MahxFahn
Gator Fan
The signees: Wide receiver Andre Debose, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Sanford Seminole; tight end Desmond Parks, 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Greer, S.C.
The star: Signing the versatile and explosive Debose was recruiting priority No. 1 for the Gators, and they reeled him in after some anxious moments in the final days. On signing day, he said he doesn’t want to be compared to Percy Harvin, but it’s hard not to, especially if you look at him on tape doing some of the things Harvin did at UF. He will have a chance to move into Harvin’s role as a runner/receiver. UF coach Urban Meyer said he thinks Debose is the best prospect in the nation. He’s certainly one the Gators wanted badly.
The sleeper: Parks could be the sleeper of the entire class. He reportedly runs a 4.6 40-yard dash, which could make him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. He has very good hands and a great frame. He’s a guy you turn over to Mickey Marotti and let the Gators’ strength and conditioning coordinator work some of his magic. He could be a 240-pounder by August. Given that junior Aaron Hernandez is the only other scholarship tight end on the roster, Parks will be the No. 2 guy in the fall. The good news is he’s in classes now and will participate in spring drills.
One that got away: Pahokee wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson committed to Florida in May, and that commitment seemed rock solid until new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin moved in during the final two weeks and swayed him to the Vols. Had Richardson stuck with UF, the Gators would have added two big-time playmakers to their wide receiver corps.
Grade: A. Florida would like to have signed another wide receiver (and a tight end, which could happen if Orson Charles picks UF over Georgia and Southern Cal), but the Gators secured the playmaker they coveted the most in Debose, who could have an immediate impact if he quickly picks up the offense in August.
Top target in 2010: Wide receiver Chris Dunkley, 6-foot, 170 pounds of Royal Palm Beach. He could be the state’s biggest playmaker next season. He’s a triple threat as a runner, receiver and returner. He looks a lot like Debose on tape.
The star: Signing the versatile and explosive Debose was recruiting priority No. 1 for the Gators, and they reeled him in after some anxious moments in the final days. On signing day, he said he doesn’t want to be compared to Percy Harvin, but it’s hard not to, especially if you look at him on tape doing some of the things Harvin did at UF. He will have a chance to move into Harvin’s role as a runner/receiver. UF coach Urban Meyer said he thinks Debose is the best prospect in the nation. He’s certainly one the Gators wanted badly.
The sleeper: Parks could be the sleeper of the entire class. He reportedly runs a 4.6 40-yard dash, which could make him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. He has very good hands and a great frame. He’s a guy you turn over to Mickey Marotti and let the Gators’ strength and conditioning coordinator work some of his magic. He could be a 240-pounder by August. Given that junior Aaron Hernandez is the only other scholarship tight end on the roster, Parks will be the No. 2 guy in the fall. The good news is he’s in classes now and will participate in spring drills.
One that got away: Pahokee wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson committed to Florida in May, and that commitment seemed rock solid until new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin moved in during the final two weeks and swayed him to the Vols. Had Richardson stuck with UF, the Gators would have added two big-time playmakers to their wide receiver corps.
Grade: A. Florida would like to have signed another wide receiver (and a tight end, which could happen if Orson Charles picks UF over Georgia and Southern Cal), but the Gators secured the playmaker they coveted the most in Debose, who could have an immediate impact if he quickly picks up the offense in August.
Top target in 2010: Wide receiver Chris Dunkley, 6-foot, 170 pounds of Royal Palm Beach. He could be the state’s biggest playmaker next season. He’s a triple threat as a runner, receiver and returner. He looks a lot like Debose on tape.
