rexvol
The Minister of Defense
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- Apr 29, 2006
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The Priority List...
Markeith Ambles (6-3, 185) McDonough (GA) Henry County HS; There is some issue that Ambles had in high school that is keeping Georgia from recruiting him. He is a dynamic and big time player with speed and size. Alabama is currently the team to beat, but the Gators have a great shot at this one.
Demarco Cobbs (6-2, 205) Tulsa (OK) Central HS; It;'s a long way from Tulsa to Gainesville. Cobbs is one of those freaky big and fast athletes that everyone should offer. He really likes USC right now and Florida doesn't really have any dog in the fight right now. Getting him to visit would be big in my opinion.
Chris Dunkley (5-11, 175) Pahokee (FL) Pahokee HS; I am hearing a couple of things. One is he is telling folks close that he will likely come to Florida. The words were stronger than that, but I don't want to put words in his mouth. I have heard differing opinions on liking the recruiting process and disliking it.
I will say it is a huge bonus in Dunkley's case that he is transferring schools to be on a winner. We all know how much Urban Meyer likes to sign champions and guys that like to win and Dunkley certainly isn't being selfish transferring to Pahokee. He stands a chance of being the third fiddle on a three receiver roster that includes DeJoshua Johnson and Fred Pickett. I think Dunkley is by far the better of the three, but depending on where he lines up in the offense he could see much fewer balls than those two. He knows this and is still willing to transfer in because he is tired of losing and wants to win. Now fast forward that mindset to his college choice and which school makes the most sense to you.
Christian Green (6-2, 185) Tampa (FL) Catholic HS; I know about all the ties to Tallahassee and I get that. However, I think Green is much like Dunkley and he and his family understand the difference in what is going on in Gainesville and in Tallahassee. Whether that translates into him committing to UF in the end is a big step. I would say I favor others to be in the class more than Green at this moment, but it isn't by much.
James Louis (5-11, 175) Delray Beach (FL) Atlantic HS; This one should have happened a couple of weeks ago and didn't. It is never a good sign when it gets as close to happening as it did and then doesn't, but I think this one is a little different scenario. Recent history for something like this meant that UF backed off, however that doesn't seem to be the case here. Louis got spooked by a bunch of bad information about the Florida offense, but that has since been smoothed over. I think he will be in this class in the end.
Ivan McCartney (6-1, 170) Miramar (FL) Miramar HS; This one has shot up the chart of probability in the off season and I feel real good about McCartney being in the class at the moment. On a star studded South Florida Express 7 on 7 team, he was a starter and a star on offense. He has great range and I think is taller than his listed 6-1 height. He can fly and everything in the air is his as he uses his size to fend off defenders.
Justin McCay (6-4, 200) Shawnee Mission (KS) Bishop Miege HS; The nation's top receiver, even though the recruiting services list him at linebacker. McCay is a long way from Florida, but he is intrigued by the Gators. His high school coach played at Notre Dame and that is why Notre Dame is up there with the Gators at the top in my opinion. What most do not know is that Florida assistant Brian White coached McCay's high school coach while he was at Notre Dame. Interesting note don't you think? Also, the talk about staying close to home is from McCay, but I hear he actually wants to get away. The Gators have a legit shot, but I wouldn't put him in my mock class just yet.
Solomon Patton (5-9, 165) Mobile (AL) SS Murphy HS; I had him at a level lower simply because of his height. Jason has convinced me to move him up to this level on the recruiting board and I think the staff really wants him. In my opinion we will know one way or another after his parents visit with him this summer whether Patton will be in the class. If he doesn't commit then or shortly after, i don't see it happening. If he was three inches taller he would be priority one, although I do think he is a very high priority at this time.
Da' Rick Rogers (6-2, 197) Calhoun (GA) Calhoun HS; Looks like this one might be the only big time battle with Georgia on the receiver board. He really liked Alabama but something got screwed up there. The Gators have certainly made him a priority in the last month.
Wait for the third ship...
Kadron Boone (6-1, 197) Ocala (FL) Trinity Catholic HS; It is just hard for me to fathom a talent like this not being in the Gator class, being so close to Gainesville. I think they are waiting to get a couple of other guys in and then really push Boone to do his thing.
Kenbrell Thompkins (6-2, 180) Torrance (CA) El Camino CC; The Gators have nothing to win by taking a commitment from Thompkins right now. They would be much better served getting two from the first list committed and secure, then adding a junior college guy after bracing the first two for that to happen. Selling playing time as a freshman is huge, and taking a junior college kid screams immediate playing time for that kid. Also, I am not so sure that if Miami doesn't offer, he won't jump ship to them. At that point, what has been accomplished. All of that said, I think Thompkins will be in the class, he just needs to wait till others are on board first.
On the fence...
Quinton Dunbar (6-2, 175) Miami (FL) Booker T Washington; A lot of people from Gainesville to Miami were shocked when he committed to Miami so early, Then Miami looked horrible in their spring game and he opened back up again. There is a lot going on here behind the scenes that I am not privy to, so this one could move up to the higher list at any time.
O.J. Ross (5-10, 176) Daytona Beach (FL) Mainland HS; Great speed and agility, Jason says this one is moving up very fast too. One to definitely keep an eye on moving forward.
Kenny Shaw (5-11, 155) Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips HS; i know the thought process on Shaw has changed tremendously in the last month. I think he is bigger than his listed weight and plays that way. He has tremendous speed and reminds me a lot of Rantavious Wooten that signed with UGA last year.
Wait and see more...
Michael Bennett (6-3, 195) Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta HS; he recently was visited bu UF twice in two days. Just an outside chance of an offer here, but I really like this kid a lot after seeing him in the Under Armour combine in Jax in early March.
James Haynes (6-1, 185) Orange (TX) West Orange Stark HS; Would jump at a Florida committable offer, but with the huge board ahead of him I just don't see it.
Josh Reese (6-0, 180) Miami (FL) Central; This is a Dade County kid I love and he is a lot like Boone. I watched him in Miami at the 7 on 7 tryout and he was a blazing fast tenacious receiver. He may be a bit faster and a lot less polished but this kid is as fierce as any I have seen. When the ball is in the air...it is his.
Sean Tapley (6-0, 175) Jacksonville (FL) Raines HS: I watched him at the Jax combine as well and loved him there. Then he went to Tampa and showed off well at the 7 on 7 tournament. He has been to Florida practice a number of times and I know the Gators are still visiting him. He may lack the speed they are looking for, but this kid is a player.
Lavaughn Whigham (6-1, 190) Miami (FL) Southridge; Was a stud in Tampa at the tournament listed above. Great size and build, he is strong and fast as well. No one knows of this one for some reason and I am guessing that it is about grades.
DeAndrew White (5-11, 165) Galena Park (TX) North Shore HS; Same boat as Haynes...from Texas. That is a long way to go with so many stars ahead of him on the board above. Even if he is the same player as some above, I think you take the closer prospect most of the time.
from a UF insider
