UF recruiting
By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published January 27, 2008
KEY LOSSES
WR Andre Caldwell, DE Derrick Harvey, S Tony Joiner, DT Clint McMillan, OL Carlton Medder, C Drew Miller.
HOT PROSPECTS
It's a long shot, but the Gators remain in the hunt for the nation's No. 1 receiver Julio Jones, who has also listed Florida State, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas Tech as his final schools of interest. He will announce his decision live on ESPNU on signing day. Another long shot is quarterback Terrelle Pryor. LB Brandon Harris (Miami Booker T. Washington), FB Jamie Harper (Jacksonville Trinity Christian) and WR T.J. Lawrence (Lakeland Kathleen) are also still considering the Gators.
LOOKING BACK
The Gators picked up their second consecutive top 5 recruiting class under coach Urban Meyer, but were forced to rely on too many of those players last season, particularly on defense. Florida replaced 10 starters on defense and filled some of those gaps with freshmen and inexperienced sophomores. The result was a rocky season on defense and a 9-4 record.
ORAL COMMITMENTS (19)
Ricky Barnum, OL, 6-2/246, Lakeland
Brendan Beal, LB, 6-4/235, Bethlehem (Pa.) Liberty
Jeremy Brown, DB, 5-10/170, Orlando Boone
Ramon Buchanan, DB, 6-0/181, Melbourne Palm Bay
Adrian Bushell, CB, 5-11/180, Desoto (Texas)
Jeffrey Demps, RB, 5-8/162, Groveland South Lake
Dee Finley, DB, 6-3/205, Auburn (Ala.)
Frankie Hammond Jr., WR, 6-0/151, Hallandale
Will Hill, DB, 6-3/208, Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's
Omarius Hines, WR, 6-1/183, Corsicana, Texas
Jenoris Jenkins, CB, 5-11/180, Pahokee
Byran Jones, OG, 6-2/328, Jacksonville Forrest
Lerentee McCray, LB, 6-2/200, Dunnellon
Earl Okine, DE, 6-7/235, Gainesville
Matt Patchan, OT, 6-7/265, Armwood
T.J. Pridemore, LB/FB, 6-2/235, Buford (Ga.)
Sam Robey, DE, 6-5/270, Louisville (Ky.) Trinity
Caleb Sturgis, K, 5-11/180, St. Augustine
Chaz Sutton, DE, 6-5/230, Savannah (Ga.) Jenkins
EARLY ENROLLEES
Carl Moore, WR, 6-4/220, Sierra (Calif.) JC
Troy Epps, DE, 6-1/270, Coffeyville (Kan.) CC