A breakdown of Florida's class to date

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

Quarterback

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

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

Skill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Line

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Specialists

None

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