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

Florida makes a push for Stefan McClure...

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.

Auburn in the drivers seat for Marcus Roberson...

I'm not sure if any high school football prospect in the state of Florida has had as much of a rise in recruiting circles over the past six months as Marcus Roberson (6-1, 175, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). At the Gridiron Kings 7-on-7 tournament (put on by the fine folks at ESPN Rise) which was held this weekend, Roberson was integral part of the dominant Team Southeast defense, a group which gave up only six points in their final three contests -- not an easy feat in the world of 7-on-7 play. Roberson earned all-tournament honors as the Southeast team walked away with an easy 36-0 victory in championship game over Team Southwest at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista.

In regards to his recruitment, Roberson has been all over the map. Early on he favored Texas A&M. Following a June visit to Gainesville, the Gators moved squarely into the driver's seat for his commitment, and figured to reel him in before the season starts in August. Now, it appears Roberson is leaning in a different direction once again.

"It's Auburn," Roberson said when prompted for a leader on Sunday evening. "Everything about it is great, the team, the people, and the coaches."

Why did the Tigers make such a move for one of the top cornerback prospects in the entire country? At Auburn, Roberson knows he will have a shot at starting out at the position he prefers, while Florida has mentioned two possibilities for where he could play over the course of his recruitment.

"Auburn wants me at cornerback," Roberson explained. "Florida told me safety at first. Then they said I could play cornerback. I'm not real sure about all of that."

While the Gators are still working hard to land Roberson's services, it appears they are fighting an uphill battle at this point. Although Roberson attended Friday Night Lights in Gainesville last weekend, it was not enough to move Auburn off the top slot. Furthermore, Roberson is planning just one more trip before he makes a decision -- and it's not to Gainesville.

"I'm not sure if there will be enough time (for a visit to Florida)," he said. "We might be flying back to Alabama to take another visit (to Auburn)."

And so, while Roberson remains uncommitted for the time being, it appears the Tigers have moved very close to securing the services of one of the top defensive back prospects in the entire Southeast.