How much does the UF-UM game really mean to recruits?

Going into Saturday's in-state showdown between Florida and Miami, there are going to be plenty of predictable storylines over just how much this game means to the two programs as they square off over a number of prospects from around the Sunshine State (many of whom will be in attendance at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday.) But is that really the case? How much does this game ultimately mean in the decision-making prospects of the top seniors who make the trip to Miami Gardens?

The answer, in the big picture, is "probably not much."

I look back to one of the first feature articles I wrote for recruiting, entitled "A Battle for the Hearts and Minds." It's on a site I refuse to link in this blog, but a quick Google search of "battle for the hearts and minds gators" will bring it up if you wish to give it a look.

The piece centers on the Florida-Miami game in 2008, and how many key prospects that both schools were targeting planned to attend the game. Now, keep in mind, there were other recruiting battles that had already concluded (defensive tackle Curtis Porter, for instance, had already picked Miami over Florida. He will compete for the 'Canes on Saturday as a redshirt senior.) I'm also not aware how many of these prospects actually showed up to the Swamp on Sept. 6, 2008, and I have no intention of going back to research it all. However, let's use the 14 prospects featured in the article as a small cross-section of how the recruiting battles between Florida and Miami played out that year.

– Three of the 14 players (DB Ray Ray Armstrong, DE Dyron Dye and OL Jared Wheeler) signed with Miami, although it should be noted that Wheeler didn't have the option to attend UF.

– Three prospects also elected to attend Florida: LB Jon Bostic, WR Andre Debose and OL Xavier Nixon.

– Of the remaining eight players, two went to Georgia (TE Orson Charles and LB Jarvis Jones), and one each went to Alabama (RB Trent Richardson), Michigan (QB Denard Robinson), Minnesota (CB Michael Carter), North Carolina (WR Jheranie Boyd), Rutgers (DL Antwan Lowery) and South Florida (DE Ryne Giddins).

So, despite the big (although far from pretty) win by Florida, the Gators didn't appear to get any major boost from the victory. Bostic had long favored Florida. Nixon was on his official visit that weekend, and the entire experience helped deliver him to Florida, although the Gators had been trending positively before the trip. Andre Debose was sort of all over the map, but his decision seemed to come down to Florida and LSU more than Miami in the end.

A late field goal conversion to cover the spread, ordered by Urban Meyer, didn't help Miami "more than [we] will ever know." However, the loss didn't particularly harm Miami's efforts on the recruiting trail. They signed the No. 15 class in the country according to Rivals, only inking 19 a year after they signed 33. Florida, likewise, was limited on numbers and only brought in 16 that cycle, good for No. 11 in the Rivals team rankings.

In the end, it's relationships that ultimately matter in recruiting. Florida has one of the best assistant coaches in the country as it relates to establishing relationships in Travaris Robinson. The Gators will be fine, regardless of what happens on Saturday. Looking further down the line, winning this game is bigger for the Florida program because they don't want to take a huge step back from 2012. No one expects 11 victories from the Gators again this year. I think most fans would be satisfied with nine wins or more. But this tilt is a key to for Will Muschamp to make that figure happen. Dangerous trips to LSU and South Carolina loom in the distance. Georgia is a tough out in Jacksonville. Florida State will prove a tough test to close out the regular season schedule.

From the Miami perspective, this game is about trying to re-establish themselves on the national scene. A win would potentially provide a huge boost, as the only other marquee game on their slate is an November date in Tallahassee against FSU. If they lose, no big deal. The 'Canes still have a real shot at winning 10 games and competing for the ACC title. But a win ... well, a win could catapult them towards something entirely different.

One thing that strikes me when going back to reading my article from five years ago: I was guilty of propagating the exact same storyline I'm now debunking. I guess I was naive back then. There is a lot hanging on the line for what will likely be the last regular season contest in many years between the two programs – especially in terms of bragging rights for the two fanbases. But the point is, if someone tries to sell you on the idea that the decisions of 20 recruits are hanging in the balance, don't buy. In the end, all this game means to high school recruits is the opportunity to watch a big game in person, and the opportunity to check out some hot girls while they're at it.

The Class of 1991: A D-Line haul for the ages

This is the second installment in our running anthology of posts looking back at past recruiting classes for the Florida Gators. Today's entry highlights the Class of 1991.

The first full recruiting class for Steve Spurrier, he left no stone unturned, and brought in the maximum allowed 25 prospects for a recruiting cycle, plus three junior college transfers. This group was ranked well within the top 10 in the country (Max Emfinger had it as the third-best recruiting class for 1991) and considered the top group in the SEC.

Although many point to the 1992 class as the impetus to the four year reign over the SEC from 1993-96 (as well as the National Championship to cap off that run), this group had a big hand in that succcess as well. In fact, it could be argued that this group is one of the more underrated classes in UF history.

Steve Spurrier announced a batch of 27 new Gators on Feb. 7, 1991. Two signees (Mark Campbell and Mark Grimes) came in after National Signing Day.

Darwin Anderson, Back, (6-0, 197), Winter Park

Jason Bartley, Back (6-0, 208), Jacksonville (Fletcher)

Luke Bencie, Quarterback (6-4, 201), Sarasota (Riverview)

Mark Campbell, Line (6-3, 275), Miami (Sunset)

Kevin Carter, Line (6-5, 235), Tallahassee (Lincoln)

Antwan Chiles, Quarterback (6-3, 235), Lauderdale Lakes (Cardinal Gibbons)

Marion Dixon, Line (6-5, 240), Largo

Shayne Edge, Kicker (6-1, 185), Lake City (Columbia)

McDonald Ferguson, Line (6-2, 235), Miami (North Miami)

Mark Grimes, Line (6-3, 230), Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville)

Ben Hanks, Back (6-2, 190), Miami (North Miami)

Lawrence Hatch (6-1, 190), Long Beach, Calif. (Costa Mesa C.C.)

Jack Jackson, Back (5-11, 175), Moss Point, Ms. (Moss Point)

Scott Joslyn, Line (6-4, 295), Orlando (Evans)

Ellis Johnson, Line (6-3, 275), Wildwood

Kevin Johnson, Line (6-3, 250), Vero Beach

Jeremy Kennedy, Back (6-4, 230), Oklahoma City, Okla. (Westmoore)

Larry Kennedy, Back (5-11, 185), Sarasota (Riverview)

Henry McMillian, Line (6-4, 270), Folkston, Ga. (Charlton County)

Jimmy Owens, (5-9, 170), (San Bernandino Valley College)

Sorola Palmer, Back (5-10, 170), Lacome, La. (Manderville)

Carlton Pouncy, Back (5-11, 185), Kissimmee (Osceola)

Matt Pearson, Back (6-1, 223), Mayo (Lafayette)

Anthony Riggins, Line (6-4, 215), Ft. Pierce (Central)

Alfred Smith, Back (6-3, 225), Brandon (Coffeyville C.C.)

Craig Weaver, Line (6-3, 304), Miami (Central)

Ed West, Back (5-10, 178), Miami (Carol City)

– The Gators led all teams with 12 signings among the state's Top 50 prospects. Florida State landed nine, despite being touted as having the better class. Miami nabbed six. Auburn was the most successful out-of-state program, with four top-50 prospects from the state of Florida. The Tigers dipped into their pipeline at Ft. Lauderdale Dillard for three of those players, with running back James Bostic (6-2, 215) and wide receiver Frank Sanders (6-3, 195) carving out big roles during their time on the Plains.

– Although Kevin Carter was generally considered to be the jewel of Florida's 1991 class, it was Scott Joslyn who earned the highest honors by being named first team All-American according to the USA Today.

– Three-quarters of Florida's recruiting class (75%) were native to the state of Florida (21 of 28).

Biggest hits: This was probably the best defensive line class recruited in the history of the University of Florida. Carter lived up to the hype as the top recruit in this class by earning All-SEC and All-American honors and being one of the highest-ever drafted Gators when he went sixth overall to the St. Louis Rams in 1995. Johnson was also an All-SEC honoree and first round NFL Draft pick in 1995 (Indianpolis Colts, 14^th overall). McMillian went in the sixth round to Seattle (180^th overall) that year, and Mark Campbell (78^th overall) would be Florida's top pick a year later by the Denver Broncos after earning All-SEC honors that year as well.

P Shayne Edge, LB Ben Hanks, WR Jack Jackson and DB Larry Kennedy also earned All-SEC honors during their stay in Gainesville, and were key contributors to SEC Championships in 1993 and 1994 (as well as 1995 for Hanks.) Kennedy, it should be noted, originally signed with Ohio State in 1990, but academic issues prevented him from enrolling in Columbus. He eventually ended up in Gainesville, and wound up a major factor in the secondary for the Gators from 1991-94.

Although he didn't sign with Florida in 1991, Chris Doering of P.K. Yonge would walk-on at UF and eventually develop into one of the top receivers in school history.

Biggest misses: Despite coming in with a massive hype, Scott Joslyn turned out to be a huge bust at Florida, making close to no impact on the UF line-up. Antwan Chiles got lost in the shuffle at quarterback, and when he was asked to move to linebacker (the position most recruiting services projected to be his best coming out of the high school ranks) Chiles elected to transfer to Liberty instead.

Derwin Anderson didn't qualify and eventually wound up at Kansas, where knee injuries derailed his career. Luke Bencie transferred to Michigan State after one season in Gainesville. Ed West left football to focus on track. Late signee Mark Grimes lasted one year in the program before moving on. Craig Weaver was an academic casualty and never suited up for the Gators. Owens was expected to have an immediate impact, but was quickly passed over by better players at UF.

The ones who got away: It's not hard to spot the two biggest misses for Florida in the Class of 1991. Derrick Brooks (6-1, 205) and Warren Sapp (6-3, 232) were two highly-regarded prospects who had Florida on their short lists, only to end up at Florida State and Miami, respectively. Brooks was the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year out of Pensacola Washington, and was sold on the idea of playing safety in Tallahassee. Brooks was subsequently moved to linebacker where he excelled at Florida State, and played out a Hall-of-Fame caliber career in Tampa Bay for the Buccaneers as well.

Sapp took a visit to Florida where he reportedly weighed in at close to 260 pounds, and was already growing out of the tight end position he was projected at by most services. Miami sold him on leaving the central Florida region to play for the 'Canes instead, and the rest is history.

The USA Today Offensive Player of the Year, Marquette Smith, also signed with Florida State out of Lake Howell in Winter Park. Smith got caught in a crowded backfield in Tallahassee and wound up transferring to UCF, where he finished his brief career in Orlando as the third all-time leading rusher in school history. He was a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 1996, but never saw action in a regular season game as knee injuries prematurely ended his career. Ironically, Florida signed another 2,000-yard rusher from the Winter Park area to replace Smith in Darwin Anderson, but he never suited up for the Gators either.

Finally, the Gators landed a commitment at one point in the process from Jesse Mitchell (6-3, 217) out of Key West, widely regarded as the No. 2 defensive end prospect in-state. However, he elected to sign with Miami on National Signing Day instead. Still UF would seemingly get the last laugh, trading Mitchell for Mark Campbell, a one-time Miami commitment who signed with the Gators nearly a week after National Signing Day.

Michigan and Penn State shared the disputed crown for National Signing Day. Florida State, with a haul of 19 players, also landed a top-five class. DE Derrick Alexander, DB Devin Bush, OL Forrest Conoly (a former Gainesville resident), OL Greg Frey, OL Juan Laureano and OL Clay Shiver were among the major pick-ups for FSU in the 1991 class.

Have some other thoughts on this group? Add them in the comments below.  

Get well soon, Trey Marshall

There is absolutely no doubt that Lake City Columbia safety Trey Marshall is one of the best defensive backs in the state of Florida for the Class of 2014. The FSU commitment has been a star on the gridiron for the Tigers since his sophomore year, and displayed his tremendous athleticism out at Nike's elite prospect camp "The Opening," over the summer as well.

Tonight, Marshall reportedly took a ferocious shot on a punt return in a game against Tallahassee Lincoln that put him into the hospital this evening.

This was the scene as they carted Trey Marshall off this evening. pic.twitter.com/rwMxllySUc
— Chris Nee (@CNee247) September 6, 2013

According to Gainesville Sun preps writer Larry Savage, Marshall is now undergoing surgery in Tallahassee.

We should all send special messages of support for Trey Marshall, a great kid and competitor who is going through surgery in Tallahassee
— Larry Savage (@SunPreps) September 6, 2013

For a kid with such a bright and promising future ahead of him, this is an incredibly terrible development. All of our thoughts are with Trey Marshall and the Columbia football family tonight. May Trey get well soon, and get back on the football field shortly thereafter.

FRIDAY UPDATE (11:45 AM): Marshall suffered a ruptured stomach in last night's 28-14 upset victory for Columbia over Lincoln, according to Tigers head coach Brian Allen:

Update on Trey Marshall: Columbia coach Brian Allen said surgery went well and he will be moved out of the ICU unit this moring
— Larry Savage (@SunPreps) September 6, 2013

Marshall suffered a ruptured stomach in the first quarter after a vicious helmet to gut hit during a punt return against Lincoln
— Larry Savage (@SunPreps) September 6, 2013

I've heard of a player suffering a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding before (Drew Bledsoe and Chris Simms come to mind), but a ruptured stomach is something entirely different and frightening. Thankfully, it sounds like Marshall is already on the road to recovery.

1990: Spurrier's First Recruiting Class

This will be the first installment of a running anthology of articles as we look back at how Florida has done on the recruiting trail over the past 25 (or so) years. First up: the recruiting class of 1990.

Duke head coach Steve Spurrier was announced as the new head coach at Florida on Dec. 31, 1989. He had approximately six weeks to put/hold together the Class of 1990 for UF, and by most accounts, he did a solid job of rounding up his first incoming crop of freshmen in Gainesville. The Gators announced an 19-man recruiting class on Feb. 14, 1990:

Pete Archie, Back (6-0, 185), Houston, Tex. (C.E. King)

Jay Austin, Quarterback (6-3, 202), St. Petersburg (Northeast)

Chris Bilkie, Back (6-3, 215), Bradenton (Manatee)

Craig Carey, Line (6-3, 285), Houston, Tex. (Wentworth Military Academy)

Kendall Cook, Kicker (5-10, 170), Lakeland (Lake Gibson)

Zach Crockett, Back (6-3, 215), Pompano Beach (Ely)

Terry Dean, Quarterback (6-2, 180), Naples (Barron Collier)

Kevin Freeman, Back (6-1, 190), Bradenton (Manatee)

Michael Gilmore, Back (6-0, 190), Chipley

Greg Gingeleski, Line (6-8, 270), Sarasota (Riverview)

Dean Golden, Line (6-5, 230), Plantation (South Plantation)

Aubrey Hill, Back (5-11, 175) Miami (Carol City)

Harrison Houston, Back (5-9, 160), Pensacola (Pine Forest)

Eddie Lake, Back (5-11, 175), Tarpon Springs

Kedra Malone, Back (5-9, 175), Niceville

George Rushing, Back (6-4, 225), Miami (American)

David Swain, Line (6-4, 255), Altamonte Springs (Lake Brantley)

Lateef Travis, Back (6-4, 215), Pensacola (Pine Forest)

Scott Travis, Line (6-5, 245), New Rochelle, N.Y. (New Rochelle)

– 10 members of this class were considered to be among the Top 50 prospects in the state of Florida (Austin, Bilkie, Dean, Freeman, Gilmore, Gingelski, Houston, Malone, Swain and Travis.) Florida State would land 12, while Miami was only able to haul in four in 1990. Among out-of-state programs, Notre Dame had the most success in Florida in 1990, grabbing four top-50 prospects, including future starting quarterback Kevin McDougale (6-2, 183) out of Pompano Beach Ely.

– 17 of the Gators' 19 signees (89.4%) hailed from the state of Florida. All 19 players also came directly out of the high school ranks.

– At 6-9, Gingelski is one of the tallest players to ever suit up for the gridiron Gators.

– Travis was named as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida in 1989. He was a part of back-to-back Class 5A state championship squads at Pine Forest in 1987 and 1988. He was considered by most outlets to be the crown jewel of Florida's recruiting class.

Biggest hits: Although the class was considered strong on paper, it didn't prove to be overly productive in Gainesville. Houston was the only NFL Draft pick out of the bunch (Atlanta, 138^th overall, 1994.) He was a valued member of the receiving corps along with Aubrey Hill. Dean was originally slated to be Shane Matthews' heir apparent, but shared the quarterbacking duties with Danny Wuerffel in 1993 and 1994 before Wuerffel eventually took over full-time midway through the '94 season. Bilkie, Dean, Gilmore and Swain would all be named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll at least once in their careers. Bilkie may be best remembered for his involvement in this "hidden ball" trick play in the 1994 Sugar Bowl against West Virginia:

Biggest misses: Already considered an academic risk when he signed, Travis was officially jettisoned after drug-related arrests in June of 1990. He wound up at Pearl River Community College before transferring to Mississippi State, where he would letter for the Bulldogs in 1992 and 1993. Crockett failed to qualify, and would later sign with Florida State alongside his younger brother Henri in 1992. Crockett would put together an impressive 13-season career in the pros.

The ones who got away: Despite being born in Gainesville and playing at nearby Chiefland, tight end Oscar McBride (6-5, 260) elected to attend Notre Dame. He also played two seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.

Lake Wales linebacker James Roberson (6-3, 220) decided to sign with Florida State after originally committing to Florida. Roberson grew into a defensive end with the 'Noles and later played four years in the NFL. Roberson would attribute his decision to go with FSU over fear Florida would fall under major NCAA sanctions after being in the governing body's doghouse for most of the 1980's. Florida was eventually put on probation, and did not play in a bowl game following the 1990 season, but avoided any other serious penalties.

Tallahassee Lincoln placekicker Dan Mowery (5-11, 165) also reneged on a pledge to UF to attend FSU. He would later become famous as the victim of “Wide Right II” at the Orange Bowl, as the 'Noles dropped a 19-16 decision to Miami. Following the de-commitment, Florida moved to offer Kendall Cook of Lakeland, who signed with the Gators. Mowery was one of two top-rated placekicking prospects in the state of Florida for 1990, the other being Aaron Mills of Satellite Beach, who inked with Stanford.

Wide receiver Chris T. Jones (6-3, 197, West Palm Beach/Cardinal Newman) was so torn as to his college choice, he elected to wait until after National Signing Day to turn in his letter-of-intent to Miami, this despite the fact he was originally expected to select between Florida, Michigan and Michigan State. Jones was a third-round pick of the Eagles in 1995, but a promising start with Philadelphia was short-circuited in his third season by a knee injury on the notoriously rough Veterans Stadium turf in 1997.

Notre Dame signed what most services considered to be the nation's top class. But Florida State, with a crop of 23 players, was not far behind. The Seminoles landed a pair of USA Today first team All-Americans in Miami Northwestern LB Marvin Jones (6-2, 220) and St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Durham quarterback Chris Weinke (6-5, 205). DB Clifton Abraham, DE Ken Alexander, RB Sean Jackson, TE Lonnie Johnson and DB Corey Sawyer were among the other major contributors from that class.

The top class in the SEC belonged to Georgia, which signed four USA Today All-Americans, headlined by wide receiver Andre Hastings and 6-9 lineman Bernard Williams, who went on to be a first round pick of the Eagles. In-state star Garrison Hearst was also a part of the Bulldogs' haul, which included 27 players in total.

Have some other thoughts on this group? Add them in the comments below.

Central and Booker T. Washington: No. 1 vs. No. 2

The top two teams in the state of Florida will matchup tomorrow night, as Miami powerhouses Booker T. Washington and Central tangle at Traz Powell Stadium. Maxpreps has put together a nice little preview video and story for the upcoming game:



The Miami Herald also has a nice little preview of the game here.

Fans of all three of the state schools have a reason to watch this one with an eye on the future. While the Hurricanes are best represented in this matchup (OL Trevor Darling and RB Joe Yearby of Central, DL Chad Thomas, DL Demetrius Jackson and DB Nigel Bethel of Washington,) both Florida (Central RB Dalvin Cook and junior WR Da'Vante Phillips) and Florida State (Washington QB Treon Harris, Central DT Frederick Jones) also have a rooting interest in this game.

That doesn't even begin to touch on all the future FBS talent in this game, however. Washington WR Lamar Parker is headed for West Virginia. Central DB Deatrick Nichols has already given a pledge to South Florida. There are literally dozens of other players competing in this game, especially among the underclassmen, who will suit up for one of the Big Three schools, or another BCS-caliber program down the road.

In other words, this game is a big deal. In fact, it might be the be the most impressive collection of talent on one field since another matchup between the top two high school teams in the country: Long Beach Poly and Concord De La Salle out of California on Oct. 6, 2001. That game featured future pros Darnell Bing, Winston Justice, Derek Landri, Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Jones-Drew (then just known as Maurice Drew.) Numerous top prospects who went on to attend Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA and USC, among other top programs also took part in the game. Even Brian Banks, the linebacker who was exonerated on rape charges in 2012 and spent training camp with the Atlanta Falcons this summer, also took part in the game.

Oh, by the way, De La Salle won the game in at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, 29-15, before an announced crowd of 17,321. Drew accounted for 152 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in a winning effort. The Spartans ran their national-record winning streak to 116 games that night (it would eventually reach 151 before De La Salle finally dropped a contest in Seattle to Bellevue, Wash. in 2004.) The Jackrabbits, it should be noted, had come in to the game having won 57 of their last 59.

In terms of Florida history, the most recent game that comes to mind in the 2006 Class 5A state final between Lakeland and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Dreadnaughts, who won a 45-42 shootout in overtime to clinch the mythical national championship, got a herculean performance from future Florida Gator and Pittsburgh Steeler Chris Rainey, who rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. Lakeland also featured future NFL offensive linemen Maurkice (Pittsburgh) and Mike Pouncey (Miami). St. Thomas Aquinas could claim eventual Chicago Bears safety Major Wright among it's talented roster, which also featured Leonard Hankerson, now a receiver for the Washington Redskins.

So, will the game live up to the hype? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But it's No. 1 and No. 2. For fans of college and/or football, it's a game worth watching at 7:30 PM on Friday night. If you don't happen to have a date or something.