P Johnny Townsend: commit No. 30 | JUCO DT Jarran Reed: commit No. 28 | DT Jay-nard Bostwick: commit No. 27 | Muschamp discusses class; assistants evaluate signees | 30 new player bios | Video interviews with coaches | “Closing”, quarterback situation

Less than a day after the conclusion of National Signing Day, the Florida Gators have added another prospect to their to five-ranked recruiting haul as three-star offensive tackle/tight end Trevon Young (Bradenton, FL) has decided to continue his athletic career as a football player.

Rated only by ESPN, he chose a recent scholarship offer from head coach Will Muschamp over his first love of playing basketball. He has already committed to UF and will sign with the school at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Quick update to my #signingday story….Trevon Young’s football coach told me he’s going with the #Gators!

— Anjuli Lohn FOX 13 (@AnjuliLohn) February 7, 2013

Young was planning to attend Division II school Eckerd College to play basketball before the Gators convinced him to visit campus last Saturday.

According to the Bradenton Herald, Muschamp personally offered Young a scholarship and told him that Florida would like him to start his career at tight end.

Continue Reading » Gators add OL/TE Trevon Young as commit No. 29

Tags: National Signing Day, Trevon Young, Will Muschamp

1 » At the conclusion of his National Signing Day press conference on Wednesday, Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp told the Orlando Sentinel that sophomore cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy will move to wide receiver during spring practice. Purifoy, who played sparingly at receiver during the 2012 season, is an athletic and versatile performer who was also Florida’s standout player on special teams last year. Whether or not his move to wide receiver is permanent remains to be seen, but Purifoy told the paper’s Edgar Thompson in early January that he enjoyed the time he was spending on offense during practice and games. “I feel like I’m in high school again,” he said. “I love it.” Muschamp and the Gators coaching staff have moved a number of players back-and-forth between offense and defense over the last two offseasons in order to improve position flexibility throughout the roster.

He also noted on Wednesday that UF has tried mightily to bridge the hole in its wide receiving corps and did that in part by signing five pass catchers. “When you say fill needs, you talk in terms of depth and talent. Those are the two things you’ve got to be able to address. I think we’ve taken a step forward in both situations. We’ve improved our depth, and I think we’ve improved our talent level. We’ve got some guys that can come in and compete,” Muschamp said. It will be interesting to see whether or not Purifoy sticks on offense or goes back to defense by the time summer practice begins.

2 » As National Signing Day wrapped up, news broke of Florida having an outstanding offer in the hands of in-state a three-star offensive lineman who was originally planning to continue his career as a basketball player at Division II Eckerd College. That player is Trevon Young (Bradenton, FL), someone who the Gators see as a potential playmaker at tight end given his size size (6’6″, 260 lbs.) and soft hands. Brown is currently debating between sticking with his first love (basketball) in a situation that is unlikely to result in him being a professional athlete down the line or playing his second-favorite sport at the highest level possible in college.

Curt Bradley, Young’s football coach at Branden River High School, told InsidetheGators.com on Wednesday that the player is legitimately conflicted with his decision. “It isn’t a matter of the school, it’s the sport he chooses,” Bradley said, further implying that he would easily choose UF over an offer from South Florida if Young decides to play football. A decision may be coming as soon as Thursday.

Read two more BITS from National Signing Day…after the break!
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Purifoy, Young, closing, quarterbacks

Tags: Dante Fowler, Jalen Ramsey, James Clark, Jeff Driskel, Loucheiz Purifoy, Matt Rolin, Max Staver, National Signing Day, Raphael Andrades, Trevon Young, Tyler Murphy, Will Muschamp

1 » According to the Bradenton Herald, the Florida Gators are still waiting to hear from one recruit though it is currently unknown when he will actually make a decision. Three-star offensive lineman Trevon Young (Bradenton, FL), who was planning to play Division II basketball at Eckerd College, was reportedly a secret visitor at the University of Florida on Saturday and picked up an offer to play tight end for the Gators. With a first love of basketball, Young is faced with a difficult decision despite the fact that playing his favorite sport at the Division II level or his second-favorite sport for a top-tier program like Florida seems like an easy choice for most. “I just don’t know,” he told the paper. “I might not know until I wake up [on National] Signing Day, and I might not even sign on Wednesday. I don’t know. If I decide to play football, my favorite is Florida. It’s great getting an offer from them. It makes you feel all the hard work you put in was worth it. But I love basketball.”

2 » WWE wrestler Titus O’Neil, previously known as former Gators defensive end Thaddeus Bullard was on campus in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday and had the opportunity to meet with both basketball coach Billy Donovan and football coach Will Muschamp. Below are a pair of video Touts from Bullard that he posted online shortly after his meetings with the coaches.

Tags: Billy Donovan, Thaddeus Bullard, Titus O'Neil, Trevon Young, University of Florida, Will Muschamp, WWE