J

Website: http://www.gatorsportsnation.com

I have been a Gator fan my whole life. I started GSN when I was a sophomore in high school because I loved writing and especially when it was about the Gators. You can describe me as one of the biggest fans alive! There is nothing better then going to the Swamp on a Saturday to watch a football game. Go Gators! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send me an email. admin@gatorsportsnation.com

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Official: Maurkice Pouncey Declares For NFL Draft, Mike Pouncey Returns For Senior Season

Posted by admin on January 12th, 2010   No Comment

Gainesville, Fla. – Monday January 11, 2010

Florida junior offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey (Lakeland, Fla.) will declare for the 2010 NFL Draft, while his twin brother Mike Pouncey (Lakeland, Fla.), also a junior offensive lineman, plans to return for his senior season.

“This is one of the biggest decisions I have ever made in my life,” Maurkice Pouncey said. “I am glad that my brother and I made the decision to be Gators. God gave us the knowledge, strength and ability to be great players, but it is now time for my brother and me to part ways.”

“I’m very excited to come back and wear the Orange and Blue for the 2010 season,” said Mike Pouncey. “I’m looking forward to being a leader on this team, having the opportunity to play center and continuing to learn from Coach Steve Addazio. It has been an honor to play here, so I can’t wait to run out into The Swamp for another year.”

Maurkice Pouncey tallied 40 career starts over his three seasons and was the winner of the 2009 Rimington Trophy, presented to the best center in the nation. He is the first Gator to win the award. Maurkice also garnered recognition as a first-team All-American by Walter Camp, the FWAA, Sporting News and CBSSports.com. Both Maurkice and Mike received second-team All-America and first-team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press.

“These are two guys who we’ve been able to build our program around for the last several years,” said head coach Urban Meyer. “They have both provided an unbelievable amount of leadership and energy to our team. These guys embody the toughness and physical style of play that we want Florida to be known for.

“We wish Maurkice the best of luck, and we’re looking forward to having Mike continue to be a leader on the team and anchor our offensive line.”

The Pounceys helped power the Florida offense which ranked No. 1 in the SEC in 2009 with 457.9 yards per game, including 221.8 rushing yards per game, 10th-highest in the nation.

“Maurkice has all the tools to succeed in the NFL,” said Addazio. “There is no doubt in my mind that he will be a great player at the next level. I wish him nothing but the best because has been like a son to me.

“I also know that Mike has a great future ahead of him,” Addazio continued. “I believe he will be the top returning offensive lineman in America. Coming back just gives him another opportunity to grow as a player and as a leader and will help him increase his positional versatility. Without question, Mike’s future is very bright.”

“I would like to thank my family for standing behind me in the decision that I have made and my coaches for believing in me as a true freshman and helping me achieve everything that I have as a Gator,” Maurkice said. “I would like to thank all the fans for cheering us on and getting us hyped up for the games. I am going to miss the Gator walks and the Gator Nation.”

The Pouncey twins started every game in the 2009 season for Florida, each earning SEC Lineman of the Week honors once this season. Both were also starters in the BCS National Championship Game following the 2008 season, in which Florida claimed the national title with a 24-14 win over Oklahoma.

-UF-

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Interview With 2010 Commit Michael McFarland

Posted by admin on January 11th, 2010   No Comment

Michael McFarland is living the life. The 6’6”, 235 pound young man out of Tampa Blake High School plays QB, TE and WR on the football team and is the center on the basketball team, where he is averaging double-doubles and a member of the all-county team. On top of that, McFarland is a good student, he got a 1200 on his SAT’s.

On the gridiron, McFarland averaged 11.3 yards a catch while also spending time throwing and running at the QB position. It’s McFarland’s athletic build and versatility that caught the attention of college recruiters. And now, all that ability has translated into something that McFarland treasures, an offer to play football for the Florida Gators.

GSN caught up with Michael recently, and the future Gator tight-end/quarterback gave us some insight into his future plans.

GSN: Michael, we hear basketball season is going well. Any chance you are talking to Coach Donovan as well?
McFarland: Ha! No, I’m just going to stick with football.”

GSN: Ok, now for the big question, quarterback or tight end?
McFarland: “I would like to play both, you know, like a wildcat thing. I just want to make a huge impact, even as a true freshman.”

GSN: Aaron Hernandez has made the decision to forego his senior year and head to the NFL. Does that change anything for you?
McFarland: “No, not really. I mean, Gerald [Christian] and I just need to work hard to get to the top, no matter who is there or not.”

GSN: Are you going to be doing anything special during the summer to get ready for fall practice?
McFarland: “No, not really. I plan on going up there[Gainesville] after graduation. But if I stay, I’m definitely working on my speed. You know, lateral quickness, foot speed, a lot of the little things.”

GSN: Mike, what part of the recruiting process helped make your decision? Was it a visit? A game? A certain coach?
McFarland: “It was a coach and a game. Coach Meyer really made the difference. He was very straight forward. He doesn’t promise anything, no sugar coating or anything. And also, just the atmosphere at the games! Being at the Swamp just gave me chills!”

GSN: The Swamp does have a tendency to do that to you. Hey, Mike, thanks for your time. Go Gators!
McFarland: ‘Go Gators!’

By: Matt Rubel

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Eleven Recruits Enroll Early

Posted by admin on January 11th, 2010   No Comment

Eleven of the twenty four recruits in the 2010 class are already in school. Some of which will back count to the 2009 recruiting class.

These eleven players start in off-season conditioning today and will participate in spring practice thus giving them an upper hand on the remaining recruits in this year’s class.

Florida’s early enrollee’s are 4 star defensive end Neiron Ball, 3 star QB Trey Burton, 4 star TE Gerald Christian, 3 star WR Robert Clark, 5 star Matt Elam, 4 star DB Jordan Haden, 4 star DT Leon Orr, 3 star WR Solomon Patton, 4 star OL Ian Silberman, and 4 star DB Joshua Shaw.

Gator fans might recognize Matt Elam more than others, as he decommitted to Florida after news broke that Coach Urban Meyer was taking a leave of absence only to be persuaded back to the orange and blue as he made his decision on Saturday at the Army All-American Game.

With the opportunity to participate in spring practice they will have the opportunity to compete for playing time next year. One player in particular who will be competing for not only playing time but the opportunity to start will be Gerald Christian with only one scholarship tight end returning (with the early departure of Aaron Hernandez).

Who will be the next Joe Haden to start the opening game of his freshmen year.

By: Andrew Spivey

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Update: Carlos Dunlap Makes His Decision Official

Posted by admin on January 11th, 2010   No Comment

The Gators were expected to lose a couple of starters to the NFL draft today, as Florida center Maurkice Pouncey reported that he will be entering the draft along with center Carlos Dunlap, who told ESPN’s Joe Schad that he will be leaving for the NFL on Monday.

Dunlap who was expected to be a top five pick earlier in the season, witnessed his stock fall after his DUI arrest that happened right before the SEC championship which he did not play in.

“This took a lot of thought and prayer between me and my family, and we decided that this was the best direction for me to take,” Dunlap said. “I’ve loved having the chance to play at Florida for Coach [Urban] Meyer, and playing for Coach Charlie Strong. I wouldn’t be the person or the player I am today without them and the other coaches who have helped me along the way.” [From OGGOA]

Dunlap who recorded 38 tackles and nine sacks this year for the Gators, received a promising grade from the Draft Advisory Board and was already close to graduating. From the feedback Dunlap has been getting, he is most likely to be drafted late in the first round or maybe early in the second. Dunlap’s father told Rivals last tuesday:

“Staying to get a degree isn’t going to be an issue because he’s on track to graduate in December. He’s close enough to getting his degree that he can do it anytime. So does he want to come back to finish up his education and maybe be the top overall draft choice next year or does he want to come out right now and start working on his NFL career?”

Dunlap had a pretty successful career at the University of Florida. He was the MVP of the 2009 BCS championship and also finished his career off against Cincinnati with two of the Gators three sacks they had in the 51-24 Sugar Bowl win on New Years day and also he finished the season with nine which was a team high.

UPDATE: Carlos Dunlap makes his decision official.

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Lady Gators Fall Short To No. 8 Georgia

Posted by admin on January 10th, 2010   No Comment

Jasmine Jones scored 17 points and teammate Angel Robinson put up 12 points along with 14 boards to help lead No. 8 Georgia (16-0, 3-0) past the lady Gators (9-7, 2-1) and also remain undefeated in the 61-52 victory on Sunday night.

Georgia is off to the best start in school history, and is also one of the only five teams that are still left undefeated.

Florida was led by Jordan Jones with 13 points and teammate Jennifer Mossor put up 11.

The Gators trailed 33-17 with only a couple minutes left in the first half and just a little over a minute they sunk three 3-pointers to cut the lead down 33-26 going into halftime.

But Georgia answered back from a three pointer by Robinson that put them up twelve. It seemed like Florida would kind of cut the lead down a little but Georgia would end up making a little run and knock the lead back up to double-digits.

The lady Gators are back in action on Thursday when they host Tennessee at 7pm.

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Videos Of Floyd, Elam and Powell Choosing Florida

Posted by admin on January 10th, 2010   No Comment

Yesterday was an amazing day for Gator fans, landing three 5-star recruits and three of the best players in the Nation, you can’t beat that. Gator Sports Nation has posted the videos below of all three players (Floyd, Elam, Powell) choosing Florida yesterday in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Sharrif Floyd:

- Ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the Nation and 9th overall. 5-star out of (Philadelphia, PA).

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Matt Elam:

- 5-star from West Palm Beach, FL. Elam is ranked as the No. 1 safety in the country. After being committed to Florida for so long, he heard the news about Meyer so he decommitted and chose FSU but then him and Meyer talked it over a few days later and he decommitted from Florida State. He knew Florida was his home after all.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Ronald Powell:

- 5-star defensive end from Moreno Valley, CA. Powell kind of reminds me of Dunlap. He played a little TE in the U.S Army game to show some of his athleticism. Powell is going to be a great addition to this Florida defensive line next season.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

(Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army)

(Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army)

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Gators Fall To Vanderbilt In SEC Opener

Posted by admin on January 9th, 2010   No Comment

The Florida Gators (11-4) opened up SEC play today with a 95-87 loss against the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-3) today in Nashville, TN.

The Gators who won 15 out of the last 18 meetings against Vanderbilt, were torn up by the Commodores big man A.J. Ogilvy who scored 24 points on 7-of-13 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Vanderbilt guard Jermaine Beal tacked on 22 points as well.

Florida was led by both freshman guard Kenny Boynton who scored a career high 28 points and sophomore point guard Erving Walker who finished the game with 22. Boynton shot 10-for-21 from the floor, 6-of-14 from beyond the arc.

Vanderbilt took control in the paint and forced both Vernon Macklin and Erik Murphy to foul out. Macklin finished with just two points and Murphy with four. Last year when Florida visited the Commodores, they lit it up beyond the arc but today it seemed like nothing was falling for any of them besides Boynton and as you can see it really hurt. Vanderbilt simply out played this young Florida team.

The Gators will return to Gainesville when they host the John Wall and the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday at 9pm.

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Tebow Moving On: Will Attend Senior Bowl, Hires Agent

Posted by admin on January 9th, 2010   No Comment

It’s going to be difficult to see Tebow wearing another uniform, but it will happen soon. Tebow has taken two steps closer to becoming an NFL draftee. He had recently decided that he will enter the Senior Bowl, which many people felt he would pass up because of the style of offense they run in the game. In addition to the attending the Senior Bowl, Tebow has hired an agent, Jimmy Sexton of Athletic Resources Management, to represent him in his hopes of becoming an NFL star.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has reported that Tebow has decided to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 that will take place in Mobile, Ala. Tim will be playing quarterback for the south and will be coaches by the Miami Dolphins staff. Tebow may be a first round pick in the draft after a career performance he had in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati but he will have another shot to impress some NFL scouts who will be present at the Senior Bowl game.

Most of the top senior quarterbacks chose not to attend or throw at the NFL combine, but Tebow chooses otherwise. He still may need some work and needs every shot he can get so he can try and raise his draft stock.

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