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College football

For recruiting season, Gators are in top form

Off the field, at least, UF coach Ron Zook can claim one of the nation's best performances.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 31, 2003

GAINESVILLE -- When Florida's season ended with a botched trick play, a 38-30 loss in the Outback Bowl and an 8-5 record, it was clear the Gators needed some help.

After former Heisman Trophy runner-up Rex Grossman decided two days later to forego his final season for the NFL draft, the Gators needed at least a top 10 recruiting class.

It looks as if coach Ron Zook is going to get just that.

With less than a week remaining before Wednesday's national signing day, Florida is poised to have its best recruiting class in at least three years. As of Thursday, the Gators had 24 commitments, including many blue-chip players.

Fresh off a frustrating, tumultuous first season, things are looking up for the Gators and Zook, at least on paper.

"I've got them right now No.6 in the country, and they can even move up more with a few more blue-chip players," said Tom Lemming, an ESPN recruiting analyst. "Everything turned around for them with (North Carolina Independence quarterback) Chris Leak. They were doing okay, but that changed everything. Not only with Chris talking to others, but getting the No.1 player in the country was the catalyst and gave the program and what they are trying to do legitimacy."

One day after Grossman announced his decision to leave early, Leak signed on. The USA Today national high school player of the year said at the time, "I am asking all the top recruits to come join me and win a national championship."

Many did just that.

With a need to strengthen their defense, the Gators continue to secure oral commitments from some of the best defensive players around. Tuesday, Florida picked up two of the state's top defensive players, then added two Wednesday: Melbourne Palm Bay defensive back Reggie Nelson, considered the No.1 free safety in Florida, and Miami Braddock defensive end Tranell Morant. Nelson chose UF over Miami and FSU, and Morant was considering Miami. Morant is the cousin of former Gators basketball center Udonis Haslem.

Florida has had several recruiting coups since the Outback Bowl, nabbing players thought to be out of its reach or seriously considering other schools. One was Jacksonville Ed White defensive back Dee Webb, of whom Miami was in hot pursuit.

"Florida felt more like home to me," Webb said when he committed. "I felt comfortable. ... Coach Zook was excited about the recruiting process. I felt like I could trust him."

After being hired in the middle of the recruiting process last season, the best Zook could do was try to salvage what former coach Steve Spurrier had started. When he was hired, even his many detractors conceded that his greatest asset was his ability to recruit. He has lived up to that expectation.

"Ron Zook is a very good recruiter," Allen Wallace of SuperPrep magazine said. "We know that because that's what the kids tell us. Now, he's got to translate that into winning on the field. Kids aren't going to (focus on one bad season) as much as the fans may think.

"He's got so many other things he can sell. I don't think he needs a great record right now. It might be different two or three years down the road, but not right now."

Lemming said the Gators' 2002 season hasn't been a hindrance to getting good players.

"As a matter of fact, I think people thought the cupboard was left a little bare by Spurrier," Lemming said. "They still had talent, but not the talent they were used to. Zook has got an extremely aggressive staff and they are doing great job."

It started early. Sensing a need to fill some vacant positions immediately, Zook signed five junior college recruits in January, an unprecedented move at Florida.

The Gators remain in the hunt for several big-name players, including Tampa Jefferson wide receiver Andre Caldwell, Glades Central offensive lineman James Lee and Melbourne Palm Bay running back Joe Cohen.

The Gators also are in the running for Washington (D.C.) Dunbar tight end Vernon Davis, who is scheduled to announce his decision during a news conference today at his school.

Florida recruiting coordinator Tyke Tolbert said recruiting clearly is the toughest part of the job. It comes down to how good a salesman you can be.

"When recruiting starts, that's the hardest part of college football," Tolbert said. "We are all in a position where we know X's and O's. But as far as selling a young man to come to this university, that's the hardest part because the same guy we want, the other two teams in the state want, Texas wants, Michigan wants, Ohio State. So you're trying to sell your school on what it can do to help that particular young man."

The Gators apparently are selling that pitch very well.

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