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Pro Day update
NFL coaches and personnel flocked in large crowds to Gainesville Tuesday, for one of the more anticipated and widely regarded NFL pro day events.
More than 75 NFL scouts, coaches and team personnel made the trip to the University of Florida, with most taking a closer look at offensive lineman Mike Pouncey and defensive backs Will Hill and Ahmad Black. Only one impressed, however.
Pouncey, the twin brother of 2010 Steelers first round pick Maurkice, stood out among participants at the Gators pro day. Considered a late first round grab, Pouncey could have improved his stock even more so Tuesday. Among the teams taking note were the Patriots, Jaguars, Steelers and Bucs.
As for Hill and Black, poor combine performances were followed Tuesday by underperforming pro day showings. Hill turned in times of 4.75 and 4.78 in the 40, while Hill brought in times of 4.66 and 4.72, neither improved upon their combine times.
A surprise of the UF group came from defensive end Justin Trattou, who reportedly looked surprisingly athletic through linebacker drills and ran times of 4.74 and 4.71 in the 40 at 250-pounds.
Purdue hosted its NFL pro day Tuesday, where defensive end Ryan Kerrigan took center stage. Kerrigan sat on his numbers from a good combine showing, but ran through position drills. Jaguars defensive line coach Joe Cullen worked personally with Kerrigan. The Jaguars hold the No. 16 pick in the first round and are in need of a rush end. The Ravens also showed strong interest.
Other notable pro day performances include a poor showing by Delaware quarterback Pat Devlin, who reportedly had a number of under-throws and over-throws. Not good news for Devlin, who’s working off of a horrendous offseason performance so far.
Former Pitt Panthers Dion Lewis, Jonathan Baldwin and Jabaal Sheard worked out for scouts. Lewis showed excellent quickness and catching ability, something he’ll need at a small stature of 5-foot-6, 192-pounds. Sheard impressed running through linebacker drills and defensive end drills, and continues to be a late riser. Baldwin on the other hand, failed to stand out. Baldwin lacked quickness or acceleration and didn’t appear to reach out when catching balls. His stock continues to fall, with the potential of a late second round selection coming.
Florida depth chart shakeup
As freshman last season at Florida, athletic quarterbacks Trey Burton and Jordan Reed made surprise cameos under center for the struggling Gators offense. Don’t expect the same surprise to happen this season.
New head coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis have moved Burton and Reed to other positions, most likely wideout and tight, respectively. The two were used to bring a spark to the UF offense as starting quarterback John Brantley struggled throughout the 2010 season.
This spring, Brantley begins the new season atop the depth chart, but is followed closely by redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy and 2011 top quarterback commit, Jeff Driskel, who graduated early and is in for spring practice.
When asked about the quarterback duties at a Tuesday press conference, Weis said of Brantley, “He starts off first because of seniority. If he’s the best guy, he’ll play. If he’s not, he won’t.”
It doesn’t exactly sound like a whole lot of confidence is backing Brantley, but it at least looks as though the Gators are ahead of conference rival South Carolina when it comes to quarterback concerns through spring.
Starting Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia received a week suspension from the start of spring practice for violating team rules. Spurrier wouldn’t specify, but backup quarterback Andrew Clifford is also suspended one week.
Hot starts in recruiting
The dust on the 2011 class of college football recruits is already beginning to settle. Schools have already turned their attention to the class of 2012, where some are starting to load up on their future signing classes.
At Miami (Fl), new head coach Al Golden has been hot on the trail of 2012 recruits, with eight commits to the 2012 class. Highlighting the group is Miami Norland running back Duke Johnson and Clearwater Countryside quarterback Gray Crow, an Elite 11 performer.
Johnson and Crow are joined by Florida products Hallandale corner, Willie Bailey, Lakeland defensive end, Trent Taylor, Miami corner, Amos Leggett and Johnson’s teammate at Norland, linebacker Keith Brown. The lone prospect from outside the sunshine state is Cordele, Ga. wideout, Jontavious Carter. The ‘Canes also own a verbal commitment from Miami quarterback David Thompson, who is also a standout baseball commit and committed to the ‘Canes baseball team.
Texas, who has loaded up in the past on top recruits by this time, continues their early recruiting dominance within state lines. The Longhorns own verbal’s from 13 2012 recruits, with quarterback Connor Brewer from Scottsdale, Ariz. and Dallas and Austin wideouts, Thomas Johnson and Cayleb Jones.
A surprise team hitting the recruiting trail early is Longhorns rival, Texas A&M. The Aggies sit with 16 verbal commitments already, with Baytown, Texas product, Jaevon Richardson and running back Troy Green of Brenham, Texas, highlighting the group.
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