1 » Florida Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow has always been a tough person and even tougher football player. He has scored a touchdown on a broken leg (for Nease in high school), played with a fractured hand, run over players with a hyper-extended knee and played through seasons with injuries to his back and shoulder. But coming back from a concussion is not about being tough. It is about the brain – both protecting it and using it to make sure you do not return too soon.

2 » The worst part for a head coach about having their phone number leaked is not just changing the number but making sure everyone has the new one. This includes staff, players, parents and, perhaps most importantly, recruits. One thing you can be sure of, however, is that Urban Meyer is a recruiting powerhouse all his own and took care of that situation swiftly. “Oh, we e-mailed the recruits and all that, so it’s OK,” Meyer said on Monday. “We’re doing alright. We got a plan.”

3 » As referenced Monday in his press conference, Meyer seeks to improve the Gators’ passing attack. Even though, as one OGGOA reader pointed out, Florida’s appears to be ahead of pace in that area compared to 2008, it is not where Meyer wants it to be. “I think we’re pretty close,” Meyer said. “I like where we’re at.” For Tebow though, stats are not everything. “We’re 5-0 and very happy with that,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if we score 13 points or 2 points, as long as we win the game.” It would still do the Gators good to improve in their aerial attack. “Hopefully we’ll keep progressing and getting that timing, getting that rhythm and getting that feel,” Tebow said.

4 » The event formerly but no longer officially referred to as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is doing even more to curb alcohol consumption. There will be fewer places to buy alcohol at the Jacksonville Landing and no longer will vendors be allowed to walk around the property selling shots. University of Florida President Bernie Machen has been adamant about making Florida-Georgia weekend safer, and the city of Jacksonville, FL, is willing to abide him in a new plan that was submitted on Friday.

Tags: Florida-Georgia, Jacksonville Landing, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

1 » Middle linebacker Brandon Spikes of No. 1 Florida Gators has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his 11-tackle (4 solo), 2.5 sack performance against the then-No. 4 LSU Tigers. Spikes’ 2.5 sacks were a career best, and he also forced and recovered a fumble in the game.

2 » UF’s defense has intercepted a pass in 17 consecutive games dating back to the 2008 season, the longest streak in the nation.

3 » Four-star recruit and heavy Florida Gators lean Chaz Green visited the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend and came away impressed. Both of Green’s parents went to school in Knoxville, TN, and his visit to the school has put them solidly in his top four. Nevertheless, Green has UF as his leader and said he will “probably” take an official visit to Gainesville, FL, before he makes his final decision.

4 » After two weeks of what seemed to be a national hysteria over the concussion suffered by star quarterback Tim Tebow, his teammates are glad things have calmed down and are somewhat getting back to normal. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap said he’s “glad [the talk] is done,” while wide receiver David Nelson quipped, “The guy didn’t die. It’s a concussion, it happens.”

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chaz Green, David Nelson, LSU Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Tim Tebow

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive broke the news Tuesday morning that five-star Florida Gators commitment safety/athlete Matt Elam was solid in his decision to enroll in the University of Florida in the spring even though he had told reporters publicly that he was wavering and considering taking other visits. “A source close to Elam told OGGOA early Wednesday that his commitment to the Gators is solid,” the story read, “regardless of what he is telling reporters.”

Apparently the Palm Beach Post has followed up on this story, speaking with Elam directly this afternoon.

“I talked to my coach [Urban Meyer] a little,” Elam said. “We talked about the safety situation and our relationship. I committed for a reason. I’m not going to back down. It’s all Florida.”

According to the Post, Elam is now signing every text message with “#22 UF BOUND.”

Photo Credit: Jim Rassol, Sun-Sentinel

Tags: Matt Elam, Urban Meyer

Much has been made over the last week about prized Florida Gators commitment, five-star safety/athlete Matt Elam of Dwyer, wavering on his desire to attend the University of Florida this spring. A source close to Elam told OGGOA early Wednesday that his commitment to the Gators is solid, regardless of what he is telling reporters. Elam is simply doing his due diligence and taking his official visits before signing at the deadline to enroll early in the spring.

Nevertheless, Elam’s comments over the past week have ruffled the feathers of some Florida coaches and players, who have taken it upon themselves to indirectly answer some of the questions that were brought up. Chief among those is the contention that increased positional depth in the secondary will inhibit young players from getting playing time as freshmen.

[Read Florida's responses after the jump...]

Continue Reading » Gators five-star commit Matt Elam is solid

Tags: Chuck Heater, Janoris Jenkins, Joe Haden, Matt Elam, Will Hill

1 » Prior to the season, one of the biggest stories was the Florida Gators potentially using cornerback Joe Haden at quarterback in a Wildcat-like formation. While UF’s ability and lack of fear to use the Wildcat with wide receiver Percy Harvin last season was well documented, I held (and hold) the opinion that Haden plays extensively enough on defense and special teams – that using him on offense as well would be overkill.

While talk about Haden’s role in the formation seems to have died down, usage of the Wildcat as a whole has not. Head coach Urban Meyer said Monday that tight end Aaron Hernandez, running back Jeff Demps and wide receiver Brandon James could all get direct snaps against No. 4 LSU Tigers. While an occasional direct snap may be called, I see this as more of a diversionary tactic to get LSU thinking about more than just “Tim Tebow or John Brantley” but rather “Tebow, Brantley or the Wildcat.”

2 » In an effort to gain prestige within the state of Florida, the USF Bulls have marketed themselves as one of the “Big 4″ along with the Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles. This new billboard, located at I-275 near I-4 has, to his credit, drawn the ire of Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt. “I had nothing to do with (the billboard), I don’t know how it got up, and I don’t know who put it up,” Leavitt said Tuesday. “We have not won national championships, and we have not won conference championships. What gives us the right to sit there all of a sudden like we’ve won all these championships and done all this stuff?” Looks like the USF marketing department should have checked with Leavitt first.

Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Will Wildcat be used? USF uses UF in ad. Tigers ready for QB. Recruiting update.

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Booker T. Washington, Brandon James, Chris Dunkley, Christian Green, Florida State Seminoles, Ivan McCartney, Jeff Demps, Jim Leavitt, Joe Haden, John Brantley, John Chavis, Les Miles, LSU Tigers, Lynden Trail, Miami Hurricanes, Percy Harvin, Quinton Dunbar, Solomon Patton, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, USF Bulls

While the vast majority of Florida Gators incoming commitments usually hail from states along the Atlantic Ocean, the team has been looking to expand its recruiting base and is making serious headway on the West Coast and in California.

In fact, the team’s highest rated uncommitted prospect, five-star defensive end Ronald Powell, plays his high school ball for Rancho Verde in Moreno Valley, CA. At 6’4”, 230 lbs. with a 4.52 second 40-yard dash, Powell lists the Gators and USC Trojans as his top two schools. He has already taken three unofficial visits to Gainesville, the latest just a few weeks ago when Florida defeated the Tennessee Volunteers, and plans to take an official visit when time permits. Nevertheless, the Gators are already in the top two for his commitment. “I would like to see some other schools, but USC and Florida are at the top,” Powell said, “and I really don’t see that changing.”

Powell has had his Gators scholarship offer for some time; four-star safety Dietrich Riley of St. Francis in La Canada, CA, just received his. “I started hopping around,” Riley said of his reaction when learning of the offer. “I started running around the house. I was happy.”

An impressive 6’1”, 200 lbs. with a 4.47 second 40-yard dash, Riley said he has been waiting to hear from Florida for a while. “I was very patient throughout this whole process and I finally landed the offer,” he said. Riley is currently in the process of planning an official visit to Gainesville and looks forward to meeting head coach Urban Meyer in person after speaking with him on the phone. “[Meyer said he] was impressed with my film, just my versatility and what I can do on both sides of the ball. He loves how aggressive I am and the attitude I play with.”

Stay with OGGOA for the latest updates on Gators recruiting.

Tags: Dietrich Riley, Ronald Powell, Urban Meyer

1 » Staying on top of a story OGGOA first reported on Saturday, four-star Booker T. Washington teammates defensive end Lynden Trail and wide receiver Quinton Dunbar committed to the Florida Gators following their upset of Miami Northwestern. While both were vocal and excited about their decision, Florida’s coaches had not accepted the duo’s commitments as of Monday morning. That has now changed as Trail and Dunbar are officially the 16th and 17th commitments for 2010.

2 » Tickets for the No. 4 LSU Tigers showdown with No. 1 Florida on Saturday night in Death Valley are scarce, meaning good (or any) seats to the game are going to cost you. Single tickets are going for hundreds to thousands of dollars depending where you look. While StubHub, eBay, Craigslist and other Web sites are good options, the only school-approved site to buy tickets is http://www.LSUsports.net. So if you are heading up to Baton Rouge, LA, check them out before paying an arm and a leg (you will anyway).

3 » ESPN college basketball expert Andy Katz weighed in on the Gators’ chances in 2009 on Monday: “A lot has to depend on [redshirt junior transfer F/C] Vernon Macklin,” Katz said. “If he can be a double-figure performer than the Gators have a shot. The problem is that they are in arguably the toughest division in the country with Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and South Carolina all talented enough to win the side.”

4 » When asked what his team’s prospects are for the remainder of the season, LSU head coach Les Miles joked, “There is a game after this?” That is how much Florida is on the mind of LSU this week, and the feeling is mutual. To Miles, it is the big-game feel of nights like Saturday that make all the struggle and heartbreak worth it. These days, when the Gators and Tigers square off, the games have a little extra meaning. “It’s generally two very talented teams and a team that will play a very significant role in determining the national champion,” Miles said. “It’s all about this Saturday, and we’re looking forward to it.” Urban Meyer is, too.

Tags: Lynden Trail, Quinton Dunbar, Urban Meyer, Vernon Macklin

As OGGOA reported Saturday, four-star Booker T. Washington teammates, defensive end Lynden Trail and wide receiver Quinton Dunbar, all but officially committed to the Florida Gators following their team’s big win over Miami Northwestern that night.

Updating the story, Rivals spoke with Trail following the game. ”[My family and I] think it’s about that time – I’m ready to commit to Florida,” Trail said. On not telling the Gators yet, Trail joked, “This is a surprise to Urban Meyer. I [did the Gator Chomp] to let people know that Florida’s dominant and that’s the school for me. Even though I’m committed, I’m still going to take my visits.”

Shortly after speaking with Trail, Rivals caught up Dunbar. During the interview, Trail handed Dunbar a Gators hat and talk switched over to who he had just gotten off the phone with. “I got off the phone with my mom. I asked her if it was OK. She said it was OK. So I’m going to be a Gator with my main man Lynden Trail,” Dunbar said. “[Florida] has a great tradition, great crowd. We loved it. They spread the ball, and we feel like it fit both of us.”

Dunbar ended his interview saying he and Trail were about to call the Gators and officially commit. OGGOA has yet to receive word that Trail and Dunbar’s commitments have been accepted by the Gators coaching staff and will update this story as information becomes available.

Tags: Lynden Trail, Quinton Dunbar, Urban Meyer