Florida recruiting class hailed as nation’s best

Posted Jan 25, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Jan 25, 2010 at 06:46 PM

It’s already being called one of the top recruiting classes of all-time and high school senior football players do not officially sign letters of intent with colleges until Feb. 3.
 
But there’s little question who most experts consider the No. 1 class in the nation - and it’s not even close in the eyes of most.
 
“On paper it may be better than FSU in 1993 and USC in 2003,’’ said college football recruiting expert Tom Luginbill of ESPN.com. “This could be a special group if guys pan out the way they should.’‘
 
How good is the class? Of the first 24 commitments, 18 were ranked in Scout.com’s top 300 recruits, including the nation’s top two defensive tackles and defensive end and four defensive backs in the top 75 overall recruits, according to Scout.com, to form what could be an incredible future defense in Gainesville.
 
“Florida is No. 1 in the country right now, and by a pretty substantial margin,’’ said Scott Kennedy of Scout.com. “Florida has been able to recruit nationally if it needed to for the last few years, but the extent at which they’ve been able to go as far as Southern California to outduel USC for several prospects has been particularly impressive.’‘
 
Indeed, perhaps the most impressive thing about the class is how UF has been able to cover the nation. Defensive end Ronald Powell, Scout.com’s No. 2 recruit overall, is from California. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (a 310-pounder) is from Philadelphia and No. 6 overall. Fellow defensive tackle Dominique Easley, No. 12 overall, is from Staten Island, N.Y.
 
If the class lacks anything it’s a huge offensive weapon that jumps off the list.
 
“Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow really helped glorify the skill positions at Florida - and the Fun ‘n Gun way before that - but it’s Florida’s defense that has brought it championships and the defensive line class that the Gators are bringing in is not only by far the best this year, it’s one of the best ever. . . on paper,’’ Kennedy said.
 
The thing that makes all this even more stunning? Urban Meyer quit as Florida’s head coach just before the Gators traveled to the Sugar Bowl . . . and announced he would come back after a break after arriving in New Orleans. Such uncertainty about Meyer’s health issues would usually scare off at least some elite recruits.
 
Instead, UF caught fire after the bowl game, landing even more prime players. Experts’ thoughts are mixed on the lack of an impact Meyer’s actions have had.
 
“I thought more kids and parents would make an issue of his health and the uncertainty of the program moving forward and how long he would remain there, but it hasn’t been an issue at all it seems,’’ said Mike Farrell of Rivals.com.
 
“Florida has been the premier team, in the premier conference, in the second-most talent rich state in the country, for the better part of the last 20 years,’’ Kennedy said. “Recruiting to Florida should never be a chore, and while Urban Meyer has been the face of the Gators for the last four years, the University of Florida is still bigger than even such dominating personalities as Meyer and Tim Tebow.’‘
 
Farrell calls it an “amazing class from top to bottom.’‘
 
“(The class is only) lacking a top flight quarterback and some offensive linemen but beyond that it’s excellent,’’ Farrell said. “It’s the best defensive class in years.’‘
 
Rivals rates Powell as the nation’s top recruit, Floyd at No. 4 and Easley as the nation’s No. 7 overall recruit.
 
Kennedy agrees with Farrell that Miami defensive end Lyden Trail could turn out to be a tremendous talent that didn’t get the highest rating.
 
“At 6-7 and 218 pounds, Trail is an NBA small forward playing end,’’ Kennedy said. “He’s got that type of athleticism. If he can handle the weight gain, he’s a first-round draft pick. At worst, I think he’s still a pass rush specialist that will make some key plays throughout his career sacking the quarterback or blocking the passing lanes with his huge wingspan.’‘
  - DAVID JONES, Florida Today