The Florida Gators are sending five verbal commits to The Opening, presented this weekend by Nike in Beaverton, Ore. The five players selected are some of the best of the Gators' early commits from the Class of 2014.
The Opening 2013: Five Florida Gators recruits competing
Florida’s excellent class will be represented by five verbal commitments
USA TODAY Sports
DL Khairi Clark (@KhairiClark), 6-1.5, 320
Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
He had 26 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior to earn All-Broward County honors. The lineman committed to Florida in June over 30 other offers.
RB Dalvin Cook, 5-11, 187
Miami (Fla.) Central
Cook was Class 6A All-State as a junior when he ran for 1,452 yards and 21 TDs. Cook has committed to Florida over offers from Florida State, LSU, Miami, Clemson and USC.
DB Duke Dawson (@NoFLYZoNeDawson), 5-11, 197
Cross City (Fla.) Dixie Co.
Dawson had 43 tackles and two INTs last season. He committed to Florida over offers from Florida State, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
QB Will Grier (@WillG7533), 6’3, 180
Davidson (N.C.) Day
The 6’3, 180-pound Grier had a monster year on the field, putting up huge numbers: 5,785 yards passing with 69 TDs and another 813 yards rushing with eight scores on the ground, albeit against very questionable competition. Grier is a consensus four-star recruit, and is widely considered one of the five best pocket passer prospects nationally. A MaxPreps Junior All-American and All-State honoree, he was also the Quarterback MVP at the Charlotte NFTC. He committed to Florida in February over offers from Florida State, North Carolina, Oregon and Tennessee, among others.
DL Anthony Moten (@anthony_moten95), 6-4, 280
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
Moten was named All-Broward County as his 30 tackles, including nine for loss, and four sacks helped lead Aquinas to the state 7A title. He showed his strength with the top power ball throw (42 feet) at the Miami Nike Football SPARQ Combine. Moten committed to Florida over a double digit offer list that included Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
