FOUR BITS: NFL Combine, Strong poaches recruit

By Adam Silverstein
January 17, 2010

1 » Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, linebacker Ryan Stamper, defensive end Jermaine Cunningham and kick returner Brandon James have received invites to the 2010 NFL Combine. Juniors who have declared for the 2010 NFL Draft have yet to receive invitations, but fans can expect DE Carlos Dunlap, cornerback Joe Haden, tight end Aaron Hernandez and safety Major Wright to participate in the event from Feb. 24 to March 2 in Indianapolis, IN.

2 » Three-star athlete Marcus Smith (Columbus, GA) had an outstanding scholarship offer from Florida and was prepared to take it…that is until Louisville Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong came calling. “If Louisville would have never been in the mix, I would have probably went to Florida,” Smith told the Courier-Journal. “But I’m glad Louisville came into the mix. I like coach Strong a lot, and I really wanted to play for coach Strong. Louisville is a great program. He wants me to play quarterback, he established that during our talk this morning. To tell you the truth, I just want to play, so I am good wherever he wants me.” Upon taking his position with the Cardinals, Strong said he would not poach recruits the Gators were interested in unless they initiated contact.

3 » The Gators hosted their biggest remaining recruiting weekend the past few days and a number of both committed and undecided prospects came away impressed. Four-star running back Mack Brown (Lithonia, GA), who at one point was wavering after head coach Urban Meyer announced his leave of absence, solidified his recruitment after getting extensive time with new running backs coach Stan Drayton. Brown also told Adam Gorney of Rivals that Meyer may return as soon as March. “He looked pretty fine to me,” Brown said. “He looked healthy. I know he wants to coach, so I know he’s going to be there. He’s going to take a couple weeks off in February, but he’ll be back.” Fellow four-star recruits offensive tackle Chaz Green (Tampa, FL) and wide receiver Christian Green (Tampa, FL) raved to numerous sources about their respective experiences.

4 » Coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers with just two seconds remaining in the game, the Florida women’s basketball team gained a bit of revenge by taking down the Mississippi State Bulldogs 55-52 on the road on Sunday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum. Sophomore guard Trumae Lucas scored seven points off of the bench in the waning minutes while senior forward Sharielle Smith led the Gators with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting while also grabbing seven boards.

6 Comments

  1. fl_gtr says:

    Smith Wanted to commit all summer and UF would not take it sooooo let himgo GOODLUCK hope the best for you. went and saw a game and he threw 4 picks in irst halk against a 0-4 team do we really need him or wanted him????

  2. Aligator says:

    What about Brandon Spikes did he get an invite?

  3. Aligator – That’s the first thought I had too. His name wasn’t on the list I received, but I would have to assume he’s invited. Just couldn’t write it on there.

  4. O-town Gator says:

    And Charlie Strong promised he wasn’t going to poach any of our recruits when he left for Louisville, either? Liar, liar, pants on fire….

  5. Gatorfan33 says:

    O-town, I have said several times on this site that you can’t trust a coach when he says something. Not that the loss of this recruit is going to hurt us but he has taken 2 coaches and 1 recruit so far so have fun at UL Charlie Strong.

  6. Miamigator says:

    Smith wasn’t coming to UF…. He wants to play somewhere. I wish him well with Charlie at UL! Besides, Would you give one of the 3 remaining openings to a 3 Star QB? Hell NO!

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