Mock Class (18)
RB Franklin Green
RB Jamie Harper
WR Jeff Demps
WR T.J. Lawrence
WR Kenny Tate
OL Ricky Barnum
OL Matt Patchan
DL Chancey Agahyere
DL William Green
DL Earl Okine
DL Chaz Sutton
LB Brendan Beal
LB Ramon Buchanan
CB Jeremy Brown
CB Janoris Jenkins
DS Dee Finley
DS Will Hill
PK Caleb Sturgis
Last five out: Jonathan Meyers, Spencer Adams, Carl Moore, Zebrie Sanders, and D'Anton Lynn
Next five: Darrell Scott, Patrick Johnson, Greg Shaw, Jerrell Harris, and Mike Goodman
Projected star average: 3.94 (assuming two added stars between Barnum, Demps, Green, and Sturgis)
Analysis:
The numbers are starting to get a little tighter with the addition of Emmanuel Moody, and the possibility of Phil Trautwein taking a redshirt this season. If Traut does decide to sit this year out, and Ronnie Wilson does in fact make it back into the good graces of the staff, that gives the team 14 scholarship O-Linemen for next year. Hence, that is the reason why I have only included two offensive linemen in the mock. If anything changes on that front between now and February, expect the staff to make a move to take a second offensive tackle.
Some on the boards tend to debate the idea that Jamie Harper is a higher priority prospect than Darrell Scott. I agree with the notion, and will provide three facts to support this reasoning. (One) Harper is from Jacksonville, while Scott is from California. (Two) Harper has indicated he would be is open and willing to playing defense if RB does not work out, Scott has given no such indication. (Three) Harper seems apt to get the process over and done with as soon as possible, Scott is ready and willing to drag it all the way out to National Signing Day. At this point, it seems the staff continues to make both players a priority, and would gladly take either one. Obviously, Clemson is a major player for Harper, as is LSU, USC, and Colorado for Scott. Even without Moody on the roster, the UF staff would be in a dogfight to land either player in this class.
At WR, it appears Jeff Fuller can be moved down the board. He has started talking about distance being a factor, and clearly that can be a problem when he is from Texas. While he is still scheduled to take an official for the UT game, it seems A&M may be the team to beat right now. Carl Moore is right on the verge at this point. You could probably flip a coin between him and Kenny Tate for that hybrid WR/TE spot. I went with Tate because he's younger, and seems more open to playing a versatile role in this offense. Moore seems intent on going somewhere to be the "Man" since he only has two years of eligibility left. Clearly, Florida has a lot of weapons, and I'm sure he's aware of that fact as well. A name to watch here is Marcus Davis. The big 6'4", 221 pounder out of Virginia Beach can also fit the role that Cornelius Ingram is vacating. He was here for the Florida-WKU game, and should be down again sometime during the season. Jeff Demps and T.J. Lawrence continue giving off good vibes, and it seems likely they will be Gators in the end.
On the O-Line...it seems hard to believe the Gators will only come away with one in such a deep tackle class, but that's a testament to how well the staff has recruited the position over the past three classes. They have really made stocking the O-Line a priority, and it's hard to imagine there is a group out there who will be deeper than the one in Gainesville heading into next fall. Obviously, if Traut can make it back on the field, it seems natural that the staff would again take two. If that's not the case, hopefully Patchan will be the man, and they will call it a day. As per the update from Jeremy Crabtree the other day, Barnum looks to be the interior guy for now.
Chancey Aghayere and William Green still look good for the Gators. Only one is really necessary to fill out the need at DE, but both will be welcomed with open arms. Obviously, neither is a lock, and Agahyere's added visits this month, and the pressure that will be on Green to stay in state could always turn them elsewhere. But for now, there's reason to feel good about these two. It will be interesting to see if the staff decides to get in on a committed DT to another school (Jeremy Lewis? Moses McCray?), brings in Marty Everett, or decides to go with just the DE's they sign, and continue to grow ends into tackles.
At linebacker...Beal, Buchanan, and Harris appear to be the three guys really in play at this point. Most Gators continue to feel good about Beal, and the sentiments of USC fans on the boards back up this notion. Harris seems ready to get out of the state of Alabama (much like Dee Finley) and spurn the two in-state powers. Finley could be the wild-card for Harris, but Tennessee will very much be a player in this race. As for Buchanan, his comments made to the recruiting services aside, there are many factors in play here...and while it wouldn't come as a total shock if he kept his commitment to the 'Canes, it seems very plausible that he switches colors and ends up in Gainesville. There is simply too much Gator Love in Palm Bay to allow anything else to happen.
Janoris Jenkins and Jeremy Brown continue to look good for the Gators. Both had exciting trips this weekend to Clemson and Auburn, respectively. The Gators, however...will have a chance to respond over the next two weekends. Don't be surprised if Florida lands commitments from one or both over the course of the fortnight. As for T.J. Bryant and Patrick Johnson, they are two to keep an eye on. Both are looking out for their own best interests, and won't hesitate to leave their home base to find the best college opportunity they possibly can. Florida stands to benefit in either case. As for Spencer Adams, he is a definite wild card. His size/speed ratio is ridiculous, and he had to be blown away by his Michigan visit this weekend...that is, if he was being recruited by home-state power Appalachian State of course (har har). In an interesting pattern this season, Clemson could be shaping up to be the top competition for Adams's services (as they are in the case of Jamie Harper and Janoris Jenkins as well).
Safety is pretty cut and dried. Finley is committed, and Hill is all but. Moving on...
Other observations from around the country:
It really doesn't need to be said, but with the commitment of Star Jackson this week, Alabama is putting together a heck of a class. They have an explosive group of skill guys (Destin Hood, Mark Barron, B.J. Scott, Melvin Ray, and Devonta Bolden, among others) with startling size and strength for such a fast set of players. They have a nice group of O-Linemen coming together as well (Tyler Love and Jon Michael Boswell, along with Barrett Jones who will commit to them in the not-so-distant future). Along with a big, fast group which should really bolster their front seven on defense, in the change to the 3-4 (Undra Billingsley, Brandon Lewis, Courtney Upshaw, and Michael Williams included). The one spot they are currently a little weak is the secondary (unless they decide to play Scott at CB, which I suspect they will...as that is the position Florida was recruiting him to play). But overall, 'Bama has kept all the in-state stars they have targeted in the fold except for William Green, Jerrell Harris, and Antoine McClain. Overall, this doesn't seem to bode well for Tommy Tuberville, and his long-term future at Auburn.
LSU is really hurting from a down year in Louisiana. While they will lock down the borders to the state once again, this is a year where that isn't really saying much. Chase Clement is the only real "prize" that LSU is in line to get, and unless they pull a stunner and get Darrell Scott (don't see it) or Deion Walker (don't see it either), then this is going to be a very average LSU class, from the standards they have set over the past few years.
As for average, I expect that's the finish we're going to see from FSU in terms of recruiting. Some don't realize how big the A.J. Alexander de-commitment was, as it really took the air out of the balloon which is rising expectations in Tallahassee. The 'Noles have to feel like Deion Walker is slipping away at this point (he will make is second trip to Happy Valley in less than a month this weekend to watch Penn State blow away ND), as is Julio Jones ('Bama looks like a 8 or 9 win team this year, while FSU...not so much). If that is the case, where is their vaunted WR class going to come from? If none of Jones, Butler, Walker, or Ray are in the cards...they are going to have to look to other (less favorable) options like JUCO Corey Surrency, Laron Byrd (LA), North Marion's Darius Morgan (who plays at Greg Carr's former school), and Lakeland's Keon Broxton. All of those kids are talented, but NO WHERE near the class of the group they were advertising just a month or two ago.
Down in Coral Gables...they are going to have a good class, any way you dice it. Even if they lose a kid like Justin Thompson, they still have Corey Liuget and Benjamin Jones lined up to give them a nice five-man D-Line class. Even if they lose Ramon Buchanan, they're still in on kids like Victor Johnson, Karnell Hatcher, and Darrell Simmons who can fill that role. If they don't get Patchan, the O-Line class will be a little iffy, and the WR's are good, but not great as a whole. The defensive group will be top-notch, however. The question is...to put it in Gators terms, is the Miami staff more UF under Urban Meyer, or more Ron Zook? The answer remains to be seen...
As Mark said, while things were pretty quiet in August, this seems to be the month where things are set to heat up. There are at least a dozen prospects visiting (officially and unofficially) for the three remaining games in the Swamp this month. It seems entirely possible that the number could move toward (and possibly past) the 20 mark when it's all said and done. With most of those prospects being high on the Gators (and likewise), it seems entirely possible that by the end of the month that we will have a much better grasp of the direction of this class...
This post was edited on 9/7 1:08 PM by j wells
RB Franklin Green
RB Jamie Harper
WR Jeff Demps
WR T.J. Lawrence
WR Kenny Tate
OL Ricky Barnum
OL Matt Patchan
DL Chancey Agahyere
DL William Green
DL Earl Okine
DL Chaz Sutton
LB Brendan Beal
LB Ramon Buchanan
CB Jeremy Brown
CB Janoris Jenkins
DS Dee Finley
DS Will Hill
PK Caleb Sturgis
Last five out: Jonathan Meyers, Spencer Adams, Carl Moore, Zebrie Sanders, and D'Anton Lynn
Next five: Darrell Scott, Patrick Johnson, Greg Shaw, Jerrell Harris, and Mike Goodman
Projected star average: 3.94 (assuming two added stars between Barnum, Demps, Green, and Sturgis)
Analysis:
The numbers are starting to get a little tighter with the addition of Emmanuel Moody, and the possibility of Phil Trautwein taking a redshirt this season. If Traut does decide to sit this year out, and Ronnie Wilson does in fact make it back into the good graces of the staff, that gives the team 14 scholarship O-Linemen for next year. Hence, that is the reason why I have only included two offensive linemen in the mock. If anything changes on that front between now and February, expect the staff to make a move to take a second offensive tackle.
Some on the boards tend to debate the idea that Jamie Harper is a higher priority prospect than Darrell Scott. I agree with the notion, and will provide three facts to support this reasoning. (One) Harper is from Jacksonville, while Scott is from California. (Two) Harper has indicated he would be is open and willing to playing defense if RB does not work out, Scott has given no such indication. (Three) Harper seems apt to get the process over and done with as soon as possible, Scott is ready and willing to drag it all the way out to National Signing Day. At this point, it seems the staff continues to make both players a priority, and would gladly take either one. Obviously, Clemson is a major player for Harper, as is LSU, USC, and Colorado for Scott. Even without Moody on the roster, the UF staff would be in a dogfight to land either player in this class.
At WR, it appears Jeff Fuller can be moved down the board. He has started talking about distance being a factor, and clearly that can be a problem when he is from Texas. While he is still scheduled to take an official for the UT game, it seems A&M may be the team to beat right now. Carl Moore is right on the verge at this point. You could probably flip a coin between him and Kenny Tate for that hybrid WR/TE spot. I went with Tate because he's younger, and seems more open to playing a versatile role in this offense. Moore seems intent on going somewhere to be the "Man" since he only has two years of eligibility left. Clearly, Florida has a lot of weapons, and I'm sure he's aware of that fact as well. A name to watch here is Marcus Davis. The big 6'4", 221 pounder out of Virginia Beach can also fit the role that Cornelius Ingram is vacating. He was here for the Florida-WKU game, and should be down again sometime during the season. Jeff Demps and T.J. Lawrence continue giving off good vibes, and it seems likely they will be Gators in the end.
On the O-Line...it seems hard to believe the Gators will only come away with one in such a deep tackle class, but that's a testament to how well the staff has recruited the position over the past three classes. They have really made stocking the O-Line a priority, and it's hard to imagine there is a group out there who will be deeper than the one in Gainesville heading into next fall. Obviously, if Traut can make it back on the field, it seems natural that the staff would again take two. If that's not the case, hopefully Patchan will be the man, and they will call it a day. As per the update from Jeremy Crabtree the other day, Barnum looks to be the interior guy for now.
Chancey Aghayere and William Green still look good for the Gators. Only one is really necessary to fill out the need at DE, but both will be welcomed with open arms. Obviously, neither is a lock, and Agahyere's added visits this month, and the pressure that will be on Green to stay in state could always turn them elsewhere. But for now, there's reason to feel good about these two. It will be interesting to see if the staff decides to get in on a committed DT to another school (Jeremy Lewis? Moses McCray?), brings in Marty Everett, or decides to go with just the DE's they sign, and continue to grow ends into tackles.
At linebacker...Beal, Buchanan, and Harris appear to be the three guys really in play at this point. Most Gators continue to feel good about Beal, and the sentiments of USC fans on the boards back up this notion. Harris seems ready to get out of the state of Alabama (much like Dee Finley) and spurn the two in-state powers. Finley could be the wild-card for Harris, but Tennessee will very much be a player in this race. As for Buchanan, his comments made to the recruiting services aside, there are many factors in play here...and while it wouldn't come as a total shock if he kept his commitment to the 'Canes, it seems very plausible that he switches colors and ends up in Gainesville. There is simply too much Gator Love in Palm Bay to allow anything else to happen.
Janoris Jenkins and Jeremy Brown continue to look good for the Gators. Both had exciting trips this weekend to Clemson and Auburn, respectively. The Gators, however...will have a chance to respond over the next two weekends. Don't be surprised if Florida lands commitments from one or both over the course of the fortnight. As for T.J. Bryant and Patrick Johnson, they are two to keep an eye on. Both are looking out for their own best interests, and won't hesitate to leave their home base to find the best college opportunity they possibly can. Florida stands to benefit in either case. As for Spencer Adams, he is a definite wild card. His size/speed ratio is ridiculous, and he had to be blown away by his Michigan visit this weekend...that is, if he was being recruited by home-state power Appalachian State of course (har har). In an interesting pattern this season, Clemson could be shaping up to be the top competition for Adams's services (as they are in the case of Jamie Harper and Janoris Jenkins as well).
Safety is pretty cut and dried. Finley is committed, and Hill is all but. Moving on...
Other observations from around the country:
It really doesn't need to be said, but with the commitment of Star Jackson this week, Alabama is putting together a heck of a class. They have an explosive group of skill guys (Destin Hood, Mark Barron, B.J. Scott, Melvin Ray, and Devonta Bolden, among others) with startling size and strength for such a fast set of players. They have a nice group of O-Linemen coming together as well (Tyler Love and Jon Michael Boswell, along with Barrett Jones who will commit to them in the not-so-distant future). Along with a big, fast group which should really bolster their front seven on defense, in the change to the 3-4 (Undra Billingsley, Brandon Lewis, Courtney Upshaw, and Michael Williams included). The one spot they are currently a little weak is the secondary (unless they decide to play Scott at CB, which I suspect they will...as that is the position Florida was recruiting him to play). But overall, 'Bama has kept all the in-state stars they have targeted in the fold except for William Green, Jerrell Harris, and Antoine McClain. Overall, this doesn't seem to bode well for Tommy Tuberville, and his long-term future at Auburn.
LSU is really hurting from a down year in Louisiana. While they will lock down the borders to the state once again, this is a year where that isn't really saying much. Chase Clement is the only real "prize" that LSU is in line to get, and unless they pull a stunner and get Darrell Scott (don't see it) or Deion Walker (don't see it either), then this is going to be a very average LSU class, from the standards they have set over the past few years.
As for average, I expect that's the finish we're going to see from FSU in terms of recruiting. Some don't realize how big the A.J. Alexander de-commitment was, as it really took the air out of the balloon which is rising expectations in Tallahassee. The 'Noles have to feel like Deion Walker is slipping away at this point (he will make is second trip to Happy Valley in less than a month this weekend to watch Penn State blow away ND), as is Julio Jones ('Bama looks like a 8 or 9 win team this year, while FSU...not so much). If that is the case, where is their vaunted WR class going to come from? If none of Jones, Butler, Walker, or Ray are in the cards...they are going to have to look to other (less favorable) options like JUCO Corey Surrency, Laron Byrd (LA), North Marion's Darius Morgan (who plays at Greg Carr's former school), and Lakeland's Keon Broxton. All of those kids are talented, but NO WHERE near the class of the group they were advertising just a month or two ago.
Down in Coral Gables...they are going to have a good class, any way you dice it. Even if they lose a kid like Justin Thompson, they still have Corey Liuget and Benjamin Jones lined up to give them a nice five-man D-Line class. Even if they lose Ramon Buchanan, they're still in on kids like Victor Johnson, Karnell Hatcher, and Darrell Simmons who can fill that role. If they don't get Patchan, the O-Line class will be a little iffy, and the WR's are good, but not great as a whole. The defensive group will be top-notch, however. The question is...to put it in Gators terms, is the Miami staff more UF under Urban Meyer, or more Ron Zook? The answer remains to be seen...
As Mark said, while things were pretty quiet in August, this seems to be the month where things are set to heat up. There are at least a dozen prospects visiting (officially and unofficially) for the three remaining games in the Swamp this month. It seems entirely possible that the number could move toward (and possibly past) the 20 mark when it's all said and done. With most of those prospects being high on the Gators (and likewise), it seems entirely possible that by the end of the month that we will have a much better grasp of the direction of this class...
This post was edited on 9/7 1:08 PM by j wells
