One name not garnering much publicity as the 2010 NFL Draft approaches is former Florida Gators linebacker and defensive leader Brandon Spikes.

Hampered by a number of injuries (as well as a bruised reputation for an eye gouge) throughout the 2009 season, Spikes only participated in a few events at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, planning to do most of his testing at Florida’s Pro Day on March 17 and at individual workouts scheduled by various NFL teams.

Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will all conduct private visits with Spikes in the coming weeks.

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah told OGGOA before the combine that Spikes could be picked anywhere from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second. The Browns (especially) have a dire need at linebacker, and Spikes would fit well in a 3-4 defense reconstituted by new team czar Mike Holmgren.

Photo Credit: Tim Larson/Icon SMI

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, combine, Draft, Mike Holmgren, NFL, Pro Day, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 » In a Q&A session on Rivals Thursday, recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg addressed the Florida Gators’ needs at wide receiver by mentioning that five-star safety Jonathan Dowling (Bradenton, FL) has requested that the catch instead of defend passes while wearing the Orange and Blue. Dowling, assumed to be playing free safety, is listed as an athlete by many recruiting services, could find a spot in Florida’s receiving corps, though he should also see an opportunity to get some time on the field in the secondary.

2 » Though he was not focused on former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris praised the signal caller and believes there will be plenty of teams interested in his services. “Teams will be fired up to get him,” Morris told The Tampa Tribune. “He’s won at every level. His teammates love him. They’ll let you know they love him. [...] Those are the kind of guys you look for to involve in the character, leadership and also the winning of your football team.”

Two more BITS on Joe Haden and UF award-winners after the break!
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Dowling to WR? SEC award winners

Tags: Bob Van Overbeek, Central District Invitational, combine, Freshman of the Week, golf, Golfer of the Week, Isabelle Lendl, Joe Haden, Jonathan Dowling, Kinderlou Forest Challenge, Lauren Embree, NFL, Raheem Morris, SEC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tennis, Tim Tebow, University of Florida

1 » Former Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and current NFL analyst for NBC Tony Dungy continues to stand behind former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow and believes he will succeed at the next level. “I know a lot of people are saying he will play another position and he might, but I think he’s going to be a great leader, a winner, and I think some team is going to take him and tailor their offense to the special qualities he has,” Dungy told George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel. “I think he’s going to be a fantastic player in the NFL. If I am a coach, I say to myself: ‘I’ve got a special, unique talent and I am going to structure my team a little differently to take advantage of that.’ People are starting to do that. Tennessee did that with Vince Young and was very successful. I think somebody is going to do it. [...] Tim won a lot of games in high school, a lot of games at the University of Florida and my belief is that he will win if he gets with the right team in the NFL.”

2 » Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith told The Florida Times-Union that his team’s experiment with the 3-4 defense is over. Part of the reason for the change is a belief of Smith in former Gators defensive end Derrick Harvey, who only had two sacks in 2009. “The third year is usually a defining year for what you’re going to become,” Smith said as he indicated that Harvey will begin camp as the starting left end. Former Florida safety Reggie Nelson, who had an outstanding rookie campaign but has since floundered with the Jaguars, may be cut if he does not show significant improvement throughout training camp.

Women’s basketball, lacrosse and men’s & women’s tennis after the jump!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Dungy on Tebow, Jaguars, weekend

Tags: Alexandre Lacroix, Antoine Benneteau, C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum, Derrick Harvey, Disney Wide World of Sports, Florida International Golden Panthers, Gene Smith, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Indianapolis Colts, ITA, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kick-Off Weekend, Linder Stadium, Lonnika Thompson, National Team Indoor Championships, NFL, Ole Miss Rebels, Reggie Nelson, Ring Tennis Complex, Sharielle Smith, Steffi Sorensen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tennis, Tim Tebow, Tony Dungy, U.S. National Developmental

Earlier today, OGGOA reported that five-star 2011 athlete De’Ante “Pop” Saunders of DeLand High School had verbally committed to the Florida Gators. One of the top players in the nation, Saunders received a written scholarship offer via fax at DeLand and immediately called defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to commit to the Gators.

“I’m not so sure the Gators recruited him as much as he recruited the Gators,” DeLand head coach Kevin Pettis told Gator Country Tuesday afternoon. “Certainly having Mikey [Gillislee - Gators freshman running back] up there was big, because they’ve been friends since they were babies. That was big for Pop in making this decision, and it was big for Mikey. He’s excited about it as well.”

More good news came for the Gators on Tuesday, as another five-star 2011 recruit let it leak that he was leaning toward the Orange and Blue. According to Bright House Sports Network‘s Victoria Lim, running back/linebacker James Wilder, Jr. of Plant High School in Tampa, FL, is also leaning toward making his verbal commitment. The son of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back of the same name said he has not ruled out making official visits to other schools, however.

Tags: Charlie Strong, De'Ante Sanders, DeLand, James Wilder, Kevin Pettis, Plant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers