New coaches Stan Drayton, D.J. Durkin, and Teryl Austin are already searching for ways to recruit the fastest, strongest, and smartest high school athletes from around the country. All three of the new coaches are going to heavily be involved in next year’s recruiting class and for years to come.

Stan Drayton, former Syracuse and Tennessee assistant coach, will be coaching the running backs but he was also named the recruiting coordinator for the Gators in 2010. Before leaving the Gators for the Volunteers, he was named as one of the top 25 recruiters of 2007 after he and his fellow coaching staff reeled in one of the top recruiting classes of the year. Drayton had a hand in bringing in UF standouts, Riley Cooper and Jermaine Cunningham. He also brought in seven Lakeland players who signed with the Gators along with suspended quarterback, Cameron Newton. During the ‘05-’07 campaign at Florida, Drayton primarily recruited in central Florida. But now, he is reaching into counties such as Dade and Polk counties in South Florida. This area was primarily Miami territory for recruiting a few years back. Drayton does not believe it will be hard to bring in those South Florida prospects even though he has not ventured into those areas before.

DJ Durkin, who is currently coaching the linebackers and special teams for the Gators, is also looking forward to recruiting in the upcoming year. He helped to bring in a couple of classes at Standford. Although, he does not plan on changing his recruiting style as he moves to the well known and successful Florida Gators. Durkin assisted in recruiting linebackers Micheal Taylor and Darrin Kitchens out of central Florida this year.

Austin and his defensive coaching staff are looking forward to the upcoming season as they intend to continue on their recruiting successes at Florida. In the upcoming years, you can expect to watch the new stars shine, as soon as the Gators recruiters bring them in.

(Information collected by Gatorsports.com and Rob C. Witzel of GatorSports.com)
By: Justin Rectenwald