The lights inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium shined almost as bright as the talent on the field.
The fourth edition of UF's Friday Night Lights football camp, one of the biggest recruiting events in the country for high school athletes, was more like a remix.
Jay-Z's "Encore" blared over the loudspeaker while the television broadcast of the 2008 UF-Tennessee game played on video screens around the stadium.
Urban Meyer let out a scream and a fist pump as he watched the replay of Brandon James returning the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown, and Chris Rainey danced along to Flo Rida's "Elevator" while he watched the running backs race through drills.
The atmosphere, more concert than football camp, delighted present and future players alike.
"It was electric, man. I loved it," Gastonia, N.C., wide receiver Jheranie Boyd said. "I've never seen anything like this before."
Meyer said that he wanted to give the players a taste of a game-like atmosphere in The Swamp. He did.
The evening started in the newly built UF weight room, where prospects were put through a full workout by strength coach Mickey Marotti.
"I've never been to a camp where they made us do a real workout before we played," Boyd said. "It was really tough. Coach Marotti pushed us hard."
Then, it was off to the locker room for a pregame pep talk from Meyer.
After that the amped-up group of more than 150 highly-rated prospects got their chance to storm out of the tunnel and onto the field in game-like fashion.
"It was crazy, man. When they played the video and did 'Here Come the Gators,' I got goose bumps all over my body," Boyd said. "It gave me chills."
Parents watched from the stands as their children worked through drill after drill.
For many, FNL is a chance for national exposure.
Droves of recruiting-service scouts watched from the stands. Many, with video cameras in hand, squeezed in interviews while the worn-out prospects gulped down gallons of purple Gatorade.
"This camp is a huge opportunity - everyone's watching," Coconut Grove junior linebacker Gideon Ajagbe said. "All the best guys are here. You got to be able to go out there and show everyone what you got."
FNL, Meyer's brainchild that started in 2005, has inspired the creation of several other copycat camps around the country.
Florida State's Seminole Showcase and Georgia's Dawg Night were both held over the weekend.
Many of the prospects at the camp made the trip to Tallahassee on Saturday for the camp at FSU.
The camp was a family affair for the Meyers. Son, Nathan, gave out high fives and wife, Shelly, doled out hugs. Personal touches were at every turn.
Ajagbe said coaches took the time to make everyone feel at home, saying it was the family atmosphere that set UF apart from the other schools he had been to.
"Everything about tonight was just awesome," he said. "I felt really comfortable out here. I really like Florida a lot."
Recruiting Update
UF received their first verbal commitment for the class of 2010 Friday when 6-5, 257-pound Fleming Island offensive tackle Ian Silberman gave his pledge to the Gators, according to GatorCountry.com.
