Gators top commit, RB Dalvin Cook, wavering

By Adam Silverstein
December 5, 2013

Four-star running back Dalvin Cook (Miami, FL), the Florida Gators’ highest-rated 2014 commitment, has been wavering in his pledge over the last few weeks and is no longer a certainty to remain a member of the class.

In fact, nothing about Cook’s recruitment is a certainty these days. Depending when, how or by whom he is asked, Cook provides varying answers about his commitment status and which team is currently in the lead for his services.

The only thing known at this time is that Cook remains committed to Florida but has nevertheless signed financial aid agreements with three schools. According to Rivals.com ($), he had already inked agreements with Florida State and Miami and was waiting on papers from Florida. InsidetheGators.com’s Blake Alderman reported Thursday that Cook has since received and signed the same forms from UF.

Why the Gators were not proactive in getting Cook’s signature on these documents is curious, especially considering he has been committed for eight months and actually flipped his status at that time as well.

These so-called “grant-in-aid agreements” are around for the first time this recruiting cycle after being instituted by the NCAA in October. By signing one of these agreements, a recruit is guaranteed a scholarship at that institution and can have unlimited contact with the school’s coaches. Representatives of the university can also mention the prospect by name publicly, which is otherwise prohibited under NCAA rules.

Cook can sign more than one of these agreements because doing so does not guarantee his services to a specific school. Whether he even knows where he will eventually attend remains a mystery at this time.

Recently he has called himself both 100 percent and 80 percent committed to Florida. He has also mentioned Florida State as his leader and said that he feels a very tight bond with the coaches and players at Miami.

The Gators’ lackluster play this season – especially on the offensive side of the ball – has given Cook plenty of reason for pause. Florida will also be hiring a new offensive coordinator, which is certainly a factor as well.

Many of his fellow UF commitments, specifically four-star cornerback Quincy Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and four-star wide receiver Ermon Lane (Homestead, FL), believe Cook will wind up attending Florida when all is said and done. As an early enrollee, he does not have much time to make up his mind.

Cook has chosen to announce his final decision on Dec. 14, which is understandably a concern for the Gators. Florida may not even hire a new offensive coordinator until after the bowl games. Then again, perhaps the entire back-and-forth over the last few weeks has occurred to create drama and attention prior to the ceremony.

13 Comments

  1. Nick Norris says:

    He’s determined to get his 15 minutes of fame.

  2. g8tr says:

    It maybe unlimited visits , but only WM has unlimited time.Pitch a tent in his front yard,dont care how but bring Dalvin home.

  3. Aligator says:

    why dear god do we keep signing 5’11” 190 lb tailbacks? are there not many 6’2” 220lb out there that we can get to just run over people? oh that’s right Alabama gets them.

  4. Daniel M. says:

    Is #21 making Dalvin nervous?

  5. G2 says:

    He should wait until the OC is announced, big decision to make without all the info. All this talk of a hurry up or spread has to be a plus for him. Don’t think he’s afraid of KT, every good program needs a stable of backs to be successful.

    • Tractorr says:

      Doubt he can. He wants to register for class in January and we won’t likely have an OC until after bowl season.

      • Ken (CA) says:

        It all depends on the situation. Some schools will give permission to talk before bowls some won’t. If someone takes a job sometimes they are allowed to stay and coach the bowl, sometimes they are asked to leave or choose to leave immediately. The only reason I could see us waiting until after bowl season to hire would be if unemployed Christensen either really isn’t at the top of the list or has said no thanks.

  6. Gatorgrad79 says:

    Essential to sign an OC asap! Why wait till after the Bowl games?? Remember when urban LIAR was signed to coach at osu? He could not participate in coaching for their bowl, but he spent the entire 30 + days before the bowl game RECRUITING!!! Why the hell would we be willing to LOSE 30 days recruiting!! So stupid!!!

    • Tractorr says:

      Our top targets are probably at schools who are playing in bowl games. Coordinators often stay through bowl games because they don’t want to look disloyal where if you are moving up to HC it doesn’t matter anymore because you are getting the top job now.

    • Daniel M. says:

      Urbs was coaching unemployed. Different circumstances.

  7. aziatic41 says:

    When need Chad Morris from Clemson. But I’d doubt if we can get him. He’s one of the highest paid assistants in the nation.

    Muschamp needs a hire of his Morris’s magnitude to save his job and get our offense turned around quickly.

  8. Aligator says:

    We could of had Mahlzan instead of Muschamp. So you all meed to realize that he is going to whiff on his OC hire and get fired after next season. He can’t help but drive our team into the ground!

  9. Sharon M. says:

    I agree Muschamp should go right now but we can do nothing about it.

Leave a Reply to Sharon M. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top
WordPress Appliance - Powered by TurnKey Linux