Hey all,
As I noted before, Joseph and I will be rolling out our final predictions this evening. We released our top story lines (STORY) earlier today as well.
Rob Cassidy will be in attendance for Donell Harris' announcement, while I'm slated to travel out to Sebastian River to attend Tim Smith's ceremony. Joseph and Jacquie will be providing coverage as well, so stay tuned for an action-packed Wednesday.
Now, here is what I'm hearing as of this afternoon.
I'll start with Tim Smith again.
There are some on the Alabama side that remain confident, while many of my sources continue to favor the Gators. Smith said that relationships with be the key factor in his final decision, and I think that definitely favors David Turner and company. He also added that after doing some more research, Florida and Alabama are fairly close in terms of producing NFL players.
That is key because when previously asked about his pledge to the Crimson Tide, Smith said their pipeline to the NFL is what soaks up his attention the most.
A lot of signs pointing to the Gators and I haven't heard anything to make me rethink my decision. There is a lot of familiarity there and I think Florida pulls it off.
I was told on Sunday that Brown gave Florida many reasons to be optimistic. He sees opportunity in Gainesville and I'm told his family really enjoyed their stay as well. That is important to note because I was told West Virginia was trending heavily prior to his visit to UF and that the family was preferring Morgantown at the time.
You can can never count them out, but I'm still hearing all positive things in regards to Brown landing in Gainesville.
A source close to the Mountaineers just told me they continue to get the same vibe as well.
Below is what they told me yesterday.
"(They are) worried about Florida. That late visit has shaken things up."
Donell Harris is the one that could go either way. No one knows which school he is going to choose and his camp has done a good job of keep everything under wraps.
I've been leaning towards him staying put with the Aggies, while now I'm starting to lean towards Florida, but my final prediction won't be submitted until later.
A few of my sources believes he makes the flip, while another views it as a true question mark. I'll be digging on this one until everything is made official.
Harris is also fresh off his official visit to College Station, so that's definitely worth noting too. This is the most difficult one to predict and either choice wouldn't surprise me whatsoever.
My final prediction will be submitted later and we will have full coverage from Gulliver Prep tomorrow.
I'm going with North Carolina for Pinder. I haven't heard much Florida buzz since Sunday, and like I've always noted, his family has really been sold on Mack Brown's program. There is a home-like feel there and that staff has done a great job of recruiting him.
This is just my opinion, but I think he likes but not loves Florida. However, that's just me and the vibe I get from the whole situation. We will see if we hear anything different leading up to tomorrow, but I'm going with the Tar Heels here.
As far as additional prospects, I don't expect Florida to land EJ Smith, Phillip Webb, Darnell Washington, Malik Heath, Marcus Dumervil, Morven Joseph or Kentron Poitier.
For Webb, LSU has been considered the longtime favorite, but there has been a lot of Alabama chatter in recent days as well. Chad said you can't rule out Florida as a dark horse, but it likely be LSU or 'Bama.
EJ Smith - Stanford or TAMU
Malik Heath - Staying put with Mississippi State
Kentron Poitier - Syracuse
Marcus Dumervil - LSU
Morven Joseph - Tennessee or FSU
I'm on the fence about Donell Harris, but Florida is my prediction for Tim Smith and Sam Brown.
- CB
As I noted before, Joseph and I will be rolling out our final predictions this evening. We released our top story lines (STORY) earlier today as well.
Rob Cassidy will be in attendance for Donell Harris' announcement, while I'm slated to travel out to Sebastian River to attend Tim Smith's ceremony. Joseph and Jacquie will be providing coverage as well, so stay tuned for an action-packed Wednesday.
Now, here is what I'm hearing as of this afternoon.
I'll start with Tim Smith again.
There are some on the Alabama side that remain confident, while many of my sources continue to favor the Gators. Smith said that relationships with be the key factor in his final decision, and I think that definitely favors David Turner and company. He also added that after doing some more research, Florida and Alabama are fairly close in terms of producing NFL players.
That is key because when previously asked about his pledge to the Crimson Tide, Smith said their pipeline to the NFL is what soaks up his attention the most.
A lot of signs pointing to the Gators and I haven't heard anything to make me rethink my decision. There is a lot of familiarity there and I think Florida pulls it off.
I was told on Sunday that Brown gave Florida many reasons to be optimistic. He sees opportunity in Gainesville and I'm told his family really enjoyed their stay as well. That is important to note because I was told West Virginia was trending heavily prior to his visit to UF and that the family was preferring Morgantown at the time.
You can can never count them out, but I'm still hearing all positive things in regards to Brown landing in Gainesville.
A source close to the Mountaineers just told me they continue to get the same vibe as well.
Below is what they told me yesterday.
"(They are) worried about Florida. That late visit has shaken things up."
Donell Harris is the one that could go either way. No one knows which school he is going to choose and his camp has done a good job of keep everything under wraps.
I've been leaning towards him staying put with the Aggies, while now I'm starting to lean towards Florida, but my final prediction won't be submitted until later.
A few of my sources believes he makes the flip, while another views it as a true question mark. I'll be digging on this one until everything is made official.
Harris is also fresh off his official visit to College Station, so that's definitely worth noting too. This is the most difficult one to predict and either choice wouldn't surprise me whatsoever.
My final prediction will be submitted later and we will have full coverage from Gulliver Prep tomorrow.
I'm going with North Carolina for Pinder. I haven't heard much Florida buzz since Sunday, and like I've always noted, his family has really been sold on Mack Brown's program. There is a home-like feel there and that staff has done a great job of recruiting him.
This is just my opinion, but I think he likes but not loves Florida. However, that's just me and the vibe I get from the whole situation. We will see if we hear anything different leading up to tomorrow, but I'm going with the Tar Heels here.
As far as additional prospects, I don't expect Florida to land EJ Smith, Phillip Webb, Darnell Washington, Malik Heath, Marcus Dumervil, Morven Joseph or Kentron Poitier.
For Webb, LSU has been considered the longtime favorite, but there has been a lot of Alabama chatter in recent days as well. Chad said you can't rule out Florida as a dark horse, but it likely be LSU or 'Bama.
EJ Smith - Stanford or TAMU
Malik Heath - Staying put with Mississippi State
Kentron Poitier - Syracuse
Marcus Dumervil - LSU
Morven Joseph - Tennessee or FSU
I'm on the fence about Donell Harris, but Florida is my prediction for Tim Smith and Sam Brown.
- CB
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