Will Muschamp’s third class at Florida is arguably his best yet, as the Gators bring in a group considered the second-best in the country by some analysts.
Florida football recruiting: Gators mine Florida for top-5 recruiting class
15 of the Florida Gators 25 commits come from Florida, giving them a class considered by some to be the second-best in the country. Vernon Hargreaves III, considered the best cornerback in the country, highlights the class.
The Gators were one win away from the conference championship this past season, losing only to Georgia, and entered their bowl as the No. 3 team in the country. From there, it seems like the Gators can only trend upward: Muschamp’s first class at Florida in the wake of Urban Meyer’s then-retirement wasn’t a particularly strong one, but he stepped it up with a class considered No. 3 in the country by Rivals and No. 4 by ESPN. This year, both have the Gators at No. 2. Scout is a bit more pessimistic, but still acknowledges the strong nature of the class with a No. 7 ranking.
Here’s some of the highlights of Florida’s 25-man class, mainly culled from the dynamite recruiting base the Gators have in their own backyard:
Vernon Hargreaves III, DB, Tampa, Fla.: Hargreaves is widely considered the best cornerback in the nation, a five-star by all sources. He was the top player at the Under Armour All-American Game, picking off a pass and earning MVP honors, and should be ready to start right away for the Gators.
Kelvin Taylor, RB, Belle Glade, Fla.: Taylor's got a good pedigree, as his father is former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. The comparisons come naturally: the 5'11 running back is a four-star recruit with "power, speed, quickness and natural instincts" that remind scouts of the elder Taylor. He'll have a chance to get carries as a freshman with Mike Gillislee graduating.
Daniel McMillan, MLB, Jacksonville, Fla.: McMillan is considered the No. 4 middle linebacker in the country by Scout and is four stars by almost every scouting service. The 6’3 220-pounder described as “explosive” was on a First Coast team that played for the Florida state title, and chose the Gators over Alabama and FSU.
Ahmad Fulwood, WR, Jacksonville, Fla.: Fulwood fits the profile for a scary wide receiver: 6'4, with a 4.47 40 time. Fulwood, considered by some to be a five-star recruit, is the type of player Florida has been looking for. Without a true playmaker at the wide receiver spot in 2012, their leading receiver was a tight end, followed by Quinton Dunbar, who had only 383 yards receiving on the year. As such, Fulwood could play off the bat as a freshman.
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