Rivals is reporting that four-star safety recruit Demar Dorsey is no longer being recruited by the Florida Gators and, therefore, is free to give his commitment to another program. Mark Wheeler was told Florida informed Dorsey that they were no longer interested in having him as a part of the 2010 recruiting class.

Whether or not this is how this particular situation went down remains to be seen. Reports surfaced Monday evening claiming that Dorsey had decommitted from the Gators and agreed to play for the Florida State Seminoles after visiting the Tallahassee, FL, campus last weekend. He openly wavered with his commitment throughout the process but, as recently as last week, proclaimed that he was 90-95 percent solid to the Gators – the highest percentage he had given them over the last year.

Speaking with Wheeler Tuesday night, Dorsey said he was “50-50 right now” and “up in the air” because of the great experience he had on his visit. He also mentioned that Florida had not scheduled an in-home visit with him. Some sources mentioned that the Gators were going to attempt and visit with Dorsey either Tuesday or Wednesday but apparently those plans were canceled or never existed in the first place.

Though he is considered a heavy Florida State lean, Dorsey will travel West to visit the USC Trojans this weekend and may not make up his mind until National Signing Day on Feb. 3. There were questions about his ability to academically qualify for admission to Florida; whether or not that factored in this decision is not presently known.

Expect the Gators to make an even stronger push for three-star athlete Jeremy Deering (Tampa, FL), who is said to be leaning toward Florida State but may be swayed into changing his mind if Dorsey does indeed sign there on Feb. 3. Deering was originally offered a scholarship after five-star safety Matt Elam (West Palm Beach, FL) decommitted three weeks ago but before he eventually re-committed to Florida.

Photo Credit: Rivals

Tags: Demar Dorsey, Florida State Seminoles, Jeremy Deering, Matt Elam, National Signing Day, USC Trojans

UPDATE: Demar Dorsey no longer being recruited by Gators

Though he claims that he has not officially decommitted from the Florida Gators, four-star safety Demar Dorsey told Mark Wheeler of Rivals Tuesday that he is no longer as confident in his commitment as he was just one week ago.

Claiming he was 90-95 percent committed to the Gators last week, Dorsey said that he is “50-50 right now” and “up in the air” after having a great experience on his visit with the Florida State Seminoles last weekend. He will travel West to visit the USC Trojans this weekend and may not make up his mind until National Signing Day on Feb. 3.

Dorsey added that Florida has not scheduled an in-home visit with him before the dark period begins next Monday; however, some sources believe that the Gators could be meeting with him Tuesday night. UF may not want to wait for Dorsey’s decision next Wednesday, especially if coaches do not get an opportunity to speak with him sooner.

Tags: Demar Dorsey, Florida State Seminoles, National Signing Day, USC Trojans

UPDATE: Demar Dorsey no longer being recruited by Gators

Four-star safety recruit Demar Dorsey (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) has spurned the Florida Gators for the in-state rival Florida State Seminoles, according to three separate reports. Dorsey, who openly wavered with his commitment throughout the process, recently proclaimed that he was 90-95 percent solid to the Gators, the highest percentage he had given them over the last year.

He even went so far as to reaffirm his commitment to Florida and recruit other players for the Gators while participating in the Under Armour All-American Game three weeks ago.

“I’ve been to Florida several times on unofficial visits,” Dorsey told the Orlando Sentinel last week, “but I figured I’d take a couple of visits just to make sure Florida is where I want to go to school. [The Gators are] still on top, they’re still my No. 1. They aren’t going anywhere. I’d say right now they’re about 90-95 percent.” He visited the Michigan Wolverines two weeks ago, met with Gators co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Chuck Heater last Thursday, checked out the Seminoles last weeked and has plans to take a trip to see the USC Trojans this weekend.

Though reports state Dorsey has made this decision, a lot can change after he meets with new Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Dorsey was originally interested in the Tennessee Volunteers mostly because of the coaching staff, and the same coaches at a more prestigious program may be enough to send him out West for college. No matter what happens this weekend, coaches from all three schools will have an opportunity to speak with Dorsey before he signs his National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day.

Expect Florida to make an even stronger push to four-star athlete Jeremy Deering (Tampa, FL), who is said to be leaning toward Florida State but may be swayed into changing his mind if Dorsey does indeed sign there on Feb. 3.

Photo Credit: Rivals

Tags: All-American Game, Chuck Heater, Demar Dorsey, Florida State Seminoles, Jeremy Deering, Lane Kiffin, Michigan Wolverines, Monte Kiffin, National Signing Day, Under Armour, USC Trojans

1 » Two-star dual-threat quarterback/athlete Tyler Murphy (Wethersfield, CT) is the newest member of the Florida Gators unanimously ranked No. 1 2010 recruiting class. Courted by QB coach Scot Loeffler and interim head coach Steve Addazio, Murphy took an official visit to Gainesville, FL, this weekend and committed on the spot. Murphy was previously committed to the Temple Owls, but as soon as the Gators offered him, it became apparent that he would end up in the Orange & Blue. “It’s been very exciting,” he told ‘Mark Wheeler of Rivals. “Just to know where everything falls into place and that all the hard work pays off. It’s very exciting and I’m very happy to be able to come down [to Florida].”

»» Rivals is also reporting that the Gators and 2010 three-star tight end commitment Michael McFarland (Tampa, FL) have agreed to have him grayshirt the 2010 season and enroll with the 2011 recruiting class. McFarland was reluctant at first, out of pride, but realized that this move would benefit him in the long run. Grayshirts usually wait until the second semester to enroll in school instead of in the fall. This move would open up an additional scholarship for Florida to fill before National Signing Day on Feb. 3.

2 » Florida women’s basketball and No. 8 tennis were in action on Sunday, both taking home victories. Basketball (11-9, 4-3 SEC) defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks (10-9, 3-4 SEC) 59-56 while tennis swept the North Texas Mean Green 7-0. Senior forward Sharielle Smith led the Gators with 11 points while freshman F Jennifer George grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Photo Credit: Mike Orazzi

Tags: grayshirt, Jennifer George, Michael McFarland, National Signing Day, North Texas Mean Green, Scot Loeffler, Sharielle Smith, South Carolina Gamecocks, Steve Addazio, Temple Owls, tennis, Tyler Murphy, women's basketball

At halftime of the Florida Gators vs. South Carolina Gamecocks basketball game, head football coach Urban Meyer spoke with reporters in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center about his health and plans for the future. Meyer explained that he has been exercising and eating right since his health scare, resulting in a weight gain of 20 pounds.

“I feel real good. I’ve been working out a lot,” Meyer said. “I’m over 200 pounds, so I guess that’s how they gauge it a little bit because I was not good there for a while. Doing a lot better.” He also indicated that he will undergo a series of tests on his heart in February to check for stress levels and any other outstanding issues.

Meyer, speaking for the first time publicly since the 2010 Sugar Bowl, mentioned that he plans to coach the Gators during spring practice in March, a sign that he may actually be recovering quickly from his ailments (or that he is simply too stubborn to stay off the field). Practice begins March 17 and stretches into April. “I keep hearing about this ‘time out,’” Meyer said. “People I’m closest to are going to demand I take some time off, but I tried that already. I tried a day and a half, and it didn’t work.”

He confirmed that doctors advised him against traveling for recruiting over the last few weeks even though his medical tests have been “coming back pretty positive.” Meyer said he will speak with his wife Shelley and meet with athletic director Jeremy Foley and his football staff to determine a course of action after National Signing Day on Feb. 3. “We’re trying to get to February 3, and then we’re going to sit down, have a very in-depth meeting about it,” Meyer said.

Part of those meetings will include determining the roles of his coaching staff, particularly interim coach and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio. Even so, Meyer realizes that he will need to take a break in one way or another after those sit-downs. “I’ve been instructed I have to [take time off],” Meyer said. “I’m just not sure what I’m going to do. I just don’t know how long. I have to change some things. That’s obvious.”

PART II: Meyer on hiring Edwards, bringing back Drayton

Tags: Florida Gators, Jeremy Foley, National Signing Day, Shelley Meyer, South Carolina Gamecocks, Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Steve Addazio, Sugar Bowl, Urban Meyer

1 » With four-star safety commitment Demar Dorsey (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) visiting the USC Trojans on Jan. 29, the Florida Gators are likely considering options to replace him should he bolt for the West Coast. Their top option is believed to be four-star athlete recruit Jeremy Deering (Tampa, FL), who paid a visit to Gainesville, FL, recently. However, JC Shurburtt of ESPN reports that Deering is leaning toward the Florida State Seminoles, calling them “the likely team to beat” while saying that the Gators “do not appear to be an option because they are quickly filling up.” Perhaps FSU is indeed the leader…unless a spot suddenly opens up at Florida on National Signing Day.

2 » While most outlets (including OGGOA, Sports Illustrated, etc.) wrapped up their “All-Decade” lists and articles in December 2009, ESPN has spent the last week printing theirs about college football. Mark Schlabach concluded the series with his predictions for the next decade, most of which are positive for Gators fans. Among his 20 predictions, Schlabach believes the Southeastern Conference will win at least four more BCS National Championships; head coach Urban Meyer will win at least one more at Florida; another Gators quarterback, John Brantley, will lead the Gators to the SEC East title in 2010; and Brantley will win the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 2011.

Extra Bit » Five-star Florida defensive end commit Ronald Powell, the consensus No. 1-rated player in the country, told Justin Wells of Gator Country that his loyalty to the Gators is unchanged after being pursued heavily by Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron. “There isn’t anybody that going to change my mind,” Powell told Wells. “I’m a Florida Gator, and I’m going to be a Florida Gator. [Kiffin and Orgeron] came to my school and tried to talk to me there, and I told them, ‘I’m a Florida Gator,’ and that’s it. They’ve tried to call, but I’m done.”

Tags: BCS, Demar Dorsey, Ed Orgeron, Florida State Seminoles, Heisman Trophy, Jeremy Deering, John Brantley, Lane Kiffin, National Championship, National Signing Day, Ronald Powell, SEC, Urban Meyer, USC Trojans

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

Lane Kiffin heading west from Knoxville, TN, to Los Angeles, CA, will no doubt have its impact on the landscape of the Southeastern Conference and the immediate future of the Tennessee Volunteers. Because Kiffin dropped the Vols for the USC Trojans just three weeks before National Signing Day, some of Tennessee’s recruits may now be looking elsewhere while USC’s appear more likely to stay put.

Part of that immediate fallout may be three-star linebacker Michael Taylor (Atlanta, GA). Just hours after Kiffin’s announcement, speculation began to mount that Taylor will be joining the Florida Gators 2010 recruiting class. “Yeah, he is going to the University of Florida,” said Tony Jacobs, Taylor’s teammate at Atlanta Westlake High.

UPDATE: Sources other than the Sentinel are reporting that Taylor has not yet officially committed to Florida, though he likely will once he has some time to decide. Taylor actually paid a visit to Gainesville, FL, last weekend.

Considered one of the Volunteers’ top recruits and the MVP for his team in the 2010 Under Armour All-American Game, Taylor is not the only one upset at Kiffin and company. Fellow recruit four-star defensive end Brandon Willis told ESPN that he was dismayed at the fact that the former Tennessee tried to bring him along to their new gig. “They had the nerve to call me and ask me to come to Southern Cal,” Willis said. “And coach Ed Orgeron [who is going with Kiffin to USC] said that he was going to be my coach at Tennessee.”

Whether this decision came after Kiffin’s announcement or not, Gators four-star running back commitment Mack Brown (Lithonia, GA) has said that he no longer plans to take any official visits besides one to UF. Four-star defensive back commit Demar Dorsey (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) was planning on visiting Tennessee and Florida State but may no longer be making that first trip.

It is also important for Florida fans to keep an eye on recent five-star commitment Ronald Powell (Moreno Valley, CA), who will almost certainly be a top target for Orgeron, a recruiting mastermind and the Trojans’ new assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator.

VIDEO: Volunteers fans torch a Kiffin t-shirt
VIDEO: Tennessee supporters rush Neyland-Thompson Sports Center
VIDEO: Vols fan pulls an R. Kelly on a Kiffin t-shirt [Explicit]
PHOTOS: Campus scenes of Lane Kiffin’s last day
STORY: Kiffin’s departure sparks emotion in Knoxville
STORY: The meteoric rise of mediocre Kiffin

Tags: Brandon Willis, Demar Dorsey, Ed Orgeron, Mack Brown, Michael Taylor, National Signing Day, Ronald Powell, Tennessee Volunteers, Tony Jacobs, Under Armour, USC Trojans