Gators land several top talents to push recruiting class into top 10 nationally.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published February 5, 2004
GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Ron Zook had a little Yogi Berra thing going when it came to those who believed the Gators' recruiting wasn't going so well: "The game's over when the game's over."
Translation: Hold your comments until signing day.
Florida picked up six big-name players during the 24 hours leading up to the big day to move its class into the top 10 in the nation, according to several major recruiting services.
Among them: Hawthorne quarterback Cornelius Ingram, the third-best quarterback in the nation according to Rivals100.com; the nation's third-best defensive end, Derrick Harvey of Maryland; Derrick McPhearson, a Maryland wide receiver who is rated among the top 10 in the nation; and Miami's Dane Guthrie, a highly rated tight end.
"Tremendous finish," said Bobby Burton, national analyst for Rivals100.com. "The guy is proving himself to be an elite recruiter. He's one of those guys, and there are a couple of them out there, that never say die in recruiting. Ron Zook is one of those. No task is too tall."
"Every position is critical and every player is critical and that's what's so exciting about this class," he said.
"Everybody fits right in. Our coaches evaluate these guys. People tell me about, well, he was rated here or rated there, but what's important to our staff and us is how we rate them, not how other people rate them, and how they fit into our system. That's the reason we're so excited."
The late rally (though Zook refused to call it that) began Tuesday with Harvey's decision, which was broadcast on national TV.
ESPN analyst Tom Lemming called it a major coup for UF.
"They've already got a lot of very talented ballplayers down in Gainesville, Derrick's just going to be added to the list," Lemming said. "He's just a terrific pass rusher, one of the top three in the country. Production-wise, he's probably the best."
Ingram, who announced his decision before a standing room-only crowd at Hawthorne High about 20 miles outside of Gainesville, chose UF over Florida State and USF.
"I can say South Florida (was the runnerup)," Ingram said. "Florida State had two big commitments with Drew (Weatherford) and Xavier (Lee) and the whole situation at South Florida was pretty good. But I didn't really want to leave home. There is nothing wrong with their program and I really liked their coaches a lot and I know they liked me. Sometimes you have to draw a line and do what's best for you and I think that's what I did."
Ingram is a two-sport star who also plans to play basketball. Zook praised basketball coach Billy Donovan for helping him seal the deal with Ingram, who said he will focus on basketball right away, while taking his time with football.
"I'm going to redshirt (in football) and start playing basketball," Ingram said. "I've always liked Florida football, but I was kind of shaky about basketball. I think if I was just playing football, I'd have committed a long time ago. Because there were some things I really didn't understand about the basketball program and that I really had to find out."
With four highly regarded offensive linemen, Florida filled a huge gap left by the departure of starters Shannon Snell and Max Starks and bolstered a position that has had depth
"You have to think at least one of them will have a chance (to make an impact)," Zook said.
After his second straight 8-5 season, Zook received a contract extension last month, but said it did not necessarily make the recruiting trail any easier.
"This was as hard a year as any year, and that's the way it is with the things that are out there and the things you're constantly battling against," he said. "There wasn't any less (negative recruiting)."
