2009 Recruiting Needs: Florida Gators (Offense)

Here’s what I think the Gators’ recruiting needs are on offense for 2009:

QB: The Gators have a pretty good QB by the name of Tim Tebow returning in 2008. He will only be a junior, but I want to believe that Tebow stays for his senior year. He just seems like the type. Regardless, the Gators need to pick up a QB in the 2009 class. Tebow could leave and whichever of John Brantley or Cameron Newton that doesn’t win the starting job, could transfer. The early candidate for The Bull Gator 2009 Recruiting Man Crush of the Year is Aaron Murray. Murray – from Plant High School in Tampa – seems to love UF and the highly rated signal caller would be a huge get.

HB: The list of HBs on the roster reads like an all-star cast. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen them play that way consistently for a few years now. Kestahn Moore is a senior and no one is really sure what we will get out of Emmanuel Moody and Mon Williams just yet. Chris Rainey could be good for years to come and Brandon James gets a few carries here and there. But what the Gators really need is a power back. The closest thing UF has had to a hard, power runner in years was Ciatrick Fason who rushed for 1,267 yards in 2004. The quick, explosive backs are great to have, but the Gators need someone who can work between the tackles and hold on to the ball.

FB: Fullback could be a position well taken care of for the next few years. Steve Wilks and 2008 signee T.J. Pridemore will compete for the starting job. Here’s hoping one of them makes an impact. The Gators struggled against Georgia and Michigan when they showed various blitzes and UF had no one to pick them up. Basically all I’m saying is I really miss Billy Latsko!

WR: I guess this is where Percy Harvin belongs, but if we are talking about UF’s need for 2009 then he is out of the discussion. I can’t really see a scenario where Harvin returns for his senior year. Beyond Harvin and Louis Murphy – a senior in 2008 – the Gators have a lot of guys who seem like decent role players, but have not yet taken the leap. Riley Cooper looked like he could be that person and so far in spring practice Carl Moore looks like he is that person. But both of them will be juniors this year. Deonte Thompson didn’t seem happy he didn’t get playing time in 2007, but I am very glad his redshirt wasn’t wasted on a handful of catches. Add 3 recruits from the 2008 class to the mix and there seem to be good numbers, but you can never have enough WR’s at UF.

TE: My prediction (and I don’t think this is too bold of one) is that the tight end position will change dramatically in its role in the offense from 2008 to 2009. Cornelius Ingram is the starter, but plays more like a slot receiver at times. Aaron Hernandez seems to fit the mold of a traditional TE a little more. With no TE coming in with the 2008 class, the Gators need to get at least one in 2009.

OL: Jim Barrie, Marcus Gilbert, Corey Hobbs, Marcus Hurt, Carl Johnson, Maurkice Pouncey, and Mike Pouncey were all highly regarded recruits and give the Gators a good core for the future. Add signees Matt Patchan, Sam Robey, and David Young (who is a favorite of The Bull Gator) to the mix and everything seems good. The problem is the coaching staff is never really sure which side of the line they want these guys to play on. It’s going to be hard for some of them to get solid reps on the offensive line if they are shifting back and forth all the time. With shifts to defense and the possibility of injuries, OL is always one of the most important positions during recruiting.

Next week, we’ll look at the defensive needs.