The battle last Saturday between Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer carried over to a place other than the football field. Top recruits from across the state and nation came to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to see firsthand what a Southeastern Conference rivalry is all about.
The game attracted some of the most highly touted recruits, according to Rivals.com.
Ronald Powell, the No. 4 recruit in the country and No. 1 at his position at 6 foot 4 and 230 pounds, was in attendance. The Moreno Valley, Calif., native has narrowed his choices down to USC and UF.
His close proximity to the recruiting powerhouse that is USC may hinder UF's chances. However, UF has "a good chance to steal him away," according to Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg.
Newberg also said he is "the best prospect" and "the best athletically."
Another top prospect being recruited by the Gators does not live more than a thousand miles away. Wide receiver Chris Dunkley, 5 foot 10 and 164 pounds, from Pahokee High, is the ninth-ranked wideout in the nation.
Blaze Thompson, Dunkley's coach, said it best.
"He is a playmaker who makes plays. He is excited about the opportunity to come there," Thompson said. "He is well coachable and can play multiple."
The fact that Meyer "plays players by skill, not year" is another attractive trait of the program, Thompson said.
Christian Greene, the versatile athlete from Tampa Catholic was also in attendance but could not be reached for comment.
Greene is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete who rushed for six touchdowns and passed for 12 more as a junior in high school.
