Lane Kiffin strikes again! This time the young rookie coach stepped in it, then smeared it around. Crowing about his recruiting victory (Nu’Keese Richardson), Kiffin commented to a public crowd that Florida head coach Urban Meyer had ‘cheated’ by calling Nu’Keese while he was on his official visit to Tennessee. “They cheated, and we still got him!” was the essence of Kiffin’s comment.

Well, there are two problems with going that route, Kiffykins: first, that’s not a violation of NCAA rules. Second, criticizing your fellow coaches in such a manner is against SEC rules.

Jeremy Foley acted swiftly, issuing the following statement:

“There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with Southeastern Conference. It is obvious that Coach Kiffin doesn’t know that there is not a rule precluding phone contact with a prospect during an official visit on another campus during a contact period. His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false.

It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology. His comments not only slandered our coach, but he violated SEC rules by publicly criticizing another coach and institution.”

So did Commissioner Mike Slive, who issued a public reprimand to Can’t-Keep-His-Mouth-Shut-Kiffin:

“Coach Kiffin has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” Slive said. “SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 clearly states that coaches and administrators shall refrain from directed public criticism of other member institutions, their staffs or players.”

“The phone call to which Coach Kiffin referred to in his public comments is not a violation of SEC or NCAA rules. We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules.”

So do we fans. Kiffykins, talk less and WORK MORE. You have scaled to the highest heights of the obnoxio-meter in an astonishingly short time. Your predecessor, Phil Fulmer, may have lost his way in this game but at least he knew the rules, and more importantly knew when to speak and when to stay quiet. Here’s a hint: if your gums are flapping, you’re talking too much.

Best of luck in 2009. You’re going to need it, Big Talker.

We here at O&B Hue are not recruitniks by any stretch of the imagination. (In fact, placing an image of a runny-nosed high school kid — that’s Andre Debose, actually — right here on the front page feels vaguely creepy.) So you’ll have to bear with us as we ‘evaluate’ Florida’s class of 2009.

The haul. 16 signees. Rivals avg. star rating was 3.94 (three 5-stars, 9 4-stars), ranked #10. Scout avg. star rating: 3.81 (four 5-stars, five 4-stars, seven 3-stars), ranked #21.

A word about recruiting rankings. The popular notion is that they really don’t matter, but for some reason we all seem to care a great deal about signing the top-ranked class in the nation. Without question, many top-ranked recruits turn out to be busts; sometimes it’s the lowly 3-star (Sam Bradford anyone?) who rises up to become a Heisman Trophy winner. That being said, I have learned to have total confidence in Urban Meyer’s recruiting as evidenced by the two crystal footballs he’s brought to Gainesville in his first four years on the job.
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Don’t shoot me for getting off the Georgia game. This is important:

Kenny Boynton is the total package, a 6-2, 180 lb. local product who had Duke, Georgia Tech and Texas listed alongside Florida in his final list. We could see Boynton playing the 1 or 2 in Gainesville next season. Here’s an interesting quote regarding Donovan’s recruiting prowess. According to Boynton’s high school coach, Danny Herz:

“Coach Donovan did a great job recruiting him,” said Herz. “It’s hard to beat Coach Donovan when he wants an in-state kid and they did a fantastic job of recruiting him… not just Coach Donovan but his entire staff. All of them had a part in this and they did everything the right way. The most important thing is that Kenny is happy with his decision.”

Also interesting: ESPN’s hoops recruiting expert, Bob Gibbons, says Boynton isn’t rated highly enough at #13 in ESPN’s Top 100.

“I don’t think ESPN has him rated high enough,” said Gibbons in a phone interview from his Lenoir, North Carolina offices. “I think he is the number one player in the class. Xavier Henry is bigger physically but Kenny gets it done and he plays better defense. He does what it takes to make his team win. He has the heart of a champion.”

Quite the compliment from ESPN. This is a big get for the Gators.

Beyond the excruciatingly long trip and jet lag that the Warriors must face, Hawaii and Miami actually pose some halfway decent tests for the Gators this year.

The Gator secondary has been priveledged (embarassed, maybe) to hone their skills against a spread offense that ranks amongst the best in the country. Warriors coach Greg McMackin was the defensive coordinator of the same last year, but there’s no telling if he’ll try the Run-n-Shoot offense that June Jones used.

If that is indeed the case, then Hawaii is more than just a cream puff getting a big check.

They’re the first real test of Florida’s secondary.

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Does Florida have the QB of the post-Tim Tebow era?

If we’re to believe Coach Urban Meyer, yes. After Friday Night Lights, a 2010 quarterback recruit committed to UF. Apparently, Mr. Burton converted from tailback and had an outstanding first-year campaign at Venice High School.

But wait, 2010? If Tebow left for the NFL after his junior season, that would only leave two quarterbacks on the roster, Cam Newton and John Brantley. The former has had his issues as a backup QB, while the latter is a pro-style QB and a relatively poor fit for the spread offense.

So the only logical explanation for signing a greenhorn QB and putting the 2009 season in jeopardy - was if Tebow stayed for his senior year and left Burton, Newton, and Brantley to themselves after he graduated. Conspiracy theories, anyone?

Nothing against Trey, but I’m not convinced that he’s the immediate answer to UF’s problems. Instead, signing and redshirting a 2009 prospect makes much more sense:

1. If Tebow were indeed to leave after his junior season, the Gators have a third QB on their roster. It’s a good insurance policy.

2. Adjusting to the college game takes time. Let the guy have a year to learn the ropes without feeling pressured to produce.

3. It’s easier to project seniors than juniors; they have more experience.

4. The guy can pick Tebow’s brain on being a starting SEC quarterback. Unfortunately, barring a Tebow redshirt, Burton won’t get that chance.

5. The guy can develop some good chemistry with the team.

6. In short, the guy will be flat out better prepared to take over when Tebow does leave.

Historically, quarterbacks will always look good in gimmicky offenses. Timmy Chung and Colt Brennan set NCAA records in Hawaii’s Run-N-Shoot. David Klingler put up huge numbers after Andre Ware left Houston. Even Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer benefited from USC’s pro-style system and Norm Chow’s tutelage. Heck, Danny Wuerffel went above and beyond Shane Matthew’s numbers under the OBC.

But Burton will entering a lion’s den when he arrives on campus. To make matters worse, he won’t have a stool and a whip to tame all the beasts heading his way. Expect the 2010 and 2011 seasons to be rebuilding years.

Sorry, guys, but I just don’t see the next Tim Tebow. Well, not yet.

The productivity of Chandler Parsons compared to his predecessor at the small forward is certainly surprising.

When I once suggested that the former might even me MORE dangerous at the 3-spot, Gatorpilot said something to the effect of “Seriously? There’s only one C. Brew, and he was certainly a tenacious defender.”

So let’s consider the production of both over a 40-minute period. We’ll use Spiderman’s stats from last season (As we’ll see later, because he was better that year.)
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Amidst talk about Mo Speights leaving, Donovan having to shove someone out the door due to scholarship problems, and chatter on the message boards about the incoming Dynamic Duo at PF and C (Eloy Vargas and Kenny Kadji), let’s look at various situations.

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In a much delayed fashion it’s time to close out or review of the 2008 recruiting classes of Florida’s big three programs.  The final team to be analyzed is the Florida State Seminoles.  This is part 3 of a 3 part series.
 
To see our previous analysis go here:  Miami Recruiting review,  Florida Recruiting review
 
Florida State University
Grade C+
 
Overall:  FSU signed 30 athletes, 3 of whom are Junior College Transfers (JUCOs).   Most of the class comes from the state of Florida although 40% of it is from out of state (12).  More players signed were offensive (16) than defensive (12) with two of the class athletes who will probably split (Jarmon Fortson going to WR and Ed Imeokparia starting out at safety).
 
THE GOOD
 
FSU was in dire need at the quarterback position.  Not only is Drew Weatherford now a senior but top backup/part time starter Xavier Lee left school leaving Christian Ponder as the only legitimate backup.  For that reason signing EJ Manuel from Va Beach was significant in both the short and long term.  Manuel will need to come to camp ready to play.  Expect Christian Ponder and Drew Weatherford to battle it out for the starting slot while EJ redshirts. will have the clear experience advantage next season Manuel has a chance to compete for significant playing time and at the very least will be the backup QB by default.  Manuel is a kid in the mold of Jamarcus Russell with both size and a big time arm.
 
The Noles have always been one of the top linebacker (LB) programs in the country sending numerous players to the NFL.  To continue that lineage FSU landed some big time prospects in Nigel Bradham and Nigel Carr with Vince Williams also being a solid prospect down the road.  There is some thought that Nick Moody might eventually outgrow the safety position and end up at LB.  Then again there’s a chance Bradham could grow into a defensive end (DE) although FSU would rather he keep his weight down and remain at LB.  Speaking of DEs, FSU landed a group that should provide a solid contribution.  JUCO Markus White is the jewel of this group but Everett Dawkins could also see playing time next season.  Toshmon Stevens will need a few years as he finished HS in the 200 lb range.
 
THE BAD
 
Seminole fans can all recite the party line for offensive line coach Rick Trickett.  Supposedly there isn’t a coach in the country who can do more with less.  Well if true then Trickett has put himself in the perfect position to prove that mantra.  FSU’s offensive line talent and depth is both lacking and suspect.  Offensive line is a position where more is better.  Since it is one of the hardest positions to predict when recruiting it and is so vital for any offense, linemen can take up a large portion of a roster.  Offensive line recruiting has been identified as one of the key lapses by the coaching staff in recent years.  Trying to reverse that trend Coach Tricket picked up 6 linemen for the 2008 class with Zebrie Sanders being the highest rated prospect in the class. 
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Fresh cut grass. Cool spring breezes. Sunny practice fields. And the sounds of pads popping.

We need this. Hell, I need this. Catharsis. Rebirth. From Revelations (Ch. 21, 1-6): “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

That’s almost correct. The sorrow and crying hasn’t totally concluded. The Gators play San Diego State in the NIT tonight as a 2-seed, and I’ll be tuning in to root them on. But the mere fact that our two-time defending national champions have been relegated to the Not In Tournament for the first time in nine years hurts my soul. I hope they win the tournament; but no matter what happens from this point on, this basketball season will be remembered as a huge disappointment.

I didn’t even watch Selection Sunday. First time in years.

So that’s why it’s refreshing to think of our football team out there getting the job done, working hard and with no pretense or illusion that they’re better than they really are. They’re hungry. They’re focused. They know they’ll enjoy a Top 10 if not Top 5 preseason ranking for the ‘08 season. And they want to put the pain of a 4-loss season behind them for good, and return to their championship ways.
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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. (more…)