Florida, UCF build on already stellar 2019 recruiting classes
The Florida Gators and UCF Knights built on their early-signing-day success, earning top marks for their 2019 recruiting classes. Check out recruiting grades for every Football Bowl Subdivision team in the state of Florida: Florida Gators, A+
Those kids who boast GPAs higher than a 4.0 would appreciate this Gators class put together by coach Dan Mullen and his staff because it is certainly off the charts. Stealing Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons star DE Khris Bogle from Alabama in the 11th hour was the cherry on top of the Gators’ recruiting cake. Signing former Gator Matt Elam’s nephew, Benjamin School cornerback
Kaiir Elam, was definitely the icing. UF’s class is ranked No. 9 nationally by 247Sports.com.
UCF Knights, A+
There wasn’t really a need that UCF didn’t address, and the Knights didn’t miss on many players they went after aggressively. This is what I am calling UCF’s best recruiting class ever, and it just goes to show what winning does for a program’s recruiting efforts. Wednesday the big UCF signings were CB James Tarver, K Daniel Obarski and OL Lokahi Pauole, solid late additions to the class.
FSU Seminoles, B
There has been a lot of chatter about FSU’s failings during coach Willie Taggart’s first full recruiting class, but it’s hard to be too harsh on a guy and his staff after they did put together the No. 16 class in the nation by 247Sports.com standards. Sure, the Seminoles missed out on a couple of key targets, but they also added some sorely needed offensive linemen and some swagger to the defensive backfield that has been lacking since guys like Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James headed to the NFL. Coveted safety prospect Nick Cross from D.C. area DeMatha Catholic is still up in the air, so if FSU adds him, it will be a big win and an even stronger class.
Miami Hurricanes, B-
The ’Canes lost out on several key players, including safety Mark-Antony Richards of Wellington, the brother of former UM star Ahmmon Richards. The day’s haul was a bit disappointing, but the pain was relieved a bit with the addition of stellar Alabama DB Christian Williams, who can play either safety or cornerback positions. The ’Canes also added another transfer in Virginia Tech DE Trevon Hill. He is the headliner among three UM transfers this semester. Whether any of them can play immediately is still under review.
USF Bulls, B-
The Bulls lost out on a pair of key targets in St. Augustine ATH Kenny Logan and Georgia DE Steve Linton, but it still doesn’t change their Bminus from the early National Signing Day. Orlando players are often saying they are “slept on.” Well, it’s their opportunity to prove it at USF in the near future, with the Bulls signing six Central Florida players during the early period. The big push into Orlando has made it clearly obvious Central Florida prospects are a priority for the Tampa school.
FAU Owls, C-
There wasn’t much firepower added from an early NSD class that was lacking in Boca Raton, and the key player for a class that is ranked No. 67 by 247Sports.com is still Miami Southridge LB Diamante Howard. The class, however, was not without some interesting flavor as coach Lane Kiffin and his staff landed the sons of two NFL legends — Terrell Owens and Warren Sapp. Warren Sapp II, a defensive end from Winter Garden Foundation Academy, and Terique Owens, a receiver from Contra Costa (Calif.) Community College, are both Owls.They will be blueshirts and pay for their first year before becoming scholarship players.
FIU Panthers, D
I handed out an incomplete grade for the Panthers during the early period, a pass being given with FIU in the Bahamas on National Signing Day in December. Wednesday it was time for the Panthers to show their cards. The recovery from the bowl game was not necessarily remarkable and the Panthers wound up with the worst ranking of all the state teams in the 247Sports.com list at No. 90. They signed West Orange linebacker Nasir Carter, who was overlooked by other recruiters. He joined two other Central Florida players headed to FIU — Seminole’s Julius Pierce and Edgewater’s Nate White. Those players could turn out to be sparkling diamonds in the rough for the Panthers.