National Signing Day has arrived as the Gators seek a strong finish to round out the 2017 class.
#Gators Live Blog: #Swamp17 National Signing Day
Wednesday, February 1, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter
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Check out our coverage throughout National Signing Day here as the Gators close out the 2017 recruiting class.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
Post: 6:15 p.m.(Last one to this blog; check out another story on website later)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators coach Jim McElwain's National Signing Day press conference included cheerleaders, the pep band and a few Rowdy Reptiles to welcome him at the door.
It also included the late addition of receiver James Robinson from Lakeland High. Robinson and running back Adarius Lemons out of Clearwater High added some pop to the Gators' 2017 class as the last two players to officially sign on Wednesday.
Robinson is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound target that played at the same high school that has produced many notable Gators over the years, including the Pouncey brothers, Ahmad Black and Chris Rainey.
Lemons rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his prep career and 27 touchdowns, joining Tampa Jesuit product Malik Davis as the running backs in this class.
"I can't tell you how excited I am for the day, how excited we are as a program,'' McElwain said. "Things are trending so fastly upward I can't believe it."
Prior to McElwain's press conference, Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph spent a few minutes discussing the newest members of his position group: T.J. Slaton, Zachary Carter, Elijah Confliffe and early enrollee Kyree Campbell.
Check out what Rumph had to say in the video below:
Post 2:30 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators added their 16th signee this afternoon when defensive back Brian Edwards (6-3, 195) out of Miramar High in South Florida made it official.
Edwards is the sixth defensive back to sign today and provides UF with some serious depth at the position heading into the 2017 season. Florida head coach Jim McElwain is schedule to hold a press conference at around 3:15 in the team's indoor practice facility.
You can watch his press conference here:
In addition, I just joined GatorVision's Mitch Gerber on Facebook Live for a breakdown of Florida's class as it currently stands. Check out FloridaGators.com later for a story off McElwain's press conference this afternoon.
For now, here is our Facebook Live --
Post: 1:10 p.m.
The Gators still expected to add to their 2017 signing class with 15 NLIs in as of this post.
Meanwhile, with what UF has already done today, they have climbed the recruiting rankings.
The Gators continue to stay busy on National Signing Day as cornerback C.J. Henderson and linebacker Nick Smith have officially signed NLIs, giving the Gators 15 signees today and counting.
Henderson's addition set off fans on social media considering he chose the Gators over Alabama and Miami. The Hurricanes were believed to be the front-runner by many recruiting analysts but Henderson had other plans.
He is ranked the No. 15 cornerback in the country and a top 25 prospect in Florida. He announced his decision on Periscope.tv if you want to watch.
Meanwhile, shortly after Henderson's big announcement, Smith was welcomed to Gator Nation by head coach Jim McElwain.
Smith is listed at 6-3, 210 pounds. He helped Orlando Dr. Phillips High reach the Class 8A state championship game and finished with four tackles and a pass breakup. A three-star prospect, those who have seen Smith in person believe he has the kind of upside that could render the ranking irrelevant during his college career.
Smith's father, Fernando Smith, spent seven seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings in the 1990s.
*****
Post: 12:05 p.m.
If you watched his commitment ceremony on Tuesday, you know 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman Elijah Conliffe has some personality.
And an appetite.
His favorite snacks are Sweet Chili Doritos and Hot Pockets. What's not to love?! ?????? https://t.co/h1sRcGmZut
They have company in freshman Malik Davis from Jesuit High in Tampa. In talking with some Jesuit coaches during Florida's Outback Bowl practices at Jesuit, it was obvious his high school coaches saw big things for Davis in the future.
Malik Davis
Same is true for Gators running backs coach Tim Skipper.
"Malik is a phenomenal player in space,'' Skipper said a few minutes ago. "If you watch his tape, people cannot tackle him and he has breakaway speed."
For more from Skipper on Davis and defensive back Brad Stewart from New Orleans, check out the video below:
The Gators added St. Thomas Aquinas' Jake Allen officially on Wednesday, a prospect who won big in high school after competing to win the job. Allen was one of Florida's earliest commits in the 2017 class and a huge booster for the program over the past year.
"It's going to be another guy to come in and really create competition at the position,'' Nussmeier said. "Jake had a phenomenal year, 13-2, won another state championship and first-team all-state. Really excited to add him to the mix and give us another guy that really could be the future of the quarterback position."
Meanwhile, Nussmeier is also pleased Florida added a big body up front to protect those quarterbacks in offensive lineman T.J. Moore.
"A big, physical athletic guy,'' Nussmeier said. "Really excited about him. Think he can come in right away and challenge to play. A real, real competitive kid. When you talk about the University of Florida, he understands the tradition here and the things we are trying to get accomplished."
Here is more of our quick interview with Nussmeier about Allen and Moore.
Post: 10:30 a.m.
Here is another video interview, this one with assistant coach Kerry Dixon, who offers his thoughts on newcomers Daquon Green and Donovan Stiner.
Post: 10:20 a.m.
The NLIs keep rolling in here inside UF's football offices.
Linebacker Lacedrick Brunson out of Miami Jackson High and defensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton from American Heritage High are the newest Gators, giving Florida 12 official signees so far on National Signing Day. Slaton is a nice pickup for Florida and was a high school teammate of UF signees Marco Wilson and James Houston.
Listed at 6-4, 340, Slaton is a force on the interior line that has potential to play as a true freshman and produce.
He is the 91st-ranked player in the ESPN 300 and chose Florida over Miami and Georgia.
We're set up here in Florida's football offices with the GatorVision crew and grabbing quick interviews throughout the day with Gators coaches as National Signing Day unfolds. Here is the first one of the morning with head coach Jim McElwain:
Post. 9:45 a.m.
The Gators now have 10 NLIs officially signed, sealed and delivered, the latest from linebacker Ventrell Miller out of Lakeland Kathleen High, defensive lineman Zachary Carter from Tampa Hillsborough, running back Malik Davis from Tampa Jesuit, defensive back Brad Stewart from New Orleans, and offensive lineman T.J. Moore from Mallard Creek (N.C.) High, which also produced former Gators offensive lineman D.J. Humphries.
Had a chance to talk to assistant coach Kerry Dixon about receiver Daquon Green.
Dixon on Green: "He's been loyal to us from the beginning. Was committed to us for something crazy like 19 months. When we first saw him, we just knew he was a special player with his size and strength and ability to go up and get the ball. He has a frame that we don't have."
Post 9 a.m.
The Gators have received two more NLIs, receiver Daquon Green from Tampa Bay Tech and defensive back Donovan Stiner from the Houston area.
Green adds a potential difference maker at receiver who hauled in 41 catches for 639 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. In four seasons at TBT, Green totaled 2,555 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.
Stiner is a late pickup for the Gators to add more depth in the secondary. A 6-2, 185 physical presence out of Bellair (Texas) High, Stiner was a Houston commit until flipping to the Gators following an official visit last weekend. He had 56 tackles, one sack, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior.
Gray on Wilson: "Marco is an exceptional athlete. He is going to bring a lot to the table from a corner, nickel perspective."
Gray on Davis: "You see a guy who can play corner, free safety, nickel. Very versatile and a natural playmaker."
Post: 8:10 a.m.
Two more players are official -- defensive back Shawn Davis out of Miami Southridge High and quarterback Jake Allen from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale.
Davis helped Southridge win the FHSAA Class 8A state championship and finished with 27 tackles and two interceptions. At 5-11, 190, Davis provides another solid prospect in the secondary to join Wilson and other potential newcomers.
Meanwhile, Allen is one of Florida's earliest commitments in the 2017 class and was a huge booster for the class. He gives Florida more depth at the quarterback position and was a two-year starter at one of the state's top prep programs.
Allen is listed at 6-3, 200 pounds. He'll look at add weight once he arrives over the summer. Allen has winning credentials.
Cornerback Marco Wilson is officially the first player to get his NLI into Florida's compliance office this morning. Wilson is the younger brother of former Gators cornerback Quincy Wilson, who announced last month he is entering the 2017 NFL Draft.
Marco and Quincy have a strong bond and similar skill sets. Marco Wilson earned USA Today All-American honors as a senior at American Heritage, where he also ran track. Wilson is listed at 6-0, 180 pounds and picked off three passes.
Check this photo out. Marco has grown a bit since then:
As we wait to officially welcome the next member of the 2017 signing class, let's take a look at one of five early enrollees for the Gators, defensive tackle Kyree Campbell.
Here is video of him playing at Woodbridge (Va.) High. He originally committed to North Carolina, but after needing more academic work and a year at prep school, Campbell made an official visit to Florida and opted to sign with the Gators.
THE SWAMP -- Good morning from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium where the lights are on and the action is about to start.
That fax action.
Florida's coaching staff is in the office and ready to close out National Signing Day with a strong class. In case you don't follow recruiting as closely as those recruitniks who already know the height and weight of every prospect, check out this primer to for a quick update on where the Gators stand entering the day.
The first National Letters of Intent should start arriving soon and they will continue throughout the morning and into the afternoon. We will keep you updated when recruits officially become Gators and will offer insight throughout the day.
Hope you come back often. When the first NLI is confirmed we will let you know.
Otherwise, grab another cup of coffee like I'm about to and let's get started.
