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 defensive tackles...
Current Florida Depth Chart:
Defensive Tackle
6 - Jaye Howard (6-3, 302, R-Jr.)
92 - Terron Sanders (6-1, 309, R-Sr.)
58 - Dominique Easley (6-1, 280, Fr.)
68 - Leon Orr (6-4, 315, Fr.)
Nose Tackle
99 - Omar Hunter (6-0, 307, R-So.)
90 - Lawrence Marsh (6-5, 290, R-Sr.)
47 - Brandon Antwine (6-0, 290, R-Sr.)
73 - Sharrif Floyd (6-3, 301, Fr.)
Top of the board:
Timmy Jernigan (6-3, 280, Lake City, Fla./Columbia)
Others to watch:
Todd Barr (6-1, 265, Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood)
Devonte Brown (6-4, 285, Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt)
Lonnie Gosha (6-2, 275, Lake Butler, Fla./Union County)
Viliami Moala (6-2, 325, Sacramento, Calif./Grant)
Chavis Akins (6-3, 320, Homestead, Fla./Homestead)
Brandon Clemons (6-3, 265, Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley)
Elkino Watson (6-2, 280, Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington)
Terry Bell (6-5, 280, Lakeland, Fla./Tenoroc)
Mason Fuller (6-1, 295, Chicago, Ill./Urban Prep)
Analysis: Florida heads into the 2010 season with an with a deep and talented group of defensive tackles -- one of the major reasons that talking about SEC and National Championships with this bunch is not out of the realm of possibilities for this coming fall.
However, looking ahead, this is potentially a major need area for the Gators looking ahead to the 2011 class. It is an upperclassmen-laden group which could suffer some serious losses heading into next fall.
Three fifth-year seniors -- Brandon Antwine, Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders -- figure to exhaust their eligibility after this season barring some change in circumstances. Jaye Howard has the potential to play himself into a high-round NFL Draft pick and depart a year early. Leon Orr has been rumored to be targeted for a possible position switch to the offensive line sometime down the line, although he gets first crack at defensive tackle before that happens.
That's why it comes as a bit of a surprise that Timmy Jernigan has really been the only major target at defensive tackle on the board for assistant coach Dan McCarney. Jernigan has been pursued by the Gators since his freshman year of high school. Some people point to the highly-touted group Florida signed last year as a possible deterrent for his signing with the Gators in February. From my vantage point, however, there is a considerable opening for a talented youngster (which Jernigan certainly is) to come in and make an impact as a freshman.
If Dominique Easley, Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter end up being the only returnees at defensive tackle next year, there will undoubtedly be some movement to get this unit replenished. Matt Patchan (or someone else) could move over from the offensive line. Earl Okine could slide in from his defensive end slot. Although current commitment Jeoffrey Pagan is projected to play defensive end, he could certainly give the Gators some snaps from the interior of the defensive line as well. Still, it would seemingly make a lot of sense for Florida to sign a second defensive tackle in this class, and there are plenty of options on the board. Lonnie Gosha gives the Gators another local option to consider (both Gosha and Jernigan live within 45 minutes of the Swamp). Todd Barr is one of the top defensive line prospects on the West Coast, and he is expected to visit Florida later this month. Devonte Brown has an offer from Florida as well, and he is a former teammate of Xavier Nixon, who is the projected opening-day starter for the Gators at left tackle heading into fall camp.
One other name to keep an eye on as a sleeper is Elkino Watson out of Booker T. Washington. Playing alongside 2010 Florida signee Lynden Trail for the Tornadoes last fall, Watson managed to rack up over 60 tackles and nine sacks from his defensive tackle slot. Certainly not a bad number at all for an interior lineman.
In any case, look for Florida to continue their strong pursuit of Jernigan, while considering a number of options to potentially bring in alongside him for the Class of 2011. One is the absolute minimum, but taking two at defensive tackle seems entirely realistic as well.
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