While Florida has struck out on the recruiting trail for a number of big man recruits, there is still a chance that the Gators could get added frontcourt help in 2012.
Montrezl Harrell, a four-star 2012 power forward from Tarboro, N.C., has listed Florida in his final four with Cincinnati. Louisville and Alabama. Harrell was released from his letter of intent at Virginia Tech earlier this week.
According to a Scout.com report, the 6-foot-7, 235-pound Harrell lacks perimeter skills but is a physical presence underneath the basket with “freakish” athletic ability. Scout.com rates Harrell as the 14th best power forward in the Class of 2012. Harrell spent this past season at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, the same school that produced former UF big man Marreese Speights.
In short, Harrell would give the Gators a second physical presence to spell Patric Young in case Young gets hurt or is in foul trouble.
The Gators have whiffed on a number of frontcourt prospects in 2012, including Anthony Bennett (UNLV), Jarnell Stokes (Tennessee), Robert Carter (Georgia Tech), Brice Johnson (North Carolina) and Alex Poythress (Kentucky). Florida also is pursuing the transfer route to fill its lack of depth up front, having talked with South Carolina big man Damontre Harris and Virginia Tech forward Dorain Finney-Smith. Harris is mulling offers between Florida and Kansas, but could also return to South Carolina. Finney-Smith is considering a number of offers including UF, Old Dominion, Memphis and Texas.
