College football is back!

If the 2013 season as a whole lives up to the precedent set by the opening night of college football, we're all in for a real treat.

South Carolina-North Carolina was the marquee match-up of the night, and it provided the predictable blandness we've come to expect from this program as we've so often seen in recent years when the Gamecocks open the schedule with a Thursday night primetime game on ESPN. Thankfully other games provided all the fireworks the audience was craving.

Ole Miss-Vandy was a barnburner. While Robert Nkemdiche was perhaps a slight disappointment in his debut (just as fellow former No. 1 prospect Jadeveon Clowney was in Columbia on the same night), the game lived up to its billing as a match-up of two SEC programs on the rise. Jordan Matthews continues to cement his reputation as perhaps the best receiver in the conference. I'm also curious to see how James Franklin rallies the team in light of that gut-wrenching loss to start the season, not to mention the cloud that continues to hang over his program in light of off-field issues that have sullied the program's good name.

The Rebels still figure to drop at least 3-4 games this fall, but Hugh Freeze appears to be building something special in Oxford. This stat that popped up on Twitter seems to bode well for Ole Miss, in the aftermath of their 39-35 triumph in Nashville last night.

This was Vandy's 5th home loss under Franklin. Others: Georgia (10-4), Arkansas (11-2) in 2011, SCar (11-2) and UF (11-2) in 2012.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) August 30, 2013

Utah-Utah State also provided some high drama out west around the same time Ole Miss-Vandy was reaching its dramatic conclusion. The Utes held on for a 30-26 win. It will be interesting to see if the Aggies can continue their level of play in the post Gary Andersen-era. I'm sure these numbers were of no consolation to Utah State fans as they exited Rice-Eccles Stadium:

Since October 22, 2011, Utah State has lost four games by a total of 10 points.
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) August 30, 2013

But perhaps the most curious finish of the night took place in the San Joaquin Valley, as Fresno State and Rutgers put together an epic display of offense. Derek Carr's heroics led the Bulldogs back from a seven-point deficit with less than a minute to play as the senior completed 52-of-73 passes on the night for 456 yards and 5 touchdowns. After matching the Bulldogs with a touchdown in overtime, Kyle Flood made the decision to go for two. The play call was eerily reminiscent of another famous try for two points. Like Osborne's failed attempt in the 1984 Orange Bowl, Rutgers wasn't able to convert and Fresno State survived with the victory.

In the little bit of the game I watched, I was impressed with Derek Carr. Early draft projections have him as a mid-round guy, but I think he's got the game to go much higher than that. He may not have the same howitzer for an arm that his brother did, but he's got a similar frame and an excellent feel for the game. Precise accuracy on intermediate throws too. I always thought David Carr got a bit of a raw deal in the pro ranks, going to an awful Houston expansion franchise that couldn't keep him upright in the pocket with any consistency.

Of course, he's made about $50 million in career earnings, so it hasn't all been bad. And he still has a primo gig backing up Eli Manning. Still, I can't help but wonder if he would have developed into a top-line starter had he entered the league to some different circumstances than he did. Perhaps Derek will fair better, and with his performance on Thursday night, I'd say he has a chance to rise as high as the second quarterback taken in the NFL Draft. He's not getting past Teddy Bridgewater at this point, of course.

Rohan Blackwood

Over each recruiting cycle, there are always prospects who are sort of on the periphery of the scene. Recruiting services know about them, rank them, but always end up undervaluing them for whatever reason. Lack of an impressive offer list, failure to hit the camp/combine circuit, or just a regular case of being overlooked by the people whose job it is to rate football prospects. I really enjoy trying to find and identify those guys each year and watch them succeed as time goes on.

A prospect who has caught my eye this year is Brooksville Nature Coast athlete Rohan Blackwood. This guy is a real marvel to watch on tape, and his upside appears to be through the roof.



It should be added that these YouTube highlights are from his sophomore year. For updated clips, check here.

Sure, I'm a bit biased. I've made no attempt to hide my preference for trying to recruit as many prospects in the 6-foot-5, 220-pound range as possible. Blackwood, after skipping the summer AAU basketball circuit to focus on football in recent months, has put on 15 pounds since last season and moved into that size range heading into his senior season.

It should be noted that Blackwood hasn't been entirely overlooked. He is a three-star prospect on all of the services. But Scout is the only guy who has really jumped on board the bandwagon so far, rating Blackwood as the No. 60 player in the state of Florida. I'm confident he's better than that.

There's still weight to be gained and technique to be learned, but you can't teach the natural gifts Blackwood has. He recorded over 60 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior. He also recorded eight receptions for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2012 on offense. And let's not forget the fact Blackwood averaged 15 and 11 on a 25-4 hardwood squad at Nature Coast last winter. I'm always a big fan of football prospects who excel at basketball as well. Again, the versatility comes into play. He could be a tight end, he could be a primary pass-rusher. The key is getting him on campus and to let things fall into place from there.

Colleges have taken note. Minnesota, Nebraska, South Florida, West Virginia and Wisconsin comprise his current top five. I can't help but think this guy should be getting love from the cream of the crop in the BCS, however. The fact that none of the "Big Three" have offered him boggles my mind. I'm convinced Rohan Blackwood will be a really nice pick-up for somebody. With added weight, more offensive responsibilities and big expectations, he could be one of the guys to see his recruitment really explode over the course of the fall.

Some random Gators recruiting/team thoughts

I received a question the other day from someone on Twitter as it relates to Derby (Kan.) tight end prospect Deandre Goolsby, and why Florida would continue to recruit him with a commitment in hand from talented pledge C'yontai Lewis. Why risk losing Lewis for Goolsby?

The answer is simple. Goolsby is one of the more talented prospects left on the board, and a commitment from him makes the Gators better as a team. Furthermore, with Lewis living right in the heart of Crimson Tide country, there has to be a little bit of concern with what a potential Alabama offer down the road would mean for where he signs on the dotted line.

 Aside from all of that, there's three other points I want to make in regards to Florida's current tight end quandry:

– This is arguably the worst position on the roster right now. Clay Burton and Tevin Westbrook came to UF as defensive ends, and both have since moved over to offense. They have a combined career offensive output of two receptions for 12 yards. Kent Taylor arrived at UF as a highly-touted recruit. But he's looked more like a bust so far. I actually have some hope for Colin Thompson's future, as a foot injury knocked him out last year and forced him to redshirt. But consider what he is. A great blocker, solid receiver. He will never put up elite numbers (which for a SEC tight end, I consider a benchmark of 45/600/7) for the position. He's solid #2 guy. The type Alabama has made a living on in recent years. This group has to get better.

– It shouldn't be this bad. A.C. Leonard should still be in Gainesville. He could have put up Aaron Hernandez-like numbers (yes, I hate to mention the name, but he is the standard for which all other future tight ends will be measured by at UF) but it wasn't in the cards. And does anyone think Gerald Christian couldn't help out right now? Sure, he wasn't quite the naturally-gifted pass-catcher Leonard was. But he was a versatile and talented player. Christian could contribute at fullback, H-Back, and probably put up a line of 35/450/5 in the passing game. Those guys are missed

– Look at the example Stanford has set. Since Harbaugh arrived on campus in 2007, to be followed by David Shaw, the Cardinal have recruited tight ends like it's going out of style. And I don't blame them. If a program can recruit 15 guys in a given year who can play, are 6-5 (or taller) and in the 220-250 pounds range, I'll take it every time. Those types of prospects are so versatile. On defense, they can play DE, DT, occasionally OLB. On offense they can play H-Back, fullback, tight end, and the bigger ones can grow into offensive linemen who can fill any of the roles up front. Will Muschamp loves to talk about how the SEC is a line-of-scrimmage league. Well, those guys can always fill a number of roles in and right around the line-of-scrimmage.

The Cardinal signed three more last year – Eric Cotton, Austin Hooper and Greg Taboada (a prospect out of Atlanta I personally hoped Florida would get involved with) – and they could very well sign three more this year. Who knows? I look back to the Class of 2012 for UF. The Gators landed two highly-touted guys at the position in Taylor and Thompson, but could have easily added at least one other in-state option. Sean Culkin was begging for a UF offer. Sean Price was a player who was very much attainable for the Gators. I'm curious to watch those two guys over the next 2-3 years to see if they make Florida regret not trying to bring them in.

In any case, I got a little long-winded there. But for all these reasons, UF should continue recruiting tight ends like Goolsby and others for 2014. Sure, it is a bit of a down year for the position currently, but names will keep emerging. Just look at how the NFL has resorted to finding talent at the position – they won't hesitate to look to the hardwood, if need be. Hopefully the Gators will continue to be creative on the recruiting trail as well.

Tapping the breaks on the recruiting process

Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel wrote a nice column on the recruiting process, and how it continues to accelerate which each passing year. So much so that Tyreke Johnson, an eight-grader at Trinity Christian Academy, and the younger brother of First Coast star QB De'Andre Johnson (a 2015 commitment to Florida State), wonders aloud why the Seminoles haven't extended an offer yet.

Is that where we're at these days? A kid, who isn't even in high school, is complaining about the offers he hasn't received yet?

By all accounts, the younger Johnson has the makings of an excellent football player. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he already has the projectable frame of a prospect heading into his junior year of high school. Johnson recorded 11 tackles and an interception on a 9-2 squad loaded with BCS-caliber skill talent. There's no doubt he has the makings of a major prospect a few years down the line.



This isn't the first time Hays has touched on the topic, either. He previously wrote about the Johnson family in the spring as well. Older brother De'Andre committed to Florida State in the summer of 2012 – the summer before his sophomore year of high school.

There's nothing wrong with pushing kids to succeed, and wanting them to earn a scholarship to play on the next level. Especially if they are blessed with the talent both of the Johnson brothers have displayed at a precocious age. But when is it too much. When is a parent crossing the line and putting too much focus on the future when these kids should still be enjoying childhood?

I've paid close attention to recruiting coverage for about 10 years now. It used to be that recruiting coverage would really ramp up on a senior class of prospects the summer before their senior year. There was a period of several months between National Signing Day and spring ball where the coverage was fairly sparse – limited mostly to camps, combines and such. Now, we already have rankings of the top juniors in the country.

Likewise, with each passing year, the process gets moved up more and more. 10 years ago, Texas began the trend of landing early commitments in the months immediately proceeding National Signing Day. Yes, there was a time when Mack Brown was ahead of the curve, folks. This was before he started offering guys like Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel the opportunity to play safety in Austin, of course.

40 years ago, boosters essentially helped coaches recruit players. Today, it's a big business all to itself. Recruiting services, video services and media coverage allow coaches to scout and assemble their squads from the comfort of their offices. As Nick Saban has showed, even the use of Skype allows a coach to make and keep contact with top recruits from the confines of their respective campuses.

But how do we slow down this rolling freight train? Verbal commitments are non-binding, and it's not like the NCAA can prevent them from happening. If a talented eighth-grader – say Louisiana phenom Dylan Moses, for example – wants to make trips on his own dime, what's to stop him from doing that? And if the talent is so inherently clear at that age, what's to stop colleges from extending interest and/or verbal offers to 13, 14 and 15-year old prospects? I agree with the sentiment, I'm just not sure how to stop it.

College football recruiting has always been a dirty business, although not as much so as college basketball recruiting has become in recent years. But with the introduction and growing popularity of 7-on-7 tournaments (football's equivalent of the AAU circuit), elite prospect camps like "The Opening" (Nike's answer on the football side to the shoe company summer basketball camps that became popularized in the late 1990's) and now the pursuit of prospects at the middle school level (which has happened in college basketball for years now), it's hard not to see that football is on the same path as basketball, if it isn't there outright already.

So, how do we fix football recruiting? To be honest, I'm not really sure. The debate brings up more questions than answers. Honestly, it seems like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube at this point. But I hope that isn't the case. I really hope.

James McGriff ... has it really been 15 years?

I was doing some research on past recruiting classes on Tuesday night when I came across the name of James McGriff. Has it really been 15 years since he passed? It seems like just yesterday ...

Thanks to the efforts of Joe Cohen, who followed McGriff at Palm Bay High School and wore the No. 20 in honor of him both for the Pirates and later at Florida, McGriff's name has not been forgotten. But I'm not sure people realize just how good of a player this guy was, and just how much his death impacted the Gators moving forward.

In the mid-90's, when I was old enough to start following the prep football scene in Brevard County, local programs had lost their grip on making an impact at the state level. Merritt Island had been a dominant force under Gerald Odom during the 70's and 80's. But while the Mustangs were still very good, they had taken a step back heading into the 90's. Their slide became even more pronounced when the legendary Odom resigned following the 1994 season after a dispute with members of the school administration.

At the time, Titusville was the last county team to win a state title, in 1983. But they had fallen into mediocrity in the years since then. Rockledge was a burgeoning state power, but hadn't quite yet figured out the equation to get past Glades Central. Astronaut always seemed to make an appearance in the state playoffs ... followed by a relatively quick exit.

Prep football in Brevard County appeared to be at a crossroads. Then, James McGriff happened.

The movement took place in small doses. Palm Bay was a middling .500-ish squad (give or take a game or two) throughout first few years of the 90's. Then, Dan Burke arrived in 1996, and between his presence and that of McGriff, the Pirates made the playoffs. A first-round exit followed, but the seeds had been planted. Palm Bay, in the midst of a population explosion, was about the join the ranks of the state's elite.

In the fall of 1997, the Florida Today regaled the county with tales of McGriff's Friday night exploits. As the Pirates rolled through the regular season, a state title appeared well within their grasp. Palm Bay claimed playoff victories over traditional powerhouses Vero Beach, Sarasota Riverview and Niceville. Everything was falling into place. Then, the buzzkill arrived in the form of a 41-7 loss against Lake City Columbia.

No matter, a championship would have to wait for Brevard County. But it was clear that McGriff was moving on to bigger and better things. Although he was a star running back at the high school level, with Earnest Graham also heading to Florida in as a part of the Class of 1998, McGriff likely would have started out his career as a strong safety in Gainesville. He had been timed as fast as 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters. McGriff also carried a 3.0 GPA. One national Top 100 list I came across had McGriff rated as the No. 30 prospect in the country for his senior class. He was listed ahead of such luminaries as eventual top overall NFL Draft pick Carson Palmer, Super Bowl champion Ryan Pickett and All-Pro Roy Williams (the safety, not the receiver), among others. Only Graham and Seffner Armwood offensive lineman Mike Pearson – both Parade All-Americans – were rated higher than McGriff among those who had signed with the Gators.

Brevard County has sent plenty of players to Florida State and Miami, along with other big-time colleges around the country over the years. However, it would be a mistake to label the area as anything other than Gator Country. And the Class of 1998 proved this in grand fashion. Three members of UF's 24-man recruiting class (which also included three transfers from other colleges) were from the Space Coast. Linebacker Marques Oquendo-Johnson (Rockledge) and tight end Aaron Walker (Astronaut) were highly-regarded players. But McGriff was the real prize, and the center-piece of the predictable pictures of all three wearing their respective high school jerseys as they appeared on the front of the Florida Today sports page, previewing their futures in Gainesville.

Then, "Senior Skip Day" happened.

On April 17, 1998, a number of students from Palm Bay High School threw on their swim trunks and headed out across the Indian River to Melbourne Beach. It's a scene that plays out every year at schools across Brevard County and around the country. It's a beautiful day, teenagers would rather be out playing in the waves and sand, so they mark a date on the calendar where they can get away from the classroom for an afternoon.

Rip tides were an issue at Melbourne Beach that particular week. Around 2 p.m., while horse-playing in the water with fellow classmates following a game of volleyball, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound McGriff and his girlfriend became caught in a current. Both struggled to get free. McGriff's significant other was able to swim her way out of the water and get back to shore. McGriff was dragged out into the ocean and perished. His body was recovered the next day.

McGriff's death had a major impact on the county. Today, a park in Palm Bay bears his name in honor of his contributions to the city. Gators fans mourned the loss of a player who was a natural-born leader, and likely would have had an immediate impact on a talent-laden squad that was in the National Championship hunt throughout the 1998 season. Who knows what he might have accomplished in Gainesville?

There's no real lesson to be learned with this story. McGriff's death was a tragic accident. It could have happened to just about anyone. But on that particular day, fate happened to intervene and take the life of a promising football player who had his entire future in front of him. It's just a reminder that sometimes, life simply isn't fair. In many ways, the shock and sadness of that day still resonate with many on the Space Coast.

If there is one silver lining to all of this, it's that McGriff's brilliance did establish a standard at the school for years to come. One upheld by Cohen, offensive lineman Mike Degory and defensive back Reggie Nelson, among others. The trio would take the baton from McGriff and lead the Pirates to a pair of state titles in the following decade. All three players also signed with the Gators, becoming major contributors for Florida – just as James McGriff likely would have been as well.

2013 Preseason Florida All-State Team (All Classes)

Just a fun little exercise here with the first full weekend of real games coming up for Florida high schools. This is the my humble little submission for a preseason All-State team. This is an all-classification team, with only seniors being eligible for inclusion. 24 members total – 12 each on offense and defense. We'll revisit this group in December once all the games have been played.

Offense

QB Treon Harris (5-11, 185, Ft. Lauderdale/University School) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE

– Alright, so I cheated. Originally my pick was slated to be Sean White. But after watching both guys this weekend, I switched my pick to Harris. Yes, I realize that Harris will very likely play another position in college. But, hey, if Russell Wilson can succeed at less-than-ideal size in the NFL, why can't Harris at the college level? Son of a coach, will put up big numbers and is very likely to lead his team to a second-consecutive state title. This is not a bad pick here. But then again, White wouldn't be either.

RB Dalvin Cook (5-11, 196, Miami/Central) – Committed to FLORIDA

– I decided to go with the more explosive of the Central duo. Barring injury, the presence of both Cook and Yearby will limit the amount of carries each back gets. Regardless, they will still put up big numbers on the way to what should amount to be yet another season which ends at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

RB Sony Michel (5-11, 205, American Heritage-Plantation) – Committed to GEORGIA

– Now a full two years removed from reconstructive knee surgery, I expect Michel to put on a show this fall. When he's fully healthy and on, Michel is the best back in the state of Florida. That ability should be on full display in 2013.

WR Ermon Lane (6-2, 196, Homestead) – Committed to FLORIDA

– A year after nearly putting up a 1,000-yard season for Homestead, Lane will now have Georgia commitment Gilbert Johnson on the other side to help loosen up the defensive focus on his abilities as a big-play receiver.

WR Travis Rudolph (6-1, 190, West Palm Beach/Cardinal Newman)

– Over the last three years, Rudolph has amassed over 3,100 yards and 43 touchdowns from scrimmage. He should prove to be a threat on the ground and through the air once again for Cardinal Newman.

WR Artavis Scott (5-11, 180, Tarpon Springs/East Lake) – Committed to CLEMSON

– The numbers are going to be ridiculous once again. Scott should end his career as one of the most prolific receivers in the history of Florida high school football. Having a nice running-mate like George Campbell will also keep defenses from focusing too many double teams on Scott.

OL David Sharpe (6-7, 280, Jacksonville/Providence)

– This is more of an upside pick than anything. But even with so much development ahead of him, I can't imagine there wouldn't be too many coaches around the state of Florida that would turn down the opportunity to have this guy protecting their quarterback's blind side.

OL Trevor Darling (6-5, 330, Miami/Central) – Committed to MIAMI

– Although he can do it all at the high school level, expect Darling to excel at guard on the next level for the 'Canes. It will be another ho-hum season for the big man, as he helps pave the way for a pair of 1,000-yard backs at Central.

OL Isaiah Wynn (6-2, 275, St. Petersburg/Lakewood) – Committed to GEORGIA

– He's a little undersized, which has to be a slight concern in looking ahead to the next level. But Wynn is a dominant offensive lineman at the prep level who deserves mention here. Although he plays tackle for Lakewood, Wynn represents the pivot for this line, as he is likely to kick inside to guard or center at Georgia. Wynn's long arms do compensate for his lack of ideal height, but Wynn needs to add a few pounds once he arrives in Athens as well.

OL Montel McBride (6-4, 350, Plant City) – Committed to ALABAMA

– Yeah, he needs to drop some weight. But McBride is a force on both sides of the ball for Plant City. Perhaps the most destructive force at the guard position in the state this fall. Think a (slightly bigger) Ira Denson.

OL Kc McDermott (6-7, 300, Wellington/Palm Beach Central) Committed to MIAMI

– All things considered, McDermott is probably the best offensive lineman in the state of Florida right now. He is the cornerstone for Central's hope of making the playoffs for the second consecutive year (and second time in school history.) I expect the big man to battle for a starting job right of the bat when he arrives in Coral Gables.

AP Bo Scarbrough (6-2, 220, Bradenton/IMG Academy) Committed to ALABAMA

– The newest addition to a start-up program at the IMG Academy, Scarbrough is a five-star prospect who moves to the Florida after previously competing in the Yellowhammer State. Scarbrough will be primarily tasked with running the football at IMG. But he could also develop into a big-time linebacker at the college level as well.

Defense

DL Khairi Clark (6-2, 330, Hollywood/Chaminade-Madonna) – Committed to FLORIDA

– Clark is quite a load to handle in the middle of the line. He needs to drop some weight before he heads to Gainesville, but I'm sure there won't be too many offensive linemen excited to take on this big load during Friday nights this fall.

DL Rohan Blackwood (6-5, 220, Brooksville/Nature Coast)

– Blackwood put on 15 pounds after recording 15 sacks last fall. Now fully committed to football after moonlighting as a power forward on the hardwood (where he averaged 15 and 11 as a junior on a 25-4 squad for Nature Coast), expect Blackwood to put up some huge numbers this fall.

DL Jacob Pugh (6-4, 225, Tallahassee/Godby) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE

– There's a number of big-time pass-rushers in the state of Florida for the Class of 2014 (Keyon Brown, Trent Harris, Justus Reed, Denzel Ware, Richard Yeargin, etc.) I'm not sure I'd take any of them over Pugh.

DL Travonte Valentine (6-3, 290, Hialeah/Champagnat Catholic) Committed to MIAMI

– Like Clark, Valentine is another dominating presence in the middle of the defensive line. The best football is well out in front of Valentine, who transferred to Champagnat Catholic from Palm Bay Bayside in the spring.

LB Dillon Bates (6-3, 210, Ponte Vedra Beach/Ponte Vedra) – Committed to TENNESSEE

– The son of former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Bill Bates, Dillon is blessed with an intriguing blend of size and speed. He recorded over 100 tackles at Ponte Vedra in 2010.

LB Kain Daub (6-3, 240, Jacksonville/Sandalwood) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE

– Daub excels as a pass-rusher for Sandalwood. A mid-season transfer last year, it will be interesting to see what he can do playing alongside Blake McClain for an entire fall.

LB Darrion Owens (6-3, 215, Orange Park/Oakleaf) – Committed to MIAMI

– Owens played safety last fall for Oakleaf and recorded over 100 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Now at linebacker – the position he will play in college – he should put up even bigger numbers as a senior.

LB Sharieff Rhaheed (6-2, 205, Ft. Pierce/Central)

– A hand injury will keep Rhaheed out for the first couple of weeks. His return will immediately improve a strong Cobras defense which also claims highly regarded defensive end Rashawn Shaw.

DB Duke Dawson (5-11, 195, Cross City/Dixie County) – Committed to FLORIDA

– Dawson hopes to carve a similar path as that of former Dixie County star Nick Collins – a player for whom Dawson has many similarities to. He recorded 43 tackles and a pair of interceptions for Dixie County a season ago.

DB Kendall Gant (6-2, 185, Lakeland/Lake Gibson) – Committed to GEORGIA

– After recording 62 tackles and five interceptions in 2012, the rangy Gant was a really nice pick-up for the Bulldogs earlier this summer. His length gives opposing offenses fits.

DB Trey Marshall (5-11, 196, Lake City/Columbia) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE

– The speedy Marshall was one of the top performers over the summer at Nike's eliete prospect camp, The Opening.

DB Quincy Wilson (6-1, 196, Ft. Lauderdale/University School) – Committed to FLORIDA

– Wilson's size could allow him to play either cornerback or make a smooth transition to safety at the next level. As it stands, Wilson will be a lockdown corner for the Suns as they make a run at a second-consecutive state championship. He recorded 34 tackles and an interception for the Suns a season ago.

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

Travis Rudolph

Alright, so one more top five update for today. West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman wide receiver Travis Rudolph has narrowed his list to five, according to Rivals ($): Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Vanderbilt.

The Gators have long been considered the top dog in the race for Rudolph (6-0½, 188.) However, Alabama and Florida State have been making up ground with the Gators. I wouldn't count out Vanderbilt, and their pitch of immediate playing time for the Under Armour All-American, either. It seems like the opportunity to come in and contribute immediately could be a driving influence on his decision. Ultimately, I don't see the Buckeyes as a major player for his services.



Rudolph has accounted for more than 3,100 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns in three seasons at Cardinal Newman. A phenomenal athlete as well, there has been considerable debate as to whether or not Rudolph could develop into a top-flight cornerback at the next level . In fact, Rudolph withdrew his original commitment to Miami as a result of the fact the 'Canes coaching staff seemed to prefer him as a defensive player.

To date, Will Muschamp has done an excellent job loading up his 2014 class with skill athletes who are true football players. At least two – J.C. Jackson (Immokalee) and Chris Lammons (Plantation) – could project on either side of the ball at next level, along with targets Rudolph, Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif.) and Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs/East Lake), among others. The Gators probably need at least two more skill guys in this class, and Rudolph is clearly one of the prospects for whom they sit prettiest with at the moment.

However, Florida State is making a move following a July summer camp visit to Tallahassee by Rudolph. The Seminoles presently have five receivers committed, but at least two of those prospects are believed to be wavering behind closed doors. Jimbo Fisher is clearly in the market for some more talent at the position. With Ermon Lane's commitment to Florida, Alabama may make Rudolph more of a priority as well, giving the Crimson Tide a chance to dip into the South Florida talent pool for a speedy and athletic receiver once again.

Regardless, the real race for the signature of Travis Rudolph appears to have only begun.

Deandre Goolsby

Another big-time prospect cut his list down this week. On Sunday, Deandre Goolsby (6-4, 225, Derby, Kan./Derby) announced his top five with an Instagram picture he uploaded to Twitter.

🙈Take a peek 👀 #Top5 pic.twitter.com/p95MSeuHCf
— DeAndre Goolsby (@thebasedone30) August 25, 2013

Unlike some prospects at this time of year, this list probably shouldn't be taken with a grain of salt. Goolsby has visited all of his favorites, and seems to have a pretty good handle on the recruiting process. His first official visit is set to Oklahoma for September 7, as the Sooners play host to West Virginia.

Two of the programs on his list – Kansas State and Ohio State – have yet to take a tight end in this class. Arkansas (Jack Kraus), Florida (C'yontai Lewis) and Oklahoma (Carson Meier) all have a commit pegged to play the position in their respective groups.

 The Razorbacks are currently pegged as the favorite according to the 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature. Arkansas also reportedly leads for Plantation (Fla.) tight end Ravian Pierce, the top tight end prospect in Florida, in what has to be considered a down year at the position here in the Sunshine State. Bret Bielema comes from Wisconsin, where the Badgers obviously had a great deal of success with the tight end position (Travis Beckham, Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham, Lance Kendricks) during his stay in Madison. I'm sure this fact is not lost on Goolsby.

From the Florida perspective, the Gators have to improve on the tight end position. It is arguably the weakest position group heading into the 2013 season, although there are a pair of promising young players in Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson for which there are high expectations for the future. Even with C'yontai Lewis in the fold already, I expect the Gators to continue looking at their options. Generally speaking, this isn't the strongest crop at the tight end position in recent years. Goolsby represents one of the best available options left on the board. Considering he did make a summer visit to Gainesville, he figures to be one of the top priorities at tight end moving forward for UF.

Highlights:

Cory Thomas

One of the top defensive ends in the Southeast this year is McCalla (Ala.) McAdory jumbo pass-rusher Cory Thomas. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect is intriguing, in that his frame allows for multiple possible outcomes in terms of the position he could play at the next level. 3-4 end, 4-3 tackle ... perhaps a move to offensive tackle?

 Florida defensive line coach Brad Lawing is known, in particular, for his fondness of length on the edge (think Clowney, Clifton Geathers, Devin Taylor, etc.) Thomas will be one of the top targets at end for the Gators from here on out.

On Tuesday, Thomas announced his top three schools. Sort of.

Top 3
— *~#34 From Mcadory~* (@bigcory34) August 27, 2013

#HailState
— *~#34 From Mcadory~* (@bigcory34) August 27, 2013

#VolNation
— *~#34 From Mcadory~* (@bigcory34) August 27, 2013

#Gators #gatorbait
— *~#34 From Mcadory~* (@bigcory34) August 27, 2013

However, the big defensive lineman went on to add this ...

The other 2 will be comin soon
— *~#34 From Mcadory~* (@bigcory34) August 27, 2013

Long thought to be a lean to Mississippi State, at one point Thomas intended to make an announcement at the beginning of August that would have resulted in his commitment to the Bulldogs. However, Thomas ultimately decided to hold off on making a pledge. The longer this recruitment goes on, the more it favors the other finalists. However, expect Mississippi State to have some staying power. They did, after all, sign linebacker Dezmond Harris out of McAdory High School in February.

Auburn recently jumped in with an offer, and I have to think the Tigers can slide their way into the top group as well.

What's interesting about this list, is the fact that Thomas has visited Starkville several times since the beginning of the year. He's been to the Plains and Knoxville as well. Thomas has yet to visit the Sunshine State, and yet here the Gators sit, still apparently a major player.

Getting Thomas on campus will be a priority for all four schools (and others) over the course of the fall. As always, it's smart to "follow the visits." Mississippi State still clearly looks to be in a prime position here. But we'll see if that position continues to hold strong on the road to National Signing Day.



Thomas recorded over 70 tackles and eight sacks as a junior for McAdory.

Jamarkus McFarland

The name of former Oklahoma defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland showed up on the waiver wire today, a casualty of cut-down day as the San Diego Chargers looked to get down under 75 this afternoon on the way to the eventual 53-man roster limit in a few days. McFarland is one of hundreds of players who will be without a team after today. In that sense, his story is not particularly page-turning. But unlike nearly all the other players released from active rosters in the NFL today, McFarland was the center of a hotly-contested battle between the Sooners, Texas and a host of other schools that eventually led to a lengthy New York Times profile that detailed some of the slimier aspects of his recruitment.

Knowing what they know now, I wonder if Bob Stoops and Mack Brown still think McFarland was worth all the effort?

In 47 career games (23 starts) for Oklahoma, McFarland recorded 80 tackles (17.0 for loss), 7.5 sacks, three passes defended and an interception. Solid numbers, no doubt. But certainly a bit of a disappointment for an Army All-American who touched off one of the more memorable tussles on the recruiting trail for the Class of 2009.

Now, McFarland is just one of many young athletes who will have to now consider a future without football. It's only notable, because it's a reminder that as we get caught up in the hoopla over stars, All-America bids and recruiting rankings, we really don't have a crystal ball in front of us. There's no telling how these guys will develop, how they will respond to potential adversity and how they will adjust to moving up a level in competition.

In other words, for all the projections and prognostications, we really have no bleepin' clue what any of these kids are going to do once they move on to college. As I read a lengthy (but good) piece on five-star defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand by the Washington Post today, I can't help but wonder whether his college career arc will be closer to Clowney, or that of McFarland. We can debate it all day, but the fact of the matter is we really have no idea.

Top five for RB Joe Mixon

Five-star RB Joe Mixon (Freedom, Calif./Oakley) has re-released his list of "Top Five" schools. This guy is clearly having fun with the recruiting process, but nonetheless, here's a look at the schools that made the cut:

Thanks to all of the colleges for the Opportunity I really appreciate it! This top 5 will not be in Order!
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

1) Florida #GoGators🐊
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

2)Cal #GoBears🐻
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

3)Oklahoma #BoomerSooner
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

4)Wisconsin #HoneyBadgers
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

5)Oregon #GoDucks
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 26, 2013

Wisconsin should come as no surprise. As often as the Badgers churn out 1,000-yard rushers – sometimes even two in a given season – you would figure they would be under consideration with more big-time running backs. Florida and Oregon are also intriguing options for the 6-foot-1, 207-pound prospect, but both schools already have five-star running back prospects committed to their respective programs for the 2014 class already. I think this one will ultimately come down to two schools: California and Oklahoma.

Both run wide-open offenses and have a need for a multi-purpose threat such as Mixon. He can stay a little closer to home, and help Sonny Dykes try to rebuild the program at Cal. Or, he can head to Norman and replace a trio of talented departing rushers in Brennan Clay, Roy Finch and Damian Williams.

In labelng an "all-purpose" back, recruiting services typically try to distinguish small "scatbacks" who can contribute in the passing and return games, from the more traditional 20-carry-a-game workhorse running back. Mixon, however, fits both descriptions. He's a big guy who can carry between the tackles, but he has breakaway speed and can be a threat on the perimeter as both as runner and receiver. He's also an accomplished return man at the prep level as well. Wherever Mixon winds up, he should prove to be an immediate-impact player.

Of course, with as wild and crazy as Mixon's recruitment has been to date, you might be able to toss all of this out the window by next week. In any case, expect a number of schools in addition to the five above, to continue their pursuit of the blue-chip running back.

A trio of UF-related recruiting notes

– From ESPN, five-star David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence) will be in South Carolina for the highly-anticipated top-ten matchup between Georgia and Clemson this weekend.

#ESPN300 No. 15 @SHARPECITYY will be at #Georgia at #Clemson Saturday. Elite talent. http://t.co/9uXcTaI9JH
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) August 26, 2013

Both schools are considered prime contenders (along with Florida) for the 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman.

– According to 247Sports ($), the Gators have moved into the second place (behind Clemson) for 6-foot-7, 215-pound defensive end Lorenzo Featherston (Greensboro, N.C./Page). With the need Florida has the defensive end position for the Class of 2014, this is a obviously a good development for UF. N.C. State, UNC and Tennessee make up the other programs in Featherston's top five. Florida defensive line coach Brad Lawing has had success in the past with taller defensive ends during his tenure at South Carolina, including Clifton Geathers (6-8), Devin Taylor (6-7) and Jadeveon Clowney (6-6).

As a junior, Featherston recorded 58 tackles (15 for loss) and a pair of sacks on a 7-5 squad. He's a project, who needs to add a lot of weight and technique to his game. But he's obviously a high-upside prospect, which explains why he's a consensus top-100 prospect.

– Per Rivals national analyst Mike Farrell, five-star defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) will make an official visit to Florida the weekend of the Arkansas game.

Looks like Da'Shawn Hand will visit #gators oct 5 when they host Arkansas.
— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) August 26, 2013

Hand is a consensus top-10 national prospect, and Rivals has him rated as the No.1 prospect in the country for the Class of 2014. Michigan is the presumed leader, and Alabama is a strong contender as well. At 6-foot-4 and nearly 260 pounds, Hand would be an ideal fit as a versatile strong-side end/five-technique end/three-technique tackle in Florida's multiple-look defensive scheme.

The weekend in review: Recapping the Prospects (Part II)

A follow up to last night's post: with a full weekend of prep football on the ESPN family of networks (and elsewhere), here's a look at some of the prospects who jumped off the screen to me on Sunday afternoon.

ATH Jalen Hurd (6-4, 225, Henderson, Tenn./Beech)

– Some talk Hurd has even moved upwards of 240 pounds (or more). He looks good, although I'm not sure I'm buying that he already weighs that much. In any case, Hurd was incredibly impressive in a thrilling 42-39 win over Station Camp on Sunday. Hurd lived up to expectations on offense (21 carries, 177 yards, 3 TD's), but he was a revelation playing on defense, often as a one-high safety positioned about 15-18 yards off the line of scrimmage. Hurd would likely need a transition to linebacker at the next level, but his future very much seems to be on defense. He could be a difference-maker for the Vols on a unit where they currently lack for talent.

WR Josh Malone (6-2, 191, Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp)

– Malone was impressive, if not spectacular on Sunday. A 87-yard kickoff return for a TD allowed his surprising speed and explosiveness at his size to shine through. He will need some work – Malone is not a finished product by any means (evidenced by his offensive performance: four receptions, 35 yards). But he can be a big-time receiver on the next level. Obviously, his recruitment is only beginning to heat up.

RB Tre Malone (6-0, 235, Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp)

– The cousin of Josh, this Malone is a member of the Class of 2015, and should be just as highly-recruited. Malone impressed as a big, bruising, downhill runner who proved extremely tough for the Beech defense to bring down on Sunday (14 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD's). He should prove to be just as highly-recruited as his four-star relative based on his performance this weekend.

WR Ermon Lane (6-2, 196, Homestead)

– Lane had a relatively quiet game on Sunday, getting injured early on and never really making an impact after that (four catches, 42 yards). I was actually as impressed by a couple of tackles he made on defense as anything he did from the wide receiver position. Clearly, Homestead was overmatched against the University School. Lane will likely put up big numbers once the Broncos get into the meat of the schedule, especially if they elect to air it out like they did on Sunday (Broncos QB Maurice Alexander threw 45 times against the University School). In any case, if nothing else, at least Lane showed the level of physicality that will be needed from him on the occasions he's asked to block at the next level.

CB Quincy Wilson (6-1, 196, University School)

– Wilson had the big pick-six to sort of put the game away for University School in a 41-21 win over Homestead. Wilson had a couple of breakdowns in coverage as well, but overall I thought he showed great agility and technique for a big corner. Although a lot of people seem to have questioned his take by Florida, the Gators clearly needed at least one big corner in this class. Wilson helps fill that void.

RB Jordan Scarlett (5-11, 200, University School)

– Scarlett isn't quite there yet. He's got the speed. He's starting to fill out and show the frame (now around 200 pounds). He's certainly close. It's hard not to think that Scarlett is putting himself in an excellent position to end up the top running back in the state of Florida for the Class of 2015, and subsequently, one of the top in the country among the junior class as well. Scarlett ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the kickoff classic victory for the U-School.

QB Torrance Gibson (6-4, 185, American Heritage-Plantation)

– After making a strong impact on the seven-on-seven circuit over the spring and summer, Gibson flashed plus tools on Sunday against Cypress Bay. His 80-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Perez on the first play from scrimmage got things started for the Patriots in a big preseason win over the Chargers. The hype is certainly warranted. Gibson has the size, although he needs to continue adding weight. Impressive speed at 6-4, and he showed off a live arm on Sunday. It's only one preseason classic under his belt at this point, but now you can officially take the “athlete” label off of #6. He's got the look of a big-time dual-threat quarterback prospect.

RB Sony Michel (5-11, 205, American Heritage-Plantation)

– Michel showed why all the hype early in his career was warranted, ripping off a 69-yard touchdown run on the second offensive series of the game for AH-Plantation in a 38-14 kickoff classic win over defending FHSAA Class 8A runner-up Cypress Bay. Two years removed from the ACL injury that wiped out his sophomore season, Michel appears to be back to 100 percent, and ready to run roughshod over South Florida competition once again. The UGA rushing attack continues to get more formidable.

CB Tarvarus McFadden (6-2, 185, American Heritage-Plantation)

– Talented junior athlete had a couple of plays that stood out. A 58-yard kickoff allowed McFadden to flash his speed, but was called back due to a penalty. Cypress Bay also tested McFadden on a fade route in the end zone where McFadden showed good positioning and coverage. He batted the ball away and nearly made an interception. Overall, I was impressed with McFadden's cover ability at that size. Great body control. He's definitely an intriguing prospect among the state's junior class.

The weekend in review: Recapping the Prospects (Part I)

The first weekend of prep football is in full force on the ESPN family of networks (and elsewhere). Some of these games counted, some didn't. In any case, it was the first chance to watch some real action from the high school level in over nine months. Here were some of the big-name prospects who jumped off the screen to me on Saturday.

OL Martez Ivey (6-6, 280, Apopka)

– Ivey absolutely looks the part of a big-time, national top-100 level lineman. Apopka lined him up all over the field – including in the slot on a handful of plays – in an effort to get him in position to make the key blocks on each offensive set. Despite the fact Apopka dropped a 51-36 decision to Palmetto State powerhouse Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes, the Blue Darters still managed to outgain their opponents in total offense, 402-367. A fact helped by the presence of Ivey as well as all-purpose back Daquan Isom. I'm still curious to see how Ivey develops over the course of the next year, but he looks phenomenal right now. Should be one of the top offensive linemen in the Class of 2015.

FB Chandler Cox (6-2, 215, Apopka)

– An all-around threat who plays multiple roles in Apopka's single-wing style offense. Cox could be the eventual successor to Zack Darlington at QB for the Blue Darters. His future on the college level is likely as a fullback, however. A devastating blocker who is also a tough runner between the tackles, Cox would seem to be a great fit at fullback for a team looking in that direction for the Class of 2015.

DE Jacob Pugh (6-4, 225, Tallahassee Godby)

– The thing that jumped out at me immediately in regards to Pugh is his noticeable gain in bulk. This isn't the lanky, gangly athlete we saw running about creating mischief as a sophomore at Monticello Jefferson County when Pugh was a sophomore. He has developed into an excellent weakside end prospect. The Seminoles got a real steal with this one, as Pugh created all sorts of headaches for the Plant offensive front – as well as Panthers head coach Robert Weiner – in an impressive and dominant kickoff classic win for defending state champ Godby over Tampa powerhouse Plant, 35-16.

WR John Burt (6-3, 175, Tallahassee Lincoln)

– Reggie Davis (Georgia) and Taj Williams (Indiana) were excellent receiver prospects for Lincoln last year. Only a junior this fall, Burt is already better. Lincoln picked up a big 34-21 win over Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett on Saturday, and Burt was one of the stars of the show. Four receptions, 132 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He also added an interception on defense in the victory.



Long, rangy and with the ability to get open in the vertical passing game, Burt figures to dominate the football scene in Tallahassee over the next two years as he develops into a national recruit at the receiver position. Needs to add weight and fill out, but that will come with time.

RB Dalvin Cook (5-11, 196, Miami/Central)

– In a sloppy game littered with penalties, it was hard to read much into the performance of Florida commit Cook, along with Miami pledge Joe Yearby (who combined for over 100 yards rushing and two TD's on the night) in a 44-13 kickoff classic win for Central over fellow South Florida power Dwyer. Both figure to build on twin 1,400-yard campaigns from last fall, as the Rockets prepare to defend their Class 7A state championship from last year, and make a run at the mythical national championship for this year.

DE Lorenzo Carter (6-5, 234, Norcross)

– Unfortunately for Carter, and the rest of the Norcross squad, they were completely dominated and overshadowed by the speed of the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes of Tallahassee. Undersized left tackle Jordan Ingraham pushed Carter around all night long, with the only play I can recall Carter making was on a stunt inside where he managed to get his hands in the face of BTW quarterback Treon Harris in the second quarter. Harris still managed to unleash a dart which went for about 20 yards, which was pretty much the story of the night. There's no doubt that Carter has all the athletic tools to develop into a big-time player at the next level. Saturday night proved he still has a ways to go to refine those considerable talents, however.

DE Chad Thomas (6-5, 240, Booker T. Washington)

– Thomas may not have made a huge impression in the stat column on Saturday night, but he's clearly improving as a player. While Carter is known for his athleticism as a pass-rusher, and will likely line up on the weak-side or even as a pass-rushing OLB at the next level, Thomas will be a strong-side end or even perhaps make an impact at the three-technique at Miami. Thomas lined up quite a bit on the interior and certainly seemed to have his way with the Norcross offensive front on Saturday night. His play will be closely monitored by all the recruiting services over the course of the 2013, I'm sure.

QB Treon Harris (5-10½, 186, Booker T. Washington)

– 23-of-28, 287 yards, 5 TD's against a team widely thought to be one of the 25 best in the country. Harris also threw in a cool 65 yards rushing on 10 carries. Not much more to add about this performance. He was simply sensational. I'm thinking there may be something to Harris' insistence that he get a look at QB on the next level.

RB Mark Walton (5-10, 182, Booker T. Washington)

– The next in line at Booker T. Washington. Walton looked electric in his limited role against Norcross on Saturday, which included a 13-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of the Tornadoes' rout over one of the top programs in the state of Georgia. Expect Walton to be another ho-hum national prospect from the BTW prospect machine.

Florida: the new prep OL powerhouse

Traditionally, in recruiting circles, the Midwest is sort of thought of as the place to go for big-time OL prospects. It makes sense. The Big Ten has long been considered the cradle of great offensive linemen, so it would stand to reason that prep coaches in that region would also focus on the quality of their offensive lines as an important cornerstone in the process of building their teams.

On the other hand, Florida has long been considered the place to go to for top-level skill talent. Running backs, receivers, defensive backs, linebackers, even pass-rushers. College programs can always get their fill in the Sunshine State. Quarterbacks and offensive linemen? Not so much. But perhaps that paradigm should be in for shift, at least, if recent recruiting rankings have any indication.

For the Class of 2012, John Theus (Jacksonville/Bolles) was widely-regarded as a consensus five-star prospect. He signed with Georgia, and showed a lot of promise in his first year, moving into the right tackle spot for the 'Dawgs and proving to be a significant contributor.

This past February, Laremy Tunsil (Lake City Columbia) surprised many by signing with Ole Miss. But what isn't surprising, is the fact he's already running second-team at left tackle in Oxford. Tunsil was also considered a five-star talent.

Now, David Sharpe (Jacksonville/Providence) is carrying the torch for Florida offensive linemen. Also considered a five-star talent with incredible upside, Sharpe has offers from nearly all the top programs in the country and has been selected to participate in the Army All-American Game (just as Theus and Tunsil did before him.)

While offensive linemen can often emerge on the radar late, Apopka's Martez Ivey has already staked a claim as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2015. If he continues on this current path, he will give the state of Florida a five-star offensive line prospect for the fourth year in a row.

Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate the level of players Florida is producing along the offensive line?

Martez Ivey highlights: