UF's 2008 recruiting class got a big boost Saturday with the verbal commitment of Matt Patchan.
Patchan, a 6-foot-7, 265-pounder from Seffner Armwood High, is the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country according to Scout.com. The five-star prospect is just the second offensive lineman to commit to the Gators this year.
"It's huge because, obviously, the Gators need help on both lines of scrimmage," Scout.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. "He's a high-motor, high-energy kid. He's tenacious, nasty and kind of old school.
"As a tackle, I think he has as much talent as anybody in the country."
Patchan played both offense and defense in high school, but is expected to perform as a blocker for the Gators.
He chose UF over Miami where his father, also named Matt, was an offensive lineman from 1984-1987 under Coach Jimmy Johnson.
"My dad took it well," Patchan said. "He backs me 100 percent.
"I'll always have a little spot in my heart for Miami. They're a great team. I grew up a big fan, but I'm a Florida Gator now."
Patchan came to his decision shortly before making it public from his neighborhood clubhouse Saturday afternoon, a deviation from his original plan to announce from the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
That plan was derailed when he came down with mononucleosis and was told he couldn't play in the game, the most prestigious among high school all-star games.
Patchan said UF met all the criteria he felt were important for his school of choice, the priority being talented teammates to compete against in practice.
"That was my number one thing - the talent level," he said. "I felt like there was great talent on both sides of the ball at Florida. I think this was the best decision I could have made for myself."
He was also spurred by the impacts of freshmen linemen Torrey Davis - who played alongside Patchan at Armwood - and Mike and Maurkice Pouncey this season for the Gators.
"It's encouraging," he said. "It's a very young team, and I'm going to get my shot to play early just like everybody else is. We'll see where I go from there."
Patchan didn't have much time for a post-announcement celebration. He graduated from high school early and will show up for classes in Gainesville on Monday.
Urban Meyer hoped that defensive back Patrick Johnson would make the trip with Patchan, but the nation's No. 1 corner chose LSU instead.
Johnson - from Pompano Beach Ely High - told NBC that he felt comfortable with Tigers coach Les Miles, leading him to Baton Rouge instead of UF or FSU.
Losing Johnson was big for the Gators, who are, to put it kindly, in need of help in the secondary. Johnson (6 foot 1, 197 pounds) is considered by most to be an instant playmaker.
Johnson's recruitment was a wild one as he was rumored to have committed to several schools throughout the process. He withdrew an early commitment to Miami.
"That kid has basically committed everywhere he's been, but it's always surprising when a kid leaves the state of Florida," Newberg said.
Even without Johnson, UF should bring in a talented crop of defensive backs. Two of the highest-rated safeties - Will Hill and Dee Finley - along with four-star Pahokee High corner Janoris Jenkins have pledged to join the Gators for next season.
All three played in Saturday's Under Armour All-America High School Football Game and turned in solid performances, with Hill making an interception near the end of the first half.
Defensive end Sam Robey, from Louisville (Ky.) Trinity High also committed over the holiday break, and Byran Jones (lineman) and junior college receiver Carl Moore (receiver) signed letters of intent.
Moore is the most exciting prospect of the three. At 6 foot 4, 220 pounds, Scout rates him at five stars.
"(Moore) will have a chance to make a big contribution next season," Newberg said. "He's already there and he'll have a chance to learn the offense."
Among the five-star players that still list UF as possible destinations are running backs Darrell Scott and Jamie Harper, receivers Julio Jones and DeAndre Brown, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, defensive tackle Omar Hunter, and cornerbacks T.J. Bryant and Brandon Harris.
Verbal commitments are non-binding until a national letter of intent is signed on or after Feb. 6.
