What's left for Florida in the Class of 2014?

We're just over five months away from National Signing Day. The Gators presently stand at 15 commitments, with room at the moment to sign 16. As posted in this space last week, I see Florida closing out with somewhere around 25 signatures in the Class of 2014. If you figure there will most likely be a couple of de-commitments, with room to add 10 more players to this class, the magic number to close this group out will be somewhere around a dozen.

With Florida being virtually right at the 85 limit right now if you filter in the commitments to the roster as it's currently constructed, the remaining additions will essentially come from a result of whatever attrition takes place between now and the beginning of February. Players with remaining eligibility left could depart for a number of reasons: early entries to the NFL Draft, transfers, medical disqualifications, whatever. We don't know what the final number will be right now, but expect it to be upwards of 10.

So with that in mind, what positions appear to have the biggest need moving forward for UF? I'm glad you asked ...

Offensive Line: The Gators have four projected offensive line commitments for the Class of 2014 (I'll get into why I don't like distinguishing offensive from defensive linemen right out of the high school ranks in a future post.) The numbers are getting better here, and this group has been bolstered by the recent pledge of Nolan Kelleher. However, getting another difference-maker at tackle is a key (hence, why David Sharpe is such a priority.) Also, with Florida's shakiest current pledge (Benjamin Knox) in this position grouping, I see the most movement happening here, with the Gators likely to add 2-3 more offensive linemen for 2014.

Skill (WR/DB): With so many guys on the board (namely, Adoree' Jackson, Travis Rudolph, Artavis Scott) who can project on either side of the ball in college. I just decided to throw all of these guys together. The Gators have one big-time receiver in the fold (Ermon Lane) and need to pair him with another good addition. That could be a guy already committed to UF (J.C. Jackson or Chris Lammons) or one of the above listed prospects. In the event both Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy go pro, Florida will need at least one other cornerback as well. As I wrote last week, that scenario would also lend itself to checking out the JUCO ranks for a player. With the move of Valdez Showers to offense, and Nick Washington playing well at corner in fall camp, there is a little more room on the depth chart at safety. This opens up an opportunity for Jamal Adams to step right in and make an early contribution in the secondary.

Linebacker: As we covered last week, the Gators still presently lack a true linebacker commit in this class, despite the fact that DE commit Justus Reed could possibly play a hybrid LB/DE role in the mold of Lerentee McCray and Ronald Powell. It is true that Florida signed an excellent group of linebackers last year, but following up with 2-3 good ones should still be a priority. After watching Jacob Pugh this weekend, I'm fairly sure he's a better fit at the BUCK, but could play a hybrid role – similar to Reed. Again, Florida seems to only be seriously targeting three linebackers at this point: Clifton Garrett, Raekwon McMillan and Dwight Williams. And of those three, only Williams seems to be a realistic option right now. I continue to be curious as to the direction UF will take at this position. I fully expect at least a couple of guys to emerge on the radar over the course of the fall.

Defensive Line: With 2½ commitments here (depending on how you classify Justus Reed), there is a need for at least two more pledges. Landing an elite pass-rusher (Lorenzo Carter) is the primary concern. Grabbing another tackle (Thomas Holley, Anthony Moten) or hybrid player (Cory Thomas, Dewayne Hendrix) would close this group out properly. I would not be surprised to see the Gators look to the JUCO route at defensive tackle once again.

There are plenty of lists like this done in a number of ways. Consider this a mix of the top remaining prospects on the board for Florida based on need, priority, likelihood to commit and just good ole-fashioned gut feeling. We'll update this every so often. Remember, other guys will emerge in the coming months, and more than a few of these guys will fall off the list in the meantime.

1. DB Jamal Adams

2. DE Lorenzo Carter 

3. OL David Sharpe

4. DB Adoree' Jackson

5. WR Travis Rudolph

6. LB Dwight Williams

7. RB Joe Mixon

8. DE Lorenzo Featherston

9. RB Bo Scarbrough (Alabama)

10. DE Cory Thomas

11. TE Deandre Goolsby

12. DT Thomas Holley

13. WR Artavis Scott (Clemson)

14. LB Clifton Garrett

15. OL Damien Mama

16. DE Da'Shawn Hand 

17. DE Richard Yeargin (Notre Dame) 

18. LB Nyles Morgan

19. DE Dewayne Hendrix

20. DE Jacob Pugh (Florida State)

21. OL Trevor Darling (Miami)

22. WR Josh Malone 

23. DT Gerald Willis

24. LB: Raekwon McMillan

25. RB Leonard Fournette

26. WR Speedy Noil

27. OL Jordan Sims

28. DT Anthony Moten 

29. WR Johnnie Dixon

30. DB Marlon Humphrey

31. RB Tony James

32. DE Rohan Blackwood

33. TE Ravian Pierce

34. RB Cortavious Givens

35. DT Jeremy Patterson

36. TE Montez Sweat

37. DT Daniel Cage