WSG's Recruiting Recap

Without further ado, here’s the initial version of the “WSG Recruiting Recap” (think of me as a poor man’s Mel Kiper):

I want to start this off by providing a little factoid that will make you all feel better about the UT fiasco (it made me feel better when I first read it). Kedric Johnson, from Palmetto (who by the way had 19 sacks as a junior in high school – that’s a lot) failed to meet a stringent rivals.com deadline for submitting his highlight tape which prevented him from being bumped up to 4 stars. Had he submitted that tape in time, the folks at Rivals assure us that he would have procured 4 star status and thus catapulted this year’s recruiting class to an average star rating of 4.0 (something that’s only been done twice before, both times by USC). Hence, the reason we didn’t crack the top 5 this year in most rankings is that we had such a small class (as you can see above, only 16 signees). Not to fear, this only leaves more room for extra studs next year – besides, I’ll take quality over quantity any day and twice on national signing day (Saturday’s at 3am…that’s another story).

One more thing to keep in mind, we still have a good shot at landing Orson Charles, the #2 ranked tight end of gator infamy for dropping and shattering the BCS crystal ball last year on a recruiting visit as a junior. He has postponed his commitment until after national signing day (sometimes they do that, see Terrell Pryor last year and Bryce Brown this year…he’s the #1 overall player in Rivals who is contemplating de-committing from the WHO – I pray to god that he pulls a Nu’Keese on them) and if he signs with us, that will only further solidify our already excellent class.

Now on to the individual player evaluations, in order of pimp status as per the WSG’s own ranking system (which unlike other pontiffs of scouting, takes into account the player’s ability to get laid, knock people out at bars and a few other unorthodox “beast” factors inexplicably ignored by Rivals and Scouts Inc., among others):

Andre Debose: Wide Receiver | The Muck, FL

height: 6-0 | weight :170 | 40 in 4.43 | cinco estrellas

What else can be said about this man? This is the one we HAD to have…and we got him. Dubbed as the next Percy the expectations are sky high…but then again, they should be, he is the premier recruit at Florida. He should get early playing time and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up starting at some point mid to late in the season next year. Godspeed.

Gary Brown: Defensive Tackle | Quincy, FL

height: 6-3 | weight 275 | 40 in 4.67 | cinco estrellas

Another 5 star stud d-tackle. Hopefully this one will actually pan out (see John Brown, Omar Hunter and save for 2 plays in the NC game, Torrey Davis). I shouldn’t be unduly harsh on those guys just mentioned, they all still have a ton of upside and are very young (especially Omar Hunter who was professed as the second coming)…but we can’t deny that to date, they haven’t done shit. In fact, Brown and Davis have had a really hard time academically and are lucky to still be with the program. Hopefully Gary Brown is the truth.

Jelani Jenkins: Linebacker | Olney, MD

height: 6-2 |weight: 220 | 40 in 4.45 | cinco estrellas

The 16 year old phenom with the body of a Greek God. He is already 6’2 220 lbs and runs a 4.45 …let that sink in for a second. He can and will, believe it or not, continue to develop a lot physically in the coming years (think about how you looked when you were 16). I can’t wait to see what this guy looks like after Mariotti is done with him – I am thinking a cross between Bo Jackson and Mike Tyson circa 1985. Meyer already dubbed him a future Gator Captain. Again, lofty expectations but seemingly well deserved.

Dee Finley: Defensive Back | New Berlin, NY  

height: 6-1 | weight: 193 | 40 in 4.4 | cuatro estrellas

Another sick nasty safety/db who actually should have been part of last year’s class but didn’t qualify. So he played at New Berlin this year (the vaunted prep school for studs in training) where by all accounts he was a monster. (see this hit on Julio Jones at last year’s all-star game, the look of horror on the other defender’s face is priceless). Another sub 4.4 forty guy who I predict will find a way to get on the field. Side note: As good as they were, Major Wright and Ahmad Black better stay on it this off-season because Will “the Thrill” Hill and Dee Finley will be gunning for some serious playing time.

Xavier Nixon: Offensive Lineman  | Fayetteville, N.C. 

height: 6-6 | weight 263 | 40 in who cares | cuatro estrellas

This is the most underrated recruit in this draft. Look at this kid’s size and athletic ability (apparently he is a great b-ball player and can easily dunk…which says a lot for an O-linemen). He will inevitably add 30lbs to his frame within the next year or two (I’d bet my job on it…haha). That puts him at around 6-7 300lbs with athletic ability to boot…shiiiiiiiiiiiit! He has a legit shot of getting on the field for us as a true freshman next year, more so than anybody else on this list other than Debose. Sidenote: Both his parents are in the military and deployed overseas right now. This means he is disciplined and has a good head on his shoulders, by all accounts a very good student too.

Jon Bostic: Linebacker | Wellington, FL

height: 6-1 | weight: 218 | 40 in 4.59 | cuatro estrellas 

I know Jelani is getting all the hype but don’t sleep on this kid. The coaches said his ability to learn and pick things up at last year’s Friday Night Lights was unparalleled. Apparently he is very coachable and has everything you want in a linebacker, size/speed/instincts. The only thing that worries me is that he’s from Palm Beach. Really? I’d feel more comfortable if he was from Pahokee.

Nick Alajajian: Offensive Lineman | Naples, FL

height: 6-4 | weight: 280 | 40 in who cares | cuatro estrellas

Another stud o-linemen who was very highly rated and recruited, from Naples. He seems to have a real mean streak from looking at his mug shot. That’s all I got on him, he is an o-lineman after all.

Jordan Reed: Quarterback | New London, CT 

height: 6-3 | weight: 235 | 40 in 4.5 | cuatro estrellas

He is a quarterback of the Tebow mold…have you seen him run in his highlight tape? Very impressive. He is a bit of a project (still very raw as a passer and mechanics need some work) but so athletically gifted with his running ability and arm strength. Very well suited to run our offense, it will do him some good to sit behind Tebow and Brantley for a few years before having a real shot to compete to be the Gator Quarterback (which, after Mr. President, is probably the sweetest way to ever be referenced). Just think, 2 co-eds walking by him on University avenue, “Oh my god Jenny that’s the Gator Quarterback”…actually, I shouldn’t just limit that to co-eds, there are plenty of women our age who would love to bang the Gator Quarterback…hell, who hasn’t thought about a bromance with Timmy…be honest.

Kedric Johnson: Defensive End | Palmetto, FL

height: 6-4 | weight: 225 | 40 in 4.69 | tres estrellas

Like I said above, disregard his 3 star status, this kid will be a speed demon off the edge. It will take some time but he could be the next Jarvis Moss.

Joshua Evans: Athlete | Irvington, N.J.

height: 6-2 | weight: 185 | 40 in 4.43 | cuatro estrellas

The only reason this Will Hill clone from NJ dropped this far is because we have such a crowded secondary and I don’t see him getting an PT any time soon. However, by all accounts this is another pure athlete. Played QB in high school along with about 10 other positions on the field – the guy just looks like a football player (much like Ol’ Bill is a dead ringer for Nelson from the Simpsons).

Mike Gillislee: Running Back | Deland, FL

height: 6-1 | weight: 205 | 40 in 4.4 | cuatro estrellas 

He is a running back, which we really don’t need, but he is fast as shit and Urban loves speed so maybe he can contribute on special teams early on. I don’t see this kid playing a significant role for quite some time, just too many horses in front of him with Rainey, Demps and Moody.

Jonotthan Harrison: Offensive Lineman | Groveland, FL

 height: 6-4 | weight: 290 | 40 in 5.1 | cuatro estrellas

Another huge lineman with an impressive physique. Also has a 3.9 GPA…I am starting to recognize a theme here…Urban gets smart hard working kids with high character…and that Mr. Lane Kiffin, is what wins championships. This kid was committed since June of last year and never wavered, how refreshing.

Desmond Parks: Tight End | Greer, SC

height: 6-4 | weight: 218 | 40 yards in 4.62 seconds | tres estrellas

Whether he knows it or not, he could end up being VERY important. With Tate Casey and CI gone as of right now he is the only Tight End we have other than Aaron Hernadez -- who by the way I’d like to officially dub “Tony Gonzalez Part Deux” -- what a papi stud he is. This all changes if we get Orson Charles, but if we don’t, Desmond better get with the program “broda” (that was a Desmond from LOST reference for all the slow inbred Tennessee trolls out there).

Edwin Herbert: Defensive Tackle | San Francisco, CA

height: 6-3 | weight: 295 | 40 in 4.81 | cuatro estrellas

This is a JUCO d-tackle so he’ll be expected to produce right away…Urban had to go all the way to San Fransisco to get him. By the way, notice that 8 of the 16 commits this year were from out of state…I think this signals that UF is quickly developing a national recruiting presence a la USC and ND. Not that we depend on that because our home base is so strong here in FL but it’s nice to know you can go make a sandwich in somebody else’s kitchen if need be.

Jon Halapio: Offensive Lineman | St. Petersburg, FL

height: 6-4 | weight: 302 | 40 in who cares | tres estrellas

This guy’s is a Polynesian beast (Urban loves those guys because he coached a lot of them at Utah) who looks like an elephant version of Troy Palamalu (hopefully he plays about half as well as Troy, if so we are in good shape).

Kyle Koehne: Offensive Lineman | Indianapolis, IN

height: 6-6 | weight: 290 | 40 in who cares | tres estrellas

When you get to the bottom of the class, lets face it, it’s hard to distinguish between one big fat o-lineman and another. So I had to put him dead last based on his pic. Sorry dude, I hope you’re a killer but that mug shot is too funy…can I suggest a little facial hair?