At this time last year, the UF football team's recruiting class had 14 oral commitments and arguably the nation's best class.
This year, the Gators have not had the same early success. But even with fewer players, the 2008 recruiting class could turn out to be one of the best in the country by National Signing Day on Feb. 6.
BIt will be a good class,C Scout.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. BOverall, it is going to be another great group.C
UF has already added talent and depth where it needs it most - its struggling defensive back corps.
The Gators landed commitments from two safeties - Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter?s Prep star Will Hill and Auburn (Ala.) High?s Dee Finley, who are ranked as the nation?s top two, respectively, at the position by Scout.com.
UF also added a pair of in-state cornerbacks - Pahokee High?s Janoris Jenkins and Orlando Boone High?s Jeremy Brown.
Jenkins and Brown are rated the Nos. 9 and 16 corners in the country, respectively.
BDefensive back has to be one of the class?s biggest strengths,C Newberg said. BThat is their biggest need, especially at cornerback.C
Almost all of the Gators? commits have been on the defensive side of the ball.
Besides the defensive backs, UF has gotten oral commits from three defensive linemen - Chaz Sutton, Troy Epps and Earl Okine - and from five-star linebacker Brendan Beal.
St. Augustine High?s Caleb Sturgis, the nation?s third-rated kicker, also committed.
With an already-loaded arsenal of offensive weapons, the Gators aren?t in need of a lot of recruits on offense.
And with a limited amount of scholarships available, UF is unlikely to sign many players on that side of the ball.
BThe Gators will fill their needs, because they just don?t have the number of scholarships they have had in the past,C Newberg said.
The only offensive player to commit to the Gators so far is Savannah (Ga.) Jenkins High running back Franklin Green, rated No. 29 at the position.
Most of the nation?s top recruits have already committed to a school, but there are still a few players shopping their services.
Among those still considering UF are quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Darrell Scott, linebacker Arthur Brown and cornerback Patrick Johnson, all of whom are the top players at their positions.
One of the nation?s top offensive tackles, Matt Patchan, is also considering the Gators, and he will have to make his decision soon.
Patchan will graduate this fall from Seffner Armwood High and enroll at his school of choice for the spring semester.
Patchan is deciding between UF, LSU and Miami, where his father played in the late 1980s.
Facing top competition is a major concern for Patchan.
BThe biggest thing is talent on both sides of the ball to help me develop in practice,C said Patchan, who said he will announce his decision some time after Dec. 15. BI want the talent already there, wherever I go. I want to be playing against first-rounders every day.C
