There's no signing day stress for the Florida Gators regarding linebacker Alex Anzalone, as the blue-chip 2013 prospect is already enrolled in the school. Anzalone's recruitment was one of the most dramatic of the 2013 cycle, with multiple decommitments and an innocent appearance in a scandal.
Alex Anzalone enrolled at Florida: Former Ohio State, Notre Dame commit boosts Gators
One of the nation’s top linebacker prospects is already on campus in Gainesville and ready to get started with the Gators.
Bud Elliott (SB Nation)
Anzalone was once an Ohio State commit, but broke it off after SB Nation’s Land-Grant Holy Land revealed a registered sex offender had been granted access to Buckeyes recruits, including Anzalone. In July, he committed to Notre Dame over Penn State and Florida, but decommitted on Jan. 10, pledged to the Gators that same day, and enrolled in school on Jan. 11. He’s thus reminded us multiple times why you shouldn’t bother recruits on Twitter.
For more on Florida football recruiting, check out Alligator Army.
Anzalone gives Will Muschamp’s defense one of the best linebackers in the class of 2013 -- he is considered the second-best player at his position by Rivals and the No. 28 overall prospect in the class. As for how he’ll fit in at Florida, let’s turn to SB Nation’s Alligator Army:
But the insanity of Anzalone’s recruitment should fade if he plays like he is capable of playing for Florida. Anzalone’s already got great size, which also him as a four-star player and the No. 59 player nationally in their 247Composite rankings. Anzalone’s got good athleticism, too, and tackling skills that could make him a very good player at the BUCK or outside linebacker positions in Florida’s defense.
Florida’s gone a long way to replacing seniors Lerentee McCray and Jon Bostic and surprise NFL Draft entrant Jelani Jenkins with its 2013 recruiting class. And the Gators seem poised to have the nation’s best crop of incoming players, and will reap all the benefits of coverage that will come with it.
Ratings: Anzalone is a five-star prospect according to Rivals and 247Sports, ranking among the top linebackers and top players in Florida no matter the service.
Vitals: 6’3, 229 pounds. Ran a 4.73 40 and has a 29-inch vertical, according to Rivals.
Other offers: Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida State
Recruitment timeline: SB Nation’s Alex Anzalone StoryStream
Twitter: @AlexAnzalone34
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