For the second year in a row, the Florida Gators are making the secondary a huge priority. It's possible Urban Meyer will sign a class in 2011 that includes as many as seven players projected to play in the defensive backfield after signing seven in February (one of those signees, California native Travon Van, did not qualify and subsequently enrolled at Marshall) as well.
One of the defensive backs Florida signed in 2010 was Joshua Shaw, a highly-regarded California prospect who Florida really didn't pursue until the latter parts of the summer. Despite the late start on the recruitment of Shaw, the Gators were still able to dip into California and land one of the highest-ranked cornerback prospects in the entire country.
The Gators may look to go in a similar direction once again in this class, as Florida has made contact with Stefan McClure (5-11, 175, Vista, Calif./Vista) in recent weeks. Don't be surprised if Florida comes soon with an offer and joins the fray for one of the best secondary prospects on the West Coast. However, it looks as if Florida will have some work to do if they plan to make a run for McClure over the coming months, although he maintains he is wide open for the time being.
"I'm interested in everyone right now," McClure said of his current position as to a top group of schools right now as interest in his services continues to grow.
UCLA (whom McClure has visited four times) appears to be in a very strong position currently to land his signature, however. Washington (where McClure will take an official visit on September 11th) was also mentioned along with Boise St., Minnesota, Oregon St., and San Diego St. as teams McClure would be keeping a close eye on. However, then there are those East Coast schools jumping in the mix as well.
"Florida started talking to me about a week before I headed to Gridiron Kings (which was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista). They would jump right in there (with an offer)," McClure explained of the recent developments that have arisen between himself and Florida.
McClure noted that Florida was advised of his talents by former UF Director of Football Operations Troy Starr, who is currently working as the head coach at Helix High School in San Diego.
"(Florida) is a national powerhouse," McClure said of the Gators. "Coach Meyer was also telling me about their situation at cornerback. There is a chance for immediate playing time as a freshman at Florida."
Brian White is currently recruiting McClure for Florida.
However, the Gators are not the only team in the state to start showing an interest in McClure. The Miami Hurricanes have also made a push for his services as well, and McClure fully admits he has a strong interest in what is going on down in Coral Gables as well.
"There is a great tradition at 'the U,'" he said. "Great players come back there to work out. They have a great coaching staff, and I also was impressed by the (12:1) student-to-teacher ratio there as well."
So while Stefan McClure continues to list a number of powers on the West Coast among the teams he is interested in, his recruitment continues to expand from Coast-to-Coast, as the Gators and Hurricanes, among others, start to throw their hats in the ring for one of the top-ranked cornerbacks in the country.
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