Totally! ----- Original Message ----- From: Buck Shot To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 9:56 AM Subject: [gatortalk] Fw: [gatornews] [OrlSentinel] The 25 best players in Florida (based on NFL potential)
Once again the crappy Orlando Sentinel proves my previous post to be accurate ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 9:27 AM Subject: [gatornews] [OrlSentinel] The 25 best players in Florida (based on NFL potential) orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsorl-best-25-players-florida-083009aug30,0,7918399.story OrlandoSentinel.com The 25 best players in Florida (based on NFL potential) August 30, 2009 1. CARLOS DUNLAP DE, Florida (6-6, 290, Jr.) Top 5 in 2010 (early entry) The buzz: He played in all 14 games last season, starting only two games, flashed as a pass-rush specialist (9½ sacks) and blocked three punts. Then ... well ... WOW! Dunlap terrorized Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game when he was named MVP for his four tackles, 1½ for loss and half-sack, plus another blocked field goal. Great pass rushers rocket up draft boards — and make lots of money. Congrats, Carlos! 2. RAY RAY ARMSTRONG S, Miami (6-5, 220, Fr.) Top 5 in 2012 (early entry) The buzz: No one is certain what the future has in store as far a position for the former Sanford Seminole star, only that there will be violent collisions wherever he winds up. Armstrong's UM career will begin at safety, but No. 26 (Sean Taylor's old number for a reason) may venture to linebacker; maybe even defensive end. 3. JANORIS JENKINS CB, Florida (5-11, 188, Soph.) Top 10 in 2011 (early entry) The buzz: He won two straight state titles at Pahokee, graduated early, arrived at UF in the spring and was starting on opening day as a true freshman for a team that went on to win the national championship. Jenkins already is wearing the coveted "shutdown corner" label — at least five teams go looking for one every year — and that will make him a hot commodity when he's eligible in '11. 4. JELANI JENKINS LB, Florida (6-1, 200, Fr.) Top 15 in 2013 The buzz: No disrespect for the next name on the list, but look for this Jenkins (no relation to the aforementioned UF cornerback) arrives as one of the most heralded freshman linebackers in years; on and off the field. If Jelani cracks the defensive rotation, that'll be saying something. He won't leave early unless he graduates early — which his 4.0 prep GPA suggests he might. 5. BRANDON SPIKES LB, Florida (6-3, 258, Sr.) Top 15 in 2010 The buzz: The leader of a defense that returns an entire two-deep roster, Spikes is ready to shine again, maybe even brighter, as a senior. Inside linebackers aren't as sexy as the sideline-to-sideline edge guys to the NFL front-office eye, but Spikes is always in the middle of the action and the pros love that. 6. PATRICK ROBINSON CB, Florida State (5-11, 194, Sr.) Top 15 in 2010 The buzz: He's in line to join the list of elite FSU defensive backs to go to play in the pros (see Sanders, Deion; Buckley, Terrell; Butler, LeRoy; Cromartie, Antonio). His ball-hawking skills and physicality will make him one of the top DBs in the draft next April. 7. JOE HADEN CB, Florida (5-11, 190, Jr.) Top 20 in 2010 (early entry) The buzz: In 2007, Haden became the first true freshman to start at cornerback on opening day in UF history. He has since started 26 games, including all 14 during the '08 national title season. He finished second on the team (behind Spikes) in tackles in '08. 8. MARCUS FORSTON DT , Miami (6-3, 310, Soph.) Late-1st in 2011 (early entry) The buzz: Remarkable (and large) athlete who was one of the centerpieces on the Miami Northwestern dynasty. Played as a true freshman last season at UM, including a start against the Gators, and was named to some All-America teams for his rookie class. He's only going to get quicker and stronger. 9. MAURKICE POUNCEY C, Florida (6-5, 318, Jr.) Late-1st in 2011 The buzz: He started 14 games last season at center and was terrific. The year before, as a true freshman who enrolled early, he started 11 games at guard. You know the value of a pro that can play (and command) three positions on the offensive line? Plus, teams will chase great centers (especially ones well-schooled in the shotgun). 10. GEORGE SELVIE DE, South Florida (6-4, 250, Sr.) Late-1st round in 2010 The buzz: After leading the nation in sacks in '07, Selvie took a step back against constant double- and triple-teaming. A nagging ankle injury didn't help, either. The two-time first-team All-American is on a mission to return to dominant status of two years ago. Selvie is the nation's active career leader in sacks and tackles for loss. 11. TIM TEBOW QB, Florida (6-3, 245, Sr.) Late-1st in 2010 The buzz: A nation sees the greatest college football player since Herschel Walker; NFL scouts see Tarvaris Jackson. For whatever reason — UF's system, a tight (some say slow) delivery, or linebacker's build — the NFL has Tebowphobia. That's why he's back for his senior season and Urban Meyer is putting in some pro-style type looks to help Tebow's stock. It only takes one team to love a guy. No way 32 teams pass on him. 12. NIGEL BRADHAM LB, Florida State (6-2, 235, Soph.) 2nd round in 2011 (early entry) The buzz: A bigger but equally faster and athletic version of Derrick Brooks and Ernie Sims, both of whom terrorized offenses from the weakside linebacker spot in Mickey Andrews defenses. Ranked by some as the top player in Florida, the Crawfordville product played every game as a true freshman in '08 and should be a household name in '09. 13. RODNEY HUDSON OG, Florida State (6-2, 285, Jr.) 2nd round in 2010 (early entry) The buzz: Tackles have all the fun; and make all the cash. Most front office types view guards as players that can be plucked in later rounds, with only seven being taken in Round 1 the last 10 years. The preseason All-American has allowed just one sack and one penalty in more than 1,400 career snaps. 14. DEONTE THOMPSON WR, Florida (6-0, 201, Soph.) 2nd round in 2011 The buzz: Speed demon that averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in his redshirt freshman season. This will be a breakout year for Thompson, who will show why his final college choices were USC, Ohio State and UM. If the Gators didn't already have the nation's best return man (Brandon James), Thompson would be taking kicks. He'll take 'em in the NFL. 15. NATE ALLEN S, South Florida (6-2, 206, Sr.) 2nd round in 2010 The buzz: Solid, not spectacular captain of a secondary, where he has started 25 straight games heading into senior season. Good height. Sure tackler. 16. ANDRE DEBOSE WR, Florida (5-11, 176, Fr.) 2nd round in 2012 (early entry) The buzz: His diving catch in the closing seconds of the Class 6A state championship game was as circus as it was historic. Debose led Sanford to the school's first title in nearly 100 years and now the talk is of replacing Percy Harvin in the UF offense. He's off to a bad start with that hamstring. Plus, wide receivers are a dime a dozen in the NFL draft. Kid has some work to do, but he has the goods to be great. 17. ALLEN BAILEY DT, Miami (6-4, 288, Jr.) 2nd round in 2010 (early entry) The buzz: A tad undersized now (he'll get bigger), but Bailey is extremely quick and strong. In fact, he fits the profile for a guy who can wow scouts as a workout warrior, which oftentimes carries more weight than productivity. Good thing. His tape to date isn't very good (sort of like the Hurricanes during his two seasons), but UM will be better this season. So will Bailey. 18. MIKE POUNCEY OG, Florida (6-5, 320, Jr.) 2nd round in 2011 The buzz: Case can be made he's been even more versatile than his twin brother. Mike came to UF as a defensive lineman but switched sides due to injuries on the UF o-line. That kind of selflessness will carry the kid far. Like his brother, expect him to stick around for a senior season. 19. JOSH ROBINSON CB, UCF (5-10, 189, Fr.) 2nd round in 2013 The buzz: One of the most heralded recruits in school history. Robinson is a four-star prospect out of South Florida with cover and return skills who has been called "the next Joe Burnett" — except Robinson has NFL speed. Burnett did not and it cost him dearly in the draft. 20. AARON HERNANDEZ TE-FB, Florida (6-5, 250, Jr.) 2nd round in 2011 The buzz: Started at tight end as a true freshman and grew into one of Tebow's most reliable targets in the clutch. Outstanding blocker who looms as a consummate H-back type at the next level. Really good ones — who can block and catch — are tough to find. 21. JEROME MURPHY CB, South Florida (6-1, 185, Sr.) 3rd round in 2010 The buzz: Another veteran of the Bulls' secondary, his physical play will take him far. Murphy was second on the team in tackles last season — five or more in least eight games — and was regarded as the biggest hitter on the defense. 22. JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM DE, Florida (6-3, 252, Sr.) 3rd round in 2010 The buzz: Despite the prospects for Dunlap, it's Cunningham who enters the season as a preseason candidate for the Hendricks and Nagurski awards. Has started 23 of 33 games during his career, with 12½ sacks. 23. DEKODA WATSON LB, Florida State (6-2, 226, Sr.) 3rd round in 2010 The buzz: Ridiculous-looking athlete (48-inch shoulders, 26-inch waist) who led the Seminoles with 119 tackles last season. Watson, though, is coming off shoulder surgery and will have to show the pros he's ready to resume his hard-hitting ways. 24. SEAN SPENCE LB, Miami (6-9, 212, Soph.) 3rd round in 2011 (early entry) The buzz: Named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year and made some freshman All-America teams after starting nine games. He finished third on the team in tackles and grossly out-performed heralded freshman teammate Arthur Brown, the nation's top-rated linebacker prospect. 25. RUSTY SMITH QB, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 230, Sr.) 3rd round in 2010 The buzz: Yeah, he plays in the Sun Belt Conference, but scouts like Smith's prototypical, drop-back QB build, and they'll be very interested to see what the Motor City Bowl MVP does with better talent around him in all-star games. CHRIS HARRY Of the Sentinel staff Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
