Arguably the most important HIGH SCHOOL football game in the history of the University of Florida’s football program took place last night. It was sort of a ground hog’s day for Gator recruiting fans. If Seffner Armwood won its exhibition game against Tampa Chamberlain, 5-star defensive tackle Torrey Davis would end a wild few weeks of online recruiting speculation with his firm commitment to either Florida or Florida State. If Chamberlain topped Armwood, it would be paramount to Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow and would signal a longer winter on the recruiting front. Fortunately for the Gator Nation there was no shadow. Armwood took care of business 24-12 and minutes later Torrey Davis made his collegiate intentions known, announcing for the University of Florida. 

Davis, cousin to Andre and Reche Caldwell, grew up liking Florida. Now not only may he have the opportunity to more than just suit up and play for his childhood favorite where he is a legacy. If Andre Caldwell stays for his senior year of eligibility, Davis could have an opportunity to also play a year for the Gators with his cousin. Such a family reunion would mark two recruiting victories for Urban Meyer and staff. The obvious one is getting Davis to Gainesville for 4 years; the other would be keeping one of the most dynamic weapons in college football around for an extra year. 

Athletically Davis is a dominating force with a rare combination of size, speed, quickness and athleticism. The 285 pound Davis ran a hauling 4.7 40 at the Friday Night Lights camp in Gainesville while demonstrating his athleticism by running pass routes. Probably not a lot of defensive backs out there that would like to try to line up and bring the big fella down. Luckily for them, the newest Gator commitment projects at defensive tackle and won’t be trying to take over his cousin’s position next season. 

After Friday Night Lights produced 3 commitments, recruiting had become stagnant for the Gators, if not actually having begun to move backwards some. The addition of one of the Top 10 prospects in the entire country propels things forward again. While winter may have been avoided, the momentum created by arguably the best defensive tackle in the country may just cause a recruiting avalanche.

The eval period is over, so are a lot of summer camps. With more info out there, it was time to revise.

1. Torrey Davis- 6’5, 290- Seffner, FL (Armwood)
 

2. Noel Devine- 5’8, 170, 4.4- Ft. Myers, FL (North Ft. Myers)
 

3. James Wilson- 6’6, 310, 4.9- St. Augustine, FL (Nease)
 

4. John Brown- 6’2, 285- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
 

5. Deonte Thompson- 6’, 180, 4.3- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)

6. John Brantley- 6’3, 190, 4.7- Ocala, FL (Trinity Catholic)

7. D’Angelo McCray- 6’5, 280- 4.85- Jacksonville, FL (Andrew Jackson

8. Armando Allen- 5’9, 180, 4.31- Hialeah, FL (Miami Lakes)
 

9. Alphonso Bryant- 6’, 190, 4.5- Homestead, FL (Homestead)
 

10. Brandon Paul- 5’10, 185,4.4- Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)

11. Stephen Garcia- 6’3, 212, 4.65- Tampa, FL (Jefferson)

12. Enrique Davis- 6’, 215, 4.39- Lynn Haven, FL (Mosley)
 

13. Major Wright- 6’1, 200, 4.5- Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
 

14. Chris Rainey- 5’8, 165, 4.4- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
 

15. Jacoby Monroe- 6’2, 260, 4.7- Jacksonville, FL (Sandalwood)
 

16. Antwain Easterling- 5’11, 195, 4.45- Miami, FL (Northwestern)
 

17. Brandon Hicks- 6’3, 205, 4.6- Jacksonville, FL (Forrest)
 

18. Josh Bynes- 6’2, 215, 4.7- Lauderdale Lakes, FL (Boyd Anderson)
 

19. Damien Berry- 6’, 180, 4.46- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
 

20. LaShawn Pouncey- 6’4, 265- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
 

21. Lorenzo Edwards- 6’2, 215, 4.5- Orlando, FL (Edgewater)
 

22. Jordan Hammond- 6’5, 235, 4.7- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)

23. Ahmad Black- 5’11, 175, 4.5- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
 

24. Tim Lamb- 6’1, 315, 5.1- Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)
 

25. Carlton Johnson- 6’2, 195- 4.5- Lynn Haven, FL (Mosley)
 

26. James Scott- 5’10, 165, 4.45- Daytona Beach, FL (Seabreeze)
 

27. Ian Williams- 6’1, 300, 5- Longwood, FL (Lyman)
 

28. Joseph Hills- 6’4, 213- Bradenton, FL (Palmetto)
 

29. Dion LeCorn- 5’11, 196, 4.48- Ocala, FL (Trinity Catholic)
 

30. Emeka Nwankwo- 6’3, 285, 5- Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
 

31. Jamar Taylor- 5’9, 204, 4.65- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
 

32. Doug Wiggins- 5’11, 180, 4.5- Miami, FL (North Miami Beach)
 

33. John Jones- 6’4, 212- Sarasota, FL (Booker)

34. Kevin Bryant-6’6, 380, 5.7- Hallandale, FL (Hallandale)
 

35. Leonard Hankerson- 6’2, 185, 4.4- Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
 

36. Bo Williams- 6’1, 203, 4.48- Oakland Park, FL (Northeast)
 

37. Adewale Ojomo- 6’3, 215, 4.6- Hialeah, FL (Hialeah Senior)
 

38. Deonte’e Nicholls- 6’2, 270, 4.9- Pompano Beach, FL (Ely)
 

39. Akeem Auguste- 5’11, 175, 4.4 (Chaminade-Madonna)
 

40. Brian Rolle- 5’10, 210, 4.6- Immokalee, FL (Immokalee)

Just missed:
Jermaine McKenzie, Jerry Howard, Kamar Aiken, Demarcus Van Dyke, Xavier Stinson, Branden Curry, Latravis Washington, Jabaal Sheard, Jatavious Jackson, Eric Baker
 

Lakeland stars Chris Rainey and Ahmad Black have offered their verbal pledges to sign with the University of Florida this coming February. Rainey, one of the most electric, versatile weapons in the country, gave his pledge on May 16^th. A couple of weeks later, after earning his offer at a camp held by the Gator coaching staff, Black joined his fellow Dreadnaught as a Gator commitment.

What Rainey brings to the table is an explosiveness and elusiveness that will remind you of a Warrick Dunn or Barry Sanders type running back. He is lightning quick with his 4.3 speed, but his change of direction speed might be the most intriguing aspect of his abilities. One analyst cited him as running 4.5 in all directions, which is an impressive statement on how he cuts and makes guys miss without losing much speed. While people question his lack of size, Rainey turns an apparent disadvantage into a huge edge by never allowing a defender to get a clean shot at him. It is often the defender that gears up for the big hit that looks the most foolish against this dynamic playmaker.

Getting to see Black in person and see all of the skills he brings to the table, had to make cornerback coach Chuck Heater drool over the potential of coaching this talented young man. While Black plays safety for Lakeland, this ball hawk that likes to lay the wood, projects at corner at the next level. His combination of speed, hands, hips and ability to get the ball at its highest point, along with his willingness to come up and lay a hard hit on a ball carrier makes him an ideal fit for the man-press coverage utilized at Florida.

In any year, taking two highly talented players out of one of the top programs in the entire country (defending National Champions in fact) would be a job well done for the Gator coaching staff. But Urban Meyer and company are not done with Lakeland High School, just yet. Despite his commitment to LSU, tight end/defensive end Jordan Hammond continues to remain on the radar for Florida. The Gators have their tight end, the Nation’s top rated tight end, in Aaron Hernandez. If Hammond is willing to play on the d-line in college, though, he may yet get a Gator offer and then it would get interesting if he would reconsider his commitment to the Tigers. UF also continues to pursue two Florida State leans in twin offensive linemen LaShawn and James Pouncey. The Pounceys were believed to have committed to Florida State months ago and are still considered heavy Seminole leans, but with a pair of teammates and friends headed to Gainesville and doing their best to bring the twins with them, anything is possible.

Stay tuned…

Lakeland High School is supposedly set to play Cincinnati (OH) Xavier on September 16^th and the game would be televised on either ESPN or ESPN 2.

This should provide some interesting feedback. I know I toyed with the rankings and sought some opinions of others before coming to this final evaluation period Top 40, so I can imagine there will be questions on how kids got where they are. I will say this ahead of time, I used a combination of evaluation of film and who is interested/offering the respective players. 1-10 literally could have gone in any number of ways, its real close.

 With no further preamble….
 Evaluation Period BCG Florida Top 40
 

1. Deonte Thompson- 6’, 180, 4.3- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
2. Armando Allen- 5’9, 180, 4.31- Hialeah, FL (Miami Lakes)
3. John Brown- 6’2, 285- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
4. Torrey Davis- 6’5, 290- Seffner, FL (Armwood)
5. Major Wright- 6’1, 200, 4.5- Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
6. D’Angelo McCray- 6’5, 280- 4.85- Jacksonville, FL (Andrew Jackson) Florida
7. Chris Rainey- 5’8, 165, 4.37- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland) Florida
8. James Wilson- 6’6, 310, 4.9- St. Augustine, FL (Nease)
9. John Brantley- 6’3, 190, 4.7- Ocala, FL (Trinity Catholic) Texas
10. Noel Devine- 5’8, 170, 4.4- Ft. Myers, FL (North Ft. Myers)
11. Lorenzo Edwards- 6’2, 215, 4.5- Orlando, FL (Edgewater)
12. Jacoby Monroe- 6’2, 260, 4.7- Jacksonville, FL (Sandalwood)
13. Alphonso Bryant- 6’, 190, 4.5- Homestead, FL (Homestead)
14. Ian Williams- 6’1, 300, 5- Longwood, FL (Lyman)
15. Antwain Easterling- 5’11, 195, 4.45- Miami, FL (Northwestern)
16. Damien Berry- 6’, 180, 4.46- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
17. Emeka Nwankwo- 6’3, 285, 5- Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
18. Enrique Davis- 6’, 215, 4.39- Lynn Haven, FL (Mosley)
19. Josh Bynes- 6’2, 215, 4.7- Lauderdale Lakes, FL (Boyd Anderson)
20. Jerry Howard- 6’4, 240, 4.6- Orlando, FL (Jones) Florida
21. John Jones- 6’4, 212- Sarasota, FL (Booker)
22. LaShawn Pouncey- 6’4, 265- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
23. Stephen Garcia- 6’3, 212, 4.65- Tampa, FL (Jefferson)
24. Earnest McCoy- 6’5, 320, 5.2- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
25. Jatavious Jackson- 6’4, 270- Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central)
26. Kamar Aiken- 6’2, 195- Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
27. Brandon Hicks- 6’3, 205, 4.6- Jacksonville, FL (Forrest)
28. Leonard Hankerson- 6’2, 185, 4.4- Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
29. Carlton Johnson- 6’2, 195- 4.5- Lynn Haven, FL (Mosley)
30. Brandon Paul- 5’10, 185, 4.4- Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)
31. Dion LeCorn- 5’11, 196, 4.48- Ocala, FL (Trinity Catholic)
32. Jamire Williams- 6’, 180, 4.4- Jacksonville, FL (First Coast)
33. Brian Rolle- 5’10, 210, 4.6- Immokalee, FL (Immokalee)
34. Jermaine McKenzie- 6’1, 165, 4.44- Bradenton, FL (Bradenton) Alabama
35. James Scott- 5’10, 165, 4.45- Daytona Beach, FL (Seabreeze)
36. Chris Lett- 6’1, 205, 4.54- Pensacola, FL (Pensacola)
37. Jordan Hammond- 6’4, 225, 4.7- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
38. Adewale Ojomo- 6’3, 215, 4.6- Hialeah, FL (Hialeah Senior)
39. Akeem Auguste- 5’11, 175, 4.4 (Chaminade-Madonna)
40. Ahmad Black- 5’11, 175, 4.5- Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)

 

Last year Florida landed a handful of the very top rated recruits and filled out the class with a lot of star power en route to the number one overall rated recruiting class. Florida landed the best dual threat QB in Tim Tebow, the best playmaker in Percy Harvin, arguably the best offensive linemen in Carl Johnson, arguably the top weak side pass rusher in Jermaine Cunningham, perhaps the top linebacker after his all-star performances in Brandon Spikes along with a host of other talent and that success is going to translate into more than just wins at Florida. The pay off for that top ranked class is already manifesting itself in the way of more recruiting success.

Florida in the month of April, just a couple of months removed from a highly successful 2006 recruiting class, has already secured 4 commitments for 2007. All four are considered strong candidates for the prestigious National Top 100 list and 3; Aaron Hernandez (the Nation’s Number 1 tight end), Sidell Corley and D’Angelo McCray are virtual locks to be recognized as such. To a man, the 2007 Gator commitments have taken note of the talent Urban Meyer and company brought in last recruiting year and they want to be part of what is being built in Gainesville.

4 recruits in and with many highly regarded prospects such as former high school teammate of Tim Tebow and Nease High School standout offensive lineman James Wilson, Glades Central all everything receiver Deonte Thompson, Armwood’s dominating d-tackle Torrey Davis, amongst many others still considering Florida seriously, the Gators appear well on their way to being in contention to defend their recruiting crown.

And it all starts at home, just as Meyer had promised. The backbone of last year’s top rated class was the undeniable instate domination in recruiting. Most of the top prospects in the state, namely Tebow, Hillsborough’s Jarred Fayson, Sandalwood’s Jamar Hornsby, Middleton’s AJ Jones and Oviedo’s Corey Hobbs, et al headed to the University of Florida together to resurrect the glory of the 1990’s for the Gator Nation. This year Florida has landed perhaps the state’s two top defensive ends in Howard and McCray and look to be in good shape with the aforementioned 2007 stars from around the state in addition to guys like Lakeland’s Chris Rainey, Glades Central’s Jatavious Jackson, Lyman’s Ian Williams just to name a few.  Meyer is winning the wars in his backyard and then going National for the icing on his recruiting cake by way of guys like Harvin (06) and Hernandez (07).

What all of these recruiting successes will translate into is that return to a championship program. Florida will boast a defense similar to that of Miami a few years ago where when the starters came off of the field to get a breather, there was no rest of the weary lining up against them. The second wave will be just as good as the first. On offense the Gators will be able to insert one playmaker after another in an effort to run defenses, not as blessed with depth as their own, ragged. Coming to the Swamp will be an automatic loss again. The East will again go through Gainesville.

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Rumor has it Dorothy is so distraught over the Gators success that she couldn’t even take pleasure in seeing the FSU boys run around this spring with their shirts off, normally her favorite time of the year. The situation in Tallahassee is getting serious now.