3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Urban Meyer
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Steve Addazio - Offensive Line/Tackles; Tight Ends
Stan Drayton - Running Backs
Billy Gonzales - Wide Receivers
Chuck Heater - Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks
John Hevesy - Offensive Line/Centers and Guards
John "Doc" Holliday - Safeties
Greg Mattison - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
Dan Mullen - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Charlie Strong - Assistant Head Coach; Co-Defensive Coordinator; Linebackers
Official School Bio - Urban Meyer
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Steve Addazio - Offensive Line/Tackles; Tight Ends
Stan Drayton - Running Backs
Billy Gonzales - Wide Receivers
Chuck Heater - Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks
John Hevesy - Offensive Line/Centers and Guards
John "Doc" Holliday - Safeties
Greg Mattison - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
Dan Mullen - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Charlie Strong - Assistant Head Coach; Co-Defensive Coordinator; Linebackers
Recruiting
Starters Returning: 16 (Offense 6, Defense 6, Special Teams 4)
Notable Returners: QB Chris Leak, RB DeShawn Wynn, WR Dallas Baker, P Eric Wilbur, CB Reggie Lewis, DE Jarvis Moss,
Starters Lost: 8 (Offense 5, Defense 5, Special Teams 0)
In all, the Gators signed eight players from the Rivals 100 list in 2003: wide receiver Andre Caldwell (#4); defensive back Dee Webb (#12); defensive lineman Joe Cohen (#16); wide receiver Chad Jackson (#17); defensive end Jarvis Moss (#25); quarterback Chris Leak (#26); defensive back Reggie Nelson (#61); and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (#73). Although most of Florida's class came from the talent-rich home state, the Gators were also able to ink top prospects from Texas (Moss), Alabama (Jackson), North Carolina (Leak), and Georgia (Skyler Thornton).
Florida also signed six JUCO players in 2003, all of whom have used up their eligibility and are no longer with the team.
In 2003, Ohio State signed a small class of only 15 prospects, but neverthless the Buckeyes have suffered an incredible amount of attrition, having already lost eleven of their signees (4 academic casualties, 3 "off the field" issues, 2 with career-ending injuries, and 2 as early entrants to the NFL). Florida has had similar problems with their highly-touted class, as only 10 of the 26 signees are still with the team (Jackson and Webb left early for the NFL, Thomas was kicked off the team after twice failing drug tests and then skipping mandatory rehab sessions, 6 JUCO's used up their eligibility, and the rest transferred). Fortunately for the Gators, nine of those survivors are starters, and the tenth (Clint McMillan) is an important member of the special teams.
Fast Fact: Quarterback Justin Midgett, who was signed by the Gators as part of their class of 2003, has an interesting story: after a stellar high school career, Midgett was quickly beaten out at the University of Florida by super-prospect Chris Leak. Instead of staying with the program as a career back-up, Justin transferred to Division 1-AA Eastern Illinois. But with his confidence shattered and dreading the cold winter weather, Midgett dropped out of school and headed back home to Punta Gorda. Justin is currently trying to revive his career as a back-up quarterback for the Florida Firebirds of the arenafootball2 league. Quite a drop from the top of the mountain....
In 2004, Florida's 23-man class was ranked 7th in the nation by Rivals, and 8th by Scout. That season, the Gators signed six members of the Rivals 100 list (Derrick Harvey, #8; Brandon Siler, #34, Kyle Jackson, #54; Cornelius Ingram, #62; Drew Miller, #65; and McIntosh Nicolas, #85), but Nicolas failed to gain admission and has spent the past three seasons in junior colleges (Dodge City in 2004; College of the Sequoias in 2005-6). Once again, Florida's class is loaded with local talent, but the Gators also managed to sign top prospects from the states of Alabama (Markus Manson), Maryland (Derrick Harvey and Derrick McPhearson), Georgia (Michael Brown), Texas (Tate Casey), and New Jersey (Phil Trautwein).
The Gators have already lost almost half of their 2004 class, with nine players no longer on the roster (two JUCO transfers graduated; five transferred to other schools; one went to prep school and then signed with another team; and one flunked out of school).
The Buckeyes and Gators went head-to-head for several recruits in 2004, including defensive end Derrick Harvey; linebacker Javier Estopinan; and wide receiver Albert Dukes. While Dukes decided to head north to Columbus, Harvey headed south to Gainesville, and Estopinan stayed close to home.
Urban Meyer was hired as Florida's head coach on December 4, 2004, which was right in the thick of the 2005 recruiting season. As often happens during regime change, the current recruiting class will suffer, and the Gators' class of 2005 was no exception. After signing stellar classes in the previous two years, Florida slipped out of the top 10 in Meyer's initial campaign, as the 18-man class was ranked 11th overall by Rivals and 15th by Scout. The Gators' already marginal class has deteriorated since Signing Day, as two of the star prospects - cornerback Avery Atkins and quarterback Josh Portis - have transferred to other schools.
Although Ohio State had a passing interest in several of Florida's 2005 signees, including tight end Brian Ellis, running back Kestahn Moore, and wide receiver Nyan Boateng, the Buckeyes made a serious push for athlete Eric Sledge and offensive lineman Ronnie "Taz" Wilson, each of whom had Ohio State as his leader at some point during the recruiting process. Wilson even developed somewhat of a cult following on BP, and often stopped by The Planet to give updates on his recruitment. Ohio State signed only one Florida prospect in 2005 - running back Maurice Wells - who checked out the Gators but never seemed to have any real nterest in the in-state teams.
Fast Fact: Highly-touted quarterback Josh Portis went across country from California to Florida to be "the next big thing" in college football. Under the tutelage of head coach Urban Meyer (who had recently developed Alex Smith at Utah), the versatile Portis assumed that he would be the right man to run the Gators' newly-installed "spread-option" offense. However, when he failed to oust veteran incumbent Chris Leak (who was himself a highly-touted high school QB) during his true freshman season, Josh decided to transfer to Maryland. So far, Portis' story is nothing out of the ordinary, as kids transfer all of the time for various and sundry reasons. What made this story interesting was the fact that Josh's mother spouted off to some newspaper about how Meyer had lied to her son, had treated him unjustly, and had not given him a fair chance to compete for the starting job; instead of being embarrassed by his mother's conduct, Josh piled on, calling himself a "great player" and acting like he shold have been installed as the starter the minute that he arrived in Gainesville. By the way, Portis' numbers in 2005 were as follows: 6 for 11 passing for 81 yards and an interception, along with 29 rushes for 163 yards.
2006 was Urban Meyer's first full recruiting season in Gainesvile, and he brought the Gators back to the top of the charts as Florida's recruiting class was named the second-best overall by both Rivals and Scout. Last year, the Gators signed six members of the Rivals 100 list, including the nation's top player regardless of position, Virginia Beach wide receiver Percy Harvin (773 all-purpose yards, 4 TD's in 2006). In addition to landing the top prospect from the state of Virginia, the Gators also signed the top two high school players in North Carolina, linebacker Brandon Spikes (15 tackles, 1 TFL in 2006) and offensive lineman Carl Johnson. In its home state, the University of Florida signed several highly-touted recruits, inlcuding quarterback Tim Tebow (787 total yards, 11 TD's in 2006), the state's third-best player according to Rivals; wide receiver Jarred Fayson (157 all-purpose yards, 1 TD in 2006), the state's fifth-best player according to Rivals; wide receiver Riley Cooper (4 receptions for 92 yards and 3 TD's in 2006), the state's 13th-best player according to Rivals; and defensive back Jamar Hornsby, a five-star recruit according to Scout. However, one of Florida's unheralded recruits - Brandon James, a 5' 6" athlete from St. Augustine - has already paid big dividends for the Gators, as he leads the team in both punt and kick-off returns (686 total return yards, 1 TD) as a true freshman. Other true freshmen who have seen action are running back Mon Williams (101 yards rushing); linebacker Dustin Doe (22 tackles, 1 TFL); defensive back Markihe Anderson (8 tackles); defensive tackle Brandon Antwine (4 tackles); defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (2 tackles); and defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis (7 tackles and a fumble recovery for a TD).
Despite signing such a great class in 2006, the Gators missed out on running back C.J. Spiller from Lake Butler (Rivals 5*, #8 nationally, #1 in Florida), who decided to attend Clemson over the home-state school. As a true freshman, Spiller rushed for 645 yards and 6 touchdowns (6.9 average), while catching 14 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. Spiller, who should be a Heisman candidate in upcoming seasons, would have really helped the Gators' anemic rushing attack this year.
Fast Fact: Wide receiver Damon McDaniel was a high school teammate of highly-touted prospect Percy Harvin, also a wide receiver. Both players originally committed to Florida, where they wanted to be a part of Urban Meyer's "spread-option" offense. Well, after the Gators gained commitments from several other WR prospects, McDaniel had second thoughts and began to look at some other options. During January of 2006, while he was still committed to Florida, Damon made a super-secret official visit to Ohio State, during which time he apparently told the Buckeye staff that he would be headed to Columbus for the next four years. However, McDaniel regretted his second commitment, and continued to look around. In the mean time, Florida got sick of the games and dropped Damon from consideration. Finally, on NLOID, McDaniel signed with ... Florida State. While the Gators and the Buckeyes are meeting in the national championship game (and each played true freshman wide outs during the regular season), the offensively-challenged Seminoles posted an extremely mediocre 6-6 record (with narrow wins over Troy and Western Michigan) and are headed to San Francisco to play Pac-10 also-ran UCLA in coveted Emerald Bowl (Edit: The 'Noles won, 44-27). I wonder who Damon will be rooting for on January 8th?
Fast Fact: Florida signee Derrick Robinson quit football to pursue a professional baseball career after being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 draft by the Kansas City Royals. Widely regarded as the fastest player in last year's draft, Robinson is projected as a center fielder and lead-off hitter. Playing for the rookie-league Arizona Royals last season, Derrick batted .233 and stole 20 bases.
Once again, the class of 2007 appears to be another top-5 effort for the Florida Gators, with several blue chip prospects having already committed to play in Gainesville. Quarterback John Brantley, who originally committed to Texas, may be the best in the country at his position. Ditto for defensive tackle Torrey Davis, whom Rivals has named the top player in the state of Florida. Athlete Joe Haden, who strongly considered the Buckeyes before committing to the Gators, is the top prospect in the state of Maryland; tight end Aaron Hernandez is the top prospect in Connecticut; and defensive end Sidell Corley is the #2 prospect from the state of Alabama.
Although the Gators are having a lot of recruiting success for the class of 2007, Ohio State has beaten Florida in two head-to-head contests this season. Both cornerback James Scott from Daytona Seabreeze and linebacker Brian Rolle from Immokalee selected the Buckeyes over the Gators. The two schools remain locked in a fierce recruiting battle for top wide receiver prospect Deonte Thompson from Belle Glades Central; Thompson is also considering Miami and Southern Cal.
Fast Fact: To date, the Gators have six verbal commitments from Lakeland High, whose Dreadnoughts are currently on a 45-game winning streak and have won three straight Florida Class 5A state championships.
Notable Returners: QB Chris Leak, RB DeShawn Wynn, WR Dallas Baker, P Eric Wilbur, CB Reggie Lewis, DE Jarvis Moss,
Starters Lost: 8 (Offense 5, Defense 5, Special Teams 0)
Incoming Recruits:
In 2002, the Ohio State Buckeyes signed the nation's consenus #2 recruiting class, right behind the Texas Longhorns. Texas' class of 2002, led by quarterback Vince Young (the top prospect in the country, regardless of position), propelled the Longhorns to a national championship last season, while Ohio State's class of 2002, led by Troy Smith, an Elite 11 quarterback, has formed the core of the Buckeyes' undefeated 2006 squad. Although the University of Florida signed some quality talent in 2002 (including running back DeShawn Wynn from Cincinnati Reading), the Gators landmark class was 2003, which was ranked second overall by Rivals and fourth by Scout, and which was highlighted by quarterback Chris Leak, the nation's #2 pro-style quarterback. As the above illustrates, recruiting and quarterback play really are crucial to the success of a college football team.
In all, the Gators signed eight players from the Rivals 100 list in 2003: wide receiver Andre Caldwell (#4); defensive back Dee Webb (#12); defensive lineman Joe Cohen (#16); wide receiver Chad Jackson (#17); defensive end Jarvis Moss (#25); quarterback Chris Leak (#26); defensive back Reggie Nelson (#61); and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (#73). Although most of Florida's class came from the talent-rich home state, the Gators were also able to ink top prospects from Texas (Moss), Alabama (Jackson), North Carolina (Leak), and Georgia (Skyler Thornton).
Florida also signed six JUCO players in 2003, all of whom have used up their eligibility and are no longer with the team.
In 2003, Ohio State signed a small class of only 15 prospects, but neverthless the Buckeyes have suffered an incredible amount of attrition, having already lost eleven of their signees (4 academic casualties, 3 "off the field" issues, 2 with career-ending injuries, and 2 as early entrants to the NFL). Florida has had similar problems with their highly-touted class, as only 10 of the 26 signees are still with the team (Jackson and Webb left early for the NFL, Thomas was kicked off the team after twice failing drug tests and then skipping mandatory rehab sessions, 6 JUCO's used up their eligibility, and the rest transferred). Fortunately for the Gators, nine of those survivors are starters, and the tenth (Clint McMillan) is an important member of the special teams.
The Florida Gators Class of 2003
WR Andre Caldwell, Tampa Jefferson (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.39 forty); Rivals 5* (#4 nationally; #2 in Florida); Scout 5*
DL Joe Cohen, Palm Bay, Florida (6' 2", 240, 4.47 forty); Rivals 5* (#16 nationally; #4 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]DL Johnny Dingle, Miami Washington (6' 4", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to West Virginia)
LB Earl Everett, Webster (Florida) South Sumter (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#9 in Florida); Scout 5*
[strike]OL Billy Griffin, Ventura (California) C.C. (6' 4", 299 lbs); Rivals 2* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]OL Anthony Guerrero, Norwalk (California) Cerritos C.C. (6' 3", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DL Michael Hill, Smiths (Alabama) Smiths Station (6' 2", 270 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 3* (#23 in Alabama); Scout 2*[/strike] (transfer to South Carolina State)
[strike]DB Reynaldo Hill, Dodge City (Kansas) C.C. (6' 1", 185 lbs, 4.38 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DL Earl Holcolmbe, Northeast Mississippi C.C. (6' 4", 275 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 5*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]WR Chad Jackson, Hoover, Alabama (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#17 nationally; #1 in Alabama); Scout 5*[/strike] (NFL early entry)
[strike]TE David Kenner, Lackawana (Pennsylvania) J.C. (6' 4", 255 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
QB Chris Leak, Charlotte Independence (6' 1", 205 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#26 nationally; #1 in N.C.); Scout 5*
[strike]DL Howard Lingard, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 225 lbs); Rivals 3* (#83 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (academics)
DL Clint McMillan, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 270 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
OL Carlton Medder, Clermont (Florida) South Lake) (6' 4", 327 lbs); Rivals 3* (#73 in Florida); Scout 3*
[strike]QB Justin Midgett, Punta Gorda (Florida) Charlotte (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4* (#19 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Eastern Illinois)
[strike]DL Trannell Morant, Miami Braddock (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#98 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Arizona State)
DL Jarvis Moss, Denton (Texas) Ryan (6' 7", 220 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 5* (#25 nationally; #4 in Texas); Scout 4*
[strike]DB Reggie Nelson, Palm Bay, Florida (6' 0", 175 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 4* (#61 nationally; #12 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (JUCO, re-signed with Florida)
[strike]DL Julian Riley, St. Petersburg Lakewood (6' 4", 260 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 3* (#87 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to South Florida)
OL Steve Rissler, Sarasota Riverview (6' 3", 315 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
[strike]DB Jermaine Thomas, Citra (Florida) North Marion (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.39 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*[/strike] (left team)
[strike]DL Marcus Thomas, Jacksonville Mandarin (6' 4", 285 lbs); Rivals 4* (#73 nationally; #11 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (dismissed from team - drugs)
[strike]RB Skyler Thornton, LaGrange, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#10 in Georgia); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Valdosta State)
[strike]OL Tavarus Washington, Mississippi Delta C.C. (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DB Dee Webb, Jacksonville Ed White (6' 0", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#12 nationally; #3 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (NFL early entry)
PK Eric Wilbur, Winter Park (Florida) Trinity (6' 3", 185 lbs); Rivals 3* (#7 kicker); Scout 4*
WR Andre Caldwell, Tampa Jefferson (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.39 forty); Rivals 5* (#4 nationally; #2 in Florida); Scout 5*
DL Joe Cohen, Palm Bay, Florida (6' 2", 240, 4.47 forty); Rivals 5* (#16 nationally; #4 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]DL Johnny Dingle, Miami Washington (6' 4", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to West Virginia)
LB Earl Everett, Webster (Florida) South Sumter (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#9 in Florida); Scout 5*
[strike]OL Billy Griffin, Ventura (California) C.C. (6' 4", 299 lbs); Rivals 2* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]OL Anthony Guerrero, Norwalk (California) Cerritos C.C. (6' 3", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DL Michael Hill, Smiths (Alabama) Smiths Station (6' 2", 270 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 3* (#23 in Alabama); Scout 2*[/strike] (transfer to South Carolina State)
[strike]DB Reynaldo Hill, Dodge City (Kansas) C.C. (6' 1", 185 lbs, 4.38 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DL Earl Holcolmbe, Northeast Mississippi C.C. (6' 4", 275 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 5*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]WR Chad Jackson, Hoover, Alabama (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#17 nationally; #1 in Alabama); Scout 5*[/strike] (NFL early entry)
[strike]TE David Kenner, Lackawana (Pennsylvania) J.C. (6' 4", 255 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
QB Chris Leak, Charlotte Independence (6' 1", 205 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#26 nationally; #1 in N.C.); Scout 5*
[strike]DL Howard Lingard, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 225 lbs); Rivals 3* (#83 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (academics)
DL Clint McMillan, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 270 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
OL Carlton Medder, Clermont (Florida) South Lake) (6' 4", 327 lbs); Rivals 3* (#73 in Florida); Scout 3*
[strike]QB Justin Midgett, Punta Gorda (Florida) Charlotte (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4* (#19 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Eastern Illinois)
[strike]DL Trannell Morant, Miami Braddock (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#98 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Arizona State)
DL Jarvis Moss, Denton (Texas) Ryan (6' 7", 220 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 5* (#25 nationally; #4 in Texas); Scout 4*
[strike]DB Reggie Nelson, Palm Bay, Florida (6' 0", 175 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 4* (#61 nationally; #12 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (JUCO, re-signed with Florida)
[strike]DL Julian Riley, St. Petersburg Lakewood (6' 4", 260 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 3* (#87 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to South Florida)
OL Steve Rissler, Sarasota Riverview (6' 3", 315 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
[strike]DB Jermaine Thomas, Citra (Florida) North Marion (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.39 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*[/strike] (left team)
[strike]DL Marcus Thomas, Jacksonville Mandarin (6' 4", 285 lbs); Rivals 4* (#73 nationally; #11 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (dismissed from team - drugs)
[strike]RB Skyler Thornton, LaGrange, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#10 in Georgia); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Valdosta State)
[strike]OL Tavarus Washington, Mississippi Delta C.C. (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DB Dee Webb, Jacksonville Ed White (6' 0", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#12 nationally; #3 in Florida); Scout 4*[/strike] (NFL early entry)
PK Eric Wilbur, Winter Park (Florida) Trinity (6' 3", 185 lbs); Rivals 3* (#7 kicker); Scout 4*
Fast Fact: Quarterback Justin Midgett, who was signed by the Gators as part of their class of 2003, has an interesting story: after a stellar high school career, Midgett was quickly beaten out at the University of Florida by super-prospect Chris Leak. Instead of staying with the program as a career back-up, Justin transferred to Division 1-AA Eastern Illinois. But with his confidence shattered and dreading the cold winter weather, Midgett dropped out of school and headed back home to Punta Gorda. Justin is currently trying to revive his career as a back-up quarterback for the Florida Firebirds of the arenafootball2 league. Quite a drop from the top of the mountain....
In 2004, Florida's 23-man class was ranked 7th in the nation by Rivals, and 8th by Scout. That season, the Gators signed six members of the Rivals 100 list (Derrick Harvey, #8; Brandon Siler, #34, Kyle Jackson, #54; Cornelius Ingram, #62; Drew Miller, #65; and McIntosh Nicolas, #85), but Nicolas failed to gain admission and has spent the past three seasons in junior colleges (Dodge City in 2004; College of the Sequoias in 2005-6). Once again, Florida's class is loaded with local talent, but the Gators also managed to sign top prospects from the states of Alabama (Markus Manson), Maryland (Derrick Harvey and Derrick McPhearson), Georgia (Michael Brown), Texas (Tate Casey), and New Jersey (Phil Trautwein).
The Gators have already lost almost half of their 2004 class, with nine players no longer on the roster (two JUCO transfers graduated; five transferred to other schools; one went to prep school and then signed with another team; and one flunked out of school).
The Buckeyes and Gators went head-to-head for several recruits in 2004, including defensive end Derrick Harvey; linebacker Javier Estopinan; and wide receiver Albert Dukes. While Dukes decided to head north to Columbus, Harvey headed south to Gainesville, and Estopinan stayed close to home.
The Florida Gators Class of 2004
[strike]DT Michael Brown, Atlanta Westlake (6' 5", 270 lbs); Rivals 4* (#9 in Georgia); Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Mississippi State)
TE Tate Casey, Longview, Texas (6' 7", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3*(#55 in Texas); Scout 3*
[strike]DE Brandon Daniel, Pompano Beach Ely (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
LB Javier Estopinan, Miami South (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]DB Dawayne Grace, Jacksonville White (6 '1", 172 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
[strike]TE Dane Guthrie, Miami Killian (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Arizona State)
DE Derrick Harvey, Greenbelt (Maryland) Eleanor Roosevelt (6' 5", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#8 nationally); Scout 5*
ATH Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne, Florida (6' 5", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#62 nationally); Scout 4*
DB Kyle Jackson, Neptune Beach (Florida) Fletcher (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#54 nationally); Scout 4*
DB Tony Joiner, Haines City, Florida (6' 2", 190 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
[strike]DE Mike Mangold, Merritt Island, Florida (6' 3", 250 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*[/strike] (academics - quit team)
RB Markus Manson, Tuscaloosa (Alabama) Hillcrest (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Mike McIntosh, Jacksonville First Coast (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
[strike]WR Derrick McPhearson, Hyattsville (Maryland) DeMatha (5' 11", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#6 in Maryland); Scout 4*[/strike] (prep school, then Illinois)
OL Drew Miller, Sarasota Riverview (6' 6", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (#65 nationally); Scout 4*
[strike]DE Jeremy Mincey, El Dorado (Kansas) Butler Co. C.C. (6' 3", 255 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 3*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DB McIntosh Nicolas, Immokalee, Florida (6' 3", 180 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 4* (#85 nationally); Scout 3*[/strike] (JUCO)
RB Eric Rutledge, Gainesville P.K. Yonge (6' 1", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Brandon Siler, Orlando Evans (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 nationally); Scout 4*
OL Jim Tartt, Crawfordville (Florida) Wakulla (6' 4", 310 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]DE Markell Thompson, Southwest Mississippi J.C. (6' 7", 260 lbs); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 3*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
OL Phil Trautwein, Voorhees (New Jersey) Eastern (6' 7", 310 lbs); Rivals 3* (#9 in New Jersey); Scout 3*
OL Jason Watkins, Lake Gibson, Florida (6' 9", 300 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]DT Michael Brown, Atlanta Westlake (6' 5", 270 lbs); Rivals 4* (#9 in Georgia); Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Mississippi State)
TE Tate Casey, Longview, Texas (6' 7", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3*(#55 in Texas); Scout 3*
[strike]DE Brandon Daniel, Pompano Beach Ely (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
LB Javier Estopinan, Miami South (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]DB Dawayne Grace, Jacksonville White (6 '1", 172 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
[strike]TE Dane Guthrie, Miami Killian (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] (transfer to Arizona State)
DE Derrick Harvey, Greenbelt (Maryland) Eleanor Roosevelt (6' 5", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#8 nationally); Scout 5*
ATH Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne, Florida (6' 5", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#62 nationally); Scout 4*
DB Kyle Jackson, Neptune Beach (Florida) Fletcher (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#54 nationally); Scout 4*
DB Tony Joiner, Haines City, Florida (6' 2", 190 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
[strike]DE Mike Mangold, Merritt Island, Florida (6' 3", 250 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*[/strike] (academics - quit team)
RB Markus Manson, Tuscaloosa (Alabama) Hillcrest (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Mike McIntosh, Jacksonville First Coast (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Georgia Southern)
[strike]WR Derrick McPhearson, Hyattsville (Maryland) DeMatha (5' 11", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#6 in Maryland); Scout 4*[/strike] (prep school, then Illinois)
OL Drew Miller, Sarasota Riverview (6' 6", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (#65 nationally); Scout 4*
[strike]DE Jeremy Mincey, El Dorado (Kansas) Butler Co. C.C. (6' 3", 255 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 3*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
[strike]DB McIntosh Nicolas, Immokalee, Florida (6' 3", 180 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 4* (#85 nationally); Scout 3*[/strike] (JUCO)
RB Eric Rutledge, Gainesville P.K. Yonge (6' 1", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Brandon Siler, Orlando Evans (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 nationally); Scout 4*
OL Jim Tartt, Crawfordville (Florida) Wakulla (6' 4", 310 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]DE Markell Thompson, Southwest Mississippi J.C. (6' 7", 260 lbs); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 3*[/strike] (used up eligibility)
OL Phil Trautwein, Voorhees (New Jersey) Eastern (6' 7", 310 lbs); Rivals 3* (#9 in New Jersey); Scout 3*
OL Jason Watkins, Lake Gibson, Florida (6' 9", 300 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
Urban Meyer was hired as Florida's head coach on December 4, 2004, which was right in the thick of the 2005 recruiting season. As often happens during regime change, the current recruiting class will suffer, and the Gators' class of 2005 was no exception. After signing stellar classes in the previous two years, Florida slipped out of the top 10 in Meyer's initial campaign, as the 18-man class was ranked 11th overall by Rivals and 15th by Scout. The Gators' already marginal class has deteriorated since Signing Day, as two of the star prospects - cornerback Avery Atkins and quarterback Josh Portis - have transferred to other schools.
Although Ohio State had a passing interest in several of Florida's 2005 signees, including tight end Brian Ellis, running back Kestahn Moore, and wide receiver Nyan Boateng, the Buckeyes made a serious push for athlete Eric Sledge and offensive lineman Ronnie "Taz" Wilson, each of whom had Ohio State as his leader at some point during the recruiting process. Wilson even developed somewhat of a cult following on BP, and often stopped by The Planet to give updates on his recruitment. Ohio State signed only one Florida prospect in 2005 - running back Maurice Wells - who checked out the Gators but never seemed to have any real nterest in the in-state teams.
The Florida Gators Class of 2005
[strike]DB Avery Atkins, Daytona Beach Mainland (5' 11", 182 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#84 nationally; #9 in Florida); Scout 5*[/strike] (transfer to Bethune-Cookman)
[strike]LB Kalvin Baker, Columbus (Georgia) Pacelli (6' 1", 230 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3* (#30 in Georgia); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Tennessee State)
[strike]WR Nyan Boateng, Brooklyn Lincoln (6' 2", 186 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#5 in New York); Scout 3*[/strike] (left team, will transfer)
OL Simon Codrington, Miami South (6' 7", 270 lbs); Rivals 3* (#47 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Jon Demps, Pensacola Washington (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#22 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]TE Brian Ellis, Daytona Beach Mainland (6' 4", 235, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#50 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (JUCO)
LB Darryl Gresham, Jr., Roanoke William Fleming (6' 3", 227 lbs, 4.78 forty); Rivals 3* (#8 in Virginia); Scout 3*
OL Eddie Haupt, Merritt Island, Florida (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (#41 in Florida); Scout 4*
RB Kestahn Moore, Mansfield (Texas) Summit (5' 10", 196 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3* (#45 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB Dorian Munroe, Miami Coral Reef (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#33 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Louis Murphy, St. Petersburg Lakewood (6' 3", 176 lbs, 4.54 forty); Rivals 3* (#46 in Florida); Scout 3*
WR David Nelson, Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider (6' 5", 195 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#40 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB Reggie Nelson, Coffeyville (Kansas) C.C. (6' 0", 189 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 5*
PK Jonathan Phillips, West Palm Beach Wellington (6' 1", 200 lbs); Rivals 2* (#9 kicker); Scout 4*
[strike]QB Josh Portis, Woodland Hills (California) Taft (6' 3", 183 lbs, 4.57 forty); Rivals 4* (#13 in California); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Maryland)
ATH Eric Sledge, Apopka, Florida (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.59 forty); Rivals 3* (#48 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Ryan Stamper, Jacksonvile First Coast (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 in Florida); Scout 4*
OL Ronnie "Taz" Wilson, Pompano Beach Ely (6' 4", 331 lbs); Rivals 3* (#40 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]DB Avery Atkins, Daytona Beach Mainland (5' 11", 182 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#84 nationally; #9 in Florida); Scout 5*[/strike] (transfer to Bethune-Cookman)
[strike]LB Kalvin Baker, Columbus (Georgia) Pacelli (6' 1", 230 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3* (#30 in Georgia); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Tennessee State)
[strike]WR Nyan Boateng, Brooklyn Lincoln (6' 2", 186 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#5 in New York); Scout 3*[/strike] (left team, will transfer)
OL Simon Codrington, Miami South (6' 7", 270 lbs); Rivals 3* (#47 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Jon Demps, Pensacola Washington (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#22 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]TE Brian Ellis, Daytona Beach Mainland (6' 4", 235, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#50 in Florida); Scout 3*[/strike] (JUCO)
LB Darryl Gresham, Jr., Roanoke William Fleming (6' 3", 227 lbs, 4.78 forty); Rivals 3* (#8 in Virginia); Scout 3*
OL Eddie Haupt, Merritt Island, Florida (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (#41 in Florida); Scout 4*
RB Kestahn Moore, Mansfield (Texas) Summit (5' 10", 196 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3* (#45 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB Dorian Munroe, Miami Coral Reef (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#33 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Louis Murphy, St. Petersburg Lakewood (6' 3", 176 lbs, 4.54 forty); Rivals 3* (#46 in Florida); Scout 3*
WR David Nelson, Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider (6' 5", 195 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#40 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB Reggie Nelson, Coffeyville (Kansas) C.C. (6' 0", 189 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 5*
PK Jonathan Phillips, West Palm Beach Wellington (6' 1", 200 lbs); Rivals 2* (#9 kicker); Scout 4*
[strike]QB Josh Portis, Woodland Hills (California) Taft (6' 3", 183 lbs, 4.57 forty); Rivals 4* (#13 in California); Scout 4*[/strike] (transfer to Maryland)
ATH Eric Sledge, Apopka, Florida (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.59 forty); Rivals 3* (#48 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Ryan Stamper, Jacksonvile First Coast (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 in Florida); Scout 4*
OL Ronnie "Taz" Wilson, Pompano Beach Ely (6' 4", 331 lbs); Rivals 3* (#40 in Florida); Scout 4*
Fast Fact: Highly-touted quarterback Josh Portis went across country from California to Florida to be "the next big thing" in college football. Under the tutelage of head coach Urban Meyer (who had recently developed Alex Smith at Utah), the versatile Portis assumed that he would be the right man to run the Gators' newly-installed "spread-option" offense. However, when he failed to oust veteran incumbent Chris Leak (who was himself a highly-touted high school QB) during his true freshman season, Josh decided to transfer to Maryland. So far, Portis' story is nothing out of the ordinary, as kids transfer all of the time for various and sundry reasons. What made this story interesting was the fact that Josh's mother spouted off to some newspaper about how Meyer had lied to her son, had treated him unjustly, and had not given him a fair chance to compete for the starting job; instead of being embarrassed by his mother's conduct, Josh piled on, calling himself a "great player" and acting like he shold have been installed as the starter the minute that he arrived in Gainesville. By the way, Portis' numbers in 2005 were as follows: 6 for 11 passing for 81 yards and an interception, along with 29 rushes for 163 yards.
2006 was Urban Meyer's first full recruiting season in Gainesvile, and he brought the Gators back to the top of the charts as Florida's recruiting class was named the second-best overall by both Rivals and Scout. Last year, the Gators signed six members of the Rivals 100 list, including the nation's top player regardless of position, Virginia Beach wide receiver Percy Harvin (773 all-purpose yards, 4 TD's in 2006). In addition to landing the top prospect from the state of Virginia, the Gators also signed the top two high school players in North Carolina, linebacker Brandon Spikes (15 tackles, 1 TFL in 2006) and offensive lineman Carl Johnson. In its home state, the University of Florida signed several highly-touted recruits, inlcuding quarterback Tim Tebow (787 total yards, 11 TD's in 2006), the state's third-best player according to Rivals; wide receiver Jarred Fayson (157 all-purpose yards, 1 TD in 2006), the state's fifth-best player according to Rivals; wide receiver Riley Cooper (4 receptions for 92 yards and 3 TD's in 2006), the state's 13th-best player according to Rivals; and defensive back Jamar Hornsby, a five-star recruit according to Scout. However, one of Florida's unheralded recruits - Brandon James, a 5' 6" athlete from St. Augustine - has already paid big dividends for the Gators, as he leads the team in both punt and kick-off returns (686 total return yards, 1 TD) as a true freshman. Other true freshmen who have seen action are running back Mon Williams (101 yards rushing); linebacker Dustin Doe (22 tackles, 1 TFL); defensive back Markihe Anderson (8 tackles); defensive tackle Brandon Antwine (4 tackles); defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (2 tackles); and defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis (7 tackles and a fumble recovery for a TD).
Despite signing such a great class in 2006, the Gators missed out on running back C.J. Spiller from Lake Butler (Rivals 5*, #8 nationally, #1 in Florida), who decided to attend Clemson over the home-state school. As a true freshman, Spiller rushed for 645 yards and 6 touchdowns (6.9 average), while catching 14 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. Spiller, who should be a Heisman candidate in upcoming seasons, would have really helped the Gators' anemic rushing attack this year.
The Florida Gators Class of 2006
DB Markihe Anderson, Fort Myers Dunbar (5' 10", 172 lbs, 4.47 forty); Rivals 3* (#94 in Florida); Scout 3*
DL Brandon Antwine, Garland, Texas (6' 1", 275 lbs); Rivals 4* (#34 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Jim Barrie, Tampa Berkeley (6' 5", 310 lbs); Rivals 4* (#34 in Florida); Scout 3*
ATH Riley Cooper, Clearwater Catholic (6' 4", 208 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 4* (#99 nationally; #13 in Florida); Scout 4*
DE Jermaine Cunningham, Stone Mountain (Gerogia) Stephenson (6' 4", 196 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 4* (#8 in Georgia); Scout 4*
LB Dustin Doe, Jasper (Florida) Suwanee (6' 0", 206 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4* (#25 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Jarred Fayson, Tampa Hillsborough (6' 0", 184 lbs, 4.32 forty); Rivals 4* (#47 nationally; #5 in Florida); Scout 5*
OL Marcus Gilbert, Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6' 6", 270 lbs); Rivals 4* (#29 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Percy Harvin, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 188 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#1 nationally; #1 in Virginia); Scout 5*
DL Corey Hobbs, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 310 lbs); Rivals 4* (#31 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#22 in Florida); Scout 5*
OL Maurice Hurt, Milledgeville (Georgia) Baldwin (6' 2", 342, 5.72 forty); Rivals 3* (#39 in Georgia); Scout 3*
ATH Brandon James, St. Augustine High (5' 6", 167 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
OL Carl Johnson, Durham (North Carolina) Southern (6' 6", 348 lbs); Rivals 5* (#28 nationally; #2 in N.C.); Scout 5*
LB A.J. Jones, Tampa Middleton (6' 1", 182, 4.64 forty); Rivals 4* (#27 in Florida); Scout 4*
DL Lawrence Marsh, Augusta (Georgia) Josey (6' 5", 260 lbs); Rivals 3* (#24 in Georgia); Scout 3*
DB Wondy Pierre-Louis, Naples Lely (6' 0", 176 lbs): Rivals 2*; Scout 3*
TE Trent Pupello, Tampa Jefferson (6' 3", 245 lbs, 4.74 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 in Florida); Scout 3*
DB Jacques Rickerson, St. Augustine High (5' 10", 176 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Derrick Robinson, Gainesville P.K. Yonge (5' 11", 159 pounds, 4.25 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] (MLB)
DT Terron Sanders, Bradenton (Florida) Southeast (6' 2", 295 lbs); Rivals 4* (#50 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Brandon Spikes, Shelby (North Carolina) Crest (6' 4", 235 lbs, 4.76 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 nationally; #1 in N.C.); Scout 5*
QB Tim Tebow, St. Augustine Nease (6' 3", 217 lbs, 4.69 forty); Rivals 5* (#22 nationally; #3 in Florida); Scout 5*
ATH Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4* (#43 in Florida); Scout 4*
RB Chevon Walker, Fort Myers Riverdale (5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 4* (#14 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Justin Williams, Folkston (Georgia) Charlton County (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#11 in Georgia); Scout 4*
RB Mon Williams, Mesquite (Texas) Horn (6' 2", 192 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB Markihe Anderson, Fort Myers Dunbar (5' 10", 172 lbs, 4.47 forty); Rivals 3* (#94 in Florida); Scout 3*
DL Brandon Antwine, Garland, Texas (6' 1", 275 lbs); Rivals 4* (#34 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Jim Barrie, Tampa Berkeley (6' 5", 310 lbs); Rivals 4* (#34 in Florida); Scout 3*
ATH Riley Cooper, Clearwater Catholic (6' 4", 208 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 4* (#99 nationally; #13 in Florida); Scout 4*
DE Jermaine Cunningham, Stone Mountain (Gerogia) Stephenson (6' 4", 196 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 4* (#8 in Georgia); Scout 4*
LB Dustin Doe, Jasper (Florida) Suwanee (6' 0", 206 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4* (#25 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Jarred Fayson, Tampa Hillsborough (6' 0", 184 lbs, 4.32 forty); Rivals 4* (#47 nationally; #5 in Florida); Scout 5*
OL Marcus Gilbert, Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6' 6", 270 lbs); Rivals 4* (#29 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Percy Harvin, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 188 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#1 nationally; #1 in Virginia); Scout 5*
DL Corey Hobbs, Oviedo, Florida (6' 3", 310 lbs); Rivals 4* (#31 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#22 in Florida); Scout 5*
OL Maurice Hurt, Milledgeville (Georgia) Baldwin (6' 2", 342, 5.72 forty); Rivals 3* (#39 in Georgia); Scout 3*
ATH Brandon James, St. Augustine High (5' 6", 167 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
OL Carl Johnson, Durham (North Carolina) Southern (6' 6", 348 lbs); Rivals 5* (#28 nationally; #2 in N.C.); Scout 5*
LB A.J. Jones, Tampa Middleton (6' 1", 182, 4.64 forty); Rivals 4* (#27 in Florida); Scout 4*
DL Lawrence Marsh, Augusta (Georgia) Josey (6' 5", 260 lbs); Rivals 3* (#24 in Georgia); Scout 3*
DB Wondy Pierre-Louis, Naples Lely (6' 0", 176 lbs): Rivals 2*; Scout 3*
TE Trent Pupello, Tampa Jefferson (6' 3", 245 lbs, 4.74 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 in Florida); Scout 3*
DB Jacques Rickerson, St. Augustine High (5' 10", 176 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Florida); Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Derrick Robinson, Gainesville P.K. Yonge (5' 11", 159 pounds, 4.25 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] (MLB)
DT Terron Sanders, Bradenton (Florida) Southeast (6' 2", 295 lbs); Rivals 4* (#50 in Florida); Scout 3*
LB Brandon Spikes, Shelby (North Carolina) Crest (6' 4", 235 lbs, 4.76 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 nationally; #1 in N.C.); Scout 5*
QB Tim Tebow, St. Augustine Nease (6' 3", 217 lbs, 4.69 forty); Rivals 5* (#22 nationally; #3 in Florida); Scout 5*
ATH Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4* (#43 in Florida); Scout 4*
RB Chevon Walker, Fort Myers Riverdale (5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 4* (#14 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Justin Williams, Folkston (Georgia) Charlton County (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#11 in Georgia); Scout 4*
RB Mon Williams, Mesquite (Texas) Horn (6' 2", 192 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Texas); Scout 4*
Fast Fact: Wide receiver Damon McDaniel was a high school teammate of highly-touted prospect Percy Harvin, also a wide receiver. Both players originally committed to Florida, where they wanted to be a part of Urban Meyer's "spread-option" offense. Well, after the Gators gained commitments from several other WR prospects, McDaniel had second thoughts and began to look at some other options. During January of 2006, while he was still committed to Florida, Damon made a super-secret official visit to Ohio State, during which time he apparently told the Buckeye staff that he would be headed to Columbus for the next four years. However, McDaniel regretted his second commitment, and continued to look around. In the mean time, Florida got sick of the games and dropped Damon from consideration. Finally, on NLOID, McDaniel signed with ... Florida State. While the Gators and the Buckeyes are meeting in the national championship game (and each played true freshman wide outs during the regular season), the offensively-challenged Seminoles posted an extremely mediocre 6-6 record (with narrow wins over Troy and Western Michigan) and are headed to San Francisco to play Pac-10 also-ran UCLA in coveted Emerald Bowl (Edit: The 'Noles won, 44-27). I wonder who Damon will be rooting for on January 8th?
Fast Fact: Florida signee Derrick Robinson quit football to pursue a professional baseball career after being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 draft by the Kansas City Royals. Widely regarded as the fastest player in last year's draft, Robinson is projected as a center fielder and lead-off hitter. Playing for the rookie-league Arizona Royals last season, Derrick batted .233 and stole 20 bases.
Once again, the class of 2007 appears to be another top-5 effort for the Florida Gators, with several blue chip prospects having already committed to play in Gainesville. Quarterback John Brantley, who originally committed to Texas, may be the best in the country at his position. Ditto for defensive tackle Torrey Davis, whom Rivals has named the top player in the state of Florida. Athlete Joe Haden, who strongly considered the Buckeyes before committing to the Gators, is the top prospect in the state of Maryland; tight end Aaron Hernandez is the top prospect in Connecticut; and defensive end Sidell Corley is the #2 prospect from the state of Alabama.
Although the Gators are having a lot of recruiting success for the class of 2007, Ohio State has beaten Florida in two head-to-head contests this season. Both cornerback James Scott from Daytona Seabreeze and linebacker Brian Rolle from Immokalee selected the Buckeyes over the Gators. The two schools remain locked in a fierce recruiting battle for top wide receiver prospect Deonte Thompson from Belle Glades Central; Thompson is also considering Miami and Southern Cal.
The Florida Gators Class of 2007
DB Ahmad Black, Lakeland, Florida (5' 11", 170 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#23 in Florida); Scout 4*
QB John Brantley, Ocala Trinity Catholic (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.64 forty); Rivals 5* (#19 nationally; #2 in Florida); Scout 5*
DE Sidell Corley, Mobile McGill-Toolen (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 nationally; #2 in Alabama); Scout 4*
DT Torrey Davis, Seffner (Florida) Armwood (6' 5", 290 lbs); Rivals 5* (#3 nationally; #1 in Florida); Scout 5*
DB Justin Grant, St. Augustine Nease (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
ATH Joe Haden, Ft. Washington (Maryland) Friendly (5' 10", 189 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 4* (#94 nationally; #1 in Maryland); Scout 4*
PK Chas Henry, Dallas (Georgia) East Paulding (6' 3", 180 lbs); Rivals 2* (#18 kicker); Scout 4*
TE Aaron Hernandez, Bristol (Connecticut) Central (6' 4", 235 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#42 nationally; #1 in Connecticut); Scout 5*
DE Jerry Howard, Orlando Jones (6' 4", 240 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#26 in Florida); Scout 4*
LB John Jones, Sarasota Booker (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.61 forty); Rivals 3* (#52 in Florida); Scout 4*
DE Duke Lemmens, Westlake Village (California) Oaks Christian (6' 5", 231 lbs, 4.68 forty); Rivals 3* (#55 in California); Scout 4*
QB Cameron Newton, Atlanta Westlake (6' 4", 232 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in Georgia); Scout 4*
OL Michael James Pouncey, Lakeland, Florida (6' 4", 280 lbs); Rivals 3* (#58 in Florida); Scout 4*
OL Maurkice LaShawn Pouncey, Lakeland, Florida (6' 4", 287 lbs); Rivals 3* (#35 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Chris Rainey, Lakeland, Florida (5' 9", 159 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4* (#17 in Florida); Scout 5*
ATH Bert Reed, Panama City Bay (5' 11", 165 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#80 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH DeMarcus VanDyke, Miami Pace (6' 0", 161 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 4* (#37 in Florida); Scout 4*
QB Bryan Waggener, Glendore (California) Citrus C.C. (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*
DB Steve Wilks, Lakeland, Florida (6' 2", 195 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
RB Bo Williams, Oakland Park (Florida) Northeast (6' 1", 203 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 4* (#32 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Paul Wilson, Lakeland, Florida (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3* (#70 in Florida); Scout 3*
DB Ahmad Black, Lakeland, Florida (5' 11", 170 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#23 in Florida); Scout 4*
QB John Brantley, Ocala Trinity Catholic (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.64 forty); Rivals 5* (#19 nationally; #2 in Florida); Scout 5*
DE Sidell Corley, Mobile McGill-Toolen (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 nationally; #2 in Alabama); Scout 4*
DT Torrey Davis, Seffner (Florida) Armwood (6' 5", 290 lbs); Rivals 5* (#3 nationally; #1 in Florida); Scout 5*
DB Justin Grant, St. Augustine Nease (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
ATH Joe Haden, Ft. Washington (Maryland) Friendly (5' 10", 189 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 4* (#94 nationally; #1 in Maryland); Scout 4*
PK Chas Henry, Dallas (Georgia) East Paulding (6' 3", 180 lbs); Rivals 2* (#18 kicker); Scout 4*
TE Aaron Hernandez, Bristol (Connecticut) Central (6' 4", 235 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#42 nationally; #1 in Connecticut); Scout 5*
DE Jerry Howard, Orlando Jones (6' 4", 240 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#26 in Florida); Scout 4*
LB John Jones, Sarasota Booker (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.61 forty); Rivals 3* (#52 in Florida); Scout 4*
DE Duke Lemmens, Westlake Village (California) Oaks Christian (6' 5", 231 lbs, 4.68 forty); Rivals 3* (#55 in California); Scout 4*
QB Cameron Newton, Atlanta Westlake (6' 4", 232 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in Georgia); Scout 4*
OL Michael James Pouncey, Lakeland, Florida (6' 4", 280 lbs); Rivals 3* (#58 in Florida); Scout 4*
OL Maurkice LaShawn Pouncey, Lakeland, Florida (6' 4", 287 lbs); Rivals 3* (#35 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH Chris Rainey, Lakeland, Florida (5' 9", 159 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4* (#17 in Florida); Scout 5*
ATH Bert Reed, Panama City Bay (5' 11", 165 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#80 in Florida); Scout 4*
ATH DeMarcus VanDyke, Miami Pace (6' 0", 161 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 4* (#37 in Florida); Scout 4*
QB Bryan Waggener, Glendore (California) Citrus C.C. (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*
DB Steve Wilks, Lakeland, Florida (6' 2", 195 lbs); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
RB Bo Williams, Oakland Park (Florida) Northeast (6' 1", 203 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 4* (#32 in Florida); Scout 4*
WR Paul Wilson, Lakeland, Florida (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3* (#70 in Florida); Scout 3*
Fast Fact: To date, the Gators have six verbal commitments from Lakeland High, whose Dreadnoughts are currently on a 45-game winning streak and have won three straight Florida Class 5A state championships.
Behind the Numbers
Is this the opposite of deja vu? Is this really 2002 in reverse?
If this really were 2002 in reverse, this portion of the preview would detail how utterly statistically dominant the Buckeyes are. And a case could be made for precisely that. We at BtN could spin the numbers and make them sing the Buckeye Battle Cry if we wanted to. For that matter, simply looking at the numbers raw; one could make a compelling case for a one-sided match-up to cap a glorious year for Buckeye fans.
But this is not 2002 in reverse. A case can and will be made that the 2006 Florida Gators will present a formidable match-up to the 2006 Buckeyes. Never mind that the game will be played in the second week of 2007.
Like Sushi?
Raw numbers are fun if they make your team look good. Well, OK they're almost raw. We eliminated I-AA competition, not only for Florida but for all Div. IA teams, and the rankings for each category (in parentheses) reflect that.
For those new to BtN, Differential stats compare how well you perform vs. how well other teams performed against your opponents. Differential Composites are simply differential offense divided by differential defense.
...............................Florida..........Ohio State
Total Offense..................382.75 ypg(29)...409.75 ypg(13)
Total Defense..................286.25 ypg(15)...273.00 ypg (12)
Differential Tot. Off..........120.3% (15)......123.9% (7)
Differential Tot. Def...........78.9% (10).......75.4% (7)
Diff. Yardage Composite (DYC)....1.525 (6).......1.644 (2)
Scoring Offense.................26.08 ppg(42)...36.33 ppg (6)
Scoring Defense.................14.58 ppg(7)....10.42 ppg (2)
Differential Sc. Off...........132.7% (20).....164.1% (4)
Differential Sc. Def............56.4% (7).......41.7% (1)
Diff. Scoring Composite (DSC)...2.351 (7).......3.939 (1)
This might be a good time to remind Ohio State fans that Miami was even more statistically superior to the Buckeyes during the 2002 season. But it is an even better time to remember our most recent game. Our numerical superiority over Michigan was very similar to the numbers above, and yet the Wolverines fell just 3 points short against the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.
Perhaps the best way of keeping the Ohio State faithful grounded in the days leading up to this epic battle is to remind them of the oft repeated refrain: Florida played a tougher schedule. This is an undeniable objective fact. The Big 10 was top heavy, in part because of Ohio State and Wisconsin, and the Buckeyes didn't have to play either one of those teams. This no doubt helped inflate Ohio State's statistics, so there is less difference between these teams than the numbers suggest.
In fact, the most interesting thing revealed by a look behind the numbers is not the difference between these teams; it is their similarity.
Points By Quarter
The first similarity between the teams is seen from examining the points scored by quarter throughout the season for the two teams and their opponents. Will either team score in the 3rd quarter?
Qtr.........1......2......3......4
Florida.....76.....130....83.....86
Opp.........40......32....42.....61
Qtr..........1......2......3......4
Ohio State..111....133.....75....117
Opp..........20.....37.....20.....48
Similarities
Pass Defense - Rolling the Dice
With all I-AA competition factored out, here is how each team stacks up in pass defense:
But look at how they stack up in pass efficiency defense:
Both teams rank much higher in terms of passing efficiency than in pass defense, owing to a ball-hawking mentality. While Wake Forest and Western Michigan lead the nation with 22 interceptions, Ohio State is just one behind with 21, and Florida is one notch below that with 20.
A cursory glance at pass defense ranking would have led one to believe there was a big difference here, but the stats for the teams are very similar across the board on a per-attempt basis. So why the big difference in yards? Florida's opponents attempted 444 passes while Ohio State's foes threw the ball only 378 times.
One might think that teams were throwing the ball to avoid Florida's rushing defense, but when corrected for the strength of the rushing offenses they faced, OSU's rushing defense was very nearly as good. The Gators had a differential rushing defense of 53.9%, good for 4th in the nation. The Buckeyes were ranked immediately behind the Gators at 5th place with a differential rushing defense of 59%. Any difference in run/pass ratio had more to do with the style of offenses played than with a difference in the relative strengths/weaknesses of these two teams.
Conclusion
So what are these numbers telling us? Well, by themselves they tell us nothing. But looking behind the numbers we see two key facts:
Both defenses bend but don't break. Both are stingy against the pass, OSU 5.70 yards per attempt, Florida 5.69 yards per attempt (admittedly this includes the 2.92 ypa given up to I-AA Western Carolina). Both are tough against the run, ranking 4th and 5th in the nation in differential rushing defense. Both have big-play secondaries, hauling in 41 interceptions between them.
Each quarterback is pitted against a fast defense with a nose for the ball. The quarterback that can best avoid mistakes while moving the ball efficiently will win the game.
Troy Smith: 30 TD, 5 INT
Chris Leak: 22 TD, 13 INT
Any questions?
Similarities in reverse
Differences
- We are double-digit favorites
- Much of our fan-base is arguably over-confident
- The opposing coach is in his second season at his current job
Differences
- Pretty much everything
If this really were 2002 in reverse, this portion of the preview would detail how utterly statistically dominant the Buckeyes are. And a case could be made for precisely that. We at BtN could spin the numbers and make them sing the Buckeye Battle Cry if we wanted to. For that matter, simply looking at the numbers raw; one could make a compelling case for a one-sided match-up to cap a glorious year for Buckeye fans.
But this is not 2002 in reverse. A case can and will be made that the 2006 Florida Gators will present a formidable match-up to the 2006 Buckeyes. Never mind that the game will be played in the second week of 2007.
Like Sushi?
Raw numbers are fun if they make your team look good. Well, OK they're almost raw. We eliminated I-AA competition, not only for Florida but for all Div. IA teams, and the rankings for each category (in parentheses) reflect that.
For those new to BtN, Differential stats compare how well you perform vs. how well other teams performed against your opponents. Differential Composites are simply differential offense divided by differential defense.
...............................Florida..........Ohio State
Total Offense..................382.75 ypg(29)...409.75 ypg(13)
Total Defense..................286.25 ypg(15)...273.00 ypg (12)
Differential Tot. Off..........120.3% (15)......123.9% (7)
Differential Tot. Def...........78.9% (10).......75.4% (7)
Diff. Yardage Composite (DYC)....1.525 (6).......1.644 (2)
Scoring Offense.................26.08 ppg(42)...36.33 ppg (6)
Scoring Defense.................14.58 ppg(7)....10.42 ppg (2)
Differential Sc. Off...........132.7% (20).....164.1% (4)
Differential Sc. Def............56.4% (7).......41.7% (1)
Diff. Scoring Composite (DSC)...2.351 (7).......3.939 (1)
This might be a good time to remind Ohio State fans that Miami was even more statistically superior to the Buckeyes during the 2002 season. But it is an even better time to remember our most recent game. Our numerical superiority over Michigan was very similar to the numbers above, and yet the Wolverines fell just 3 points short against the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.
Perhaps the best way of keeping the Ohio State faithful grounded in the days leading up to this epic battle is to remind them of the oft repeated refrain: Florida played a tougher schedule. This is an undeniable objective fact. The Big 10 was top heavy, in part because of Ohio State and Wisconsin, and the Buckeyes didn't have to play either one of those teams. This no doubt helped inflate Ohio State's statistics, so there is less difference between these teams than the numbers suggest.
In fact, the most interesting thing revealed by a look behind the numbers is not the difference between these teams; it is their similarity.
Points By Quarter
The first similarity between the teams is seen from examining the points scored by quarter throughout the season for the two teams and their opponents. Will either team score in the 3rd quarter?
Qtr.........1......2......3......4
Florida.....76.....130....83.....86
Opp.........40......32....42.....61
Qtr..........1......2......3......4
Ohio State..111....133.....75....117
Opp..........20.....37.....20.....48
Similarities
- Most point scored, 2nd quarter
- Distant second, 4th quarter
- Both teams are anemic in the 3rd quarter compared to the second
- Most points surrendered, 4th quarter
Pass Defense - Rolling the Dice
With all I-AA competition factored out, here is how each team stacks up in pass defense:
Florida: 207.58 ypg (65)
Ohio State: 179.50 ypg (25)
Ohio State: 179.50 ypg (25)
But look at how they stack up in pass efficiency defense:
Florida: 100.31 (6)
Ohio State: 100.84 (8)
Ohio State: 100.84 (8)
Both teams rank much higher in terms of passing efficiency than in pass defense, owing to a ball-hawking mentality. While Wake Forest and Western Michigan lead the nation with 22 interceptions, Ohio State is just one behind with 21, and Florida is one notch below that with 20.
A cursory glance at pass defense ranking would have led one to believe there was a big difference here, but the stats for the teams are very similar across the board on a per-attempt basis. So why the big difference in yards? Florida's opponents attempted 444 passes while Ohio State's foes threw the ball only 378 times.
One might think that teams were throwing the ball to avoid Florida's rushing defense, but when corrected for the strength of the rushing offenses they faced, OSU's rushing defense was very nearly as good. The Gators had a differential rushing defense of 53.9%, good for 4th in the nation. The Buckeyes were ranked immediately behind the Gators at 5th place with a differential rushing defense of 59%. Any difference in run/pass ratio had more to do with the style of offenses played than with a difference in the relative strengths/weaknesses of these two teams.
Conclusion
So what are these numbers telling us? Well, by themselves they tell us nothing. But looking behind the numbers we see two key facts:
- The defenses are very similar.
- The quarterbacks are very different.
Both defenses bend but don't break. Both are stingy against the pass, OSU 5.70 yards per attempt, Florida 5.69 yards per attempt (admittedly this includes the 2.92 ypa given up to I-AA Western Carolina). Both are tough against the run, ranking 4th and 5th in the nation in differential rushing defense. Both have big-play secondaries, hauling in 41 interceptions between them.
Each quarterback is pitted against a fast defense with a nose for the ball. The quarterback that can best avoid mistakes while moving the ball efficiently will win the game.
Troy Smith: 30 TD, 5 INT
Chris Leak: 22 TD, 13 INT
Any questions?
Florida Traditions
- The University of Florida has one of college football's most loyal fan bases. They have been ranked in the top 15 nationally in college football attendance in each of the last 23 years, and in each of the last 14 seasons, Florida has ranked among the top eight. With capacity at over 90,000 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, the University of Florida has been the site of the largest football crowds?college or professional?in the State of Florida history. The stadium is popularly known as "The Swamp," and was given the nickname in the early 1990s by Steve Spurrier, who quipped that "only the Gators get out alive."
- Albert and his counterpart Alberta are the popular Gator mascots.
- Two hours before the game, the players and coaches participate in The Gator Walk as they walk down University Avenue to Gate 8, while thousands of screaming fans surround them and welcome into the stadium.
- The Gator "Chomp" is one of the most widely known fan hand motions in college football.
- The fans yell "Orange" and "Blue" back and forth across the stadium during the game.
- Fan hangs a "Work 'Em Silly Gators" tapestry over a corner wall at home games. According to the SwampGas posters, the tapestry is so famous that it made it onto EA Sports NCAA Football the last two years.
- One of the best-known Gator spirit traditions is Mr. Two-Bits George Edmondson, a Tampa resident and avid Gator fan. The beloved man who traveled from section to section at all Gator games leading rousing renditions of "Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar - All for the Gators Stand Up and Holler!" Edmondson sponsors an annual scholarship for a member of the cheerleading squad. You can see a clip of Mr. Two-Bits at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5gcLt0GfHc.
- At the end of the third quarter, the band strikes up "We Are the Boys from Old Florida," a tribute to UF formerly being an all-boys school, and all Gator fans stand together and sway left and right, arm-in-arm, while singing this traditional tune.
We are the boys from old Florida, F-L-O-R-I-D-A?
Where the girls are the fairest, the boys are the squarest of any old state down our way?
We are all strong for old Florida down where the old Gators play ?
In all kinds of weather we'll all stick together for F-L-O-R-I-D-A.
Where the girls are the fairest, the boys are the squarest of any old state down our way?
We are all strong for old Florida down where the old Gators play ?
In all kinds of weather we'll all stick together for F-L-O-R-I-D-A.
- At Homecoming each year, current Gator students and staff members, Gator alumni and fans from all over converge on Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field for an evening of entertainment and pep rallies. Gator Growl, as this 75-year-old event is so popularly known, is regarded as the World's Largest Student-Run Pep Rally, packing nearly 70,000 fans in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field each year.
- The Gators have a number of rivalries, most notably the in-state FloridaState University (for the Governor's Cup) and University of Miami, and the SEC competitors University of Tennessee and University of Georgia.
- Since 1933, the Florida/Georgia game is played in Jacksonville at ALLTEL Stadium and is dubbed the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. It is usually on the last Saturday in October. Following the 2006 season, Georgia held a 46-37-2 advantage in the all-time series. There is a slight disagreement with regards the overall series record. University of Florida records indicate the series record with Georgia stands at 45-37-2 in UGA's favor. Georgia's records indicate a 46-37-2 lead, which includes a 52-0 Bulldog win in a game played in Macon, Ga., in 1904. However, Florida did not field an official team until 1906. The majority of the tailgating takes place on riverfront plaza called "The Jacksonville Landing," facing the St. Johns River. The Landing is packed with thousands of drunk revelers each year, making it a great but crowded nightspot. Due to sensitivity about consumption of alcohol by college students, the match is officially known as the Georgia-Florida/Florida-Georgia game (depending on which team is the home team in a given year). Additionally, in May 2006, the Southeastern Conference asked the three networks which broadcast SEC football games not to refer to the game by the moniker "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," as it conveys a message regarding consumption of alcohol that the schools do not desire.
- The University of Florida Fightin' Gator Marching Band, the "Pride of the Sunshine" was established in 1914 by director "Pug" Hamilton with the motto "We play anything, anytime, anywhere." The band consists of a group of 300 students.
- Everything might be bigger in Texas, but "The Biggest Boom in Dixie" is the Gator Band Bass Drum.
- One of the band's newest traditions was started by our head coach Urban Meyer in 2005. After every game he walks over with the team and the team, band, and fans sing the UF Alma Mater and Fight Song together.
The Lighter Side
The road to Glendale
Ohio State's road to Glendale was just like I-70 in Kansas. Straight. No bumps. No turns. The kind of road on which you hit the gas and see exactly what your engine can do. As it turns out, that's exactly how Ohio State treated this year, speeding past Edsels like Iowa, Pintos like Michigan State, Chevettes like Indiana, Yugos like Bowling Green and a couple of souped up Oldsmabuicks named Texas and Michigan. Ohio State dominated all comers by a combined 436 - 125 (36.3 - 10.4) While the season began with question marks, each week Ohio State strengthened it's stranglehold of the top spot. By October 14, 2006 (A 38 - 7 victory over Michigan State), even the most conservative and pessimistic of fans could reasonably predict Ohio State would be exactly where they are now, on the brink of their second title in five years. But, who might they play?
Florida's road to Glendale, in contrast, Had more switchbacks and slow spots than does San Francisco's Lombard Street. Excited about their second year coach, Ohioan Urban Meyer, Florida entered 2006 rated #7 in the AP and 8 in the Coaches poll. All the teams rated in front of the Gators received at least one first place vote in one poll or the other - Florida had zero. While tangentially in the conversation, no one outside of Gainesville seriously argued Florida would end up playing for the crystal. Florida lost to Auburn 27-17 in a game where Auburn couldn't muster an offensive touchdown. Florida won ugly (when not lining up against Division I-AA teams), beating teams like Vanderbilt 25-19 and needed 3 blocked kicks to stay in front of South Carolina. But, even with each close shave (including creepy appearances by washed up supermodels), Florida did what they had to do and made it to the SEC Championship game against an Arkansas team which had been pole-axed by USC 50-14.
When the SEC Championship game began, hardly anyone north of Knoxville or west of Little Rock cared what was going on in the Georgia Dome. All eyes were on USC and UCLA. All USC had to do was win, and they'd face the Buckeyes in Glendale. But, they lost and all of a sudden, CBS got a rating boost. It was about halftime when Florida learned it was still alive for the Title. Well, like a true champion, Florida took the news and it's 17 - 7 lead and immediately began to play like they had never played before. By that I don't mean "well." I mean they played like this was the first time they had ever played football. After a penalty giving UF a first and 15, Leak quickly delivered the ball to Arkansas via inteception and Arkansas scored shortly thereafter. The teams exchanged a couple of three and outs, and then Leak did what he does best, tossing a 40 yard TD strike to Arkansas' Defensive End Antwain Robinson. Momentum clearly on Arkansas' sideline, Michigan fans started making calls to travel agents. But then, fate would intervene and Florida would gain a garbage touchdown when a guy named Fish muffed a punt he should never have been anywhere near. Touchdown Gators. It was the spark they needed, and Florida won the game going away.
Great ... now what? Who should play Ohio State? The 12 - 1 Gators, who certainly didn't appear to be the true #2 team in the land, or 11- 1 Michigan, which had already had their shot and failed? Well, hats off to Urban Crier. In the hours that followed, Meyer outplayed Carr in the game which Carr excels - whining. Indeed, so complete was the bitch-fest, some 3 weeks after the Championship Game participants had been set the ESPN talking heads were still trying to figure out which team should be there. Meanwhile, Troy Smith went to New York and became Ohio State's seventh Heisman winner.
Living up to their reputation across the internet, Florida fans immediately began running their mouths. Ohio State had "almost lost" to Illinois they typed ... Ohio State must be over-rated. Of course, anyone who had watched that game knew that Ohio State was never in serious danger of losing that one. But, then, Florida fans don't watch anything that's not SEC related. And, because the So Everybody Cheats conference is all they know, and Florida won it, they must be better. Ugly win against South Carolina? Yeah, maybe ... but Spurrier would go 185 - 0 in the Big Ten every year, so ... Ohio State's undefeated, but so is Boise State they observe. Finally, they point to what is by now a well known truism about college football, Florida has speed that the slow plodders from Ohio could only appreciate if their cable modems went that fast. Under-dogs? Hardly. Not when you're dealing with moron egomaniacs who are only slightly cognizant that the rest of the nation plays football too.
See, SEC fans generally, and Florida fans in particular, live in a bizarre world based on myth, opinion and fabrication. They think the SEC is the end all be all of all things sports, especially football. Point out a blemish and they go in to absurd excuse mode. My favorite? "If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough!" They stretch any ridiculous line of reasoning they can. They don't respect anything else. Their reality is based on nonsense. The kind of thing fans cling to when they don't truly understand the nature of College football. The kind of things a superficial ESPN analyst points to as "rationale." It's the kind of thing that makes a fan, otherwise wholly unsure of their affiliation, feel good about their school and themselves for rooting for that school at all.
You can't reason with these people in a normal way. You need to figure out their language. Years of my time on the net has taught me how to talk to these people. You have to take interesting but irrelevant factoids and turn them in to sweeping conclusions about the future. I - after years of practice - possess this skill. So, you want to know why Ohio State is better than Florida and should win in Glendale? Don't pay any attention to DaddyBigBuck's DSA analysis. Don't concern yourself with any unit match-ups outlined above. It's likely all gibberish to you anyway. All you need to pay attention to is what follows.
This is going to sting quite a bit, but get this ... Since 1936 teams from the SEC can lay a claim to 15 National Titles - lead by Alabama's seven. The Big Ten has won 14 - lead by Ohio State's five. I'm only counting "major" championships. And, this is lucky for you, because if I had included minor titles and "retro" championships, the Big Ten would be well ahead of the SEC. You're thinking, "so what - way to prove our point, 15 - 14," right? Well, wait a second. It would seem that just under half of the SEC titles are owned by Alabama. Seven of them, in fact. Without Alabama, Tennessee's 3 Titles would be tops in your league. Three titles? Hell, Minnesota has 4. Color me unimpressed. I would also point out, Ohio State has five National Titles (not including two minor titles) Florida has one. All I'm saying is, you SEC guys - and especially you Florida fans, are coat-tailing Alabama. Oh, and Alabama pretty much sucks these days. So, the Big Ten has essentially as many NCAA Titles, and the SEC is pretty mediocre without Alabama. I will say, however, it's unlikely any conference will ever catch you guys in terms of NCAA violations - so you have that title well in hand. For any Ohio State fans reading this, the point I'm making in SEC fan speak is this - The SEC isn't special.
Now, I know. That rationale in and of itself is surely not enough to convince you Ohio State has a reasonable chance against the Gator's in Glendale, you'll need more. So bear with me for a minute. There is more. Let's talk Heismans. If you look it up, you'll see that there have been seven Heisman winners from the So Everybody Cheats. That's a nice total, seven. It's exactly how many Ohio State has all by itself - including, I might add, this year's winner. Florida has two Heismans, which is, of course, as many as Ohio State would have if we only counted Archie Griffin's stiff-arm trophies. If we were to include all the Big Ten's Heismans the Big Ten dominates your neat little conference 15 - 7. I should add, that total of 15 (and Ohio State's total of 7) does not include Keith Byars' 1984 trophy which Doug Flutie is wandering around with. I know you Florida fans are able to follow an obvious point I'm making here. But, some of the Ohio State fans reading this might be thinking, "how is this at all relevant to January 8, 2007?" So, I'm just going to spell it out. The Big Ten - and Ohio State in particular - has better athletes.
I get the sense you're still not persuaded that Ohio State can stay on the same field against the Gators. If I know you people, and I do, you're thinking "I see your point about the titles and all, but it's not just about the titles. The SEC has more winning programs than the Big Ten." Well, I'm afraid that's not true. As you know, the SEC was founded in 1932. So, let's have a look at the Top 5 winning percentages of all D-IA programs since 1932, shall we?
1. Ohio State 556-187-25 .740 (Big 10)
2. Oklahoma 585-203-26 .735 (Big XII)
3. Michigan 550-208-18 .720 (Big 10)
4. Alabama 577-219-26 .717 (SEC)
5. Penn State 549-214-16 .715 (Big 10)
.....
20. Florida 472-308-24 .609
I hear you, I know Penn State wasn't in the Big Ten for the bulk of those years. But, they are in the Big 10 now, and since we are comparing our conferences and all, they count. It's only fair since they are a Top 5 team, and Big Ten teams do have to play them every year now. Hey, look at that ... the SEC - still riding Alabama's coat-tails.
I know what you're thinking. "Ancient history. The SEC has been better since I've been alive." Well, not quite. I know you're physically older than this, but let's take 1996 thru 2005. That's a nice 10 years, and most of you didn't start paying attention to football until 1996 anyway. Since 1996 your hated rival Florida State leads the way at a impressive 100 - 26. Miami is in second at 96 - 26. Of course, neither of those schools are SEC. Guess who's third. Yep, Ohio State 96-28. Tennessee checks in as the best SEC school, tied for 5th at 95-30. Florida? 9th 93 - 32. You know what that means, right? The Big Ten has been better longer, and still remains better. Likewise, Ohio State is continually above Florida when we compare records and winning percentages. This really shouldn't be a surprise, considering that Florida has only one undefeated season in their history (1911) where Ohio State has 8. Florida has never been undefeated and untied, Ohio State was 14 - 0 just 4 years ago. Florida began playing football in 1906, and in that time has had 23 sub .500 seasons, Ohio State has only had 8 in that same time frame. Florida failed to win a game as recently as 1979 (0-10-1) Ohio State has never gone winless. I can feel it. You're starting to get worried now. Maybe Florida won't just show up and win, right? But, you still have your fall back point, and unfortunately this paragraph does serve your purpose to some extent.... Florida Speed.
OK, so the Big Ten is a better conference and has better athletes considering the award imbalance between the two. But, what about Florida speed? How could Ohio State ever even dream of keeping up with Florida speed? Well, let's take a look at that. First, the last time Ohio State played a team from Florida with "Florida Speed" with Title implications on the line was the 2003 Fiesta Bowl against Miami. You remember what happened that game? That's right, Ohio State lucked in to a Championship because of a late flag. You remember. I'm not going to go thru the fruitless exercise of discussing the merits of the flag, or the missed calls which would have ended the game in regulation in Ohio State's favor. It's not worth the effort. Some men you just can't reach. But, I think you'll agree with me that Miami of Florida was a huge favorite in that game, expected to run away with it something on the order of 42 - 10, yes? And, what happened? Ohio State's Chris Gamble had the longest reception of the game (57 yards). Maurice Clarett caught Sean Taylor from behind and took back the ball after Taylor's pick - Clarett, before ending up in prison, ran a laughable 40 time and he still caught Taylor. The Ohio State D-Line consistently put pressure on Dorsey, proving to be much quicker than Miami's line. If nothing else, Ohio State showed they can play with "Florida Speed."
I know you're still stuck on the late flag problem, so let's consider the last time Florida played a "slow plodding team" with National Title implications on the line. As fate would have it, like the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, the game I'm about to talk about was also played in the Fiesta Bowl. The year was 1996. Now, I think you'll agree with me, Florida fan, that when it comes to "slow schools" Ohio State is in league with Nebraska, right? A bunch of corn fed fat schmucks who'd be more likely to drink a 40 in 4.5 seconds than run that fast, right? Well, I probably don't need to remind you of the score of that one, but I will. Nebraska 62. Steve Spurrier lead Florida 24. Yes, it would seem one of your best teams of all time, paired with one of your best quarterbacks of all time, and certainly your best coach of all time, got completely run out of Arizona by slow, plodding tubs of lard. You speed demons gave up the top two rushing performances against you ever, 199 by Heisman runner-up (To Ohio State's Eddie George) Tommie Frazier and another 165 by Lawrence Phillips, all in the same game! Against the terribly slow Nebraska Cornhuskers? Are you kidding me? If that's "Florida Speed" you can keep it. 62 to 24. Pathetic. The most Ohio State's ever given up in a Bowl game was 42 to the 1972 USC Trojans. Like the Nebraska you lost to by 38, that USC squad which beat Ohio State by 25 won the National Championship as well. Incidentally, Florida was 5-5-1 in 1972.
Lets see here ... Better conference, historically and recently. Better athletes. Playing in the same bowl (even though it won't be called the "Fiesta Bowl" this year) as where Ohio State's "signature win over Florida Speed" took place and which also happens to be the same bowl where Florida's most embarrassing loss against a "slow northern team" occurred? I must confess, Gator fans, I don't see why you're so optimistic.
Ohio State's road to Glendale was just like I-70 in Kansas. Straight. No bumps. No turns. The kind of road on which you hit the gas and see exactly what your engine can do. As it turns out, that's exactly how Ohio State treated this year, speeding past Edsels like Iowa, Pintos like Michigan State, Chevettes like Indiana, Yugos like Bowling Green and a couple of souped up Oldsmabuicks named Texas and Michigan. Ohio State dominated all comers by a combined 436 - 125 (36.3 - 10.4) While the season began with question marks, each week Ohio State strengthened it's stranglehold of the top spot. By October 14, 2006 (A 38 - 7 victory over Michigan State), even the most conservative and pessimistic of fans could reasonably predict Ohio State would be exactly where they are now, on the brink of their second title in five years. But, who might they play?
Florida's road to Glendale, in contrast, Had more switchbacks and slow spots than does San Francisco's Lombard Street. Excited about their second year coach, Ohioan Urban Meyer, Florida entered 2006 rated #7 in the AP and 8 in the Coaches poll. All the teams rated in front of the Gators received at least one first place vote in one poll or the other - Florida had zero. While tangentially in the conversation, no one outside of Gainesville seriously argued Florida would end up playing for the crystal. Florida lost to Auburn 27-17 in a game where Auburn couldn't muster an offensive touchdown. Florida won ugly (when not lining up against Division I-AA teams), beating teams like Vanderbilt 25-19 and needed 3 blocked kicks to stay in front of South Carolina. But, even with each close shave (including creepy appearances by washed up supermodels), Florida did what they had to do and made it to the SEC Championship game against an Arkansas team which had been pole-axed by USC 50-14.
When the SEC Championship game began, hardly anyone north of Knoxville or west of Little Rock cared what was going on in the Georgia Dome. All eyes were on USC and UCLA. All USC had to do was win, and they'd face the Buckeyes in Glendale. But, they lost and all of a sudden, CBS got a rating boost. It was about halftime when Florida learned it was still alive for the Title. Well, like a true champion, Florida took the news and it's 17 - 7 lead and immediately began to play like they had never played before. By that I don't mean "well." I mean they played like this was the first time they had ever played football. After a penalty giving UF a first and 15, Leak quickly delivered the ball to Arkansas via inteception and Arkansas scored shortly thereafter. The teams exchanged a couple of three and outs, and then Leak did what he does best, tossing a 40 yard TD strike to Arkansas' Defensive End Antwain Robinson. Momentum clearly on Arkansas' sideline, Michigan fans started making calls to travel agents. But then, fate would intervene and Florida would gain a garbage touchdown when a guy named Fish muffed a punt he should never have been anywhere near. Touchdown Gators. It was the spark they needed, and Florida won the game going away.
Great ... now what? Who should play Ohio State? The 12 - 1 Gators, who certainly didn't appear to be the true #2 team in the land, or 11- 1 Michigan, which had already had their shot and failed? Well, hats off to Urban Crier. In the hours that followed, Meyer outplayed Carr in the game which Carr excels - whining. Indeed, so complete was the bitch-fest, some 3 weeks after the Championship Game participants had been set the ESPN talking heads were still trying to figure out which team should be there. Meanwhile, Troy Smith went to New York and became Ohio State's seventh Heisman winner.
Living up to their reputation across the internet, Florida fans immediately began running their mouths. Ohio State had "almost lost" to Illinois they typed ... Ohio State must be over-rated. Of course, anyone who had watched that game knew that Ohio State was never in serious danger of losing that one. But, then, Florida fans don't watch anything that's not SEC related. And, because the So Everybody Cheats conference is all they know, and Florida won it, they must be better. Ugly win against South Carolina? Yeah, maybe ... but Spurrier would go 185 - 0 in the Big Ten every year, so ... Ohio State's undefeated, but so is Boise State they observe. Finally, they point to what is by now a well known truism about college football, Florida has speed that the slow plodders from Ohio could only appreciate if their cable modems went that fast. Under-dogs? Hardly. Not when you're dealing with moron egomaniacs who are only slightly cognizant that the rest of the nation plays football too.
See, SEC fans generally, and Florida fans in particular, live in a bizarre world based on myth, opinion and fabrication. They think the SEC is the end all be all of all things sports, especially football. Point out a blemish and they go in to absurd excuse mode. My favorite? "If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough!" They stretch any ridiculous line of reasoning they can. They don't respect anything else. Their reality is based on nonsense. The kind of thing fans cling to when they don't truly understand the nature of College football. The kind of things a superficial ESPN analyst points to as "rationale." It's the kind of thing that makes a fan, otherwise wholly unsure of their affiliation, feel good about their school and themselves for rooting for that school at all.
You can't reason with these people in a normal way. You need to figure out their language. Years of my time on the net has taught me how to talk to these people. You have to take interesting but irrelevant factoids and turn them in to sweeping conclusions about the future. I - after years of practice - possess this skill. So, you want to know why Ohio State is better than Florida and should win in Glendale? Don't pay any attention to DaddyBigBuck's DSA analysis. Don't concern yourself with any unit match-ups outlined above. It's likely all gibberish to you anyway. All you need to pay attention to is what follows.
This is going to sting quite a bit, but get this ... Since 1936 teams from the SEC can lay a claim to 15 National Titles - lead by Alabama's seven. The Big Ten has won 14 - lead by Ohio State's five. I'm only counting "major" championships. And, this is lucky for you, because if I had included minor titles and "retro" championships, the Big Ten would be well ahead of the SEC. You're thinking, "so what - way to prove our point, 15 - 14," right? Well, wait a second. It would seem that just under half of the SEC titles are owned by Alabama. Seven of them, in fact. Without Alabama, Tennessee's 3 Titles would be tops in your league. Three titles? Hell, Minnesota has 4. Color me unimpressed. I would also point out, Ohio State has five National Titles (not including two minor titles) Florida has one. All I'm saying is, you SEC guys - and especially you Florida fans, are coat-tailing Alabama. Oh, and Alabama pretty much sucks these days. So, the Big Ten has essentially as many NCAA Titles, and the SEC is pretty mediocre without Alabama. I will say, however, it's unlikely any conference will ever catch you guys in terms of NCAA violations - so you have that title well in hand. For any Ohio State fans reading this, the point I'm making in SEC fan speak is this - The SEC isn't special.
Now, I know. That rationale in and of itself is surely not enough to convince you Ohio State has a reasonable chance against the Gator's in Glendale, you'll need more. So bear with me for a minute. There is more. Let's talk Heismans. If you look it up, you'll see that there have been seven Heisman winners from the So Everybody Cheats. That's a nice total, seven. It's exactly how many Ohio State has all by itself - including, I might add, this year's winner. Florida has two Heismans, which is, of course, as many as Ohio State would have if we only counted Archie Griffin's stiff-arm trophies. If we were to include all the Big Ten's Heismans the Big Ten dominates your neat little conference 15 - 7. I should add, that total of 15 (and Ohio State's total of 7) does not include Keith Byars' 1984 trophy which Doug Flutie is wandering around with. I know you Florida fans are able to follow an obvious point I'm making here. But, some of the Ohio State fans reading this might be thinking, "how is this at all relevant to January 8, 2007?" So, I'm just going to spell it out. The Big Ten - and Ohio State in particular - has better athletes.
I get the sense you're still not persuaded that Ohio State can stay on the same field against the Gators. If I know you people, and I do, you're thinking "I see your point about the titles and all, but it's not just about the titles. The SEC has more winning programs than the Big Ten." Well, I'm afraid that's not true. As you know, the SEC was founded in 1932. So, let's have a look at the Top 5 winning percentages of all D-IA programs since 1932, shall we?
1. Ohio State 556-187-25 .740 (Big 10)
2. Oklahoma 585-203-26 .735 (Big XII)
3. Michigan 550-208-18 .720 (Big 10)
4. Alabama 577-219-26 .717 (SEC)
5. Penn State 549-214-16 .715 (Big 10)
.....
20. Florida 472-308-24 .609
I hear you, I know Penn State wasn't in the Big Ten for the bulk of those years. But, they are in the Big 10 now, and since we are comparing our conferences and all, they count. It's only fair since they are a Top 5 team, and Big Ten teams do have to play them every year now. Hey, look at that ... the SEC - still riding Alabama's coat-tails.
I know what you're thinking. "Ancient history. The SEC has been better since I've been alive." Well, not quite. I know you're physically older than this, but let's take 1996 thru 2005. That's a nice 10 years, and most of you didn't start paying attention to football until 1996 anyway. Since 1996 your hated rival Florida State leads the way at a impressive 100 - 26. Miami is in second at 96 - 26. Of course, neither of those schools are SEC. Guess who's third. Yep, Ohio State 96-28. Tennessee checks in as the best SEC school, tied for 5th at 95-30. Florida? 9th 93 - 32. You know what that means, right? The Big Ten has been better longer, and still remains better. Likewise, Ohio State is continually above Florida when we compare records and winning percentages. This really shouldn't be a surprise, considering that Florida has only one undefeated season in their history (1911) where Ohio State has 8. Florida has never been undefeated and untied, Ohio State was 14 - 0 just 4 years ago. Florida began playing football in 1906, and in that time has had 23 sub .500 seasons, Ohio State has only had 8 in that same time frame. Florida failed to win a game as recently as 1979 (0-10-1) Ohio State has never gone winless. I can feel it. You're starting to get worried now. Maybe Florida won't just show up and win, right? But, you still have your fall back point, and unfortunately this paragraph does serve your purpose to some extent.... Florida Speed.
OK, so the Big Ten is a better conference and has better athletes considering the award imbalance between the two. But, what about Florida speed? How could Ohio State ever even dream of keeping up with Florida speed? Well, let's take a look at that. First, the last time Ohio State played a team from Florida with "Florida Speed" with Title implications on the line was the 2003 Fiesta Bowl against Miami. You remember what happened that game? That's right, Ohio State lucked in to a Championship because of a late flag. You remember. I'm not going to go thru the fruitless exercise of discussing the merits of the flag, or the missed calls which would have ended the game in regulation in Ohio State's favor. It's not worth the effort. Some men you just can't reach. But, I think you'll agree with me that Miami of Florida was a huge favorite in that game, expected to run away with it something on the order of 42 - 10, yes? And, what happened? Ohio State's Chris Gamble had the longest reception of the game (57 yards). Maurice Clarett caught Sean Taylor from behind and took back the ball after Taylor's pick - Clarett, before ending up in prison, ran a laughable 40 time and he still caught Taylor. The Ohio State D-Line consistently put pressure on Dorsey, proving to be much quicker than Miami's line. If nothing else, Ohio State showed they can play with "Florida Speed."
I know you're still stuck on the late flag problem, so let's consider the last time Florida played a "slow plodding team" with National Title implications on the line. As fate would have it, like the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, the game I'm about to talk about was also played in the Fiesta Bowl. The year was 1996. Now, I think you'll agree with me, Florida fan, that when it comes to "slow schools" Ohio State is in league with Nebraska, right? A bunch of corn fed fat schmucks who'd be more likely to drink a 40 in 4.5 seconds than run that fast, right? Well, I probably don't need to remind you of the score of that one, but I will. Nebraska 62. Steve Spurrier lead Florida 24. Yes, it would seem one of your best teams of all time, paired with one of your best quarterbacks of all time, and certainly your best coach of all time, got completely run out of Arizona by slow, plodding tubs of lard. You speed demons gave up the top two rushing performances against you ever, 199 by Heisman runner-up (To Ohio State's Eddie George) Tommie Frazier and another 165 by Lawrence Phillips, all in the same game! Against the terribly slow Nebraska Cornhuskers? Are you kidding me? If that's "Florida Speed" you can keep it. 62 to 24. Pathetic. The most Ohio State's ever given up in a Bowl game was 42 to the 1972 USC Trojans. Like the Nebraska you lost to by 38, that USC squad which beat Ohio State by 25 won the National Championship as well. Incidentally, Florida was 5-5-1 in 1972.
Lets see here ... Better conference, historically and recently. Better athletes. Playing in the same bowl (even though it won't be called the "Fiesta Bowl" this year) as where Ohio State's "signature win over Florida Speed" took place and which also happens to be the same bowl where Florida's most embarrassing loss against a "slow northern team" occurred? I must confess, Gator fans, I don't see why you're so optimistic.
Historical Data
University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) Founded in 1853
Football 1st Season: 1906
Stadium: Ben Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (The Swamp)
Constructed: 1930
Seating Capacity: 90,010
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Southeastern Conference since 1933, 1906-1911 - Independent, 1912-1921 - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1922-1932 - Southern Conference, 1943 - No Team
Colors: Orange & Blue
Mascots: (Alli)Gator (Albert & Alberta)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 9 SEC Titles: 1991, 1992*, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999*, 2000, 2006 (* Denotes East Division Champs only)
Consensus All-Americans: 23 (22 different players as of 2004)
College Hall-of-Famers: 6
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 1 - Jack Youngblood
Award Winners: 2 - Davey O'Brien Awards, 2 - Draddy Awards (Academic Heisman), 2 - Heisman Trophies, 1 - Johnny Unitas Award, 1 - Lou Groza Award, 1 - Maxwell Award, 1 - AP POY, 1 - Walter Camp POY, 2 - Sammy Baugh Trophies, 1 - Thorpe Award
National Championships: 1 Recognized Championship (1996)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-24 years, Coaches-26 years
Stadium: Ben Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (The Swamp)
Constructed: 1930
Seating Capacity: 90,010
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Southeastern Conference since 1933, 1906-1911 - Independent, 1912-1921 - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1922-1932 - Southern Conference, 1943 - No Team
Colors: Orange & Blue
Mascots: (Alli)Gator (Albert & Alberta)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 9 SEC Titles: 1991, 1992*, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999*, 2000, 2006 (* Denotes East Division Champs only)
Consensus All-Americans: 23 (22 different players as of 2004)
College Hall-of-Famers: 6
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 1 - Jack Youngblood
Award Winners: 2 - Davey O'Brien Awards, 2 - Draddy Awards (Academic Heisman), 2 - Heisman Trophies, 1 - Johnny Unitas Award, 1 - Lou Groza Award, 1 - Maxwell Award, 1 - AP POY, 1 - Walter Camp POY, 2 - Sammy Baugh Trophies, 1 - Thorpe Award
National Championships: 1 Recognized Championship (1996)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-24 years, Coaches-26 years
Records
All Time: 606-367-40 (.618)
Bowl Games: 15-18-0 (.455) Most recently a 31-24 win over Iowa in the 2005-06 Outback Bowl.
All Time vs the BigTen: 8-5-0 (.615) Versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-0-0 No previous meetings.
Coach's Reord: Urban Meyer, 60-12 (.833) overall, 21-4 (.840) at Florida
This Season:12-1-0 (.923)
W - Southern Miss (34-7) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Central Florida (42-0) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Tennessee (21-20) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Kentucky (26-7) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Alabama (28-13) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - LSU (23-10) Box Score - Gator Zone
L - Auburn (17-27) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Georgia (21-14) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Vanderbilt (25-19) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - South Carolina (17-16) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Western Carolina (62-0) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Florida State (21-14) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Arkansas (38-28) (SEC Championship Game) Box Score - Gator Zone
Last 5 Years: 42-20-0 (.677)
Last 10 Years: 93-31-0 (.750)
Bowl Games: 15-18-0 (.455) Most recently a 31-24 win over Iowa in the 2005-06 Outback Bowl.
All Time vs the BigTen: 8-5-0 (.615) Versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-0-0 No previous meetings.
Coach's Reord: Urban Meyer, 60-12 (.833) overall, 21-4 (.840) at Florida
This Season:12-1-0 (.923)
W - Southern Miss (34-7) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Central Florida (42-0) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Tennessee (21-20) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Kentucky (26-7) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Alabama (28-13) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - LSU (23-10) Box Score - Gator Zone
L - Auburn (17-27) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Georgia (21-14) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Vanderbilt (25-19) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - South Carolina (17-16) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Western Carolina (62-0) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Florida State (21-14) Box Score - Gator Zone
W - Arkansas (38-28) (SEC Championship Game) Box Score - Gator Zone
Last 5 Years: 42-20-0 (.677)
Last 10 Years: 93-31-0 (.750)
Links
Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Florida
Student Newspaper - The Independent Florida Alligator Online
Official Athletics Site - Gator Zone
Official Conference Site - Southeastern Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Gator Country (Scout)
Message Boards - Gator Bait (Rivals)
Message Boards - Gator Nation - formerly "Zook Free Zone" (Independent)
Message Boards - Mud Lizard (Independent)
Message Boards - Gator Droppings (Independent)
Message Boards - The Gator Board (Independent)
Message Boards - AOL
Message Boards - Gator Sports (The Gainesville Sun)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN/Scout
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Sampies Rumor Mill
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Orange & Blue Hue
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Every Day Should Be Saturday
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Saurian Sagacity
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Fire Ron Zook The Blog
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Panhandling
Local News Sources:
Gainesville Sun - Local News
Miami Herald - Local News
Orlando Sentinel - Local News
St. Petersburg Times - Local News
Post Herald (Fanatic Zone) - Local News
Florida Times Union - Local News
Tampa Bay Online - Local News
Palm Beach Post - Local News
Bradenton Herald - Local News
South Florida Sun Sentinel - Local News
Gator Network (Radio Network) - Local News
SunSports & FSN-Florida (TV Network) - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
FLORIDA Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (07/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/06/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/14/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/26/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/01/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/15/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/31/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/06/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/12/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/14/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/21/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/26/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/28/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/31/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (01/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Season on Video ... VERY COOL! - Planet Gator
2006 Roster - Gator Zone
2006 Spring Prospectus/Preview (Links to PDF files) - Gator Zone
2006 Preseason Florida Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Offensive Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Defensive Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Depth Chart - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Further Analysis - CFN/Scout
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - CSTV
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - SEC Sports
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - The Sports Network
2006-07 Bowl Previews - Athlon
2006-07 Bowl Previews - ESPN
2006-07 Bowl Previews - CBS Sportsline
Travel & Event Information
TBDBITL Schedule of Events - tOSU News & Information
Travel Information (Visitor's Link) - Glendale's Got Game
Travel Information (Map Links) - Glendale's Got Game
Travel Information (Parking Links) - Glendale's Got Game
Insight, Fiesta and BCS Championship Calendar of Events - Fiesta Bowl
Official School Site - University of Florida
Student Newspaper - The Independent Florida Alligator Online
Official Athletics Site - Gator Zone
Official Conference Site - Southeastern Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Gator Country (Scout)
Message Boards - Gator Bait (Rivals)
Message Boards - Gator Nation - formerly "Zook Free Zone" (Independent)
Message Boards - Mud Lizard (Independent)
Message Boards - Gator Droppings (Independent)
Message Boards - The Gator Board (Independent)
Message Boards - AOL
Message Boards - Gator Sports (The Gainesville Sun)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN/Scout
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Sampies Rumor Mill
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Orange & Blue Hue
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Every Day Should Be Saturday
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Saurian Sagacity
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Fire Ron Zook The Blog
Blogs, Fan Sites, etc. - Panhandling
Local News Sources:
Gainesville Sun - Local News
Miami Herald - Local News
Orlando Sentinel - Local News
St. Petersburg Times - Local News
Post Herald (Fanatic Zone) - Local News
Florida Times Union - Local News
Tampa Bay Online - Local News
Palm Beach Post - Local News
Bradenton Herald - Local News
South Florida Sun Sentinel - Local News
Gator Network (Radio Network) - Local News
SunSports & FSN-Florida (TV Network) - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
FLORIDA Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (07/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (08/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/06/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/14/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (09/26/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/01/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/10/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/15/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (10/31/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/06/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/12/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/14/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/19/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/21/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/26/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (11/28/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (12/31/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
FLORIDA Team Report (01/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Season on Video ... VERY COOL! - Planet Gator
2006 Roster - Gator Zone
2006 Spring Prospectus/Preview (Links to PDF files) - Gator Zone
2006 Preseason Florida Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Offensive Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Defensive Preview - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Depth Chart - CFN/Scout
2006 Preseason Florida Further Analysis - CFN/Scout
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - CSTV
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - SEC Sports
2006-07 BCS Championship Preview - The Sports Network
2006-07 Bowl Previews - Athlon
2006-07 Bowl Previews - ESPN
2006-07 Bowl Previews - CBS Sportsline
Travel & Event Information
TBDBITL Schedule of Events - tOSU News & Information
Travel Information (Visitor's Link) - Glendale's Got Game
Travel Information (Map Links) - Glendale's Got Game
Travel Information (Parking Links) - Glendale's Got Game
Insight, Fiesta and BCS Championship Calendar of Events - Fiesta Bowl
Preseason Rankings
2 CFN
2 Surfire Scouting
4 Game Plan
5 Athlon
5 Lindy's Power Rankings
5 Blue Ribbon
5 Street & Smith's
5 The Gold Sheet
6 Southern Pigskin
7 National Champs
7 Football.com
7 ATS Consultants
8 USA Today/Coaches Poll
8 The Sporting News
8 College Rivals.org
8 Football.com (early preseason)
9 CBS Sportsline (Dennis Dodd)
9 CBS Sportsline (Preview Magazine)
9 Rivals
9 AJC (Tony Barnhart)
9 Stat Fox.com
10 Phil Steele (Power Poll)
10 Playboy
10 Autumn Spectacle
11 CNN/SI (Stewart Mandel)
12 ESPN (Ivan Maisel)
13 Real Football 365
14 Just College Football.com
20 Phil Steele (Expected Finish)
21 College Football Poll (CCR Preseason)
2 Surfire Scouting
4 Game Plan
5 Athlon
5 Lindy's Power Rankings
5 Blue Ribbon
5 Street & Smith's
5 The Gold Sheet
6 Southern Pigskin
7 National Champs
7 Football.com
7 ATS Consultants
8 USA Today/Coaches Poll
8 The Sporting News
8 College Rivals.org
8 Football.com (early preseason)
9 CBS Sportsline (Dennis Dodd)
9 CBS Sportsline (Preview Magazine)
9 Rivals
9 AJC (Tony Barnhart)
9 Stat Fox.com
10 Phil Steele (Power Poll)
10 Playboy
10 Autumn Spectacle
11 CNN/SI (Stewart Mandel)
12 ESPN (Ivan Maisel)
13 Real Football 365
14 Just College Football.com
20 Phil Steele (Expected Finish)
21 College Football Poll (CCR Preseason)
2006 Ranking Run to the Title Game
Date........AP / USA TODAY / HARRIS / BCS
Preseason...7/8
Sept 4......7/7
Sept 10.....7/6
Sept 17.....5/5
Sept 24.....5/5/6
Oct 1.......5/5/5
Oct 8.......2/3/3
Oct 15......9/10/9/6
Oct 22......9/8/9/6
Oct 29......7/7/7/4
Nov 5.......6/6/6/4
Nov 12......3/3/4/4
Nov 19......4/4/4/4
Nov 26......4/4/4/4
Dec 3.......2/2/2/2
Preseason Watch Lists
2006 Lott Trophy - Watch List (Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation)
Brandon Siler - Watch List
2006 Lombardi Award - Watch List (The Rotary Club of Houston)
Ray McDonald - Watch List
2006 Bronko Nagurski - Watch List (Charlotte Touchdown Club)
Brandon Siler - Watch List
2006 Ted Hendricks Award - Watch List (Ted Hendricks Foundation)
Ray McDonald - Watch List
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Chris Leak - Semifinalist
2006 Benarik Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Earl Everett - Watch List
Reggie Nelson - Watch List
Brandon Siler - Semifinalist
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Chris Leak - Watch List
2006 Davey O'Brien Award
Chris Leak - Finalist
2006 Biletnikoff Award
Dallas Baker - Watch List
Andre Caldwell - Watch List
2006 Draddy Award
Chris Leak - Finalist
Brandon Siler - Watch List
2006 Lombardi Award - Watch List (The Rotary Club of Houston)
Ray McDonald - Watch List
2006 Bronko Nagurski - Watch List (Charlotte Touchdown Club)
Brandon Siler - Watch List
2006 Ted Hendricks Award - Watch List (Ted Hendricks Foundation)
Ray McDonald - Watch List
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Chris Leak - Semifinalist
2006 Benarik Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Earl Everett - Watch List
Reggie Nelson - Watch List
Brandon Siler - Semifinalist
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Chris Leak - Watch List
2006 Davey O'Brien Award
Chris Leak - Finalist
2006 Biletnikoff Award
Dallas Baker - Watch List
Andre Caldwell - Watch List
2006 Draddy Award
Chris Leak - Finalist
Additional Awards and Honors
All-American Teams
(Associated Press, Walter Camp Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America and Sporting News)
FWAA All-American First-Team
FS - Reggie Nelson
Walter Camp All-American First-Team
FS - Reggie Nelson
AFCA All-American First-Team
FS - Reggie Nelson
CBS Sportsline.com All-American
DB - Reggie Nelson
Rivals.com All-American First-Team
DB - Reggie Nelson
Rivals.com All-American Third-Team
CB - Ryan Smith
CFN All-American Freshman First-Team
WR - Percy Harvin
AP All-American First-Team
FS - Reggie Nelson
AP All-American Second-Team
CB - Ryan Smith
AP All-American Third-Team
LB - Brandon Siler
AP All-SEC First-Team
FS - Reggie Nelson
CB - Ryan Smith
AP All-SEC Second-Team
LB - Brandon Siler
LB - Earl Everett
AP SEC Freshman of the Year
WR/RB - Percy Harvin
Coaches All-SEC First-Team
C - Steve Rissler
WR - Dallas Baker
DL - Ray McDonald
LB - Earl Everett
DB - Reggie Nelson
Coaches All-SEC Second-Team
OL - Drew Miller
OL - Phil Trautwein
QB - Chris Leak
DL - Derrick Harvey
LB - Brandon Siler
Coaches SEC Freshman of the Year
WR/RB - Percy Harvin
Sporting News Freshman Second-Team All-American
WR/RB - Percy Harvin
Sporting News Freshman Honorable Mention All-American
KR - Brandon James
QB - Tim Tebow
OL - Ronnie "Taz" Wilson
SEC Championship Game MVP
WR/RB - Percy Harvin
First-Team Academic All-District III
LB - Brandon Siler
SEC Player of the Week Honors - Florida
Week 1
Week 2
FRESHMAN: Percy Harvin
Week 3
DEFENSE: Earl Everett
Week 4
Week 5
DEFENSE: Reggie Nelson
Week 6
SPECIAL TEAMS: Eric Wilbur
FRESHMAN: Tim Tebow
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Ray McDonald
Week 10
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Jarvis Moss
Week 11
SPECIAL TEAMS: Jarvis Moss
Week 12
FRESHMAN: Riley Cooper
Week 13
CO-OFFENSE: Chris Leak
Week 1
Week 2
FRESHMAN: Percy Harvin
Week 3
DEFENSE: Earl Everett
Week 4
Week 5
DEFENSE: Reggie Nelson
Week 6
SPECIAL TEAMS: Eric Wilbur
FRESHMAN: Tim Tebow
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Ray McDonald
Week 10
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Jarvis Moss
Week 11
SPECIAL TEAMS: Jarvis Moss
Week 12
FRESHMAN: Riley Cooper
Week 13
CO-OFFENSE: Chris Leak
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
Two Cousins College Football Emporium - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data