On The Trail: Recruiting

Each week, Tales From The Road will provide news and updates about where Florida's coaches are recruiting and the prospects making headlines.

This week’s targets: For the fourth straight week, Florida coaches were on the road recruiting. This week a Florida coach headed to Orlando to check in on defensive end Trent Harris, who recently decided to postpone his May 23 commitment date. Florida also checked in on 2015 Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick.

Running backs coach Brian White headed to Alabama to check out defensive tackle Cory Thomas, running back Bo Scarbrough and outside linebacker Torrence Brown. Linebacker Dillon Bates had Florida coaches visit him at his practice on Tuesday.

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The state of Oregon has never been a premier destination for college football recruiters, but the state has seen an uptick in BCS-level talent in recent years. Likely the state's top all-around player, linebacker Joey Alfieri (Portland, Ore./Jesuit) is helping to carry the torch for the state in the Class of 2014.


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QB Mahalak makes his decision 

April, 30, 2013
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Once the offer came in, QB Morgan Mahalak (Kentfield, Calif./Marin Catholic) didn't hesitate in making his decision.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.

The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.


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With the recent announcement from the NCAA that the University of Oregon had agreed to the fact that major violations had taken place during the Chip Kelly era, many questions arose regarding the future of the Oregon program. Fans, rivals and recruits all have questions and comments on what it might mean.

For fans, it creates a sense of uncertainty. And the ruling on Oregon's indiscretions could play a major role in the future of a handful of the Ducks' recruits.


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ESPN 150 WR Scott talks recruiting 

April, 22, 2013
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), as expected, was one of the top wideouts in attendance at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend.

The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.


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OL Ward still has Gators on top 

April, 21, 2013
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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.


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Just a few weeks after naming Florida his leader, five-star defensive tackle Lamont Gaillard (Fayetville, N.C./Pine Forest) decided to eliminate Florida.


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The IMG 7v7 Southeast Regional Championship in Bradenton, Fla., on Saturday and Sunday will feature several ESPN 150 players. This star-studded event will feature the South Florida Express, one of the top 7-on-7 teams in the country, and Team Tampa, which won the IMG 7v7 National Championships last year. Here's a look at five things to watch at this weekends events.

1. Wide receiver position is loaded
There will be a plethora of top wide receivers in Bradenton this weekend. Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead), the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, will have a chance to showcase his abilities against some elite talent. Additionally, Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman), Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County), Kenric Young (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville), Isaiah Ford (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian), Garrett Johnson (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) and 2015 wideout Da'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) are scheduled to participate.


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ESPN 150 targets: Oregon 

April, 18, 2013
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With the release of today's ESPN 150, here's a look at 10 top targets for Oregon in the 2014 class.

1. CB Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Serra)
5-foot-11, 183 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 5

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ESPN 150 targets: Florida 

April, 18, 2013
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With the release of the ESPN 150 today, here are some of Florida's top targets on the list:

1. DT Lamont Gaillard (Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest)
6-foot-4, 300 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 10

Why they want him: In Gaillard's ESPN scouting report, the first sentence says it all: "Gaillard can create havoc in the heart of the trenches." That's exactly how Florida would like to use him in the middle of its multiple-set defense. He's big enough to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense and quick enough to play the three-technique in a base 4-3 defense. Gaillard will be a prime candidate to help replace the loss of seniors Damien Jacobs and Dominique Easley.

Who else wants him: Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State

Odds they get him: Florida and Georgia appear to be the teams to beat for Gaillard, so at this point there is a 50-50 chance he winds up with the Gators.


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One of the top players in northern California, and one of the top linebackers on the West Coast is finally starting to gain some traction on the recruiting trail. Linebacker Michael Lazarus (Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley) recently picked up his second Pac-12 offer.


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After offering RB Demario Richard (Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale) earlier this week, the Oregon Ducks pulled the trigger on an offer to a second West Coast junior running back when ESPN Watch List prospect Royce Freeman (Imperial, Calif./Imperial) was issued what he calls a "big" offer by Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell on Thursday.

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The Oregon Ducks continue to search high and low for the next man up as they look to continue their momentum on the field and on the recruiting trail. The Ducks have established themselves as a presence in the state of Texas and have their eyes locked on a few of the state's top prospects.

Most of the Ducks' recruiting efforts in the talent-rich state have focused on the Dallas and Houston metro areas. San Antonio is the sometimes forgotten third wheel, but the Ducks are looking to change that as one of their top targets from the Lone Star State hails from the area.

As one of the most versatile and talented athletes in the state, DB Arrion Springs (San Antonio, Texas/Roosevelt) has more than 15 offers to his credit.


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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Despite not having a complete spring football game, the Florida Gators managed to have a very successful recruiting weekend.

ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) became Florida's ninth verbal commitment on Saturday, as the 5-foot-11, 195-pound athlete switched his pledge from Clemson to Florida.

The switch came as a surprise, though. Earlier in the day Cook stated that Florida had pulled into a tie with Clemson, but after talking it over with his family, the speedy back decided to pull the trigger.

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