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday, the Bulldogs will move into first place in the SEC East.
Ching writes: Georgia already has 24 plays that have gone for 30 yards or more. That’s already more big plays than the Bulldogs had in 14 games last season.
David Ching writes
: No. 10 Georgia has one loss, but with a win against No. 2 Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday, the Bulldogs will move into first place in the SEC East.
Ching writes: Georgia already has 24 plays that have gone for 30 yards or more. That’s already more big plays than the Bulldogs had in 14 games last season.
UF-UGA recruiting battles for 2013
October, 25, 2012
10/25/12
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By
Derek Tyson and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
GatorNation's Derek Tyson and DawgNation's Kipp Adams look at five key recruiting battles remaining between Florida and Georgia for the Class of 2013.
OL Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia)
CONSIDERING: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Florida State
OL Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia)
CONSIDERING: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Florida State
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DawgNation links: Weak starts for D
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes: Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players have closed out games, but he wants to see the unit start better.
Ching: Tuesday evening, Bulldogs teammates had their opportunity to respond to safety Shawn Williams having called the Bulldogs’ defense soft a day earlier.
Radi Nabulsi writes
: Georgia is already targeting some of the top 2014 defensive backs.
David Ching writes: Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players have closed out games, but he wants to see the unit start better.
Ching: Tuesday evening, Bulldogs teammates had their opportunity to respond to safety Shawn Williams having called the Bulldogs’ defense soft a day earlier.
Radi Nabulsi writes
: Georgia is already targeting some of the top 2014 defensive backs.
UF-UGA: Top 10 recruiting battles
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
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By
Derek Tyson and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The Florida-Georgia rivalry doesn't just take place in Jacksonville. The two schools compete all year long on the recruiting trail around the Southeast. Kipp Adams of DawgNation and Derek Tyson of GatorNation take a look at ten of the top battles for blue-chip players, five from each school's perspective.
DE Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson): The four-star defensive end had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Cunningham had his most productive year at Florida in 2006 when he produced 64 tackles, including 12 for a loss and 6.5 sacks. A second team all-SEC selection in 2008 and 2009, Cunningham was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft.
Florida
WR Jacquez Green (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach Co.): Green played quarterback in high school and was recruited by the in-state Bulldogs to be a cornerback. Green, however, admittedly wasn't a fan of Georgia head coach Ray Goff and wanted to play offense on the next level. Green signed with Florida to play wide receiver for Steve Spurrier. Green caught 61 passes for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior and was a consensus All-American in 1997. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1998 draft.DE Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson): The four-star defensive end had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Cunningham had his most productive year at Florida in 2006 when he produced 64 tackles, including 12 for a loss and 6.5 sacks. A second team all-SEC selection in 2008 and 2009, Cunningham was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft.
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DawgNation links: Defense's slow starts
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
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By DawgNation staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes: Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players are closing out games, but he wants the unit to start quicker.
Ching writes: Georgia safety Shawn Williams said his piece following Monday’s practice. On Tuesday evening, his teammates had their opportunity to respond to Williams calling the Bulldogs’ defense soft.
Radi Nabulsi writes: The Bulldogs are already targeting some of the top defensive backs in the 2014 class.
David Ching writes
: Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes the way his players are closing out games, but he wants the unit to start quicker.
Ching writes: Georgia safety Shawn Williams said his piece following Monday’s practice. On Tuesday evening, his teammates had their opportunity to respond to Williams calling the Bulldogs’ defense soft.
Radi Nabulsi writes
: The Bulldogs are already targeting some of the top defensive backs in the 2014 class.
Many recruits unlikely to attend UF-UGA
October, 23, 2012
10/23/12
12:01
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By
Radi Nabulsi and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
At the SEC spring meetings back in May, the league repealed the rule that banned its members from hosting recruits at a game held on a neutral site. In other words, going forward, the home team in the Georgia versus Florida contests could host recruits at the annual showdown in Jacksonville, Fla.
As important as recruiting the Sunshine State is for the Georgia program, this would seem like a boon. But right after the rule was abolished, both Georgia and Florida agreed to not host recruits during the game.
"Georgia and Florida have agreed not to do this,” Georgia assistant athletic director Claude Felton told DawgNation in June.
As important as recruiting the Sunshine State is for the Georgia program, this would seem like a boon. But right after the rule was abolished, both Georgia and Florida agreed to not host recruits during the game.
"Georgia and Florida have agreed not to do this,” Georgia assistant athletic director Claude Felton told DawgNation in June.
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DawgNation links: King vs. UF
October, 22, 2012
10/22/12
3:36
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By Recruiting Nation staff | ESPN.com
Note: During this rivalry week, GatorNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to DawgNation stories.
David Ching writes: WR Tavarres King tends to play big against rival Florida. Georgia might need it again this year against the nation's undefeated No. 2 team.
Ching: Kentucky was shockingly successful running against Georgia on third-and-long in the Dawgs’ narrow win Saturday.
Kipp Adams writes: Naim Mustafaa, a UGA commit, visited Tennessee on Saturday and said he spent time with Vols defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri.
Ching: Aaron Murray moves to the top of the Georgia 10 player power rankings.
Nabulsi: Juco DL transfer Chris Mayes will enroll at UGA in January.
David Ching writes: WR Tavarres King tends to play big against rival Florida. Georgia might need it again this year against the nation's undefeated No. 2 team.
Ching
: Kentucky was shockingly successful running against Georgia on third-and-long in the Dawgs’ narrow win Saturday.
Kipp Adams writes
: Naim Mustafaa, a UGA commit, visited Tennessee on Saturday and said he spent time with Vols defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri.
Ching
: Aaron Murray moves to the top of the Georgia 10 player power rankings.
Nabulsi
: Juco DL transfer Chris Mayes will enroll at UGA in January.Top 5 players in Florida-Georgia history
October, 22, 2012
10/22/12
8:00
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By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It’s Florida-Georgia week, which means it’s time to take a look back at the annual series between the two Southeastern Conference rivals.
Each day this week, GatorNation will have a top five list that captures the colorful history of the series.
Today’s list:
Top 5 Players in Florida-Georgia history
1. Georgia RB Herschel Walker: Walker rushed for 649 yards and six touchdowns from 1980-82. He had 53 touches in the 1981 game (47 rushes, four catches, two kick returns) and averaged 39 carries in his three games against the Gators.
2. Georgia RB/QB Charlie Trippi: Trippi rushed for 412 yards, threw for 198, and accounted for 10 touchdowns in three games against the Gators. He threw for two touchdowns (on only three pass attempts) and ran for two more in the 1942 game. He also ran for 239 yards in the 1945 game, which at the time was the SEC single-game record.
3. Florida QB Shane Matthews: Matthews threw for 948 yards and nine touchdowns in three games against the Bulldogs. He didn’t throw an interception.
4. Florida QB Danny Wuerffel: Wuerffel threw for 730 yards and a series-record 11 touchdowns in four games (three starts) against Georgia. Wuerffel threw five of those TD passes in UF’s 52-17 victory in 1995.
5. Georgia RB/DB Frank Sinkwich: Sinkwich ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns and kicked a 20-yard field goal in a 19-3 victory in 1941. Modest stats, right? Well, he'd played with a broken jaw.
Each day this week, GatorNation will have a top five list that captures the colorful history of the series.
Today’s list:
Top 5 Players in Florida-Georgia history
1. Georgia RB Herschel Walker: Walker rushed for 649 yards and six touchdowns from 1980-82. He had 53 touches in the 1981 game (47 rushes, four catches, two kick returns) and averaged 39 carries in his three games against the Gators.
2. Georgia RB/QB Charlie Trippi: Trippi rushed for 412 yards, threw for 198, and accounted for 10 touchdowns in three games against the Gators. He threw for two touchdowns (on only three pass attempts) and ran for two more in the 1942 game. He also ran for 239 yards in the 1945 game, which at the time was the SEC single-game record.
3. Florida QB Shane Matthews: Matthews threw for 948 yards and nine touchdowns in three games against the Bulldogs. He didn’t throw an interception.
4. Florida QB Danny Wuerffel: Wuerffel threw for 730 yards and a series-record 11 touchdowns in four games (three starts) against Georgia. Wuerffel threw five of those TD passes in UF’s 52-17 victory in 1995.
5. Georgia RB/DB Frank Sinkwich: Sinkwich ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns and kicked a 20-yard field goal in a 19-3 victory in 1941. Modest stats, right? Well, he'd played with a broken jaw.
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.