Post-Arkansas Recruiting Thoughts

Just running off at the keyboard for a bit in the aftermath of Florida's 30-10 victory against the Razorbacks on Saturday, moving the Gators to 4-1 on the season (3-0 in the SEC).

First, the good news:

– The top offensive line target on the board for Florda, David Sharpe, finally showed up for a game in the Swamp this fall. It appears he enjoyed himself as well.

Enjoyed the Florida Game alot
— David Sharpe (@SHARPECITYY) October 6, 2013

In any case, the Gators appear to have done what they needed to do with this unofficial visit: "stop the bleeding," so to speak. The momentum has been quickly moving away from UF in recent weeks and more towards Clemson and Georgia. Now, it appears Florida has put themselves firmly back in the mix. But where things go with Sharpe from here is anyone's guess. Is this the weekend where Florida starts to turn the tide back in their favor? Or is this just a slight detour in the road towards Sharpe ending up at Georgia (or somewhere else)? Only time will tell.

Again, the Gators need at least one more body up front on offense in this class. At this point, they obviously can't put all their eggs in Sharpe's basket if they want to achieve the numbers they are looking for on the O-Line. But he is a critical prospect in Florida's recruiting efforts down the stretch. That much is clear. Unless a Damian Prince (or like-minded prospect) emerges as a serious target, of course. But for now, we'll consider Sharpe to be the only big-time OL prospect for whom the Gators are currently a serious option for.

– After extending an offer to Tennessee wide receiver commitment Eric Lauderdale last week, the talented JUCO prospect has already backed off of his pledge to the Vols on Sunday night:

After going over a few things, I feel like the best decision for me & my family is to back away from my commitment to Tennessee...
— Eric Lauderdale (@e_lauderdale) October 7, 2013

Considering Lauderdale has already publicly discussed making a visit to UF in the wake of the offer from Florida assistant coach Joker Phillips, this has to be considered a pretty good development for the Gators. It seems safe to say that Florida is trending up here.

Now, the bad news:

– This shouldn't come as a huge surprise. There was the news from late last week that Dalvin Cook is going to take an official visit to Arkansas. Now, Florida's other five-star skill commitment is in the process of setting up a couple of trips as well:

#Gators WR commit Ermon Lane plans to officially visit #FSU & # Alabama. Says commitment at 95%. See #FSU as the #Gators competition only.
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 6, 2013

Whereas Cook has visited Texas, USC and now Arkansas – teams not generally thought to be any real threats at making a run for his signature – Ermon Lane plans to visit Alabama and Florida State. Those two programs obviously have a better chance at swaying Lane off of his pledge to UF. What the Crimson Tide have done over the past five years speaks for itself. And the early-season play of Jameis Winston is obviously catching the eye of some recruits (especially ones who play offense) as well.

This is definitely something worth watching down the stretch. With the need for skill players in this class (no less than eight prospects between RB, WR and DB ... and very likely more), the Gators have to be careful to make sure they hit their marks on the recruiting trail. With J.C. Jackson also apparently being a bit shaky in his commitment these days, Will Muschamp might have to take a step back and re-evaluate where some things are in regards to the Class of 2014 and the skill positions on both offense and defense.

On to some other items:

– It's kind of interesting to note how Florida's offense has played this year, and how that could (positively) effect recruiting. Despite all the hemming and hawing from the UF fanbase, this unit is on par to put together their best showing since 2009. Surprisingly, the running game has not been what is was last season. Despite a backfield stocked with talent (on paper), the results really haven't been there through four games – and that should be appealing to a talent like Dalvin Cook – who could come to Gainesville and step into a prominent role immediately.

As for the passing game, suddenly things have opened up with Tyler Murphy running the show. The Gators are throwing it around a bit more, and the three upperclassmen (Burton, Dunbar and Patton) have all made huge jumps under Joker Phillips. Phillips can also point to his immediate success working with the UF receivers as Florida attempts to hold on to Ermon Lane and reel in a couple of other top-notch prospects as well.

– Florida has now offered a JUCO receiver (the aforementioned Lauderdale) and I've previously pointed out that offering a JUCO defensive back might not be the worst idea, either. The Gators may have the answer for one of those upcoming needs already on the roster: Valdez Showers. Although he's now listed as a running back, Showers is more of an "offensive weapon" (to steal a term from the Jaguars, in regards to Denard Robinson) than a true member of the backfield. Perhaps next year, he makes a move to playing full-time as a receiver (while possibly still getting a few carries as well). With Burton and Patton gone after 2013, someone will need to step up in providing a presence in the passing game over the middle.

But Showers was originally recruited to play defense, and I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility that maybe he makes a return to that side of the football next year, considering where the numbers will be in the secondary if both Purifoy and Roberson elect to go pro. In any case, Showers is a versatile weapon whose value will become much more defined next year because of his ability to fill so many different roles effectively on the football field.

– The Gators have not signed a player out of the Mississippi prep ranks since Robert Gillespie in 1998. It should be noted that Will Muschamp attempted to hire Gillespie as an assistant when he first got on at Florida, but was rebuffed, as Gillespie elected to stay at West Virginia. With Mississippi State's struggles this season, now seems like as good of a time to strike as any in the Magnolia State. Florida used uncertainty surrounding Gene Chizik's future at Auburn last fall to make a run at AU pledge Jarrad Davis. Chizik was eventually fired, and Davis would go on to sign with UF (he has been an integral part of the special teams units for UF this fall). The guy I would be eyeing if I was a member of the UF staff? Greenville Weston linebacker Gerri Green. Checking in at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Green reportedly runs in the 4.5 range. Green could play linebacker, or could grow into an athletic rush end as well. In any case, he's a long, fast, athletic defensive front-seven player, which is exactly what Florida has been in the market for over the past couple of years.

Another school's commitment list who could eventually come in the crosshairs: Tennessee. The Vols gambled and it nearly paid off big when UT brought in a bunch of commits for a weekend showdown with Georgia. Tennessee fought valiantly and lost, but their performance against the Bulldogs bought some time with recruits – especially those in attendance on Saturday. However, Butch Jones still lacks a signature win in Knoxville, and may not get it this year. The Vols could easily fall to 3-7 by the middle of November following a slate which includes Alabama, South Carolina, and an improved Mizzou and Auburn over the next four games. If the Gators find someone else committed to Tennessee worth pursuing –  as they already seem to be reeling in the former JUCO WR commit Lauderdale –  then it would come as no surprise at all to see UF make that move to pursue. DaVonte Lambert, in particular, may be someone whom the Gators decide not to give up on until the LOI paperwork is in to the school of his choice.

A breakdown of Florida's class to date

Today, we'll do a quick look at what Florida has put together so far in the Class of 2014. 15 commitments to date with the season just underway. I prefer to take the long view, and breakdown prospects by four categories: Quarterback, Skill, Line and Specialists. This is the way Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook used to do it when announcing their recruiting classes on National Signing Day. And it makes sense. These guys still have growing and developing to do. While there's nothing wrong with projecting a prospect to a certain position at the next level, the fact is, we still have no idea where their development will take them once they get on a college campus. 

Quarterback

Will Grier (6-2½, 181, Davidson, N.C.)

– Although Florida's greatest successes at the quarterback position have historically come with the offspring of preachers, taking a coach's son isn't the worst idea either. Grier is an ultra-productive signal-caller who also brings plus-athleticism to the position. Only concern here is the frame. I don't see him getting much past 210-215 pounds at the college level. But that didn't hinder a guy like Robert Griffin III, so who knows? In any case, Grier appears to be the future at the quarterback position once Jeff Driskel moves on. 

Skill

Dalvin Cook (5-11, 196, Miami, Fla.)

Duke Dawson (5-11, 197, Cross City, Fla.)

J.C. Jackson (5-10, 180, Immokalee, Fla.)

Chris Lammons (5-9½, 171, Plantation, Fla.)

Ermon Lane (6-2, 196, Homestead, Fla.)

C'yontai Lewis (6-5, 212, Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Quincy Wilson (6-1, 196, Miramar, Fla.)

– Cook is the perfect blend of size, athleticism and versatility. His recruitment may very well give Florida a few headaches over the next few months. But if UF can hold on to him (and there's no reason to believe they won't at the moment), he's one of the gems of the class. At this point, taking another running back is more of a luxury than a necessity.

– In Jackson and Lammons, the Gators have landed a pair of shifty offensive playmakers who are projected to the defensive side of the ball in college. Personally, I could see either player – or even both players – on offense at the college level. Neither may light up a stopwatch with a 4.4 40, but they both seem to make plays where it counts: between the white lines.

– Another pair of players, Dawson and Wilson, play corner at the high school level. Both are bigger, more physical players at the position. There are questions of whether or not either player can remain at corner in college. In a defensive scheme other than Florida's, I might agree with that notion. For the Gators, I think both guys can play corner, although either may get a look at nickel and/or safety. With Florida losing potentially three 6-foot corners, these two will bring a much-needed infusion of size to the secondary.

– While Ermon Lane and C'yontai Lewis play different positions, they both potentially bring length and an added vertical dimension to the Florida offense. Lane is a key recruit, as the Gators need to build on a strong receiver class in 2013 by continuing to add talent at the position. Florida needs to add a receiving threat at the tight end position, and Lewis could do just that. He's raw and he needs to add quite a bit of weight. But there's no question he brings a different skill-set to the table than Burton, Thompson and Westbrook.  

Line

Dontae Angus (6-6, 330, Philadelphia, Pa.)

Taven Bryan (6-5, 250, Casper, Wyo.)

Khairi Clark (6-1½, 326, Hollywood, Fla.)

Travaris Dorsey (6-2½, 314, Jacksonville, Fla.)

Nolan Kelleher (6-5, 300, Mount Pleasant, S.C.)

Benjamin Knox (6-5, 260, DeLand, Fla.)

Justus Reed (6-2, 220, Clearwater, Fla.)

–  Of this group, Clark and Kelleher are the cornerstones. Clark will need to continue to re-shape his body, but he is a true nose tackle who can potentially play the one-technique, or move head up on the center and be a two-gap zero-technique. Big get. Kelleher is an excellent pulling guard at the prep level. Great feet. He could play inside as a guard, center or perhaps even at right tackle for Florida. Very versatile player.

– Angus, Bryan, Knox make up the "project" element of the line class. Angus is fairly new to organized football, and while his junior film wasn't overly impressive (and it's barely watchable, I might add), he does have the size and an explosive first step that cannot be taught. I don't think it's a given he ends up on offense, but I tend to think he would be a better fit at guard than at defensive tackle against SEC competition. I like Bryan's athleticism and frame. The only question with him is the level of competition he faces in Wyoming. Bryan is arguably the top recruit to come out of the state since Brett Keisel in 1997. Before that, you would have to go back to former Nebraska linebacker Troy Dumas in 1991. So, yes, Wyoming does occasionally produce a Florida-caliber football player. I tend to like Bryan as a potential offensive tackle, but it's not a stretch to think he could stick at defensive end, either. Knox is the shakiest commitment of this class. He has the length and athleticism to develop into a nice tackle at the next level, but there's a lot of work in front of him. You get the sense that he and Florida are drifting further and further apart, but until the Gators can lock in some other talented linemen, there's no reason to cut him loose at this point.

– As for Dorsey and Reed, they represent an unsexy, yet vital portion of the class. Dorsey is a traditional road-grader who should compete for time at either guard or center. Reed is a talented, yet undersized pass-rusher. Think of players like Lerentee McCray and Neiron Ball when making a comparison for Reed. He could see time at the BUCK position. He could also be converted to a SAM linebacker. More importantly, he can get after the quarterback. In any case, Reed should be able to carve out some sort of role in the future for the Florida defense.

Specialists

None

– Barring a complete collapse by Austin Hardin this season, it seems highly unlikely the Gators will pursue a special teams player to bring in on scholarship for the Class of 2014.