1 » In a special to ESPN, Matt Winkeljohn takes a closer look at high school juniors Scottie Wilbekin and Matt Carlino skipping their senior seasons to (hopefully) join the Florida Gators and UCLA Bruins, respectively. Most importantly, Wilbekin’s father said that there is a “99 percent chance” of everything working out so he can enroll in the University of Florida next year. Nevertheless there is still “a lot [that] has to happen on our part” for it all to go down, according to Svend Wilbekin, including his son taking all necessary classes and receiving a high enough SAT score.

2 » After an hour interview with him on the radio, Alabama sports talk show host Paul Finebaum has declared former Gators offensive coordinator and current Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen “the future of college football.” What is interesting is that Finebaum cites Mullen’s youth, beautiful wife, attitude, demeanor and politics as the main reasons he will be a success rather than, you know, his football acumen. “He left me with my eyes wide open and shaking my head with admiration and respect,” Finebaum wrote. OGGOA wonders if he would have felt the same way if Mullen ended up becoming the top guy at Florida.

3 » Former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow’s No. 15 Denver Broncos jersey is flying off the shelves both in Denver, CO, and nationally. The jerseys are going so fast that, according to a Champs Sports outlet employee who spoke with Denver News, they are being put on display immediately when they arrive without price tags ($80 per) for expediting purposes. Stores are being so careful that Tebow’s jerseys – unlike others on the racks – are being attached with a heavy cable as to prevent shoplifting.

4 » Fans do not need to shoplift Tebow’s jersey in order to save a few bucks on it. They can just dust off the jersey of former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (or purchase a new one for half-price or as little as $10) and bring it to embroiderer Daniella Grieve, who is removing Marshall’s name and replacing it with Tebow’s for customers. “[This idea] could turn into something big, and if not we have Tebow jerseys for our two little boys,” Grieve told CBS4 in Denver.

» Of course, if you wish to purchase Tebow’s real NFL jersey, you can grab it directly through OGGOA’s store! You can also visit our Gators-specific store here!

Tags: Brandon Marshall, Dan Mullen, Denver Broncos, Matt Carlino, Mississippi State Bulldogs, NFL, Scottie Wilbekin, Tim Tebow, UCLA Bruins, University of Florida

Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan added more depth to his frontcourt Tuesday, earning a commitment from three-star power forward recruit Cody Larson (Sioux Falls, SD), according to the Argus Leader. Donovan visited Larson’s hometown Friday, and the former Iowa commit returned the favor by taking a two-day trip to Gainesville, FL, beginning Monday.

At 6’9″ and 225 lbs., Larson is the second forward and third recruit Donovan has signed for his 2010 class in as many days. He averaged 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists at Roosevelt High School and was also being pursued by Kansas, Arizona State and Indiana (among others). However, per Big Ten transfer rules, Larson was prevented from receiving a scholarship offer from a conference team without an appeal.

He decided to seek a release from his commitment to the Hawkeyes after Iowa fired head coach Todd Lickliter and replaced him with Fran McCaffrey, formerly of Siena. The coveted student-athlete was reportedly suspended for the conclusion of his senior season, though the school did not make details public.

Larson is the second recruit Donovan has pulled out of South Dakota during his tenure as Florida’s coach (Mike Miller, 1998-2000). He may not even be the last high schooler on Donovan’s list this year.

The Gators’ coach is still reportedly pursuing two 2011 point guards who appear willing and able to graduate early in order to commit as a part of the team’s 2010 class. Either Matt Carlino (Bloomington, IN) or Scottie Wilbekin (Gainesville, FL) could potentially be Florida’s fifth 2010 commitment.

Whoever chooses to sign would join Larson, four-star forwards Patric Young (Jacksonville, FL) and Casey Prather (Jackson, TN), three-star Will Yeguete (Melbourne, FL) and Rutgers transfer guard Mike Rosario (Jersey City, NJ), though Rosario will not be eligible to play until 2011-12.

In order to sign five recruits to scholarships, further changes are likely abound inside the Florida program. Sophomore guard Ray Shipman has already decided to transfer, many believe freshman point guard Rod Tishman may return to Israel, redshirt sophomore forward Adam Allen could retire and junior forward Alex Tyus has submitted his name for evaluation for the 2010 NBA Draft. Florida would need either Tishman, Allen or Tyus to leave the program or else it would exceed its allotment of 13 scholarships.

Photo Credit: Des Moines Register

Tags: Adam Allen, Alex Tyus, Big Ten, Billy Donovan, Casey Prather, Cody Larson, Draft, Fran McCaffrey, Iowa Hawkeyes, Matt Carlino, Mike Miller, Mike Rosario, NBA, Patric Young, Ray Shipman, Rod Tishman, Scottie Wilbekin, Todd Lickliter, Will Yeguete

Florida Gators basketball fans are not the only ones who recognize the team needs an influx of young talent next season. Head coach Billy Donovan is also well aware of this and is working around the clock to recruit more student-athletes before the 2010 class’ late signing period concludes on May 19.

Over the weekend, Donovan locked up former four-star recruit and Rutgers transfer guard Mike Rosario (Jersey City, NJ). Though Rosario will not be able to compete until he is a redshirt junior in 2011-12, he fills a third spot in the team’s 2010 class alongside four-star forwards Patric Young (Jacksonville, FL) and Casey Prather (Jackson, TN).

Below are players who the Gators remain publicly hot after for this signing period:

» Three-star PF Will Yeguete (Melbourne, FL) – 6’7”, 210 lbs.
- Averaging 17.5 points and 15 rebounds
- Same high school – Florida Air Academy – as Walter Hodge
- Will choose between Florida, Georgia Tech and Indiana
- Leaning towards the Gators, will make announcement Monday

» Three-star PG Chris Denson (Midland, GA) – 6’2”, 180 lbs.
- Will choose between Florida, Western Kentucky, Buffalo and UNC-Greensboro
- Took an official visit to Gainesville, FL, this past weekend

» Three-star PF Cody Larson (Sioux Falls, SD) – 6’9”, 225 lbs.
- Averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists
- Previously committed to Iowa
- Visiting Gainesville on Monday

The lowdown on five more high school basketball recruits…after the jump!
Continue Reading » 2010 basketball recruiting far from over for Gators

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brandon Young, C.J. Leslie, Casey Prather, Chris Denson, Cody Larson, Marcus Thornton, Matt Carlino, Mike Rosario, Patric Young, Richard Pitino, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Scottie Wilbekin, Will Yeguete