Trevon Young will sign with Florida on Friday according to Braden River head coach

Trevon Young will sign  a scholarship to play football at the University of Florida on Friday morning, Pirates head football coach Curt Bradley said.

Young was a late addtion to the Florida recruiting class of 2013. Gators head coach Will Muschamp brought him up to Gainesville last weekend and offered him a scholarship, prefereably to play tight end.

The 6-6, 260 pound Young was also being pursued by USF and had offers from Purdue, Missouri, FIU and FAU. But the hold up was a basketball scholarship offer he had to play for Division II Eckered College.

The career scoring and rebounding leadert for Braden River, Young said earlier in the week he was torn between playing basketball and football for the Gators. Then USF garnered his interest and with all the uncertainty he did not sign on Wednesday's national signing day.

The three star Rivals.com prospect did not play football until his junior year. But several college coaches have said he has NFL potential as a tight end because of his size and athleticism he showed in basketball.

Believe It Or Not: Florida could face Kent State in Sugar Bowl

The University of Florida is obviously disappointed about not playing in the BCS National title game.

But that might pale to what the Gators will feel if they wind up playing Kent State in the Sugar Bowl.
Did we say Kent State and Sugar Bowl in the same breath?
Yes we did and it’s a possible scenario.

Florida is a virtual locked in to play in the Sugar Bowl. Two possible attractive opponents for the Gators are Oklahoma and Kansas State.

But if things fall a certain way the Kent State Flashes could be facing the Gators.

Now raise your hands. How many football players who signed to play with Florida consider Kent State a reward for a good season.

That’s what we thought. But be prepared. This could happen thanks the Mid-American Conference’s strength this season and the lowly Big East Conference, which is evaporating right before our eyes.

If no. 18 Kent State beats No. 19 Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game and moves into the top 16 of the BCS rankings and is ranked higher than the champion of at least one automatic qualifying conference they would have to receive an at-large BCS bid.

Well the Big East doesn’t even have a ranked team. Rutgers and Louisville play Friday for the conference title and don’t expect the winner to move ahead of Kent State if it wins the MAC.

If Kent State receives a BCS bid the Big 12 runner-up does not get a BCS Bowl bid. In that case scenario the Sugar Bowl would have to chose between Kent State and the Big East champion. Now 17^th ranked UCLA or Texas most likely have to lose to make this happen, but that is entirely possible.

Florida is slated to play the Big 12 runner-up if that conference gets that bid and right now that appears to be Oklahoma or could be Kansas State. But if that conference loses its runner-up spot then the Gators will play Kent State or Rutgers or Louisville, none of whom are a very appetizing opponent.

Well there is one good thing. There are a lot of watering holes on Bourbon Street in New Orleans where Gator fans can drown their sorrows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

Bottom line for Gators: They have to beat FSU

There are three good reasons Florida's game with Florida State this Saturday is one of the most impotant in Gators' history.

The reason can be explained in three letters: BCS

While everyone on the planet seems to be taking about a Notre Dame-Alabama matchup in the BCS National title game January 7th in Miami, the Gators (4th ranked in BCS) still have a chance to be there.

Granted it will be difficult and take some good fortune. But it's possible and can happen__Only if Florida beats FSU.

If Notre Dame loses to USC this Saturday the Gators could wind up playing in the BCS title game against the winner of the SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia, assuming both of those take care of business this Saturday in their rivalry games: Alabama-Auburn and Georgia-Georgia Tech.

You may smirk at USC beating Notre Dame espeically with Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley out, but this long standing rivalry has produced many upsets through the years. And playing against a quarterback you have no film on has caused more than a few defenses to struggle.

Another worry for Florida is Oregon. If the Ducks make it into the Pac 12 title game they could jump the Gators in the BCS rankings with a win there.

But that could be difficult. Oregon has to beat Oregon State this weekend and hope UCLA beats Stanford, which would then put the Ducks in a Pac 12 must win title game.

If this is getting too complex for Gators fans just remember this: If you beat FSU anything is possible. If you lose to FSU nothing is possible.

Brian Poole gets highest rating among recent local football grads

Bucs new running back Doug Martin

Friday's column in the Bradenton Herald sports section referenced Phil Steele's college preview publication and how he evaluated Tampa Bay Bucs first round draft pick and running back Doug Martin when he came out of high school five years ago.

Here is a look at how he rated some local products to come out of Manatee County the  last couple of years.

His highest rating went to 2012 Southeast graduate and University of Florida bound Brian Poole, who is ranked the #7 best defensive back in the country by Steele.

Some other familiar names that received a high rating from Steele in the class of 2011 include Manatee High running back Mike Blakely (#11 ) and Punta Gorda Charlotte standout Mike Bellamy (#5). In the Class of 2010, Steele had Southeast defensive back Jon Dowling at #19.

 

Ironically none of the last three are at the college they attended out of high school. Dowling went from Florida to Western Kentucky, Blakely from Florida to Auburn and after a season at Clemson, Bellamy became an academic casualty and is in junior college.

Brian Poole makes history with 4 year scholarship deal

Brian Poole made history in more ways than one when he signed a letter-of-intent to play football for the University of Florida.

The Southeast High defensive back received a four year scholarship and is believed to be the first athlete from Manatee County to sign a four year athletic scholarship.

NCAA athletic scholarships have always been for one year subject to renewal each year. Last October the NCAA passed a rule that allows four year athletic scholarships, leaving up to each conference and each individual school to offer four year scholarship packages.

The Southeastern Conference agreed and Florida offered all its 2012 football recruits four year scholarships. Southeast High head football coach and athletic director Paul Maechtle confirmed that Poole’s scholarship is for four years.

In his signing day press conference, Florida head coach Will Muschamp confirmed that all 23 players he signed for his top five recruiting class were given four year scholarships.

Muschamp was philosophical above the four year deal noting most college football programs renew scholarships anyway. But it has become an issue with some schools saying they prefer the one year renewals.

Ramogi Human, president of the National College Players Association, says every year he gets numerous complaints from athletes whose scholarships were not renewed, He says many thought their scholarships were for four years.

It was reported that Ohio State offered its football recruits four year deals as did most schools in the Big 10 and the SEC. Not all coaches support the four year deal. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has publicly said he doesn’t like it because he believes players should have to earn their scholarship each year through the renewal process.

Poole is solid commit to Florida despite other visits

Brian Poole appears solidly committed to Florida though he plans to take three more visits as allowed by NCAA rules.

The Southeast High senior, who is rated the best cornerback prospect in the country by one publication, has visited Notre Dame and recently Western Kentucky.

He had a home visit from WKU head coach Willie Taggart just before Christmas and said it was a good meeting and he likes the former Manatee High star. However, it didn’t change Poole’s mind about playing for the Gators.

Poole grew up a Florida fan, but perhaps more importantly sees an opportunity to get on the field early and says Gators head coach Will Muschamp told him he expects him to make an impact next season.

One of the state’s most versatile players, Poole excelled this past season as a cornerback, running back and kick returner. He returned punts of 92 and 90 yards for touchdowns, rushed for 439 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 155 receiving yards and a touchdown and threw for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Poole also had two interceptions, seven pass deflections and 44 tackles, including 20 solos, which were impressive since most teams ran away from his side of the field Southeast head coach Paul Maechtle said.

For his career, Poole returned three interceptions for touchdowns and had 12 picks. He had 212 tackles, including 107 first hits.

Poole visits Western Kentucky this weekend; says you never know

Brian Poole, the area's most heavily recruited player, will take an official visit to Western Kentucky this weekend.

The Southeast High defensive back has verbally committed to Florida and Gators head coach Will Muschamp has been telling Poole he can make an impact next season.

This is Poole's second official visit. He visited Notre Dame earlier this season and says he might take all five official visits allowed by the NCAA.

Poole has been speaking with with WKU head coach Ray Woodie, a former Palmetto High head football coach and standout player there, who has close ties to Manatee County players.

"I am still verbally committed to Florida, but you never know. I hope to take all of my visits," Poole said.

Poole is rated among the top cornerbacks in the country and one publication had him the top cornerback. He also played running back, but will play defense for the Gators, who have struggled with their secondary this season.

Poole remains solid Florda recruit despite media reports

Media reports that Brian Poole is opening up his recruitment because of last week's trip to Notre Dame are overblown and not realistic.

The Southeast High defensive back remains firmly committed to Florida and his mother said his heart has always been with the Gators.

Poole, rated the number one cornerback in the country by one recruiting website, said last summer that he planned to take all five recruiting trips allowed by the NCAA. His mother said Alabama could be his next visit.

He also has said every week that Florida is his first choice and that he regularly talks with Florida coaches, including head coach Will Muschamp.

Muschamp told Poole to be ready to make an impact next season. That is often seen as a recruting tool, but in this case it seems legitimate. The Gators have problems in the secondary and Poole already has the size and skills to work his way right into that secondary.

Some people might not like the idea that Poole is taking his visits though he has committed to Florida. But it's not his fault. If a school wants to pay his way to their campus because they still want a chance to "steal" him why shouldn't he go.

His mother said the trip she made to Notre Dame last weekend with his father was nice, but she didn't seem overly excited about it. Anything can happen, but it is highly unlikely Poole will not be wearing a Gators uniform next season.

Jacoby Brissett gets start over Jeff Driskel for Gators against Auburn

The Florida quarterback controversy has officially begun.

It was launched Friday morning when Gators head coach Will Muschamp announced Jacoby Brissett (left #17) would start Saturday at Auburn.

Jeff Driskel, the heir apparent to John Brantley and anyone else, is said to be healthy after sitting out last week’s loss to LSU with an ankle injury.

It’s still too early to anoint anyone a permanent starter and incumbent John Brantley could be back for the Georgia game on October 29^th after the Gators bye week.

Brissett completed 8 of 14 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown against LSU, which was considered impressive because he was for all and intents and purposes going to redshirt this season.

There were little details about why Brissett will start and there could be several reasons, including Driskel’s ankle not being one-hundred percent, thought the coaches said he was fine.

It gives credence to the argument that Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis really liked the 6-3, 239 Brissett and recruited him hard even though Driskel was committed and considered by many to be the front runner for the job in 2012 if not before.

Weis said Driskel was fine this week and shared snaps with Brissett. For the season, Driskel is 7 for 16 for 73 yards and has thrown two interceptions without a touchdown.