Today is the first day of Fall Camp for the vast majority of high schools around the state of Florida. What better way to kick it off than to start it out at the practice field where (arguably) the top player in the Sunshine State -- and possibly the country -- would be working out bright and early this morning. The Columbia Tigers of Lake City have a young and talented group of players headlined by the considerable talents of DT Timmy Jernigan (6-3, 285), who will play a huge role in defining the success of this ball club for the 2010 season.
I've been following Jernigan closely since last fall, and while he had a strong presence on the 2009 edition of the Tigers, you can tell that he is the face, heart, and soul of the 2010 squad. In work outs he bounced between providing an energy that is sorely needed during a summer day in North Florida, and coaching up the young guys who might allow Jernigan to get to the sideline for a play or two this coming season. He is equal parts mentor, motivator and class clown. In the few instances he was asked to demonstrate some technique or go up against an offensive lineman in blocking drills (and they weren't full contact by the way, as teams are not in full pads yet), Jernigan would routinely beat his man, scream so loud you could hear him in every corner of Columbia's expansive practice fields, and then give a little dance for good measure. If nothing else, Timmy Jernigan always lets you know he's around when he gets on the football field.
Afterwards, in talking to him, you can tell the recruiting process is starting to wear on him a bit. Decision day is moving closer (although he still expects to announce on National Signing Day, that could be subject to change, however), and teams are starting to turn up the heat a bit. Jernigan has been pretty consistent with his top group for a few months now, and he's narrowed it down to five teams, who will all receive official visits from him over the coming months. Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU and Michigan have all made the cut. Now, the hard part comes...who out of the five will land the state of Florida's big prizes for the 2011 recruiting class? Only one man really knows -- and Timmy Jernigan isn't showing his hand right now.
Other notes:
- I spoke with former Gators walk-on tight end Christopher Coleman this morning. Coleman, who was with the Gators from 2007-09, was hired to coach the offensive line for the Tigers in the spring, and he has a heck of a job in front of him. Columbia is basically starting from scratch up front, and will be employing at least four new starters up front in 2010. But from watching him work with his charges this morning, you can tell he really used the best of his time in Gainesville. Coleman is a Lake City native, and says this was a great opportunity for him because "I have to stay around (football)." Of course, I'm sure the Gators were happy to see him land this gig, seeing as they have a certain interest in a certain star player taking part in his final season for Columbia this fall...
- The other guy that really stands out aside from Jernigan on the practice field for Columbia is sophomore offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (6-5, 280). Tunsil is being pressed into duty for the Tigers this fall at right tackle, and despite the fact he has a "long ways to go," in the eyes of Coleman, he cleary has a chance to be something special. Tunsil is still growing into his body, and he can lumber a bit when he runs, but he has the frame, and the athleticism to become a special offensive lineman one day. I don't know if his recruitment will mirror that of what Jernigan has experienced so far -- but it has a chance to do just that.
- Just ask head coach Craig Howard, this Timmy (Jernigan) has a chance to be just as good as the last Timmy (Tebow) he coached at the high school level...Fellow defensive line prospect Dequan Ivery (6-0, 300) is a player to watch in the Class of 2012. Although Ivery is a bit on the short side, he is a stout presence in the middle, and nearly as strong as Jernigan is, despite being a year behind him. He will receive plenty of D-I interest over the next year. Ivery is actually a cousin of Jernigan, and was actually driven to Florida's recent Friday Night Lights Camp by none other than Jernigan's father, Tim...Another name to keep an eye on at Columbia this year is wide receiver Adrian Hill (5-10, 180). Hill is fielding plenty of mid-major interest and will be a running and receiving threat for the Tigers this fall. With a lack of proven commodities at the skill positions, he figures to touch the ball a LOT in 2010. His interest should grow as he continues to perform strongly in the classroom this fall, and puts up the big numbers many expect of him this coming season.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mike Bellamy, the Gators, and the number 5...
I was speaking to a pretty well-connected fellow in the world of recruiting recently. He made a very good point to me, and in light of the now apparent "wavering" of running back Mike Bellamy (more on that later), it makes more sense than ever.
When Chris Dunkley signed with the Gators back in February, he did so with the understanding he would be wearing the #5 this coming fall (a number assigned to Gators All-American cornerback Joe Haden in 2009). You can find various pictures with him posing in the #5 jersey he was expected to wear this fall on his Facebook page. So imagine my surprise when I was flipping through the fall roster released by the Florida SID several days ago and happened to notice that Dunkley had instead been assigned #27 -- a curious choice for a player expected to contribute at wide receiver this fall for the Gators.
Meanwhile, the #5, she is still sitting wide open and right there for the taking.
Don't get me wrong, Joe Haden was a great player for the Gators during his three years, as evidenced by his selection among the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft by Cleveland back in April. His presence will be missed in Gainesville. But he wasn't so overwhelming on the field that his number is going to be retired anytime soon. This isn't the same deal as #15 being left vacated for the time being. This is something very different altogether.
Back to Mike Bellamy, and that Clemson commitment he was reportedly so solid on...
In talking with a well-connected person in SW Florida, he told me even before Friday Night Lights that regardless of what Bellamy was saying, that the door was still cracked open just a bit. Regardless of how adamant Bellamy was about heading to Clemson, following in C.J. Spiller's footsteps, and being excited to run down the Hill for every Tigers home game, his recruitment is not and will not be finished for some time. I believed my source then, and his words are even more spot on now that Bellamy is reportedly looking at Florida State due to "depth chart issues" at Clemson. His recruitment is going to be a volatile one until he signs on the dotted line because that's just the way it's going to be. Everyone should sit down, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.
So, where does the #5 fit into all of this?
As I said earlier, Dunkley was expected to wear the number ever since he committed to the Gators back in January. Is wasn't some dealbreaker...it was just a matter of the fact that Dunkley liked the number, and it would be there for the taking if Haden left early for the pros (which he ended up doing). Then all of the sudden, sometime over the summer...something happened to convince the Gators to assign Dunkley #27 instead. By all accounts, Dunkley has worked hard since signing his letter of intent paperwork with Florida. He has added some necessary bulk to help him through the SEC grind, he has stayed out of trouble off-the-field, and other than the fact he has some diva-ish qualities not all that unlike many star wide receivers (Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens come to mind), he has done the things he needs to do to put himself in a position to play as a true freshman. But then when I think about it, there was the little matter of Mike Bellamy attending Friday Night Lights, even after being "solid" to Clemson. He has long been rumored to have a strong appreciation of the Gators and the spread offense. He just happens to wear...
You guess it -- the number 5. Conspiracy theory or not? You tell me...
When Chris Dunkley signed with the Gators back in February, he did so with the understanding he would be wearing the #5 this coming fall (a number assigned to Gators All-American cornerback Joe Haden in 2009). You can find various pictures with him posing in the #5 jersey he was expected to wear this fall on his Facebook page. So imagine my surprise when I was flipping through the fall roster released by the Florida SID several days ago and happened to notice that Dunkley had instead been assigned #27 -- a curious choice for a player expected to contribute at wide receiver this fall for the Gators.
Meanwhile, the #5, she is still sitting wide open and right there for the taking.
Don't get me wrong, Joe Haden was a great player for the Gators during his three years, as evidenced by his selection among the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft by Cleveland back in April. His presence will be missed in Gainesville. But he wasn't so overwhelming on the field that his number is going to be retired anytime soon. This isn't the same deal as #15 being left vacated for the time being. This is something very different altogether.
Back to Mike Bellamy, and that Clemson commitment he was reportedly so solid on...
In talking with a well-connected person in SW Florida, he told me even before Friday Night Lights that regardless of what Bellamy was saying, that the door was still cracked open just a bit. Regardless of how adamant Bellamy was about heading to Clemson, following in C.J. Spiller's footsteps, and being excited to run down the Hill for every Tigers home game, his recruitment is not and will not be finished for some time. I believed my source then, and his words are even more spot on now that Bellamy is reportedly looking at Florida State due to "depth chart issues" at Clemson. His recruitment is going to be a volatile one until he signs on the dotted line because that's just the way it's going to be. Everyone should sit down, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.
So, where does the #5 fit into all of this?
As I said earlier, Dunkley was expected to wear the number ever since he committed to the Gators back in January. Is wasn't some dealbreaker...it was just a matter of the fact that Dunkley liked the number, and it would be there for the taking if Haden left early for the pros (which he ended up doing). Then all of the sudden, sometime over the summer...something happened to convince the Gators to assign Dunkley #27 instead. By all accounts, Dunkley has worked hard since signing his letter of intent paperwork with Florida. He has added some necessary bulk to help him through the SEC grind, he has stayed out of trouble off-the-field, and other than the fact he has some diva-ish qualities not all that unlike many star wide receivers (Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens come to mind), he has done the things he needs to do to put himself in a position to play as a true freshman. But then when I think about it, there was the little matter of Mike Bellamy attending Friday Night Lights, even after being "solid" to Clemson. He has long been rumored to have a strong appreciation of the Gators and the spread offense. He just happens to wear...
You guess it -- the number 5. Conspiracy theory or not? You tell me...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Five Gators with a case for the NFL Hall of Fame...
Last night I started doing a lot of reading and research into the NFL Hall of Fame, and different players with stellar careers who are not currently enshrined in Canton. It really is amazing to see how subjective the voters have been over the years as to who they let in and who they keep out. That said, this post won't stray too far off the topic at hand. Here are five former Gators with a case for one day joining Jack Youngblood and Emmitt Smith in one of the most hallowed spaces in all of football.
1. LT Lomas Brown (1981-84 UF, played with five teams over 18 NFL seasons)
One of the great left tackles in NFL history, Lomas Brown first came to fame as the 6-foot-4, 280-pound cornerstone of the famed "Great Wall of Florida" offensive line (which produced an additional pair of NFL lineman in Crawford Ker and Jeff Zimmerman) in the early 1980's. Brown was selected with the 6th overall pick of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and he would see the bulk of his success as a professional over 11 seasons in the Motor City. Brown missed only eight starts during his time in Detroit, and would be selected to six Pro Bowls and was a consensus first-team All-Pro once (1995, his final season in Detroit), as the Lions developed into one of the top offensive powerhouses in the league. After leaving the Lions, Brown would make the Pro Bowl once more with Arizona (1996), and later played for the Browns and Giants before winning the Super Bowl as a back-up offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, his final season as a pro. His 257 career starts are tied for seventh all-time in NFL history -- the only offensive lineman who found himself in the starting lineup more being the great Bruce Matthews. Of the six players to have started more NFL games than Brown, only one (Jim Marshall) is not currently in the NFL Hall of Fame.
2. OLB Wilber Marshall (1980-83, UF, played with five teams over 12 NFL seasons)
Marshall was one of the players who set forth the "new age" of what an outside linebacker should be like. Mobile, agile and hostile, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 230 pounds Marshall was originally recruited out of high school to play tight end for the Gators, but that would only last a season until Florida head coach Charley Pell convinced Marshall to switch to the weakside linebacker position on defense. Marshall would terrorize defenses over the course of his college career (the most notable example being a 14-tackle, 4-sack performance in a 17-9 upset win over USC in 1982) and would go on to do much of the same in his professional career as well. Selected with the 11th overall pick of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Marshall would quickly develop into a key component of Buddy Ryan's famed "46" defense, which also featured the likes of Mike Singeltary and Dan Hampton (both in the Hall of Fame) as well as Richard Dent and Steve "Mongo" McMichael (both of whom are deserving of bids as well). Marshall would win a Super Bowl in 1985 with the Bears, and eventually move on to the Redskins after four seasons of service in Chicago. Marshall would experience some of his greatest individual success in Washington, recording 24.5 sacks and going over 100 tackles in all five of his seasons with the Redskins. He would add another Super Bowl ring in 1991 as Washington marched to their third World championship under Joe Gibbs. Following perhaps his greatest individual season in 1992 (138 total tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions), where he was named to the Pro Bowl and garnered first team All-Pro honors, Marshall left Washington to sign with the Houston Oilers. However, injuries caught up with him in Texas, and Marshall's final three seasons (one-year stints with the Oilers, Cardinals and Jets) were relatively quiet. He retired from football after the 1995 season. However, Marshall left quite an impact across the league, having recorded over 1,000 tackles, 45 sacks, 23 interceptions, and 24 forced fumbles during his 12 seasons. Those numbers are right about on par with that of Chiefs great Willie Lanier, who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1986. Marshall is a player whose abilities transcend time. He is one of just a handful of members of the exclusive career 20 sack/20 interception club.
3. FB Rick Casares (1951-53 UF, played with three teams over 11 NFL seasons)
Here is Florida's one entry for the Senior Committee to consider. A prep star in three sports (football, basketball and track & field) at Jefferson High School in Tampa. Casares is often thrown in the short list of players that pro scouts have described as possessing the rare combination of tools that would have allowed the player to make a prep-to-pros jump (along with name such as Earl Campbell, Herschel Walker, Andre Carter, Adrian Peterson and a few others). The college career of Casares was actually cut short due to his being drafted by the U.S. Army in 1953 (his junior year at Florida). A second-round pick (18th overall) of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Casares would join the team in 1955 after serving a two-year military commitment. At 6-foot-2, and 225 pounds, Casares immediately became a bulldozing threat for the Bears coming out of the backfield. He led the league in rushing yards per attempt (5.4) as a rookie in 1955. The following year, Casares would lead the NFL in rushing with 1126 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries as the Bears advanced to the 1956 NFL Championship, where they were soundly trounced by the New York Giants by a score of 47-7. Casares would be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five years with the Bears and was given a consensus first team All-Pro nod once (1956) before injuries relegated him to primarily blocking duties in the backfield. He would help lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship before moving on to play a season in Washington (1965) and finally Miami (1966) where he would end his career. His 5,797 career rushing yards still rank 79th all-time, all these years later. His 5,657 rushing yards with the Bears still rank third in franchise history, behind Walter Payton and another Florida Gators product in Neal Anderson (and ahead of Gale Sayers, a Hall-of-Famer who spent his entire career in Chicago, I might add). With names such as Ken Stabler, Jerry Kramer, Jim Marshall, Ray Guy, and others to consider as well, Casares would be a hard sell to the Senior Committee. But you can make a legitimate case for his Hall induction.
4. DE-DT Kevin Carter (1991-94 UF, played with four teams over 14 NFL seasons)
This one is easily the weakest case of all. Carter did the bulk of his damage as a pro in St. Louis. He recorded 17 sacks with the Rams in 1999, earned first team All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl as the franchise won it's first Super Bowl Title. Drafted as the sixth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Rams, Carter would record 62.5 sacks over six seasons with the team. He would move on to Tennessee for a big pay day in 2001, and while he was named to his second Pro Bowl in 2002 (a season where he recorded 10 sacks), his production generally tailed off as he was utilized in a number of roles across the defensive line under Jeff Fisher in Nashville. Carter would go on to play two seasons in Miami (2005-06) and Tampa Bay (2007-08) where he would finish his career crossing the 100-sack plateau. His 104.5 sacks rank 19th all time. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Carter was a versatile player who could get after the quarterback, but also had the size and ability to play strong against the run, and move inside to play tackle if necessary. While the first stanza of his career was superb, the final two suggest his body of work was simply great, and not quite at the level for which the Hall of Fame requires for induction.
5. RB Fred Taylor (1994-97 UF, has played for two teams over 12 NFL seasons)**
**Here is the one exception to the rule, as Taylor is the lone player on this list still active in the NFL.
Taylor is set to play his second season for the New England Patriots this fall. The ninth overall selection of the 1998 NFL Draft, Taylor is one of the great specimens at the running back position in football history. In terms of physical talents, Taylor is on the same level as greats such as Jim Brown (who has noted his appreciation for Taylor's abilities in the past), Herschel Walker, and Bo Jackson in that he combines a massive frame (listed at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds) with a sprinter's speed. The one thing holding Taylor back is that he has always been overlooked for much of his career, however. In college, he split time in the Florida backfield, and was not leaned on heavily as a feature back until the second half of his senior season with the Gators. In Jacksonville, his abilities were routinely ignored, and despite an injury-marred tenure with the Jaguars, he still posted seven seasons of 1,000 yards or more (despite playing in just 140 of a possible 176 games with the Jags). Taylor has been named to just one Pro Bowl in his 12 seasons (2007). However, he stands just 460 rushing yards away from 12,000 for his career (an attainable number this season if he can stay healthy). Only 14 backs have passed that mystical plateau. Nine of them currently have a bust in Canton, three others (Curtis Martin, Jerome Bettis and Marshall Faulk) become eligible for enshrinement next year, and two more (LaDanian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James) are still considered active, although James is not currently on an NFL roster. In all likelihood, all 14 of the backs with 12,000+ career yards will one day have a presence in Canton. If Taylor gets to that number, would be the first denied entrance? It's certainly possible. He has never been overly media friendly, which probably not only kept him out of a couple of Pro Bowls, but will hurt him going forward with the Hall as well. However, his career numbers certainly deserve strong consideration for the Hall of Fame, that much is not in question. Whether he finds himself one day in Canton is another matter entirely, however.
1. LT Lomas Brown (1981-84 UF, played with five teams over 18 NFL seasons)
One of the great left tackles in NFL history, Lomas Brown first came to fame as the 6-foot-4, 280-pound cornerstone of the famed "Great Wall of Florida" offensive line (which produced an additional pair of NFL lineman in Crawford Ker and Jeff Zimmerman) in the early 1980's. Brown was selected with the 6th overall pick of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and he would see the bulk of his success as a professional over 11 seasons in the Motor City. Brown missed only eight starts during his time in Detroit, and would be selected to six Pro Bowls and was a consensus first-team All-Pro once (1995, his final season in Detroit), as the Lions developed into one of the top offensive powerhouses in the league. After leaving the Lions, Brown would make the Pro Bowl once more with Arizona (1996), and later played for the Browns and Giants before winning the Super Bowl as a back-up offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, his final season as a pro. His 257 career starts are tied for seventh all-time in NFL history -- the only offensive lineman who found himself in the starting lineup more being the great Bruce Matthews. Of the six players to have started more NFL games than Brown, only one (Jim Marshall) is not currently in the NFL Hall of Fame.
2. OLB Wilber Marshall (1980-83, UF, played with five teams over 12 NFL seasons)
Marshall was one of the players who set forth the "new age" of what an outside linebacker should be like. Mobile, agile and hostile, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 230 pounds Marshall was originally recruited out of high school to play tight end for the Gators, but that would only last a season until Florida head coach Charley Pell convinced Marshall to switch to the weakside linebacker position on defense. Marshall would terrorize defenses over the course of his college career (the most notable example being a 14-tackle, 4-sack performance in a 17-9 upset win over USC in 1982) and would go on to do much of the same in his professional career as well. Selected with the 11th overall pick of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Marshall would quickly develop into a key component of Buddy Ryan's famed "46" defense, which also featured the likes of Mike Singeltary and Dan Hampton (both in the Hall of Fame) as well as Richard Dent and Steve "Mongo" McMichael (both of whom are deserving of bids as well). Marshall would win a Super Bowl in 1985 with the Bears, and eventually move on to the Redskins after four seasons of service in Chicago. Marshall would experience some of his greatest individual success in Washington, recording 24.5 sacks and going over 100 tackles in all five of his seasons with the Redskins. He would add another Super Bowl ring in 1991 as Washington marched to their third World championship under Joe Gibbs. Following perhaps his greatest individual season in 1992 (138 total tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions), where he was named to the Pro Bowl and garnered first team All-Pro honors, Marshall left Washington to sign with the Houston Oilers. However, injuries caught up with him in Texas, and Marshall's final three seasons (one-year stints with the Oilers, Cardinals and Jets) were relatively quiet. He retired from football after the 1995 season. However, Marshall left quite an impact across the league, having recorded over 1,000 tackles, 45 sacks, 23 interceptions, and 24 forced fumbles during his 12 seasons. Those numbers are right about on par with that of Chiefs great Willie Lanier, who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1986. Marshall is a player whose abilities transcend time. He is one of just a handful of members of the exclusive career 20 sack/20 interception club.
3. FB Rick Casares (1951-53 UF, played with three teams over 11 NFL seasons)
Here is Florida's one entry for the Senior Committee to consider. A prep star in three sports (football, basketball and track & field) at Jefferson High School in Tampa. Casares is often thrown in the short list of players that pro scouts have described as possessing the rare combination of tools that would have allowed the player to make a prep-to-pros jump (along with name such as Earl Campbell, Herschel Walker, Andre Carter, Adrian Peterson and a few others). The college career of Casares was actually cut short due to his being drafted by the U.S. Army in 1953 (his junior year at Florida). A second-round pick (18th overall) of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Casares would join the team in 1955 after serving a two-year military commitment. At 6-foot-2, and 225 pounds, Casares immediately became a bulldozing threat for the Bears coming out of the backfield. He led the league in rushing yards per attempt (5.4) as a rookie in 1955. The following year, Casares would lead the NFL in rushing with 1126 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries as the Bears advanced to the 1956 NFL Championship, where they were soundly trounced by the New York Giants by a score of 47-7. Casares would be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five years with the Bears and was given a consensus first team All-Pro nod once (1956) before injuries relegated him to primarily blocking duties in the backfield. He would help lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship before moving on to play a season in Washington (1965) and finally Miami (1966) where he would end his career. His 5,797 career rushing yards still rank 79th all-time, all these years later. His 5,657 rushing yards with the Bears still rank third in franchise history, behind Walter Payton and another Florida Gators product in Neal Anderson (and ahead of Gale Sayers, a Hall-of-Famer who spent his entire career in Chicago, I might add). With names such as Ken Stabler, Jerry Kramer, Jim Marshall, Ray Guy, and others to consider as well, Casares would be a hard sell to the Senior Committee. But you can make a legitimate case for his Hall induction.
4. DE-DT Kevin Carter (1991-94 UF, played with four teams over 14 NFL seasons)
This one is easily the weakest case of all. Carter did the bulk of his damage as a pro in St. Louis. He recorded 17 sacks with the Rams in 1999, earned first team All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl as the franchise won it's first Super Bowl Title. Drafted as the sixth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Rams, Carter would record 62.5 sacks over six seasons with the team. He would move on to Tennessee for a big pay day in 2001, and while he was named to his second Pro Bowl in 2002 (a season where he recorded 10 sacks), his production generally tailed off as he was utilized in a number of roles across the defensive line under Jeff Fisher in Nashville. Carter would go on to play two seasons in Miami (2005-06) and Tampa Bay (2007-08) where he would finish his career crossing the 100-sack plateau. His 104.5 sacks rank 19th all time. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Carter was a versatile player who could get after the quarterback, but also had the size and ability to play strong against the run, and move inside to play tackle if necessary. While the first stanza of his career was superb, the final two suggest his body of work was simply great, and not quite at the level for which the Hall of Fame requires for induction.
5. RB Fred Taylor (1994-97 UF, has played for two teams over 12 NFL seasons)**
**Here is the one exception to the rule, as Taylor is the lone player on this list still active in the NFL.
Taylor is set to play his second season for the New England Patriots this fall. The ninth overall selection of the 1998 NFL Draft, Taylor is one of the great specimens at the running back position in football history. In terms of physical talents, Taylor is on the same level as greats such as Jim Brown (who has noted his appreciation for Taylor's abilities in the past), Herschel Walker, and Bo Jackson in that he combines a massive frame (listed at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds) with a sprinter's speed. The one thing holding Taylor back is that he has always been overlooked for much of his career, however. In college, he split time in the Florida backfield, and was not leaned on heavily as a feature back until the second half of his senior season with the Gators. In Jacksonville, his abilities were routinely ignored, and despite an injury-marred tenure with the Jaguars, he still posted seven seasons of 1,000 yards or more (despite playing in just 140 of a possible 176 games with the Jags). Taylor has been named to just one Pro Bowl in his 12 seasons (2007). However, he stands just 460 rushing yards away from 12,000 for his career (an attainable number this season if he can stay healthy). Only 14 backs have passed that mystical plateau. Nine of them currently have a bust in Canton, three others (Curtis Martin, Jerome Bettis and Marshall Faulk) become eligible for enshrinement next year, and two more (LaDanian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James) are still considered active, although James is not currently on an NFL roster. In all likelihood, all 14 of the backs with 12,000+ career yards will one day have a presence in Canton. If Taylor gets to that number, would be the first denied entrance? It's certainly possible. He has never been overly media friendly, which probably not only kept him out of a couple of Pro Bowls, but will hurt him going forward with the Hall as well. However, his career numbers certainly deserve strong consideration for the Hall of Fame, that much is not in question. Whether he finds himself one day in Canton is another matter entirely, however.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Recruiting News & Notes
Hear are some storylines to keep an eye on as the week comes to an end. High school football practices start across the state of Florida starting next Monday (August 9th)...
- I confirmed this afternoon that Under Armour All-American CB Nick Waisome (5-10, 168, Groveland, Fla./South Lake) has pegged August 18th as his decision date. He has engaged in talks these past several days to have his announcement broadcast on ESPNU. In regards to who he will select -- the Gators have been considered the favorite for some time, but I have heard that Florida State made up some major ground during a trip Waisome took to Tallahassee last month. Georgia has also been a major factor in his recruitment, but seemed to fade over the summer (I was told the Bulldogs were out in front at one point during the spring). LSU and South Carolina comprise his other two finalists. Realistically, however, this is a battle between the two in-state rivals from the state of Sunshine for the commitment of Waisome. We will know in just under two weeks who the winner is...
- The Gators had a star-studded group attend their first practices of fall camp on Thursday. Two prospects in particular -- OL/DL Chase Hounshell (6-5, 265, Kirtland, Ohio/Lake Catholic) and RB Savon Huggins (5-11, 200, Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) -- made long treks down to Florida to check out what The Swamp has to offer. It appears Hounshell is being targeted as a potential tackle candidate on the offensive line. Meanwhile, Huggins is a highly-regarded running back who could give Florida another every-down type in the backfield to go along with true freshman Mack Brown. A pair of Florida commitments, quarterback Jeff Driskel (6-4, 225, Oviedo, Fla./Hagerty) and fullback Hunter Joyer (5-11, 245, Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic) also were in attendance for the first day of fall workouts.
- As I posted on Twitter on Wednesday, defensive back Chris "Juice" Johnson (5-9, 205, Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic) is very close to making a commitment to the Gators public. At a media function for Marion County high school football teams, held at the Florida State Fire College on Wednesday, Johnson sported a blue Florida baseball hat and said "you could basically say I'm committed right now," of his current intentions as to what he will do for a college decision. Right now, it seems only a couple of points on the ACT are keeping Juice from going forward with that commitment. Expect it to happen in the near future, however.
- I think you really have to commend the efforts of Notre Dame wide receivers coach Tony Alford, and his imprint on the state of Florida this year. Alford has secured commitments from offensive lineman Jordan Prestwood (6-6, 275, Plant City/Plant City), defensive end/linebacker Clay Burton (6-3, 235, Nokomis/Venice) and defensive lineman Aaron Lynch (6-6, 265, Cape Coral/Island Coast). Burton had interest from around the Southeast, with offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU and Tennessee among others. The younger brother of Florida Gators true freshman quarterback Trey Burton, Clay settled in at defensive end last fall after bouncing between the offense (as a tight end) and defense as a sophomore to record 13 sacks in 2009. Prestwood is a tight end who will likely make the transition to offensive tackle in college. He had offers from Florida and Florida State along with many others before deciding on the Fighting Irish. The real prize of this group is Lynch, who is a massive prospect with tons of upside. He recorded 16 sacks last year at Island Coast, and would be a great fit at defensive end in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme. He could also potentially grow into an offensive lineman, however. He has the frame to easily put on another 30-40 pounds without any problems, and he could be extremely effective as a left tackle on the next level. In any case, the efforts of Alford to grab this trio out of Florida (along with defensive end Anthony Rabasa, a native of Miami, who was recruited by defensive line coach Mike Elston) have given Notre Dame a strong presence in the Sunshine State this year.
Why does this get mention here, you ask? Because Alford was reportedly the first choice of Florida head coach Urban Meyer to replace departed assistant Kenny Carter, who followed Charlie Strong to Louisville. It seems Meyer had a good read on Alford's talents as a recruiter if those reports were in fact true.
- I keep getting questions on the recruitment of RB/LB James Wilder (6-2, 220, Tampa, Fla./Plant), and to be perfectly honest, I don't know what to think in regards as to what he will do anymore. Florida State clearly made a big push on his recent weekend stay in July, that much is clear. But the Seminoles were a bit late to the party, which makes me wonder if the positive post-visit vibes will wear off a bit as Wilder starts moving towards a decision. I maintain that UGA is a strong presence in this battle as they are they seem to be the best fit for his talents both on offense (Mark Richt has traditionally employed a Pro-Set base for his offenses since arriving in Athens in 2001) and defense (the 3-4 that new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has installed would allow Wilder to feature his talents as a superb pass-rusher out of the outside linebacker position). Florida has been the longest, most consistent, and most steady presence in the recruitment of Wilder. If it's a matter of which staff have built the best relationship with the talented prospect, I think it would be hard to argue anyone has Urban Meyer and Dan McCarney beat in that aspect.
So now, the question remains -- when does Wilder announce? It could happen this month, possibly at the nationally televised kickoff classic (preseason) game between Plant and Manatee High School of Bradenton (which features top RB prospect Mike Blakely, also a target of the Gators). Or perhaps Wilder will wait until after the season. In any case, his recruitment should continue to provide as much speculation around it as any in the country until that final decision is handed in.
- I confirmed this afternoon that Under Armour All-American CB Nick Waisome (5-10, 168, Groveland, Fla./South Lake) has pegged August 18th as his decision date. He has engaged in talks these past several days to have his announcement broadcast on ESPNU. In regards to who he will select -- the Gators have been considered the favorite for some time, but I have heard that Florida State made up some major ground during a trip Waisome took to Tallahassee last month. Georgia has also been a major factor in his recruitment, but seemed to fade over the summer (I was told the Bulldogs were out in front at one point during the spring). LSU and South Carolina comprise his other two finalists. Realistically, however, this is a battle between the two in-state rivals from the state of Sunshine for the commitment of Waisome. We will know in just under two weeks who the winner is...
- The Gators had a star-studded group attend their first practices of fall camp on Thursday. Two prospects in particular -- OL/DL Chase Hounshell (6-5, 265, Kirtland, Ohio/Lake Catholic) and RB Savon Huggins (5-11, 200, Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) -- made long treks down to Florida to check out what The Swamp has to offer. It appears Hounshell is being targeted as a potential tackle candidate on the offensive line. Meanwhile, Huggins is a highly-regarded running back who could give Florida another every-down type in the backfield to go along with true freshman Mack Brown. A pair of Florida commitments, quarterback Jeff Driskel (6-4, 225, Oviedo, Fla./Hagerty) and fullback Hunter Joyer (5-11, 245, Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic) also were in attendance for the first day of fall workouts.
- As I posted on Twitter on Wednesday, defensive back Chris "Juice" Johnson (5-9, 205, Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic) is very close to making a commitment to the Gators public. At a media function for Marion County high school football teams, held at the Florida State Fire College on Wednesday, Johnson sported a blue Florida baseball hat and said "you could basically say I'm committed right now," of his current intentions as to what he will do for a college decision. Right now, it seems only a couple of points on the ACT are keeping Juice from going forward with that commitment. Expect it to happen in the near future, however.
- I think you really have to commend the efforts of Notre Dame wide receivers coach Tony Alford, and his imprint on the state of Florida this year. Alford has secured commitments from offensive lineman Jordan Prestwood (6-6, 275, Plant City/Plant City), defensive end/linebacker Clay Burton (6-3, 235, Nokomis/Venice) and defensive lineman Aaron Lynch (6-6, 265, Cape Coral/Island Coast). Burton had interest from around the Southeast, with offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU and Tennessee among others. The younger brother of Florida Gators true freshman quarterback Trey Burton, Clay settled in at defensive end last fall after bouncing between the offense (as a tight end) and defense as a sophomore to record 13 sacks in 2009. Prestwood is a tight end who will likely make the transition to offensive tackle in college. He had offers from Florida and Florida State along with many others before deciding on the Fighting Irish. The real prize of this group is Lynch, who is a massive prospect with tons of upside. He recorded 16 sacks last year at Island Coast, and would be a great fit at defensive end in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme. He could also potentially grow into an offensive lineman, however. He has the frame to easily put on another 30-40 pounds without any problems, and he could be extremely effective as a left tackle on the next level. In any case, the efforts of Alford to grab this trio out of Florida (along with defensive end Anthony Rabasa, a native of Miami, who was recruited by defensive line coach Mike Elston) have given Notre Dame a strong presence in the Sunshine State this year.
Why does this get mention here, you ask? Because Alford was reportedly the first choice of Florida head coach Urban Meyer to replace departed assistant Kenny Carter, who followed Charlie Strong to Louisville. It seems Meyer had a good read on Alford's talents as a recruiter if those reports were in fact true.
- I keep getting questions on the recruitment of RB/LB James Wilder (6-2, 220, Tampa, Fla./Plant), and to be perfectly honest, I don't know what to think in regards as to what he will do anymore. Florida State clearly made a big push on his recent weekend stay in July, that much is clear. But the Seminoles were a bit late to the party, which makes me wonder if the positive post-visit vibes will wear off a bit as Wilder starts moving towards a decision. I maintain that UGA is a strong presence in this battle as they are they seem to be the best fit for his talents both on offense (Mark Richt has traditionally employed a Pro-Set base for his offenses since arriving in Athens in 2001) and defense (the 3-4 that new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has installed would allow Wilder to feature his talents as a superb pass-rusher out of the outside linebacker position). Florida has been the longest, most consistent, and most steady presence in the recruitment of Wilder. If it's a matter of which staff have built the best relationship with the talented prospect, I think it would be hard to argue anyone has Urban Meyer and Dan McCarney beat in that aspect.
So now, the question remains -- when does Wilder announce? It could happen this month, possibly at the nationally televised kickoff classic (preseason) game between Plant and Manatee High School of Bradenton (which features top RB prospect Mike Blakely, also a target of the Gators). Or perhaps Wilder will wait until after the season. In any case, his recruitment should continue to provide as much speculation around it as any in the country until that final decision is handed in.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Where the Gators stand: Linebacker
Last week, we started a position-by-position analysis as to where Florida currently stands in regards to the Class of 2011, and what needs still have to be met across the board. After wrapping up the offense, the defense is now on tap as to where Florida currently stands on the recruiting trail. Today, we focus on the linebackers...
Current Florida depth chart:
WILL
40 - Brandon Hicks (6-2, 228, Sr.)
52 - Jon Bostic (6-1, 238, So.)
49 - Darrin Kitchens (6-2, 218, Fr.)
MIKE
43 - Jelani Jenkins (6-0, 223, R-Fr.)
26 - Lorenzo Edwards (6-1, 240, Sr.)
51 - Michael Taylor (5-11, 218, Fr.)
23 - Chris Martin (6-4, 240, Fr.)**
SAM
16 - A.J. Jones (6-1, 226, R-Sr.)
13 - Dee Finley (6-2, 222, S0.)
48 - Neiron Ball (6-2, 225, Fr.)
25 - Gideon Ajagbe (6-2, 212, Fr.)
**Martin must redshirt his freshman season after transferring from Cal, where he enrolled in summer courses.
Committed to Florida for 2011:
Ryan Shazier (6-2, 205, Plantation, Fla./Plantation)
Top of the board:
Stephone Anthony (6-3, 224, Wadesboro, N.C./Anson)
Curtis Grant (6-3, 230, Richmond, Va./Hermitage)
Tony Steward (6-1, 225, St. Augustine, Fla./Menendez)
Lamar Dawson (6-2, 235, Danville, Ky./Boyle County)
A.J. Johnson (6-3, 235, Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville)
Others to watch:
Kent Turene (6-2, 230, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla./Boyd Anderson) - Committed to USC
Norkethius Otis (6-3, 205, Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook)
Dexter Staley (6-2, 225, Williston, S.C./Williston-Elko)
Graham Stewart (6-1, 220, Middletown, Conn./Xavier)
Lateek Townsend (6-2, 205, Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County)
Jack Tabb (6-3, 235, Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Catholic)
Jason Gibson (6-3, 210, Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra)
Anthony Harrell (6-1, 220, Tampa, Fla./Jesuit)
Gionni Paul (6-0, 220 Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen)
Miles Pace (6-1, 240, Miami, Fla./Central)
Anthony Wallace (6-0, 220, Dallas, Tex./Skyline)
Analysis: The transfer of Brendan Beal in the offseason cut into the depth for Florida at linebacker just a bit. However, this is still an extremely talented and fast (albeit young) group at the position. The biggest issue with this bunch is that there simply isn't a lot of leadership. Who will make the line calls? The two players who could do that over the last two years (Brandon Spikes and Ryan Stamper) are both gone. That will be the biggest thing assistant coach D.J. Durkin looks to work on in fall camp. He knows he has an athletic bunch that can run to the football. However, they need to be able to get the defense set, and they need to be able to read and diagnose opposing offenses, and as the spring game showed, the linebackers have a long way to go to get to that point.
Looking ahead, the Gators would clearly like to add some size to this group. Adding a player (or two) who can project in the middle is a key goal. Curtis Grant tops the list of players who can fill that role in the 2011 class. Lamar Dawson is high on the board as well, in addition to USC commitment Kent Turene and Georgia product A.J. Johnson (who could ultimately project as a defensive end in college as well).
On the outside, Florida has already added a superb athlete in Ryan Shazier, who will have to make the transition from defensive end to linebacker on the next level. Perhaps the top linebacker on the board is Stephone Anthony, who has the athleticism to play on the outside, but the size to be a factor in the middle as well. His versatility is extremely intriguing. Tony Steward is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the entire country, and he resides just an hour up the road from Gainesville in St. Augustine. Currently, he appears to be leaning more towards Florida State or Clemson, however. Norkethius Otis is a hybrid linebacker/defensive end who has the athleticism to contribute in a number of ways at the next level.
Three names to keep a close eye on down the stretch:
- Graham Stewart visited Gainesville twice this summer, and tested extremely well. He is a native of Connecticut, and the Gators have been quite active in the Nutmeg State over the past few years due to the presence of Steve Addazio (a native of the region) on the staff.
- You could call him the "poor man's James Wilder" of this class. Dexter Staley is a two-way star who could be an impact linebacker or big back on the next level a year for now. He has had some academic issues to push through, but the Gators are still a factor in his recruitment. If Florida does not land James Wilder, Staley could be the guy the Gators look to next to play on either side of the ball at the next level.
- The son of former UF and NFL linebacker James Harrell, look out for Tampa native Anthony Harrell. He has a strong interest in the Gators, and an offer down the road (no matter how late) would likely result in Harrell taking a really long look at spending his college years in Gainesville.
In some circles, the Gators are considered the favorite for both Anthony and Grant, which would be a home-run for linebackers coach D.J. Durkin if he can pull it off. Adding another option, such as Dawson, Turene, Johnson, or one of the many other options on the board would only make this group that much better heading into 2011.
Current Florida depth chart:
WILL
40 - Brandon Hicks (6-2, 228, Sr.)
52 - Jon Bostic (6-1, 238, So.)
49 - Darrin Kitchens (6-2, 218, Fr.)
MIKE
43 - Jelani Jenkins (6-0, 223, R-Fr.)
26 - Lorenzo Edwards (6-1, 240, Sr.)
51 - Michael Taylor (5-11, 218, Fr.)
23 - Chris Martin (6-4, 240, Fr.)**
SAM
16 - A.J. Jones (6-1, 226, R-Sr.)
13 - Dee Finley (6-2, 222, S0.)
48 - Neiron Ball (6-2, 225, Fr.)
25 - Gideon Ajagbe (6-2, 212, Fr.)
**Martin must redshirt his freshman season after transferring from Cal, where he enrolled in summer courses.
Committed to Florida for 2011:
Ryan Shazier (6-2, 205, Plantation, Fla./Plantation)
Top of the board:
Stephone Anthony (6-3, 224, Wadesboro, N.C./Anson)
Curtis Grant (6-3, 230, Richmond, Va./Hermitage)
Tony Steward (6-1, 225, St. Augustine, Fla./Menendez)
Lamar Dawson (6-2, 235, Danville, Ky./Boyle County)
A.J. Johnson (6-3, 235, Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville)
Others to watch:
Kent Turene (6-2, 230, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla./Boyd Anderson) - Committed to USC
Norkethius Otis (6-3, 205, Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook)
Dexter Staley (6-2, 225, Williston, S.C./Williston-Elko)
Graham Stewart (6-1, 220, Middletown, Conn./Xavier)
Lateek Townsend (6-2, 205, Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County)
Jack Tabb (6-3, 235, Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Catholic)
Jason Gibson (6-3, 210, Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra)
Anthony Harrell (6-1, 220, Tampa, Fla./Jesuit)
Gionni Paul (6-0, 220 Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen)
Miles Pace (6-1, 240, Miami, Fla./Central)
Anthony Wallace (6-0, 220, Dallas, Tex./Skyline)
Analysis: The transfer of Brendan Beal in the offseason cut into the depth for Florida at linebacker just a bit. However, this is still an extremely talented and fast (albeit young) group at the position. The biggest issue with this bunch is that there simply isn't a lot of leadership. Who will make the line calls? The two players who could do that over the last two years (Brandon Spikes and Ryan Stamper) are both gone. That will be the biggest thing assistant coach D.J. Durkin looks to work on in fall camp. He knows he has an athletic bunch that can run to the football. However, they need to be able to get the defense set, and they need to be able to read and diagnose opposing offenses, and as the spring game showed, the linebackers have a long way to go to get to that point.
Looking ahead, the Gators would clearly like to add some size to this group. Adding a player (or two) who can project in the middle is a key goal. Curtis Grant tops the list of players who can fill that role in the 2011 class. Lamar Dawson is high on the board as well, in addition to USC commitment Kent Turene and Georgia product A.J. Johnson (who could ultimately project as a defensive end in college as well).
On the outside, Florida has already added a superb athlete in Ryan Shazier, who will have to make the transition from defensive end to linebacker on the next level. Perhaps the top linebacker on the board is Stephone Anthony, who has the athleticism to play on the outside, but the size to be a factor in the middle as well. His versatility is extremely intriguing. Tony Steward is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the entire country, and he resides just an hour up the road from Gainesville in St. Augustine. Currently, he appears to be leaning more towards Florida State or Clemson, however. Norkethius Otis is a hybrid linebacker/defensive end who has the athleticism to contribute in a number of ways at the next level.
Three names to keep a close eye on down the stretch:
- Graham Stewart visited Gainesville twice this summer, and tested extremely well. He is a native of Connecticut, and the Gators have been quite active in the Nutmeg State over the past few years due to the presence of Steve Addazio (a native of the region) on the staff.
- You could call him the "poor man's James Wilder" of this class. Dexter Staley is a two-way star who could be an impact linebacker or big back on the next level a year for now. He has had some academic issues to push through, but the Gators are still a factor in his recruitment. If Florida does not land James Wilder, Staley could be the guy the Gators look to next to play on either side of the ball at the next level.
- The son of former UF and NFL linebacker James Harrell, look out for Tampa native Anthony Harrell. He has a strong interest in the Gators, and an offer down the road (no matter how late) would likely result in Harrell taking a really long look at spending his college years in Gainesville.
In some circles, the Gators are considered the favorite for both Anthony and Grant, which would be a home-run for linebackers coach D.J. Durkin if he can pull it off. Adding another option, such as Dawson, Turene, Johnson, or one of the many other options on the board would only make this group that much better heading into 2011.
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