It’s time to continue our analysis and ranking of the recruiting classes of Florida’s big three football programs.  In Part 2 of a 3 Part series.
 
University of Florida
Grade: B+
 
Overall: Florida signed 22 athletes, with a majority of the bigger names being defensive players.  Most of this class came from outside the state of Florida (12) including two Junior College (JUCO) Players.  While the class has very good balance and high quality it does lack in a couple of key positions which kept it from a higher grade.
 
THE GOOD
 
The Gators had serious problems in the secondary in 2007 and it became a major emphasis in the 2008 recruiting class.  Florida signed five defensive backs overall including the top two safeties in the country in Will Hill and Dee Finley and three highly rated cornerbacks in Janoris Jenkins, Adrian Bushell and Jeremy Brown.  Look for Hill and Jenkins to have the edge here at significant playing time but all are capable players and will add significant depth.  The defensive line follows up a tremendous haul last year with an almost as impressive group this year.  Defensive Ends Okine and Green have the size and frame to be prototype players at the position and because of last years deep class both will likely have a year to redshirt and gain weight.  Omar Hunter, the #2 rated Defensive Tackle nationally, and Troy Epps, a JUCO All-American both have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot and expect each to see playing time as freshmen.
 
Urban Meyer stated he wanted the University of Florida to be the fastest team in the country and he’s well on his way.  Though the Gators have a number of receivers on the roster Florida added more depth to that crucial position including two of the fastest kids in Florida in athlete Jeff Demps and receiver Frankie Hammonds.  Omarius Hines is going to surprise some people but look for Carl Moore, the best JUCO WR in the country last year, to contribute the most next year.  Moore has the combination of size, technique, experience and speed to move right into the receiver rotation.  Florida also has one of the best kickers in the nation coming to campus next season in Caleb Sturgis who will be given every opportunity to replace graduating senior Joey Ijjas.
 
Florida did not have a dire need at the offensive line but still managed to sign some very good players.  Matt Patchan was considered the best Offensive Tackle in the state.  Sam Robey is the highest regarded center project to come out of Kentucky in years while Byron Jones could end up playing either Offensive Guard or Defensive Tackle depending on how Epps performs in the spring.  Expect Jones to end up playing offense.  The last piece of the puzzle is David Young, an Offensive Tackle from Illinois, who has freakish size and ability but is nursing two fractured kneecaps.  Should Young not recover he could be the steal of the class while if he is not able to regain his former form he can be put on a medical hardship and his scholarship freed up for future recruits.  All four of these kids will most likely redshirt next year, especially with Patchan still recovering from mononucleosis he caught in the fall.
 
THE BAD
 
Florida signed two very good linebackers in Brendan Beal and Lerentee McCray but losing Ramon Buchanon hurt the numbers here.  The best scenario was to sign one kid at each position.  Neither of these kids will play much next year unless it is special teams and Ramon would have had to spend a year bulking up to be an effective outside linebacker (OLB) but he would have added depth.  There is always the possibility that Dee Finley might grow into an OLB in the mold of Jeremy Finch (injured early last season) but right now Safety is a bigger concern than LB which has a solid 2-3 deep.
 
Florida did not sign a quarterback in this class but with a Redshirt Freshman a Sophomore and a Junior QB on the roster it wasn’t really a position of need and did not warrant spending a scholarship on versus other positions.  Bryan Waggener transferred after this past season but Florida still goes into 2008 with three highly touted scholarship quarterbacks (not to mention one is a Heisman Trophy winner).
 
THE UGLY
 
Florida did not sign a Tight End although they did have a couple of highly touted recruits on their radar.  Since Florida runs a spread that position isn’t as critical as in a conventional offense.  Plus with Cornelius Ingram, Carl Moore and Aaron Hernandez at the halfback/tight end position there will be lots of talent there for next season.  Next year look for Florida to sign a TE/HB type player.
 
The glaring weakness for the Florida offense last season was at the running back position.  Florida targeted some of the top running backs in the nation but failed to land one.  The Gators did sign a Fullback in TJ Pridemore who will find himself in the mix replacing senior Eric Rutledge but there is no game breaking running back in this class.  Technically Emmanuel Moody counts to this class but Moody will only have three years of eligibility remaining and can turn pro after just one year.  Even if Moody and Mon Williams live up to their expectations there is little depth behind them to replace the three running backs who have transferred (Chevon Walker, Marcus Manson CB/RB, and Bo Williams).  Florida REALLY could have used one or two big time running backs to not only provide depth but to play meaningful minutes.  Florida did receive an early commit from South Carolina tailback Franklin Green but grade issues forced Florida to rescind his scholarship offer as well as to his teammate Chaz Sutton, a top Defensive End prospect.  On a side note what are the coaches, teachers and counselors doing at Jenkins High School when the two top football prospects at their school cannot play major college football because of their academic status.