College football

High-profile commitments keep Florida's class soaring

No one has been hotter than Florida. Since the Gators' 34-7 victory over Florida State on Nov.26 in the Swamp, they have received nine oral commitments to climb to No.4 overall in the scout.com national team recruiting rankings. UF will climb higher as it continues to land blue-chippers between now and signing day Feb.1.

Coach Urban Meyer and his staff are awaiting official word from quarterback Tim Tebow (Ponte Vedra); wide receiver Percy Harvin (Virginia Beach, Va.); offensive linemen Sam Young (Fort Lauderdale) and Daron Rose (Tampa Jefferson); running backs C.J. Spiller (Lake City), Mon Williams (Mesquite, Texas) and DeMarco Murray (Las Vegas); linebackers Brandon Spikes (Shelby, N.C.) and A.J. Jones (Tampa Middleton); defensive ends Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga.), Louis Ellis (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and others.

UF won't land them all, but will close strong to have a chance at the nation's top recruiting class.

Jarred Fayson , one of UF's commitments the past two weeks, was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan.7 in San Antonio, Texas. Fayson, a quarterback out of Hillsborough, will play receiver in the game and is projected to play that position at UF. The 6-1, 195-pound player is the No.3-rated receiver in the nation, according to scout.com, and No.27 player overall.

WHERE'S THE BEEF?: Florida State never has had trouble landing skilled players, linebackers and defensive linemen. But the past few seasons the Seminoles have had problems getting offensive linemen. Last season they only signed one: Matt Hard-rick (Orlando). He was considered one of the nation's best but failed to qualify. FSU will re-sign him with the upcoming class and also will have offensive line commitments from Brandon Davis (Miami) and Evan Bellamy (Miami).

FSU would like to sign five or even six and it's hot after the nation's top offensive line prospect, Andre Smith (Birmingham, Ala.). But Smith likely will sign with the Alabama. Other OL possibilities are Clifton Geathers (Georgetown, S.C.), Daron Rose (Tampa Jefferson), Marcus Gilbert (Fort Lauderdale), Shannon Boatman (Tyler, Texas) and Orlando Franklin (Delray Beach).

USF IN ST. PETERSBURG: Look for South Florida to pick up a commitment this week from defensive back Jerrel Young . The Gibbs High standout could play either safety or cornerback. He is expected to give his commitment to Jim Leavitt when the coach makes an in-home visit this week. Young had 120 tackles this season and rushed for 1,300 yards and 16 TDs. Another St. Petersburg possibility is offensive lineman James Boger of Dixie Hollins. That's the alma mater of Bulls running back Andre Hall , former Bulls quarterback Marquel Blackwell and, of course, Leavitt. Boger, 6-5 and 318 pounds, doesn't have an offer from USF but that could happen soon.

BIG WEEK IN CORAL GABLES: Miami will host some of the nation's top prospects for their official visits this week. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma City), tackle Ian Symonette (Houston), running backs Emmanuel Moody (Coppell, Texas) and Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va.) and safety Reshad Jones (Atlanta) are scheduled. McCoy is the nation's No.2-rated defensive tackle, according to scout.com; Symonette is the fourth-best offensive line prospect. Clearwater Central Catholic linebacker Colin McCarthy is also scheduled. Ohio State, USF, Nebraska and Georgia Tech are also interested in him.

--Jamie Newberg is a national recruiting analyst for scout.com.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:31:15]