Benjamin Knox decommits: What is Florida's next move?

In case you missed it last night, the Gators are now short one member of their 2014 recruiting class, as DeLand offensive tackle Benjamin Knox has withdrawn his commitment to UF:

Former #Gators three-star commit Benjamin Knox just told me with UF out of the mix, Louisville and USF are two schools under consideration.
— Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) September 11, 2013

This was not an unexpected development, as Florida and Knox seemed to be drifting apart for a few months. The move puts UF at 14 commitments for the Class of 2014, with three players projected to end up on the offensive line presently in the fold (Dontae Angus, Nolan Kelleher and Travaris Dorsey.)

Based on the numbers, Florida needs to add 2-3 more prospects to this class up front. The only problem here is, the Gators really don't have a ton of guys remaining on the board. Or, at least, that how it would appear to look from the outside. The top target is obviously David Sharpe (6-6, 290, Jacksonville Providence) and while the Gators are a strong contender there, Clemson and Georgia have made a real push with the big man in recent weeks as well.

Damien Mama (6-4, 370, Bellflower, Calif./St. Bosco Prep) and Jordan Sims (6-4, 340, Birmingham, Ala./Homewood) also claim offers, but I don't think anyone is particularly confident in the Gators' chances of landing either prospect at the moment. Miami commitment Trevor Darling (6-5, 330, Miami Central ) keeps getting thrown around as a possibility, but there's been no evidence to support the notion he's anything but solid in his commitment to the 'Canes.

In any case, regardless of what Sharpe, Mama, and Sims do, some other prospects will emerge on the radar between now and National Signing Day along the offensive line. Here's a list of six guys to keep an eye on over the coming months:

1. Jordan Prestwood (6-5, 310, Plant City/Arizona Western C.C.) – There should be some obvious concerns here, as Prestwood has already left two big-time programs (Florida State and Notre Dame) for various reasons. On the plus side, he is on pace to enroll in December, and would have three years of eligibility remaining. A big-time recruit coming out of high school, he may be the most likely candidate for UF if they elect to hit the JUCO ranks in 2014.

2. Montel McBride, (6-4, 350, Plant City) – With the recent pledge of Cameron Robinson, Alabama now has six offensive line commitments, and seems to be busting at the seems a bit at the position. McBride may be ripe for the taking, but UF has shown no indication to date they are interested in the two-way player, who is a product of Plant City High School, like Prestwood. I think that could change, depending on his senior film. McBride would be an excellent fit at guard at the next level, but he is going to have to drop some weight, as Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis clearly prefers his players to be mobile at the position.

3. Denzel Ward (6-8, 305, Chicago, Ill./Simeon) – Florida was heavily involved in the recruitment of Ward at one point. If David Sharpe decides to head elsewhere, it would come as no surprise if the Gators turn up the heat once again for the current Purdue commitment.

4. Delroy Baker (6-6, 270, Ocala/West Port) – Although the Gators offered Baker over the summer, they didn't seem to really push for the local product, who eventually committed to Indiana. With an impressive senior season, UF may re-evaluate their stance on Baker, who would presumably jump at the chance to stay closer to home.

5. Marcus Applefield (6-6, 280, Weeki Wachee) – Applefield plays at a new program, only in its third year of existence, and will prove to be the school's first player to sign with a FBS program. Applefield has great size and potential as an offensive tackle. He visited for Florida's first game against Toledo in August. Rutgers is thought to be the present front-runner for Applefield, but the opportunity to stay closer to home and attend Florida or Florida State is believed to greatly appeal to him.

6. Avery Gennesy (6-5, 305, Southaven, Miss./East Mississippi C.C.) – The Gators would be getting in late on the recruitment of Gennesy, but they do have ties to East Mississippi Community College, having signed a player out of the program each of the past two years (Damien Jacobs in 2012, Darious Cummings in 2013.)