- Jun 24, 2014
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http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...-recruiting-sec-stewart-mandel-mailbag-021016
Stewart: Post-Signing Day, Gator fans are divided into two camps. The optimistic camp says that the Gators signed a solid class that fills huge needs (QB, WR, K) and that Jim McElwain has earned the benefit of the doubt with some of the under-the-radar three-star recruits. The pessimistic camp argues that the class lacks the kind of elite talent that forms the core of dynasties and doesn't close the gap with elite competitors like Alabama, LSU and FSU. Which side is closer to the truth?
Put me in the pessimistic camp.
Mind you, Scout.com ranked Florida's class No. 10 in the country. On the surface that's far from worrisome. Other services, though, pegged the Gators closer to 15th. While that's mostly a symbolic distinction, it does say something. Florida is a program that regularly signed Top 5 classes (including a couple that garnered a No. 1 crown) under Urban Meyer, Will Muschamp and even Ron Zook. First-year coaches at a powerhouse programs often sign monstrous classes in their first full cycle after storming into town and drumming up excitement. I fully expected McElwain would do exactly that and was surprised at the Gators' relatively modest close.
But rest assured, your optimistic crowd has plenty to feel good about. Florida desperately needs to upgrade its offensive skill talent, and McElwain loaded up on that side of the ball. Most notably, by bringing in three quarterbacks -- two recruits and Purdue grad transfer Austin Appleby -- he feels comfortable moving Treon Harris to receiver. And between the staggering 12 early enrollees and three jucos, plenty of guys in this class should be able to play right away.
But seeing several big names either flip or choose elsewhere on Signing Day had to sting. While it's still a solid class, as you said, plenty of other schools in Florida's conference and state signed even better ones. Florida likely upgraded its roster, but it did not exactly make a huge statement.
Stewart: Post-Signing Day, Gator fans are divided into two camps. The optimistic camp says that the Gators signed a solid class that fills huge needs (QB, WR, K) and that Jim McElwain has earned the benefit of the doubt with some of the under-the-radar three-star recruits. The pessimistic camp argues that the class lacks the kind of elite talent that forms the core of dynasties and doesn't close the gap with elite competitors like Alabama, LSU and FSU. Which side is closer to the truth?
Put me in the pessimistic camp.
Mind you, Scout.com ranked Florida's class No. 10 in the country. On the surface that's far from worrisome. Other services, though, pegged the Gators closer to 15th. While that's mostly a symbolic distinction, it does say something. Florida is a program that regularly signed Top 5 classes (including a couple that garnered a No. 1 crown) under Urban Meyer, Will Muschamp and even Ron Zook. First-year coaches at a powerhouse programs often sign monstrous classes in their first full cycle after storming into town and drumming up excitement. I fully expected McElwain would do exactly that and was surprised at the Gators' relatively modest close.
But rest assured, your optimistic crowd has plenty to feel good about. Florida desperately needs to upgrade its offensive skill talent, and McElwain loaded up on that side of the ball. Most notably, by bringing in three quarterbacks -- two recruits and Purdue grad transfer Austin Appleby -- he feels comfortable moving Treon Harris to receiver. And between the staggering 12 early enrollees and three jucos, plenty of guys in this class should be able to play right away.
But seeing several big names either flip or choose elsewhere on Signing Day had to sting. While it's still a solid class, as you said, plenty of other schools in Florida's conference and state signed even better ones. Florida likely upgraded its roster, but it did not exactly make a huge statement.
. I'd really like to hear the background on that.
