Friday, June 29, 2012

New SEC Recruiting Ranks

Check out the recently added SEC Recruiting Rankings here.  I will continue to update the rankings throughout the year.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Gator Recruiting News - 6/28

Demarcus Robinson
Florida To Host DeMarcus Walker.  The 4-star DE seems to be down to two schools; Alabama and Florida.  While Alabama seems to be the favorite, Muschamp will have the chance to impress Walker on Friday.  While Florida may be in second place right now, Zach Abolverdi of GatorSports.com points out that Florida has something going for them:

While all signs seem to point to Alabama, the Gators do have one thing going for themselves — ‘The Fantastic Four.’
Comprised of his close friends and fellow Jacksonville products Ahmad Fulwood, Daniel McMillan and Nick Washington, Walker is the only member not committed to UF.
We'll have to wait and see but from what I've read, I'd put my money on Alabama.

Demarcus Robinson.  There are a couple snippets concerning 4-star receiver Demarcus Robinson.  He said in an interview with TigerIllustrated.com($) who his favorite is and when he will likely decide:
"Clemson is one and Florida I'd say is two," Robinson toldTigerillustrated.com over the weekend at the Rivals100, 5-star Challenge. "I want to see each before I make my decision." 
The Rivals250 member now knows his visit schedule for July and has a decision timetable as well.
"I'm going to Georgia for Dawg Night, then visiting Clemson again and then heading to Florida for Friday Night Lights on back-to-back-to-back weekends," Robinson said. "I'll probably make my decision before school starts in late July." 
GatorNation posted a free recruiting mailbag with Derek Tyson (great read, highly recommend it).  In the article, Tyson was asked if Robinson will choose Florida over Bama (probably should have replaced with Bama with Clemson) and here is how Tyson answered the question:
It's too close to call right now. Alabama had been sliding a little before his trip to Tuscaloosa last weekend. The Tide are now right back in it and could possibly be considered the favorite. Walker, however, will visit Florida on Friday with his high school coach. So the Gators will have another shot to impress the talented defensive end. Don't count out Auburn, either. Walker enjoyed his visit to the plains, and the Tigers are still very much in the picture. 
Class Rankings.  ESPN released their new rankings and Florida is still in second nationally behind Michigan.

Marquez North To Florida?  Probably not.  The third-best receiver in the 2013 class according to Rivals listed his favorites right now and Florida came in at fifth (Clemson was first).  This is what he said about the Gators:
"I don't know too much about them. D.J. Humphries promotes them to me. They have good tradition." 
He also says in the article that he hopes to visit Florida soon.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Gator Recruiting News - 6/25

Ebenezer Ogundeko's perfect nickname; The Scrooge.

The Scrooge Coming To Florida?.  Ebenezer Ogundeko, a 4-star DE and the top recruit in the state of New York, (awesome name) says he is down to three schools in an interview with CuseConfidential.com($).  Here is what he said:

"My final three is Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Florida," Ogundeko said. He went on to talk about what put those three over the rest of the schools looking at him.
"What put those three on top was the connection I have with the coaches," Ogundeko stated. "They really take care of the players there and they offer a great opportunity to play."

Roderick Johnson's Recruitment Far From Over.  This story came out Sunday, but I never got around to it.  Florida commit, OT Roderick Johnson, told the Orlando Sentinel that "there are some other schools in the mix."  He listed Auburn and South Carolina as the main two.  This would be a big blow to the Gators because as of now, he is the only projected offensive tackle in the 2013 class.  When asked what are the odds that he sticks with Florida, here is what he said:
“Probably like six out of 10 chance I might [stay committed],” Johnson said.
Uh oh.

DeMarcus Walker Visiting.  DeMarcus Walker, a 4-star defensive end, is going to visit Florida on Friday according to his Twitter account.  Walker has Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, and Tennessee as his top 5.

Georgia Commit Possibly Decommitting for Florida?  Georgia commit, 3-star CB Shaq Wiggins, liked what he saw when he visited Florida recently.  Apparently, Georgia coaches weren't too happy about that.  Here is what Wiggins had to say about it in an interview with UGASports.com:
"Yeah, they asked what was wrong me, things like that," Wiggins said during registration for this weekend's Rivals Five-Star Challenge. "They freaked out a little bit, but I told them face to face I'm still a Dawg."
Here is what he had to say when asked if Bulldog fans should be worried since he said his recruitment isn't finished:
"No, they shouldn't be worried about me too much. I'm still 100 percent to the University of Georgia, that's where my heart is," he said. "But like I said, I'm going to continue to look at other schools, because you never know what can happen up until Signing Day. I just want to keep my options open, just look, but still be 100 percent to Georgia."
The strange thing is that Wiggins, according to Rivals, is still without a Florida offer.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Wrapping Up The Rivals Challenge

Rivals hosted their first ever Rivals100 Challenge this weekend in Atlanta.  Caleb Brantley was the only Florida commit that was at the camp.  Rivals ranked the best defensive lineman for the weekend($) and Brantley came in third.  Here is what they had to say about his performance:
The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Florida commit came to Atlanta with a chip on his shoulder. Brantley felt he had something to prove coming in to the Challenge and he made sure the offensive linemen would remember his name. He had an incredibly high motor and did not give up on the play, even when the offensive linemen got in a good punch early. He won most of his 1-on-1 reps and really showed a competitive spirit. The nation's No. 8 defensive tackle was certainly one of the best at his position on Saturday.
While Brantley was the only Gator commit, there were a couple other targets including safety Leon McQuay III.  Rivals listed McQuay as having the third-best performance($) amongst all defensive backs:
McQuay arrived to Atlanta late Friday night, just came off a two-day team camp and normally plays safety. But he showed how talented he is in coverage during the one-on-one drills. The four-star standout has special athleticism, stays in the hip pocket of receivers and competes for every ball thrown his way. Oklahoma running back commit Greg Bryant was the only one to catch a pass on him all day.

Friday, June 22, 2012

2013 Recruiting: Ahmad Fulwood


Position:  Wide Receiver
Hometown/School:  Jacksonville, FL - Bishop Kenny
Height/Weight:  6'4/195


Other Offers:  Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame

Report:  Fulwood was one of three players to commit to Florida on the weekend of the Spring Game.  The biggest seller for the Gators was likely his close friend, Nick Washington, who had already committed.  They have always talked about playing together and now they will have their chance too.

All four recruiting services list Fulwood as a top 10 receiver and as a top 100 player overall.  Also, they all agree that Fulwood is a 4-star recruit, but ESPN did have him as a 5-star at one point.

Fulwood put up some monster numbers last year for Bishop Kenny as a junior.  He totaled over 1,100 yards, 22 touchdowns on 46 catches.  Do the math, that means he scores almost every other time he gets a catch.  He was All-First Coast last year and will be participating in the Army All-American Game.  He will be at The Opening too.

Obviously at 6'4, Fulwood has an excellent physique for receiver.  Many scouts also list Fulwood's speed as another great asset.  Here is what Elite Scouting Services said about him in a great profile on Fulwood:
In sports you always hear people say size is not something that is taught. Well Fulwood measures in close to 6’4. With that type of size and sub 4.5 speed he will be one of the more heavily recruited prospects in Florida. He also does a good job of going up and attacking the football while it is in the air. If the ball is in the air, you can bet that Fulwood will out jump most defensive backs for the football. What we also like is that Fulwood has very good hands. Once he gets his hands on the ball there is no doubt that Fulwood will most likely come down with it. He goes up and catches the football at its highest point. Not every receiver is good at timing their jump and attacking the ball at its highest point. Fulwood also runs solid routes and knows how to get open.
Like many players that dominate at the high school level, ESS questions whether Fulwood can do the same against SEC competition.  We'll have to wait and see.

Scout.com's report on Fulwood basically states the same:
Fulwood is an elite wide receiver. He has size you can't coach, he catches everything within his reach, he has deceptive speed, and he is someone who can really make big plays down the field. He can improve getting off the ball with quickness, his overall strength, and his down the field blocking. There are so many things to like about his game and he will be among the best in 2013. He is a very fluid receiver with size.
Bud Elliot of SBNation talks about Fulwood's great body and his playmaking ability downfield:
Fulwood's biggest asset is likely his size. There aren't many (any?) high school cornerbacks who can body with him for the ball. He is a long strider, and is more fast than quick. He'll get separation downfield, and his opportunities underneath and over the middle will largely be because of his length and his strength, which should continue to develop. I see Fulwood as a very solid four-star with a high floor, but I don't consider him a five-star recruit.
 After committing to Florida, Fulwood's mother stated that she wished Ahmad would have picked Clemson instead.  This caused some speculation that Fulwood would decommit and sign with the Tigers. However, Ahmad has tried to kill that rumor by saying this:
"Me and my mom have been discussing for the past few weeks about it," Fulwood said of his mother, who had reportedly liked Clemson for her son. "She had some situations at first. She had some questions about it, but me and Coach Muschamp have talked to her, and she's even happier than I am now." 
As stated earlier, him and Nick Washington have always wanted to play college football together.  I wouldn't worry too much about losing Fulwood.

Gator Recruiting News - 6/22

Is VHIII coming to Florida?
VHIII List Three Florida Schools As Favorites.  5-star CB Vernon Hargreaves III tells Josh Newberg of 247Sports($) that USF, Florida, and Miami are his favorite three right now.  He also said that he hasn't eliminated anyone yet.

Florida In Top 2 For Scott Pagano.  In a InsideTheGators.com interview($) with Rivals250 DT Scott Pagano, he listed Florida and LSU as his favorites.
"My top two favorites right now are LSU and Florida," Pagano said. "But you know, things can change."
In the article, he said that he would take trips to Alabama, Clemson, and Florida State (along with Florida and LSU) next month.  Right now, Florida has one defensive tackle verbally committed for 2013, Caleb Brantley.

At the Rivals Challenge today, Pagano showed up to the camp rocking a Gators hat.  Hopefully that is a good sign of things to come.

Side note:  Along with Pagano, there are three Rivals250 players in the state of Hawaii.  I'm impressed for such a small state.

More From Rivals100 Challenge.  Only one Florida commit (DT Caleb Brantley) will be competing this weekend in Atlanta at the Rivals100 challenge.  However, UF targets like safeties Leon McQuay III, Marcell Harris, and Demarcus Robinson will be at the camp.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Gator Recruiting News - 6/21

Hopefully Gator fans will see more of this from Alex Anzalone.

Alex Anzalone Down To Final Pair.  The Rivals 100 Outside Linebacker has narrowed down his top choices to Notre Dame and Florida according to Blake Alderman of InsideTheGators.com($).  Here is what he had to say of playing for the Gators:

"At Florida I would be in the honors college which is a plus and I think the way they play their defense between a 3-4 and a 4-3 would maximize my capabilities playing defense. Both are great opportunities." 

If Anzalone commits to the Gators, he will be the fifth linebacker in the 2013 class.  Anzalone was once committed to Urban Meyer at Ohio State, but decommitted after a really bizarre situation.  A Buckeye fan and convicted sex offender interacted and took a photo with Anzalone.  The occurrence upset the Anzalone family and he shortly decommitted after

Current UF commit, Ahmad Fulwood, is doing his best to get Anzalone to come to Florida.

Alvin Kamara Names Top Ten.  The four star running back from Georgia has Florida in his final list with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida State, USC, Auburn, and Oklahoma State.  Oh ya, he was the guy who Nick Saban sent 105 letters to in ONE DAY.

Florida, Michigan Remain On Top.  ESPN updated their 2013 recruiting rankings and to no surprise, Michigan and Florida remain #1 and #2.  Florida State moves up to 9th and Clemson is now up to 12th.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

2013 Recruiting: Nick Washington


Position:  Safety/Cornerback
Hometown/School:  Jacksonville, FL - Trinity Christian Academy
Height/Weight:  6'0/180


Other Offers:  Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Tennessee

Report:  Washington committed to the Gators back in February when he was one of four to commit on Junior Day.  Growing up in Jacksonville, Washington lived in a house full of Gator fans.

The four recruiting services all rank Washington as a top 20 prospect at his position.  They also all agree that Washington is a 4-star.

Washington has been contributing for Trinity Christian since he was in the eighth grade.  Washington was an All-Conference performer his sophomore year and was named AP Class 3A first team last year.

Washington has been on the radar of college scouts for awhile.  EliteScoutingServices.com profiled Washington after his junior year.  Here is what they had to say:

He is a versatile athlete. Turn on any game and you are likely to see him make plays on either side of the football. He plays running back/receiver on offense and safety on defense. Physically he has all the tools you want in an athlete. Good size, nice speed and can best yet, Washington makes plays. His upside continues to get better all the time.
Good to hear.  The main concern they have with Washington is if he can keep it going against tougher competition.  Scout continues the praise of Washington:
Washington is a versatile defensive back that could play corner, but safety is where he is at his best. He knows how to put himself in position to make plays on the ball, he has great ball-skills, and he tracks the ball well. In coverage, he needs to work on his burst out of his breaks and his ability to recover quicker. Against the run, he is a solid tackler. 
As with what Scout says, Washington could either end up playing safety or cornerback at Florida.  Here is what FlaGators, editor of AlligatorArmy.com, said about what position he will play:
If he’s going to play safety, he is going to have to add some bulk. Right now, he’s a corner.
With committing so early, there is the obvious chance of him switching his commitment.  However, I wouldn't be too worried about that too much.  He and his friend, Ahmad Fulwood (current UF commit), have always wanted to play on the same team.

Fans who may not have the opportunity to see him play in high school will get the chance as Washington will play in the Army All-American Game.  He was also invited to The Opening.

As you've read above, Washington is a great athlete.  He will also have the chance to play baseball for the Gators and he has said that he would like to.  Center Field will likely be his position if he does decide to play both sports.

Last fall, Washington did sustain a shoulder injury during a game.  However, there is good news for Florida fans as he is good to go after rehab.

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