While some of the big names made took off after Monday's session of Urban Meyer Football Camp, some notable prospects took part in Tuesday's action on the Sanders Practice Fields on the campus of the University of Florida.
Highly-regarded defensive lineman prospect Tavaris Barnes (6-4, 250, Jacksonville, FL First Coast) spent most of the day working out with the linebackers, which certainly was kind of interesting. Barnes does not strike anyone as the type of player who will play standing up in college, but he certainly displayed good athleticism taking part in drills, showing why a number of big-time schools are pursuing him.
Another name to keep an eye on from the same area is tight end Neil Basford (6-5, 230, Jacksonville, FL Bishop Kenny) received a lot of instruction and attention from the coaches during the morning session of camp. Basford is a prospect starting to move up a lot of boards. He recently received an offer from Florida State. He is a very solid threat in the passing game, showing good athletic ability, reliable hands and the potential to put on a lot of weight.
Florida commitment Michael McFarland (6-5, 230, Tampa Blake) is another name that continues to come up time and time again here at camp. He is one of the most physically impressive prospects in attendance, showing all week the athletic ability and big-play potential that caught the eye of Dan McCarney (who recruits the Tampa area) and Brian White (tight ends coach) very early in the process. Florida was in on McFarland ahead of everybody else, which is why the Gators landed possibly the top tight end prospect in the state before he even hit the radar.
While Jonathan Dowling (6-3, 180, Bradenton, FL Southeast) did not participate in drills on Tuesday, I was advised that he is still on campus. He worked out at wide receiver yesterday, and looked like a very viable option on offense if the Gators decide to go that route with him. I was also advised that defensive end T.J. Stripling (6-5, 205, Decatur, GA Southwest Dekalb) was scheduled to arrive on campus on Tuesday evening, although he was not in attendance for the final camp session of the day.
WHAT NOW AT WIDE RECEIVER?: The impending commitment of Solomon Patton (5-10, 170, Mobile, AL Murphy) brings with it a lot of excitement to Gator fans who have been waiting patiently for Florida to get on the board with a wide receiver in this recruiting class. However, the commitment of Da’Rick Rodgers (6-3, 205, Calhoun, GA) to the dreaded Georgia Bulldogs put a bit of a damper on the festivities this afternoon. There has been a lot of talk as to what direction the Gators will go in to add some much needed size to a WR corps that will use up the remaining eligibility of the only three receivers on the roster who stand over 6-1 following the 2009 season. The loss of Rogers has only fueled the speculation as to what direction Florida will now be forced to go in.
At this point, the name to really keep an eye on is Justin McCay (6-4, 205, Shawnee, KS Bishop Miege) who will make a visit to Gainesville for Friday Night Lights in July. He doesn’t have the same type of speed as Da’Rick Rogers, but is a bigger and more physical presence who could potentially bring a Larry Fitzgerald-type of weapon to any offense he is a part of on the college level.
Darius White (6-4, 205, Ft. Worth Dunbar) has also been mentioned as a possibility, but with his desire to potentially play alongside some of his high school teammates on the next level, seems to be a bit more of a long shot in this class.
Two more receivers that have been pursued to date but should see even more attention from the Florida staff in the wake of Rogers commitment, are Ivan McCartney (6-2, 170, Miramar, FL) and Quinton Dunbar (6-2, 170, Miami, FL Booker T. Washington). Neither really bring a big, physical presence to the mix at receiver. However, both are long and rangy targets with a lot of speed and either of whom would certainly add a different type of target to the mix with a potential commitment to Florida. Dunbar has previously listed the Gators near the top of his list, as has McCartney who visited Gainesville for the Orange & Blue Debut.
The last name to keep in mind is the receiver whose announcement today started the debate on what direction Florida will have to go in to take a big receiver in the 2010 class – Da’Rick Rogers. The Peach State star never took a visit to Gainesville, and never had the resources to just saunter on down to Gainesville on his own dime because of his situation. The father of Nash Nance handled the majority of Rogers’ commitment, and the thought process is that if somehow Rogers can be persuaded to come down to the University of Florida at some point there is always a chance. While Rogers now seems to be a bit of a long shot, I wouldn’t bet against the Gators trying to steal him away from the Bulldogs between now and National Signing Day. Perhaps a late official visit could potentially seal the deal? Only time will tell in regard to that matter.