In the hearts and minds of many loyal Gator fans, February 1^st will be a first step in a road to redemption, or a colossal failure for Head Coach Will Muschamp. Coming off the high of the Tim Tebow/Urban Meyer years, Gator fans are definitely going through withdrawals. As a group, we aren’t used to going 7-6, or seeing what could be construed as nothing less than a dismal performance by our beloved team. National signing day offers not only the possibility of enhancing the Gator’s struggling depth-chart, but perhaps a glimpse into the team… and the coaching staff, that will put the Florida Gators back at the top.

If you have been following this year’s recruiting class, you already know that Muschamp and friends seem to be doing a pretty decent job. So far, Florida has 21 total commitments, including two 5-Star Athletes, and eleven 4-Star Commitments. The Gators are currently ranked #4 in overall recruiting by Rivals.com and ESPN, #5 on Scout.com, and #6 on 24/7sports.com. By way of pure outside observation, the Gators have a real shot at sitting pretty in the number one spot at the end of signing day. It is rumored that Will Muschamp has even gone as far as traveling to Valdosta to attend church with a top recruit, attempting to sway him the way of the Gator. If this tenacity is truly a reflection of Muschamp’s resolve, and not fairytales perpetrated by overzealous sports journalists, Gator fans should have high hopes for seasons to come.

Size and depth seemed to be the major issues with last year’s team. Fortunately, these issues seem to be acknowledged by this year’s recruiting class. Some of the current signings that Gator fans can get fired-up about are: 5-star recruit D.J. Humphries (Offensive Tackle: 6’5, 265Lbs)(Pictured Below) who never allowed a sack in high school; and 5-Star commit Jonathan Bullard (Defensive End: 6’4, 290lbs) may give fans some fodder for excitement. Expect to see 4-star recruit Matt Jones (Running Back: 6’3, 225 Lbs.) in to supplement Florida’s ground game. Tight-Ends Kent Taylor (6’5, 220 Lbs.) and Colin Thompson (6’5, 225Lbs.) should make up for some of the Gator’s size issues. Offensive Tackle Jessamen Dunker, (6’6, 315Lbs.), highly touted for his footwork and run blocking ability may just end up making some waves. At wide receiver, recruit Latroy Pittman (6’1, 190Lbs.) fits perfectly into Will Muschamp’s attempt at implementing a pro-style offense into the University of Florida playbook. A defensive coach all the way, Muschamp has a couple of solid Linebackers as recruits, Jeremy Powell (6’2, 200Lbs.) and Antonio Morrison (6’3, 220Lbs.). Staying on the defensive side of the ball, 4-star Safeties Marcus Maye (6’1. 196 Lbs.), Rhaheim Ledbetter (5’11, 190 Lbs.) and 3-star commit Willie Bailey (6’1, 165 Lbs.) will strengthen the Gator Secondary.

So, if Muschamp manages to nab the number one spot for college football recruiting on Wednesday, or even maintain a spot in the top five, the upcoming class of Gator athletes has the potential to do amazing things. However, talent is wasted if not properly developed. In simple closing, great coaching will be key to the Gator’s success or failure in the next few years. Hopefully, for the sake of the Gator Nation, fans, and athletes, a great recruiting season is only the beginning.

Ocala Trinity Catholic DB Chris Johnson will be joining John Brantley yet again after signing his letter of intent early Wednesday. Johnson played with Brantley at Trinity where they won a state title together.

Quick Facts- Very tough, fast safety. Helped Trinity to a 14-0 record this past year along with a 2B state championship title. His decision came down to Florida and South Carolina. As soon as the Gators has the chance to offer, Johnson had accepted without any hesitation. The Gators hope that Johnson could step up and replace the spots of Ahmad Black and Will Hill.

The Florida Gators received their 16th commit from 4-star LB Graham Stewart on Friday which is the second under new head coach Will Muschamp.

Stewart, who is rated the No. 16 inside linebacker, de-committed from Boston College after receiving a letter of intent from Florida through the mail. Coach Muschamp made an in-home appearance with Stewart and that was where his decision was made.

“It was always my dream school, but with the coaching change, that had deterred me a bit,” he told the Sentinel’s Chris Hays on Friday. “But just the overall energy of the place and of course it being Florida, it just seemed to be the best place for me to be to become a better student and a better athlete.”

The New Haven Register reported that Middletown Xavier coach Sean Marinan said that Stewart has always dreamed of playing football at the University of Florida. Stewart is set to play in the Team USA vs. The World all-star game in Austin, Texas this coming Wednesday.

(Info gathered by Antonya English)

National Signing Day is only nine days away and Florida got official visits from a couple of recruits this past weekend according to Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel. Safety Marcus Roberson (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and OT Jacob Fisher (Traverse City, MI) stayed in Gainesville this weekend and were present at the basketball game against Arkansas on Saturday night along with new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

Roberson, who is rated a four-star by Rivals has committed to Texas Tech earlier this week but said there is a 50-50 chance that he will land up there. Auburn and Florida are also top candidates for Roberson, even though his uncle Otis Mounds is a graduate assistant for Texas Tech. Even with Florida in the mix as a top choice, it is more than likely he will stay behind his commitment with the Red Raiders.

As for the three-star offensive tackle Jacob Fisher, he was once committed to Michigan until Rich Rodriguez was fired. Other then Michigan, Fisher has received offers from Florida, Michigan State and Oregon.

Stay tuned for more information on both recruits. Gator Sports Nation will attempt to receive more information from Roberson and Fisher.

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I spoke with Kyle Christy tonight and he mentioned quarterback Jeff Driskel (Oviedo, FL.) is set to arrive in Gainesville sometime tomorrow. Christy, who is one of the eight who enrolled early, has already settled into his dorm and started classes, now he awaits for Driskel who is one of his three roommates.

Driskel was already planned to move and start classes earlier this week but it was set back because he participated in the Under Armour All-American game. By enrolling at UF, Driskel is locked in so nobody has to worry about the four-star quarterback transferring anywhere.

Driskel won the Maxwell Club’s award as the national high school player of the year and was also honored as the Gatorade player of the year in the state of Florida. He threw for 1,819 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 1,333 yards and 20 touchdowns and catching two touchdown passes.

Jason Lieser of Gator Bytes pointed out that if Brantley does decide to stay for his senior season he will more than likely be the starting quarterback. But if he does not return which will probably not happen, Driskel may be fighting for the starting quarterback job as a freshman.