Published August 20, 2010 - 10:46am
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All the great names for the Gators are gone this year. That fact is overkill now, but fortunately for Florida, they have recruited exceptionally well since 2008 and those guys are ready to make an immediate impact and fill the much-needed voids in the lineup. These recruiting efforts will prove to be the key to success this year. Let’s look at the key players from each of those recruiting classes:
From the 2008 recruiting class, Jeremy Brown looks to have an impact at the CB position. Jeremy has been battling back injuries since before he stepped on campus and is showing great potential for the up-coming season. Coaches were very high recruiting him out of Orlando and are still high on him now that he’s healthy. Brown looks to start opposite Janoris Jenkins. Will Hill is another one from the ’08 class that will step up and take control of the secondary and the defense in general. Hill is not exactly a household name as of yet because he shared the lime light with Major Wright and Ahmad Black during his career, but now that Wright is gone and he starts playing Eraser style football at the safety position, he will prove how tremendous of an athlete and a huge pick up he was out of New Jersey. Hill will start opposite Ahmad Black.
From the 2009 recruiting class, Jon Bostic looks to step up big for the Gators this year. He is battling with current ’09 class member Jelani Jenkins for the middle line backer position. The Gators have great depth at the LB position with these two guys manning the middle. Both will play. Andre Debose is another 2009 class member that is ready to make a much-needed impact and fill a play making position in the slot. Debose was plumb nasty in high school. People say Debose reminds them of Percy Harvin, but he reminds me more of Jeremy Maclin. Either way, Debose looks to make a name for himself. At the OL position, Xavier Nixon looks to man the LT position. Xavier is currently battling an ankle injury but his presence at LT is absolutely key for the Gators and Brantley’s health. He will be battling against current OL Matt Patchan (aka The Barbarian) for the LT position. With either player, the Gators have the depth.
Lastly and certainly not least in importance is the 2010 recruiting class, which brought in such a needed depth at the defensive line position for the Gators. Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd, Leon Orr, and Dominique Easley were a massive haul by the Gators. Even though these guys are seemingly babies out there, every one of them could eat all of your children. Powell and Floyd are physically ready to help the Gators on the defensive front now! Matt Elam will provide depth at the safety position and will probably play in the Nickel package this year. Mack Brown was also a key get for the Gators because Rainey will be helping in the slot and that leaves Demps, Gillislee and Moody in the backfield. Demps will get his carries, Gillislee is unproven as of now and Moody gets banged up easily, thus leaving Brown to add depth. Brown should play.
The Gators certainly lost some of the best players in the country last year, but Urban Meyer’s aggressive style recruiting has provided depth at Florida and the Gators look to use that depth to bring home another SEC East title. I’d retire every year too if it meant #1 recruiting classes.
These kids are going to get run over in the SEC!