Gators Continue to Build Future Defensive Line

In the SEC, the games are won in the trenches especially with great defensive linemen.  The SEC has been the home to stellar defensive linemen in recent years like Nick Fairley, Terrence Cody, Fletcher Cox, Michael Brockers, and many more.

Will Muschamp has taken note.  Muschamp and the rest of the Florida Gators coaching staff has made the defensive line a priority in recruiting and it is starting to pay off.  Over the weekend, the Gators picked up three defensive line commitments.

The weekend got off to a great start when DE Antonio Riles committed to Florida.  Not many saw the 3-star recruit choosing Florida, but I'm sure Will Muschamp is happy that he did.

On Saturday, DE Jordan Sherit finally committed to the Gators.  It was well known that Sherit loved the Gators and it was thought that he was a lock to commit to UF.  He made it official over the weekend.  Scout, Rivals, ESPN, and 247Sports all agree that Sherit is a 4-star recruit and Rivals list him as a top 100 player overall.

Yesterday, the Gators got their second commitment of the 2014 class.  Former Louisville commit, Travonte Valentine, decided Gainesville is the right place for him.  The defensive tackle is a 4-star prospects according to 247Sports.

It was a great weekend for Florida Gators recruiting.  They picked up 5-star Vernon Hargreaves on Thursday and then added three defensive linemen in three days.  The Gators now have four defensive linemen in their 2013 recruiting class.  However, they may not be done with the linemen.

4-star DE DeMarcus Walker has been on Florida's radar for a long time.  He has narrowed down his choice to Alabama and Florida.  According to reports, Walker already has chosen where he is going to play in the future.  His announcement will come in late August.

Another possible future Gator is New York DE Ebenezer Ogundeko.  Ogudenko has narrowed it down to three schools; Florida, Notre Dame, and Syracuse.  He has delayed his announcement a couple times and isn't sure when he'll finally decide.

In a league where defensive linemen might be the most important position, Will Muschamp is doing a great job of recruiting them.

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Dillan Lawson Decommits, What Does It Mean?

Last night, OLB Dillan Lawson announced at a Florida State football camp that he was back on the market.  There have been rumors of this eventual split for a while and it seemed almost inevitable that it would happen.

247Sports grade Lawson as a 3-star prospect and rank him 29th at his position (OLB).

Zach Abolverdi, of Gatorsports.com's Gator Prospectus, described the situation as a "mutual decision" between Lawson and Florida's coaching staff.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

In late May, Crestview coach Kevin Pettis said the UF coaches told Lawson they would honor his commitment as he tried to get back on track academically.
But this week, Muschamp & Co. came to the conclusion that Lawson hadn’t shown enough improvement and the two parties decided it was best to split.

According to sources, Lawson still would like to go to Florida if he can get his schooling straight.  Lawson's coach believe there is a 70% chance that Lawson ends up in Gainesville.  Personally, I don't think it is that high.

So what does this all mean for Will Muschamp and the Florida Gators?

First, this isn't even close to the end of the world for the Gators.  If Muschamp had to lose one commitment, Dillan Lawson would be somewhere at the top of the list (if not first).  The Gators already have three other linebackers that are all 4-star recruits according to Rivals.  Lawson, according to the recruiting services, was the least talented.

I don't see the Gators getting another outside linebacker.  According to Rivals, there are only five OLBs left on the board for Florida and none of them look like they will be committing to Florida.  It really isn't that big of a deal and could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.  Florida didn't really need Lawson (unless he turns out to be a star) and it just opens up another scholarship for somebody in a position of more need.

Overall, not a big loss and Gator fans shouldn't lose sleep over it (you shouldn't lose sleep over any recruit, really).  I mean the guy does have a tattoo of Alabama's logo and called Florida fans "obnoxious".  This decommittment may end up as addition by subtraction.  He is saying that he wants to end back up at Florida but I think it is somewhat clear that Muschamp wants to part ways with Lawson.

Do you want Lawson back with Florida?  Leave a comment below.

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2013 Recruiting: Quinton Powell

Position:  Outside Linebacker

Hometown/School:  Daytona Beach, FL - Mainland

Height/Weight:  6'2/200

Rivals - 247Sports - Scout - ESPN

Other Offers:  Arkansas, Clemson, Miami, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida State

Report:  Powell committed to Will Muschamp back in February, on Florida's Junior Day.  Here is what Powell said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel shortly after word got out:

"Just the fact that I felt at home ... that was the main thing that I was looking for and I feel right at home here. I was looking for a family and I found it right here. ... plus, I've always been Gator fan."

The four recruiting services all give Powell a 4-star rating.  Rivals, Scout, and 247Sports all rank Powell as the 14th-best OLB in the nation, while ESPN lists him in 8th place.  The real interesting thing is that the services all greatly vary on where Powell is ranked nationally overall.  ESPN shows him the most love as they list him in the top 100 overall (83).  247Sports has him at 160, Rivals at 225, and he isn't ranked nationally according to Scout.  From the 83rd-best player according to one service to not even being in the top 300 in another service.  Weird.

Powell racked up 105 tackles, 14 sacks, and registered 50 quarterback hurries on his way to leading Mainland to the 8A Semifinals.

On to the scouting reports.

Elite Scouting Services ranked their top 2013 state of Florida prospects back in April.  Powell came in 22nd in their pre-Spring rankings.  This is what they had to say:

Powell can be used as a pass rusher off the edge or drop back into coverage and go against a receiver or tight end. He is most likely going to end up as a SAM backer in college. His ability to cover a tight end is what will draw the attention of college recruiters. He is effective against the run as well.

Scout also goes into detail about Powell's upcoming move from playing a rush end in high school to an OLB in college or maybe even an ILB:

Powell spends a lot of time with his hand down on the line of scrimmage in high school, but he will drop back to linebacker in college. He is a natural athlete with good size and very good speed. He could play inside or outside linebacker on the next level because of size, speed, and skill-set. He will need work on playing space, reading and reacting to the ball, and dropping into coverage.

And lastly, Rivals:

Powell predominantly plays defensive end and rushes off the edge, but during the spring and summer he has shown an ability to play in space and do things away from the ball that show he is a major prospect at outside linebacker. When working at the line, Powell is quick off the snap and does a good job of shedding blocks and getting into the backfield. In space, he shows good lateral movement and the ability to effectively cover the pass. He is very good at using his length to make the play.

Powell will be one of seven Gator commits to participate in The Opening.  You can watch The Opening July 5th through the 8th on ESPNU.