With the season now over for the Gators, coach Jim McElwain and his staff have shifted their efforts to recruiting.
While it’s currently a dead period — a time when coaches can’t have face-to-face contact with recruits but can engage in written and electronic communication — McElwain appeared on "The Paul Finebaum Show" to discuss numerous topics including recruiting.
He said that when he first arrived at Florida, the program was lagging in terms of facilities.
UF didn’t have an indoor practice facility, giving ammunition to other schools who were competing for the same recruits.
But now — with an indoor practice space built — that argument no longer holds any weight.
For McElwain and his staff, it has had a positive effect.
"The things that maybe people were using against (us), are now, maybe positives for us," McElwain said.
"I’m excited at where we are and that momentum has really helped in recruiting. We’ve got one heck of a class put together."
UF currently has the No. 5 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports, with 26 players committed and 10 already enrolled. National Signing Day is Feb. 3.
Six Gators undergo surgery: Florida announced on Wednesday that six players on the football team underwent surgery following the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Freshman offensive tackle Martez Ivey (shoulder), sophomore wide receiver Brandon Powell (foot), defensive linemen Joey Ivie (knee) and Jordan Sherit (sports hernia), cornerback Quincy Wilson (sports hernia) and walk-on kicker Neil MacInnes (knee) all underwent procedures.
Ivey, who missed the first two games of the season, played in the next 12 and started the final eight.
Powell played in all 14 games this year, moving from running back to receiver. The Deerfield Beach native finished the year with 29 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns.
Ivie had 3.5 sacks in 10 games this year, with three coming in the Gators’ 31-24 win against East Carolina. Sherit had just 1.5 sacks in 13 games serving as a situational player.
Wilson played in all 14 games, making nine starts.
He finished the season with two interceptions and five passes broken up.
McElwain to appear on ESPN’s "Megacast": McElwain will make an appearance on ESPN2’s "Megacast" during the national championship game between Clemson and Alabama.
McElwain will be a part of the "Film Room" coverage, a show ESPN debuted two years ago.
He will be charged with breaking down what’s happening during the game with other coaches and hosts.
The game between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide is scheduled to begin on Monday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.
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UF coach Jim McElwain laughs with players after practice on Dec. 4, 2015, prior to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.
