Matt Elam Reconfirms Committment

We touched on Matt’s intent to visit other schools not too long ago. Recently, he visited Tennessee and didn’t come out with a good taste in his mouth after Kiffin said he could be the next Eric Berry and said the same thing to the very next recruit that was visiting the same day. After visiting these schools and talking with Urban Meyer, he is now back on board as a Florida Gator.

He will not be visiting FSU and he has reconfirmed he will become a Gator. Elam was initially worried about depth and how many others Florida would have at his position. But his talent alone should allow him to compete for plenty of playing time and not all of those others really play the same position he will.

Bull Gator

The jury is still out as he has been back and forth a few times.  He mentioned he would early enroll but that’s still a couple months away and until that’s completed, there is no sure thing with this young star player.  This guy knows how to keep his name in the spot light and likes the attention is what it boils down to in my opinion.

2010 Florida Gator Commitments

2010 VERBAL COMMITMENTS
These 17 high school prospects have given verbal commitments to the University of Florida’s football program that they will sign national letters of intent on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 to play for the Gators:

Gideon Ajagbe, OLB, 6-2, 205, Coconut Grove, Fla. (Ransom Everglades) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Stephen Alli, WR, 6-5, 210, Andover, N.H. (Proctor Academy)

Neiron Ball, LB/DE, 6-4, 200, Jackson, Ga. (Jackson)

Mack Brown, RB, 5-11, 190, Lithonia, Ga. (Martin Luther King)(ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Troy Burton, QB, 6-3, 210, Nokomis, Fla. (Venice H.S.)(ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Gerald Christian, TE, 6-3, 230, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Dwyer H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Demar Dorsey, S, 6-1, 180, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Boyd Anderson H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Jonathan Dowling, S, 6-3, 180, Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Matt Elam, ATH, 5-11, 202, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Dwyer H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Jordan Haden, ATH, 6-0, 200, Fort Washington, Md. (Friendly H.S.)

Victor Hampton, CB, 5-10, 170, Charlotte, N.C. (Independence H.S.)

Michael McFarland, TE, 6-6, 230, Tampa, Fla. (Blake H.S.)

Leon Orr, DT, 6-5, 315, New Port Richey, Fla. (Gulf H.S.)

Solomon Patton, WR, 5-10, 170, Mobile, Ala. (Murphy H.S.)(ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Ian Silberman, OL, 6-6, 265, Orange Park, Fla. (Fleming Island H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

Travon Van, ATH, 5-11, 200, San Diego, Calif. (Milford Academy)

Jaylen Watkins,CB, 6-0, 173, Cape Coral, Fla. (Cape Coral H.S.) (ESPNU 150 Watch List)

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Ronald Powell Will Commit to the Gators

Sorry, the title might seem  misleading because it’s not a fact. However, read on and you’ll see why it might as well be confirmed.

Ronald Powell has a tough decision to choose between USC and Florida as his top team.  Powell gives each team an equal chance to recruit him.  What that means is as soon as he talks with one team, he talks with the other shortly after.

“I call the two coaching staffs one after the other,” Powell said. “I’ll hang up with one of the coaches from Florida or USC, and then I’ll call the other right after it.”

Powell is set to return to Gainesville… err Title Town for Friday Night Lights on the 24th and is looking forward to the trip.  His relationship with the coaches here in Title Town has grown tremendously.  He has built up a unique bond with Brian White (Tight End/Offensive Line Coach) possibly because of his west coast origins.

So why do I know Ronald Powell will be a Florida Gator? The answer lies in how Powell said he talks with Brian White and the Florida coaches:

“I just talked to Whitey (Florida tight ends coach Brian White) last night,” Powell said. “We just had a normal conversation. It’s pretty much the same conversation that I have when I call one of my friends.”

This might not mean a lot to some but for me, I am in sales and when someone considers me their friend before a sales rep, bring out the pen, they’re signing!  This is key to getting recruits… build the relationship up where they view you as a friend before anything else.

So my title may have jumped the gun and I may be wrong about this but these are good signs for sure!

Jordon James Sets Another Visit with the Gators

Running back Jordon James from Corona (CA) Senior High School has already set an official visit with Florida for the weekend of September 19. And now has an unofficial with the Gators.

Full story at Fightin’ Gators

For those of you that don’t realize, September 19th is the date of the Tennessee game and should turn into a firm committment after this game.  Jordon James is one of the nation’s top tailbacks and has quick speed.

“I just talked to Coach Brian White last week and got everything set up for my unofficial visit with my dad. I can’t wait to see the campus. I can’t wait because the season is almost here.”

The Tennessee game could dictate whether we pick up this top tailback and I can’t see him going anywhere else… if I’m not being too subtle.

Matt Elam Shopping Around

Five-star athlete Matt Elam said Monday he is still committed to Florida but he plans to take official visits naming Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia and Virginia Tech as the possible destinations.

Full article at GatorBait.net

Elam stated he is still committed to Florida but wants to give other people a chance.  He hasn’t visited any other schools and has been hearing rumors about coaching changes at Florida after this season but wouldn’t comment on where those rumors came from.

“I’m still committed to Florida,” Elam said. “I’m just looking around to see something different in case something goes down and I can’t go to Florida anymore.  … I’ve heard a lot about coaching changes and things like that and I haven’t visited any other places but Florida. I want to look at other places and give other people a chance.”

Sounds like someone has gained the trust of young Elam and is giving him information that is making him doubt his committment to Florida.  The obvious would state his other top schools that he plans to visit as the source of this rumor.

Matt Elam is rated the top athlete and the No. 5 prospect in 2010 recruiting class according to Rivals.com.  He has played on both sides of the ball and looks beastly in whatever position he plays… we need him!

Mack Brown Not Swayed by Emotion

One of the more heated battles in college football recruiting is taking place in the state of Georgia between the home state Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. The schools annually square off for the top prospects in the two states and this year seems to be an even bigger rumble with more prospects. Mack Brown may be the best, and despite rumors, it’s still status quo for the elite running back.

Full story available to insiders at Fightin’ Gators

Florida is keying in on Mack Brown as that back that can make FL a one RB team.  He possesss all the things FL needs to put him in the RB position and can stay healthy.  Mack has Florida and Georgia at the top with UF being the #1.  There are rumors now that he will be ready to commit soon but his comments still show a bit uncertainty.

“I might, I don’t know yet,” he said about committing sometime soon. “It’s still Florida and Georgia at the top.  Both are good programs. Both have good coaching staffs. Both have good offenses that are real productive. They are pretty even, but Florida is number one right now.”

Brown could be the Gators’ answer on having one back to run the majority of the carries.  We haven’t had a back like that in quite some time and would be a spot the Gators would love to have filled by Mack Brown.

Jordan Hicks Releases His Top Six

After talking with Scout.com this past weekend Jordan Hicks has now officially released his Top Six schools.

Full story available to insiders at Fightin’ Gators

Jordan Hicks, the 5 star Linebacker has his official top 6 schools of interest (no particular order):

1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Alabama
4. Ohio State
5. Texas
6. USC

This would be a great snag for the Gators to add to their depth at linebacker.

Xavier Nixon Ready to be a Gator

Tuesday marks the reporting day for most of the Florida Gators true freshmen signing class of 2009. One of the most eager to arrive is offensive tackle Xavier Nixon of Fayetteville (NC). He has worked himself busy in the offseason and finally away from basketball, he comes in at 6-6 and 290 pounds and physically ready to handle the rigors of the trenches of college football.

Full story available to insiders at Fightin’ Gators

Xavier Nixon has a chance to see some early playing time with the absence of the tackles from last years team.  But it won’t come without hard work and dedication.  It takes a lot to be a starter at UF and just having vacant spots doesn’t mean the criteria is cut down.  I mean afterall, someone has to protect Tebow and push the line for the rush offense we established last year.

Nixon added that there have been no surprises yet.  Things were described accurately for him and about what his future would be as a Gator and he knows what the coaches want.