Posts Tagged ‘Florida State’

Matt Elam Giving Florida Second Thoughts?

Posted by admin on January 5th, 2010   6 Comments

Dwyer five-star safety Matt Elam (West Palm Beach, Fla.), and former 2010 Gator commit, decommitted and chose to join the Florida State Seminoles on New Years Eve.

After the recent switch to FSU from UF, Elam says that the Gators at back in the picture when he talked to coach Urban Meyer. Elam who was expected to be an early enrollee, said that he might announce his official decision at the U.S. Army All-American game coming up this Saturday.

“I talked to Urban last night,” Elam said. “We were talking about our relationship basically and he told me to have trust, to have trust in him and he asked me a word that really touched me. He said, ‘Do you know what faith means?’ and he told me the definition. It really touched me a lot. It really touched me so my decision might change.”

The relationship between Elam and Meyer has always been real strong, ever since he was recruiting Matt’s older brother over at Notre Dame. Since Elam has known Meyer for a long time and had such a strong bond and along with the talk they both recently had, I think it can easily change the mind of Elam to switch back to Florida.

“I’ve known him for a while,” Elam said. “It’s been tough to leave him so I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that.

Elam explained how emotional the conversation between the two of them was. He said Meyer told him how sorry he was and wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision or not and how he had an emotional breakdown.

Elam who is rated by Rivals as the second-best safety in the Nation and the 14th best recruit in the 2010 class, has not changed his commitment from Florida State yet. Hopefully it will change this weekend though.

He has been committed to the Gators for so long, I wouldn’t think anything could cause him to decommit. Let’s just hope he finally comes down to an official decision where he wants to stay. But still he never thought this Meyer situation was going to happen.

“It’s been tough,” Elam said. “I didn’t expect it to be like this. I committed early so I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

I have been hearing Gator fans say he doesn’t deserve to come back to Florida because he chose to leave, and how it seems like this is some kind of soap opera, and someone else said they don’t believe anything Elam says verbally. But you can’t really blame him for switching after what has been going on lately with Florida and some of the recruiting. So lets hear some opinions. Do you think Matt Elam deserves to be a Gator?

(Quotes/Info gathered from Adam Gorney at GatorBait.)

(Tom Ervin, Sun Sentinel)

(Tom Ervin, Sun Sentinel)

Post to Twitter

Debose: Officially A Gator

Posted by admin on February 5th, 2009   No Comment

Florida got what they wanted. Five star recruit Andre Debose is an official Gator.

Debose should be a huge part of Florida’s spread offense. Their are rumors everywhere from coaches, fans, and other players talking about how Debose is the next Percy Harvin. I believe he can become a better player than Harvin was. Yes, Harvin is outstanding and is almost impossible to replace but with this much talent this kid has, it’s like he isn’t even human. Percy Harvin and Andre Debose are so much alike. Their game play is practically the same. Speed, hands, and always able to make big plays.

Andre received offers from schools such as LSU, Southern Cal, Georgia, Miami, and Florida State but he came out as a Florida Gator which all Florida fans should be tickled to death right now.

Debose played everywhere in high school. Of course he played receiver but he also played running back along with quarterback. Yes… he can throw to. This is how dangerous he can be. As a junior, he rushed the ball 84 times for 712 yards and 11 touchdowns. He did not see a whole lot of P.T as a QB but he still managed to throw 204 yards on 31 attempts, completing 15 out of the 31. Andre caught for 270 yards. He had over 2,000 total yards receiving, throwing, and rushing in his high career.

You can also tell that he will be used just as much as a back throughout his career at UF. He is just like Harvin. Both speedsters and both have incredible speeds in the 40, with Debose running a 4.4. Be prepared to see plenty of “Debose” in the backfield, taking the pitch on options, and running it in for a touchdown. He will be a perfect addition on this Gator roster next season.

Post to Twitter

Too Much Talent

Posted by admin on January 25th, 2009   1 Comment

By: Brandon
admin@gatorsportsnation.com

One of Florida’s big time recruits coming in Greg Reid has changed his mind on committing to the University Of Florida after he found out about the powerful depth the Gators have on defense. The 4 star recruit from Valdosta, (GA) has always been a Gator fan ever since he was a youngster and his dreams of playing for the Gators have been smashed. Reid committed to Florida right after the signing day and was one of the top 2009 recruiting classes. Reid loved telling people that he was headed to Gainesville to play for the Gators and how happy he was. Not anymore.

Greg took a visit to UF last weekend, thinking it will be his new home. Thanks to the amazing depth chart Florida has, the All-American cornerback has turned away and looked passed Florida and continued browsing other schools such as Florida State and Georgia. It might seem like it’s a huge loss or a problem Florida is already facing this early right? But it’s not. This is actually a good problem that the Gators are returning the starting 2008 BCS National championship defense and having a shot at another National title. So Florida really is not losing anything at all. Even if Reid decided to play for Florida, he would never see any playing time as a freshman. He still has Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden ahead of him, and they are two dominant players on defense.

This is exactly what happens to most colleges that has most of their talent returning for another year. And this is exactly what Florida is dealing with. Look at the USC Trojans. They also had some recruits decommit due to the fact they have a very dangerous defense returning for the 2009 season. They are in the same position Florida is in. The problem with most recruits now is that they think when they sign, they will automatically have playing time. But on the other half their are players that don’t mind sitting out their freshman and most of their sophomore year or they just sign with a different school where they know they will receive playing time at. USC lost their tight end commit Alshon Jeffery because the Trojans are so high in their depth chart. Some recruits don’t care about playing time, they like to sign with a school who has a high shot of winning a National Championship.

Florida really is not hurt with this loss. What gets me is that their is so much talent, especially in Florida. I bet their is 100 more of Greg Reids out there in the country. And I’d say if the Gators are having trouble signing players because they think they will not play, then that has to be one of the best things that can happen to a team. That just means Florida has a good chance at another successful season and hope for a third National Championship in four years.

Post to Twitter

Florida pours it on Florida State

Posted by admin on November 29th, 2008   No Comment

Tim Tebow’s white jersey was plastered with red paint from the FSU end zones.
His face bloody.
His uniform soaked.
He didn’t care.
Following Florida’s win over Florida State on Saturday night, Tebow was jumping and waving his arms, soaking in the praise — and the rain — from the Gators fans who made the trip from Gainesville.
The Gators thrashed the No. 20 ranked Seminoles 45-15 at a wet Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
But the rain didn’t stop Tebow.

Post to Twitter

Will Florida suffer a BCS Gator-ache?

Posted by admin on November 16th, 2008   No Comment

WIth the BCS standings set to be released later today, Florida most likely will see little change in their position. The rankings left Florida at No. 4 in a tie with Oklahoma. But even with three teams still ahead, the Gators need just two of those teams to lose. Urban Meyer and Co. can take care of one of those teams in early December — Alabama.

So how do the Gators reach the BCS National Title game this year?

Well, its simple really.
(more…)

Post to Twitter