1 » As a prelude to announcing his very early top 25 for 2010, The Gainesville Sun‘s Pat Dooley dropped some knowledge on how Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer is holding up since his decision to take a leave of absence rather than resign. Most of this is known already, but a succinct wrap-up from a beat writer close to Meyer is always nice.

Meyer told me he has gained 10 pounds after losing so much weight because food had lost its appeal during the stressful 2009 season. He has never been one to sleep past 7 a.m. but he’s sleeping in now. He is excited about his new coaching staff and his new recruits and especially being at Florida. His leave of absence will start after National Signing Day and he’s looking forward to spending time with his family.

2 » With just over two weeks until National Signing Day (Feb. 3), the Gators are set to host their biggest of the three remaining recruiting weekends on campus from Jan. 15-17. Here is a list of attendees. Commitments: five-star defensive tackle Dominique Easley (Staten Island, NY), four-star running back Mack Brown (Lithonia, GA), four-star defensive end Lynden Trail (Miami, FL), four-star wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (Miami, FL), three-star linebacker Gideon Ajagbe (Coconut Grove, FL). Recruits: five-star LB Christian Jones (Winter Park, FL) [unofficial], four-star WR Christian Green (Tampa, FL), four-star offensive lineman Chaz Green (Tampa, FL), three-star LB Darrin Kitchens (Homestead, FL), three-star safety Jeremy Deering (Tampa, FL).

Tags: Chaz Green, Christian Green, Christian Jones, Darrin Kitchens, Dominique Easley, Gideon Ajagbe, Jeremy Deering, Lynden Trail, Mack Brown, National Signing Day, Quinton Dunbar, Urban Meyer

Aside from having to hire a new head coach after Urban Meyer‘s shocking resignation, one of the most immediate issues facing the Florida Gators football program in 2010 is retaining recruits from one of the top incoming classes in the country. With 20 recruits currently verbally committed to the Gators and plenty more considering their commitment one way or another, losing Meyer will almost certainly a blow to the team’s recruiting – how big of a blow is yet to be determined. Numerous sources including Rivals, GatorCountry, the Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, the Gainesville Sun and the Sporting News have spoken with these recruits over the past few hours, and OGGOA has compiled some information on where each of them stand.

Because the list is so long, it is best to view it after the jump!!!
Continue Reading » Meyer’s decision stuns Gators 2010 recruits

Tags: Chris Dunkley, Christian Green, Cody Riggs, Demar Dorsey, Gerald Christian, Gideon Ajagbe, Ian Silberman, Jack Daniels, Jaylen Watkins, Jordan Hicks, Joshua Shaw, Kenny Carter, Lynden Trail, Mack Brown, Matt Elam, Quinton Dunbar, Robert Clark, Seantrel Henderson, Solomon Patton, Trey Burton, Urban Meyer, Vance Bedford

Also going on the defensive about personal photos of his that have been made public is four-star Florida Gators defensive end commitment Lynden Trail (Miami, FL). In a picture posted late Wednesday night by a variety of Web sites including OGGOA, Trail is shown wearing a bandanna and making what were termed gang signs with his hands. Like his future 2010 classmate four-star defensive tackle Leon Orr (New Port Richey, FL), Trail says his picture was completely misunderstood.

Trail told Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated that the picture in question was taken while he was in eight grade and just “playing around the house.” The hand gesture? Just representing his neighborhood – the “Swamp” section of Overtown in Miami. “That supposed gang sign I’m throwing up? That’s where I stay. That’s my neighborhood,” he said. “I’ve thrown that up on the field a lot, and no one has said anything.”

As far as 13psi taking the picture from his personal MySpace page (which was not set to private viewing)? Trail said it was a “violation of privacy.” He continued, “If you really care about me that much to go on my MySpace to get a picture of me, point blank, get a life.”

Was the initial Web site right in finding and publishing these pictures? Do you believe Orr and Trail? Is this entire story blown completely out of proportion? Does any of this even matter in the long run? Sound off in the comments section!

Tags: Leon Orr, Lynden Trail

OGGOA UPDATE: Leon Orr clears up story behind troubling pictures
OGGOA UPDATE II: Lynden Trail also speaks on MySpace pictures

As if the Florida Gators needed any more distractions or additional bad press, two pictures in particular are making their way around the Internet allegedly featuring UF four-star commitments defensive tackle Leon Orr (New Port Richey, FL) and defensive end Lynden Trail (Miami, FL) in compromising positions. In the first picture, Orr is wielding a gun and some cash; the second pieced-together photo shows both players seemingly flashing gang signs. Deadspin picked up the story and pictures from 13psi, a site that seems to be on somewhat of a Gators witch hunt (at least with its last three postings).

Nevertheless, these pictures raise legitimate concerns not only about the players who are recruited by and committing to the Gators, but also the lack of due diligence being done by the recruiting staff. It is not difficult to gain access to and view MySpace and facebook pictures, so why have Florida’s recruiters and coaches not seen these already and in the very least instructed the recruits to remove them in the first place?

» The St. Petersburg Times reported Wednesday that Orr is trying to graduate early in order to join other Gators 2010 commitments on campus for spring practice. Even if he is not granted early admission by the NCAA Clearinghouse, Orr will wait to attend Florida next fall. “I know for sure I’m going to UF,” Orr said. “If I don’t go there in January, I’ll wait.”

Tags: Clearinghouse, Leon Orr, Lynden Trail, NCAA

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

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

Head coach Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators coaching staff have been attempting to make in-roads into the talent-rich high school football grounds of Miami, FL, for years. In an interview with two players from Booker T. Washington High School Saturday night following their game, it became apparent that the Gators’ work has paid off.

According to Rivals, four-star teammates defensive end Lynden Trail and wide receiver Quinton Dunbar have all but officially committed to Florida. While speaking with media after their game, Trail and Dunbar said they both “planned on committing” to UF.

[UPDATE] Trail, who finished with two sacks and eight tackles on the night, put on a University of Florida hat in front of the media and gave an enthusiastic Gator Chomp. “Florida is my choice, I feel it’s the school for me,” Trail said. “I am still going to take my other visits, but Florida is my front runner.” Trail then called over Dunbar, who also put on a hat and declared his intentions.

Now that Trail and Dunbar’s intentions have been announced, all that is left is for them to contact the Gators coaching staff and make it official. At 6’7″, 220 lbs., Trail totaled 22 sacks and two interceptions as a junior, while Dunbar, at 6’3″, 170 lbs., had 703 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Both would be huge acquisitions for Florida, but Dunbar’s commitment is especially important due to the team’s lack of depth at wide receiver.

OGGOA will stay on top of this story and provide the latest updates and information as it becomes available.

Tags: Lynden Trail, Quinton Dunbar, Urban Meyer