The Bull Gator (4/21/10)
on Monday. After an unofficial visit to Gainesville last week, Driskel decided Florida was the place for him. He chose the Gators over a host of other SEC suitors. Described as a pro-style passer, Driskel has good size (6’3”, 225 pounds) and surprising speed (reportedly 4.52 in the 40-yard dash). Once the 2011 class starts to get ranked, expect him to be among the nation’s top QBs. Great early pickup for the Gators.
You now have an idea of what Tim Tebow will look like on the cover of NCAA Football 11 (which, again, comes out in July of 2010 in anticipation of the 2010 season, but uses 2011 as its version year). If this is indeed the real thing, head here to take a look at the cover for the PS3 version at the very least. It has been said Tebow will be the only cover athlete this year, but no one seems to know just yet if the game will use different covers for different consoles. Not a bad cover if you ask me. I definitely like the stadium shot in the background. And look at that, no message on the eye black! It’s been quite some time since a Gator graced the cover, but it’s no surprise #15 is the first to do it since #7.
Wide receiver was already a position of concern for USF. Behind probably starters Dontavia Bogan and A.J. Love is a group with potential, but not a lot of experience. That concern can now be amplified tenfold. During the Bulls’ spring game, Love tore the ACL in his right knee. Due to the severity of his injury and the expected recovery time, it’s hard to imagine the receiver making it back for the 2010 season. Even the best case scenario has him missing the entire first half of the season. It is probably in Love’s best interest to sit out the 2010 season and apply for a medical redshirt in hopes of coming back strong in 2011. If that’s the case, Bogan will need to make a leap to star receiver in 2010. Both he and Love have the ability, and now Bogan will be giving more than enough field time to prove it. This will be a big year for him. Never mind that. This HAS to be a big year for him.
At one point, it sounded like Zach Mettenberger had a legitimate shot at earning the starting quarterback job at Georgia. It was a three-way battle between him, Logan Gray, and Aaron Murray, but it sure seemed like each one had a chance. And who wouldn’t want that chance? Despite all his troubles, Quincy Carter was a second round draft pick. When David Greene left the Bulldogs, he was the winningest quarterback in NCAA Division 1 history. And oh yeah, that Matthew Stafford guy was the number overall pick in the NFL Draft last year. Mettenberger won’t join any of them however. At least not as a starting QB at Georgia. Mettenberger was kicked off the team after violating unspecified rules. He was already in line for a one-game suspension after being arrested on alcohol charges over spring break. The quarterback competition gets a little easier to follow and I can go back to pulling for the kid with local routes (Murray, although pulling for anyone in a Bulldogs’ uniform isn’t really an option).
The List: Sticking with players on rival teams who I secretly wanted to do well over their careers. Don’t lie and say there weren’t people you liked despite the fact they suited up for other schools. You can appreciate talent even if it comes in another uniform.
1. I have to start with Derrick Brooks although that wasn’t until his post-FSU days.
2. Auburn has always been that SEC West team I’ve wanted to see do well (despite some stinging wins over Florida) and I liked Cadillac Williams from day one.
3. How can you not appreciate Eric Berry?
4. And I always enjoyed watching Champ Bailey.
The Sixth Man: The Gators’ 2010 recruiting class grew by two this week. On Monday, Florida picked up a commitment from 6’7” junior college forward Will Yeguete. The Gators followed that up with the commitment of 6’9” forward Cody Larson on Tuesday. Yuegete comes from Florida Air Academy where he averaged 17 points per game last season. He chose the Gators over Georgia Tech. Larson was originally signed to play at Iowa, but after a coaching change, he requested his release. The Hawkeyes obliged, opening the door for him to come to Florida. The Gators now have four players committed as part of the 2010 class, all of who are listed as forwards or centers. If Florida can curb the transfer problem and actually hold on to some of these players, the future could be a good one (or at least brighter).