1 » Former Florida Gators cornerback Joe Haden, unanimously considered the best player at his position available for the 2010 NFL Draft before the Scouting Combine, is being criticized by draftniks and supposedly sliding down boards because of his “slow” 4.57-second 40-yard dash. Comments from some like ESPN’s Todd McShay have Haden falling out of the top 10 (never mind the fact that he has a chance to improve it at Florida’s Pro Day on March 17). The time has even spurned beat writers for teams like the Atlanta Falcons to speculate that Haden could fall as low as No. 19. Others, like Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, put Haden’s time in perspective. It’s a bigger deal to those talking about it on television than it is to the NFL scouts hired and fired based on their ability to discern successes from busts.
2 » Florida men’s and womens’ golf each competed at tournaments over the last few days; unfortunately, neither came out as victors. Though they jumped four spots in the final round, the men’s team finished the John Hayt Invitational with a seventh-place score of 899 (+35). The women tied for seventh in the Kinderlou Forest Challenge with a 913 (+37).
Two BITS of Florida Gators football recruiting news after the jump!
3 » Always keeping their eye out for top in-state talent, the Gators have officially sent a 2011 scholarship offer to top-ranked tight end/offensive lineman Jordan Prestwood (Plant City, FL). Florida ranks as Prestwood’s 14th offer, coming after schools like Alabama, Auburn and Notre Dame. A multi-talented prospect, Prestwood was happy to hear from the Orange and Blue even though he is not necessarily a fan. “It’s a big offer,” Prestwood told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s exciting. They’re a big-time program. I grew up an FSU fan, but I’m wide-open in this process.”
4 » Speaking of Gators recruits, five-star defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (Philadelphia, PA) will be honored as the Maxwell Football Club’s National High School Player of the Year this Friday at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, NJ. Floyd, who is hoping to break Florida’s string of underwhelming top-ranked DT recruits, committed to the University of Florida live during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
9 Comments