UF won’t sign top receiver

James Robinson will not be signing with the Florida Gators on Wednesday, National Signing Day.

Several sources close to the Florida program told the Orlando Sentinel on Monday afternoon Robinson’s recruitment has been shut down by university administrators following the Lakeland receiver’s much-publicized brush with the law last week during an official recruiting visit to Ohio State.

The police report from Franklin County in Columbus, Ohio, stated Robinson was issued a citation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Sources have also told the Sentinel that other Ohio State players were present, but Robinson was the only one cited.

The Gators coaching staff had still planned to take Robinson, who was likely going to sign with UF on Wednesday. The staff has actively been helping Robinson find another home since word came down from school administrators Monday that he would not be allowed to sign with the Florida.

The news hits at a tough time for the Gators, who were hoping that Robinson and a few others might give the 2017 recruiting class the boost it needed after a tough cycle for the staff.

UF’s class currently ranks No. 20 in the 247Sports.com national composite rankings. By comparison, FSU is No. 5 and Miami is No. 16.

The Gators did land three commitments during the weekend. Dr. Phillips linebacker

Nick Smith, New Orleans defensive back Brad Stewart Jr. and Bellaire, Texas,

safety Donovan Stiner all committed to UF.

Stewart, a versatile defensive back who can play several positions, helped offset the loss of a commitment from California cornerback Elijah Blades.

He was picked as a Medium School All-American by MaxPreps, and he was also named All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year by the New Orleans Times Picayune, as well as Class 4A state defensive player of the year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Stiner, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, was committed to Houston before flipping his pledge to the Gators.

He announced his decision via his Twitter account, posting, “I would like to thank the University of Houston for a great opportunity, but after further consideration I have decided to commit to the University of Florida. #GoGators #DBU.”

Stiner had 56 tackles this past season, including three tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and a sack.

’Noles drop in top 25 poll

Suffering two road losses by double-digit deficits did not bode well for the Florida State men’s basketball team in the latest top 25 rankings.

FSU (18-4, 6-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) dropped nine spots to No. 15 in the rankings, released Monday, as the Seminoles fell out of the top 10 for the first time in three weeks.

The Seminoles were blown out at Georgia Tech by 22 points, trailing by as many as 28 in Atlanta on Wednesday before their comeback-effort at Syracuse fell short in a 10-point loss on Saturday.

FSU hopes to rebound with its third straight road game at Miami (14-6, 4-4) on Wednesday night.

Five other ACC teams are ranked in the top 10: No. 6 Louisville, No. 9 Virginia, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 20 Notre Dame and No. 21 Duke. The Seminoles beat each of those teams, except UNC, during a five-game stretch earlier this month.

Gonzaga, Baylor, Kansas, Villanova and Arizona make up the top five.

UF’s class currently ranks No. 20 in the 247Sports.com national composite rankings.

JOE PETRO/CORRESPONDENT The Florida Gators backed away from recruiting Lakeland receiver James Robinson after he was cited for marijuana possession during an official visit to Ohio State.