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Texas Recruiting Notes 2023: Strippers, Monkeys, and 5-Stars

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TexEx15

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On 1/1/2023 at 9:33 PM, futureman said:

Tom Brady is going to fucking destroy this team.  When you add on that Dak is a 100% completely fucking useless idiot with no dick the chances of winning that game are zero point zero.

Now I’m really starting to worry about your Duce prediction. 

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futureman

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52 minutes ago, Coelenterate Fuccboi said:

Had to take a peak, futureman’s predictions are things he pulls out of his ass while fisting himself.

the recruiting tidbits I elect to share with this board are for the benefit of my fellow posters, many of whom are my friends.  instead of name-calling and insults I would prefer you just said thank you. 

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irishtexan

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He's currently at 82 before they officially implement their update. They're doing the top-50 countdown and they have Cook, Hill, Williams, and Muhammad all outside of the top 50. Only top-50 players we will have will be Arch, Baxter and McDonald. They have 8 guys from Texas in the top 50 and only one is committed to Texas. (I'm not at all complaining about the class we signed. Just interesting to see that they're relatively down on our guys from the state)

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Elmer_Fudd

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5 minutes ago, irishtexan said:

He's currently at 82 before they officially implement their update. They're doing the top-50 countdown and they have Cook, Hill, Williams, and Muhammad all outside of the top 50. Only top-50 players we will have will be Arch, Baxter and McDonald. They have 8 guys from Texas in the top 50 and only one is committed to Texas. (I'm not at all complaining about the class we signed. Just interesting to see that they're relatively down on our guys from the state)

They dropped Arch to #3 overall.  Hard to believe none of the four you mentioned made the top 50.  They have Cordale Russell in the top 50 at WR.

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speed817

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26 minutes ago, irishtexan said:

He's currently at 82 before they officially implement their update. They're doing the top-50 countdown and they have Cook, Hill, Williams, and Muhammad all outside of the top 50. Only top-50 players we will have will be Arch, Baxter and McDonald. They have 8 guys from Texas in the top 50 and only one is committed to Texas. (I'm not at all complaining about the class we signed. Just interesting to see that they're relatively down on our guys from the state)

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On3: NFL comparisons for 2023 On3 five-star prospects

 

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3. Arch Manning, Texas

Comparison: Eli Manning (Ole Miss/New York Giants)
The Reasoning: Arch Manning reminds of his younger uncle, particularly as a passer. The quick releases and arm talent appears to be similar at the same stage. The developmental arcs are similar as well, as both played football and basketball at Isidore Newman. Eli is a bit taller than Arch at the moment, while Arch is more physically developed and mobile at the same stage.

 

and

 

Quote

 

28. Cedric Baxter Jr., Texas

Comparison: Larry Johnson (Penn State/Kansas City Chiefs/Cincinnati Bengals/Washington Commanders/Miami Dolphins)
The Reasoning: Cedric Baxter is a taller running back at 6-foot-1 who has plus receiving skills and a pronounced stride in the open field that reminds us of former Penn State star Larry Johnson.

 

rest of article:

 

 

Spoiler

NFL comparisons for 2023 On3 five-star prospects

Joe Spears•about 21 hours
nfl comps

With the 2023 recruiting cycle coming to an end, several of the nation’s top prospects have either enrolled in college, with signed with their school or are nearing their decision on where they’ll head off to school.

As they begin to make that transition from high school senior to college freshman, now would be a good time to form some player comparisons when it comes to the best of the best in this year’s group.

Here’s a look at the NFL comparisons for On3’s 2023 five-star prospects.

No. 1 Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

Comparison: Justin Herbert (Oregon/Las Angeles Chargers)
The Reasoning: Like Justin Herbert, Nico Iamaleava is a taller, big-armed quarterback with some of the better natural physical tools we’ve seen from a quarterback in the last few recruiting cycles. Both check in at over 6-foot-5 and have big arms with the ability to drive the football to all levels of the field. They’re also gifted athletically, with the reactive quickness to make plays with their mobility.

2. Keon Keeley, Alabama

Comparison: Chase Young (Ohio State/Washington Commanders)
The Reasoning: Keon Keeley has similar size, length and the disruptive pass rush ability we saw from Chase Young as a recruit. Keon Keeley has measured 6-foot-5.5, 245 pounds while Young was around 6-foot-5, 250 pounds as a senior in high school. Both have arm lengths around 34 inches. Like Chase Young, Keeley is a big, explosive pass rusher with the ability to win off the edge with speed, bend or power.

3. Arch Manning, Texas

Comparison: Eli Manning (Ole Miss/New York Giants)
The Reasoning: Arch Manning reminds of his younger uncle, particularly as a passer. The quick releases and arm talent appears to be similar at the same stage. The developmental arcs are similar as well, as both played football and basketball at Isidore Newman. Eli is a bit taller than Arch at the moment, while Arch is more physically developed and mobile at the same stage.

4. Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma

Comparison: Jayson Oweh (Penn State/Baltimore Ravens)
The Reasoning: Adepoju Adebawore is one of the most physically-gifted defenders in the 2023 cycle, at 6-foot-4, 225+ pounds with a wing-span over 7-feet. Adebawore is a phenomenal athlete with those dimensions, drawing a comparison to former Penn State star and current Baltimore Raven, Odafe Oweh – one of the more unique jumbo athletes to come through the NFL Draft in recent years.

5. Zachariah Branch, USC

Comparison: Jaylen Waddle (Alabama/Miami Dolphins)
The Reasoning: The comparison between Zachariah Branch and Jaylen Waddle is uncanny and one that is shared among college coaches. Branch’s ability to change direction and quickly gear down, cut and burst in rapid succession remind us of Waddle. They’re both dangerous deep threats who have the ability to come down acrobatic catches despite being around 5-foot-10, 175 pounds. Waddle posted strong track times, but Branch has the edge in that regard, running a 10.33 second 100-meter dash and posting a long jump over 24 feet as a sophomore.

6. Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma

Comparison: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma/Cleveland Browns/Los Angeles Rams)
The Reasoning: Jackson Arnold’s live arm, quick release and on-field toughness remind us of Baker Mayfield. Like Mayfield, Arnold plays with a strong base and generates good zip on his passes. Arnold is a more touted high school prospect and has a quicker release at the same stage, while Mayfield made more improvisational plays at the prep level.

7. Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Comparison: Nate Solder (Colorado/New England Patriots/New York Giants)
The Reasoning: Like Nate Solder, Monroe Freeling is a tall, big-framed and flexible athlete who has considerable physical upside at offensive tackle.

8. Caleb Downs, Alabama

Comparison: Eric Berry (Tennessee/Kansas City Chiefs)
The Reasoning: It’s a lofty comparison, but Caleb Downs reminds us of Eric Berry – one of the best safety prospects of the internet recruiting era. Downs is an instinctive, very well-rounded safety prospect who makes plays all over the field, lining up on both sides of the ball. He has smooth cover skills, innate instincts and is a physical, fundamentally sound tackler in space. Berry was a dynamic quarterback at the high school level and had more verified athleticism with top track times at the same stage. The sizes are similar at around 5-foot-11.5, 195 pounds. Berry was longer with outstanding length (33.25-inch arms). Similar to Berry, Downs is a safe prospect with an extremely high floor to go with the considerable ceiling.

9. Jven Williams, Penn State

Comparison: Ikem Ekwonu (NC State/Carolina Panthers)
The Reasoning: Like Ikem Ekwonu, Jven Williams is a high upside offensive lineman with length and strong athletic markers who excel as run blockers. Both have the length and athleticism to play either offensive tackle or guard. The size as recruits is nearly identical at around 6-foot-4, 290 pounds. Both have dominant qualities as run blockers, particularly at the second level. Ekwonu was a touted wrestler and track athlete, while Williams is a multi-time state champion in the shot put and discus as one of the top throwers on the East Coast.

10 James Smith, Alabama

Comparison: Marcell Dareus (Alabama/Buffalo Bills/Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Reasoning: James Smith’s quick first step, length and strong punch remind us of fellow Alabama native, Marcell Dareus. Like Dareus, Smith is a highly disruptive defensive lineman at the prep level. Smith is a bit heavier than Dareus at the same stage, but Dareus added considerable mass in college and the NFL.

11. Zalance Heard, LSU

Comparison: D.J. Fluker (Alabama/San Diego Chargers/New York Giants/Seattle Seahawks/Baltimore Ravens/Miami Dolphins/Las Vegas Raiders/Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Reasoning: We see several similarities between Zalance Heard and D.J. Fluker as high school prospects. Both have supreme length with arms that measure in the 36-inch range. They also both began their careers as defensive linemen before taking up offense tackle as upperclassmen. There are similarities on the field, as well. Like Fluker, Heard is a strong run blocker who plays with a physical edge. Heard is about an inch taller than Fluker and weighs less at the same stage, though we wouldn’t be surprised to see their ultimate playing weight be the same – in the 330 pound range.

12. Dashawn Womack, LSU

Comparison: David Ojabo (Michigan/Baltimore Ravens)
The Reasoning: Da’Shawn Womack’s size, verified athleticism and natural feel as a pass rusher reminds us of David Ojabo. Womack is more developed as the same stage, as Ojabo began playing football later in his high school career.

13. Jordan Hall, Georgia

Comparison: Nick Fairley (Auburn/Detroit Lions/St. Louis Rams/New Orleans Saints)
The Reasoning: Jordan Hall’s first step quickness and jump off the snap are among the best in the 2023 cycle. His ability to disrupt along with the size and physical dimensions remind us of Nick Fairley.

14. Jermaine Mathews, Ohio State

Comparison: Tre’Davious White (LSU/Buffalo Bills)
The Reasoning: Jermaine Mathews’ dimensions, controlled footwork and coverage ability remind us of Tre’Davious White. Mathews may be a bit more polished than White at the same stage, as White played quarterback in high school.

15. Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma

Comparison: Caden Sterns (Texas/Denver Broncos)
The Reasoning: Peyton Bowen’s size, length, athleticism and playmaking ability at a high level of Texas High School Football remind us of former five-star Caden Sterns.

16. David Hicks, Texas A&M

Comparison: Marlon Davidson (Auburn/Atlanta Falcons)
The Reasoning: David Hicks is a powerful, versatile defensive linemen with similar size, quick hands and play strength to Marlon Davidson. It remains to be seen if Hicks ultimately slides inside or plays as a big end, but we see him likely topping out at north of 300 pounds like Davidson.

17. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama

Comparison: Josh Allen (Kentucky/Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Reasoning: Yhonzae Pierre is a high-energy, disruptive pass rusher who has some similarities to Josh Allen. Pierre is a more touted prospect than Allen at the same stage, but we see similarities in the physical dimensions, on-field twitch and play strength. Allen was a more prolific pass rusher and was a basketball standout.

18. Raylen Wilson, Georgia

Comparison: Roquan Smith (Georgia/Chicago Bears/Baltimore Ravens)
The Reasoning: Raylen Wilson may be the most explosive linebacker in space within the 2023 recruiting cycle. Wilson’s sideline-to-sideline speed and range reminds us of Roquan Smith.

19. Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Comparison: Penei Sewell (Oregon/Detroit Lions)
The Reasoning: Francis Mauigoa’s nimble athleticism and physical play style reminds us of Penei Sewell. Both are strong functional movers despite their weights at over 320 pounds. They excel as run blockers while also having the feet and coordination to succeed in pass protection as offensive tackles. Mauigoa tests as a better athlete than Sewell at the same stage.

20. Dante Moore, UCLA

Comparison: Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama/Miami Dolphins)
The Reasoning: Dante Moore’s quick release, accuracy feel as a passer and build reminds us of Tua Tagovailoa. Moore is around an inch taller than Tagovailoa and a more efficient high school passer at the same stage. Tagovailoa was more of a run threat and showed more mobility as a high school prospect.

21. Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss

Comparison: Darius Leonard (South Carolina State/Indianapolis Colts)
The Reasoning: Suntarine Perkins reminds us of Darius Leonard due to his extreme length, lean build, physicality and tackling ability and do-it-all role as a high school player. Perkins is a more touted prospect than Leonard out of high school and reminds us a bit of C.J. Mosley as well.

22. Damon Wilson, Georgia

Comparison: Robert Quinn (North Carolina/Los Angeles Rams/Miami Dolphins/Dallas Cowboys/Chicago Bears/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Reasoning: Damon Wilson reminds us of Robert Quinn due to his first-step quickness, play strength, length and ability to bend the corner at the edge. Both excel as pure edge rushers and use their athleticism and curvilinear movement skills to beat offensive tackles in pass rush situations. Quinn was a state champion wrestler. Wilson is exceptionally strong in the weight room.

23. Duce Robinson, Uncommitted

Comparison: Jimmy Graham (Miami/New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks/Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears)
The Reasoning: Duce Robinson has wide receiver athleticism and movement skills in a tight end’s body. His play style and physical traits remind us of Jimmy Graham. Both were also stars in other sports, with Graham going to play college basketball at Miami, while Robinson is a MLB Draft prospect. Robinson is a top football recruit, while Graham switched to the sport full-time in college.

24. Jurrion Dickey, Oregon

Comparison: A.J. Brown (Ole Miss/Tennessee Titans/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Reasoning: Jurrion Dickey is a productive, physical, athletic receiver with a well-rounded skill set. He’s a multi-level threat including after the catch, similar to A.J. Brown. Dickey is a bit taller than Brown at the same stage.

25. Charles Jagusah, Notre Dame

Comparison: Tristan Wirfs (Iowa/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The Reasoning: Charles Jagusah‘s physical dimensions, fluidity and multi-sport background reminds us of Tristan Wirfs. Both also come from similar geographic areas – Jagusah lives on the Illinois and Iowa border in Rock Island, Illinois. Wirfs is from Mount Vernon, Iowa, just 73 minutes west of Rock Island. Jagusah plays on both sides of the ball as an offensive and defensive lineman, as Wirfs did. The coordination, balance and smooth movement patterns are also similar. The frame and length are close, as well. Like Wirfs, Jagusah is a dominant high school wrestler who cuts weight from the 300 pound range to get under the 285 pound limit for heavyweights. The 2023 prospect is one of the top wrestlers in the Midwest, recently finishing a 41-0 season on the mat. Wirfs had one of the best multi-sport profiles we’ve seen in recent years, winning a combined six state titles in wrestling and track and field.

26. Noah Rogers, Ohio State

Comparison: Torrey Smith (Maryland/Baltimore Ravens/San Francisco 49ers/Philadelphia Eagles/Carolina Panthers)
The Reasoning: Noah Rogers’ big play ability and deep play speed remind us of former first-rounder Torrey Smith. Rogers is a bit taller than Smith, while Smith is longer.

27. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Comparison: Jackson Carman (Clemson/Cincinnati Bengals)
The Reasoning: Kadyn Proctor is a physically-developed strong, dominant blocker at the point of attack with similar size and on-field strength as Jackson Carman at the same stage. Both excelled as run blockers at the prep level. Proctor may be a better athlete at than Carman at the same stage.

28. Cedric Baxter Jr., Texas

Comparison: Larry Johnson (Penn State/Kansas City Chiefs/Cincinnati Bengals/Washington Commanders/Miami Dolphins)
The Reasoning: Cedric Baxter is a taller running back at 6-foot-1 who has plus receiving skills and a pronounced stride in the open field that reminds us of former Penn State star Larry Johnson.

29. Daevin Hobbs, Tennessee

Comparison: Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Reasoning: Like Fletcher Cox, Daevin Hobbs is a top athlete who projects as a high upside interior pass rusher. Both had similar frames and length at the same stage along with registering high-end speed in combine settings. They also both were dominant high school players at smaller programs. Hobbs is a two-way star as a defensive end and tight end. He also doubles as a basketball standout, while Cox ran track at his high school.

 

30. Malachi Nelson, USC

Comparison: Marcus Mariota (Oregon/Tennessee Titans/Las Vegas Raiders/Atlanta Falcons)
The Reasoning: Mariota was not as highly-touted as Malachi Nelson coming out of high school, but we see similarities in the body type, physical skill set and play style. For starters, Nelson’s build at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds is not too far off from Mariota’s (6-foot-3.5, 185) at the same stage. Both are accurate passers who are adept at running up-tempo offenses and excel in playing quarterback with a point guard mentality. Mariota was more of a run threat, while Nelson is a bit more polished as a passer at the same stage.

31. Nyckoles Harbor, Uncommitted

Comparison: Darren Waller (Georgia Tech/Las Vegas Raiders)
The Reasoning: Nyckoles Harbor is the rarest jumbo athlete we’ve seen as a recruit. He’s one of the nation’s top sprinters at around 6-foot-5, 225 pounds. Harbor could play as a pass rusher or big pass catcher at the college level. There are not many great comparisons given his physical dimensions and lack of polish as a pass catcher, but we’ve landed on former college wide receiver and NFL tight end Darren Waller, who ran 4.46 at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-6, 238 pounds.

32. Eugene Wilson III, Florida

Comparison: Chris Olave (Ohio State/New Orleans Saints)
The Reasoning: Eugene Wilson III’s coordination, elite change of direction and ball tracking ability remind us of Chris Olave. Wilson is around an inch shorter than Olave and is a two-way standout as a receiver and corner. Olave had strong track times and saw his recruitment take off after a huge senior season.

 

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SHOOTER12

SHOOTER12 8800

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 1/14/2023 at 11:14 PM, campcrunk said:

Apparently, they actually promised him $13 million (I'm assuming over 4 years). And it looks like the booster who put that money up may have breached a contract by withdrawing it so I'd imagine there's a good chance that Rashada will file suit. What a completely massive fuck up by Florida. And other schools bitch about our boosters...

https://theathletic.com/4087681/2023/01/13/jaden-rashada-florida-gators-football/

 

Edit: you also have to wonder what this does to the Lagway recruitment

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1 minute ago, SHOOTER12 said:

Nagged for posting unreadable, paid article link.

I got you, fam.

Quote

 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article stated that the Gator Collective’s Edward Rojas and Jen Grosso signed a contract with Jaden Rashada on Nov. 10. Grosso, who’s involved in coordinating post-agreement activities for players, did not sign the contract.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback signee Jaden Rashada is stuck in play-action purgatory as Florida works to fix a name, image and likeness indiscretion, and that took another step Tuesday when Rashada asked to be released from his scholarship with the Gators.

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Whether you’ve followed this recruiting saga casually or with a white-hot focus, this explainer provides a bumper-to-bumper breakdown that aims to illuminate, educate and postulate:

Who are the people involved?

Along with Gators head coach Billy Napier and athletic director Scott Stricklin, here are the central figures:

Jaden Rashada, four-star quarterback from Pittsburg, Calif., and the No. 56 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Among the highest-ranked quarterbacks landed by the Gators in the past decade, he signed his national letter of intent on Dec. 21, and following an appearance at the Under-Armour All-American event in Orlando on Jan. 3, he reiterated to The Athletic that he planned to enroll at Florida two days later.

Harlen Rashada, Jaden’s father and a former defensive back at Arizona State.

Eddie Rojas, CEO of the Gator Collective, which he launched in August 2021. A former Florida baseball player who entered the NIL space with a crowdsourcing platform, Rojas hoped to make his alma mater known as “NIL U.”

He said of his collective in April: “I would venture to say the Gator Collective is paying more guaranteed money than any group in the country. When I write a contract, I want to make sure that we actually have the money in our account.”

Billy Napier’s Florida team went 6-7 in his first season in 2022. (Kim Klement / USA Today)

Jen Grosso, NIL coordinator for the Gator Collective. Known as “Gator Jen” to the fan base — it’s also her Twitter handle — Grosso holds finance and law degrees from the University of Florida.

Hugh Hathcock, mega-donor who pledged $12.6 million to Florida’s athletic department in 2022. In April, he launched the Gator Guard — an assembly of wealthy donors capable of writing checks larger than the fan collective could amass in years. Hathcock said, “Players need to know if they come to the University of Florida that they’re going to have the best opportunities NIL-wise as any school in America.”

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Marcus Castro-Walker, the Gators’ director of player engagement and NIL, among the first crush of staffers hired by Napier upon becoming Florida’s head coach in December 2021.

Tracking the Rashada timeline

June 7: Rashada takes an official visit to Florida. The Rashadas assure the staff that NIL is not a factor in Jaden’s recruitment, claiming “there’s a misconception about us out there.” The visit ends with Florida looking like the frontrunner for Rashada.

June 9-12: Rashada joins his 7-on-7 team the Miami Immortals — a travel squad funded by University of Miami billionaire booster John Ruiz — at the OT7 national tournament in Las Vegas.

June 20: Initially scheduled to reveal his commitment on June 18, Rashada postpones the announcement and schedules an official visit to Miami.

June 26: Rashada commits to Miami over Florida, LSU, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. The Gators staff had pulled its scholarship offer days earlier.

Nov. 10: Rashada and the Gator Collective agree to terms on an NIL deal exceeding $13 million. Such a massive pledge is thought to dramatically exceed the Gator Collective’s fundraising level, so the deal presumes assistance from Hathcock or other Gator Guard donors. After signing the contract, Rashada decommits from Miami and flips to Florida.

Nov. 12: Rashada attends his first game at The Swamp, where Florida clobbers South Carolina 38-6 and a capacity crowd elevates the vibe. “Everything about this felt like the right decision for Jaden,” Harlen says.

Dec. 7: Rojas sends a termination letter regarding the $13 million contract, according to a program source close to the situation. There are conflicting accounts about why the deal crumbled and who pledged to pay what. Multiple conversations ensue between donors and athletic department members, including Castro-Walker and Stricklin. Some within the administration are only now getting up to speed on what was promised — the program aiming to keep these third-party NIL dealings at arm’s length. Yet these conversations ultimately focus on finding contingencies for keeping the class’ highest-profile recruit in the fold.

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Dec. 21: Delayed 67 minutes, Napier’s late-afternoon news conference on national signing day finally commences. Rashada’s name, initially missing from the list of signees, is added at the last minute. “I just think there’s a high level of trust on both ends there,” Napier says about recruiting the Elite 11 quarterback. “I’m really excited about what he’s going to bring to our team. … Can’t compliment Jaden enough relative to who he is as a person, as a leader, his character. Jaden is a guy who came here and fell in love with the University of Florida and really connected with a lot of people here. It was sincere.”

GO DEEPER

Taylor: Billy Napier doing flips over Jaden Rashada. 'We felt like the connection is real'

Dec. 29: Rashada arrives in Orlando to begin practicing for the Under-Armour All-American game. He compliments fellow Florida signees and says he’s eager to start workouts with receivers at the indoor facility. Rashada describes Napier as a coach who “likes to connect to people” and adds, “Who wouldn’t want to play for a good dude?”

Dec. 30: In an interview mere days before Rashada’s scheduled enrollment, Harlen calls Napier “a leader of men” and says Jaden is “happy as I’ve ever seen him.” Harlen offers only sparse thoughts about NIL: “It’s new in the college landscape. It does impact recruiting and the game — but I think there are far more positives than negatives. This process was not great, was not perfect, but you’re just trying to make the right decision with your son.”

Jan. 3: Moments after the Under-Armour game at Camping World Stadium, Rashada poses for pictures with other Florida signees. He lauds Napier’s offense, saying, “I’m meant for the Florida system” and that he has gotten a head start on studying formations. Then he waves to his family in the bleachers. The Rashadas intend to drive from Orlando to Gainesville for move-in day on Jan. 5.

Jan. 10: Sixteen early enrollees report, but Rashada is not among them, casting doubt about his future. There is still a probability he ultimately enrolls at Florida, although Rashada has returned to the West Coast.

Jan. 11: A program source with knowledge of the entanglement says Rashada won’t be enrolling at Florida. “There’s a lot of panic. It’s like stepping on an ant pile.” There’s also the potential for litigation, hinging upon whether the November contract is binding. The collectives, according to another program source with knowledge of the situation, are offering a lesser deal to Rashada — still above seven figures — to stay at Florida, with the caveat that he release everyone from all previous claims.

GO DEEPER

With recruiting drama over, Jaden Rashada ready to compete at Florida: 'It's going to be crazy'

Refuting an On3 report claiming Rashada asked to be released from his national letter of intent at Florida, Harlen says his son has not filed for such a release. In addition, he told 247Sports that the family is “working through some things right now with Florida and hoping that they get resolved soon.” While saying his son is anticipating early enrollment in Gainesville, Harlen admits the situation becomes murkier if there is not a resolution by Jan. 13, the spring semester’s late-registration deadline.

Jan. 13: While this is the final deadline for students to start the spring semester, let’s not pretend the admissions office won’t grant an exception of a couple of days for an Elite 11 quarterback. Regardless, this points toward a make-or-break 11th-hour decision by Rashada — accept Florida’s counter and enroll or begin speed-dialing other FBS schools. Of course, there’s the chance that he could sacrifice spring and enroll at Florida in late May, which might crash the message boards over such extended drama.

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Jan. 17: Rashada asks for a scholarship release, sources close to the program confirmed to The Athletic. 247Sports was the first to report the filing.

Has this become a lose-lose for Florida?

Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz arrives with two years of eligibility, and Jack Miller returns from an unflattering start in the Las Vegas Bowl. That’s hardly a scintillating duo. Those two are more of the getting-by variety, two older quarterbacks capable of steering the Gators through a rebuild.

Rashada brought real juice. Sure, he needed to pack on some weight as part of his freshman orientation, but he’s a blue-chip high school quarterback — the type top contenders sign each year, the type absent from Florida’s previous two classes. Stack these QBs year after year, and teams have a group familiar with their system and are deep enough to absorb a bust. Go through a recruiting slump, and teams are perpetually picking through the portal for guys who must be reprogrammed.

Even if the relationship somehow proves salvageable and Rashada enrolls in Gainesville, would it only portend future dysfunction? Having overcome one breakup last summer, can the program and Rashada’s camp repair another rift? At a position that demands leadership intangibles and deeply grooved trust with coaches, it’s hard to fathom a quarterback enduring a messier launch to his college career.

The recent behind-the-scenes interplay — from the December signing day hangup to this week’s enrollment drama — has created bruised feelings at a minimum and abject animosity. There’s a comparison to Major League Baseball arbitration, in which a player touts his value even as his own team argues to diminish it. Of course, those hearings typically involve grown men, calloused by previous professional contract negotiations. Rashada is 19 years old, mere weeks removed from his high school graduation, although with college football recruiting being shaped by various tiers of NIL pitches, it has undeniably surged into a professional realm.

SEC recruiting in the NIL era is saltier than ever: First, Nick Saban says Texas A&M “bought every player” in its top-ranked class, and now the Gators are saddled with the damning perception that they defaulted on what was promised to their top-rated signee.

It’s a dilemma. Not from the perspective of the state NIL law or an NCAA guideline, neither of which is being enforced, but a dilemma that impacts optics. Is this a one-off misstep, or have the Gators completely flubbed their first swing at NIL? Why haven’t we heard of Alabama, Georgia or other SEC schools suffering such public embarrassments?

When Napier took the Florida job, he extolled the alignment from the president to the AD to the head coach. Now Ben Sasse is replacing Kent Fuchs as the president, and the Rashada predicament screams that alignment is disjointed.

Already time to realign.

 

 

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SHOOTER12

SHOOTER12 8800

Posted
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On 1/15/2023 at 2:50 PM, BornAndRaised said:

To my knowledge, enticing a player with a contract in itself is the rule breaker here. You can say "hey come to florida, we have a good collective that will take care of you," but you can't say "4yrs/13m as long as you're enrolled." I think thats the deciding factor there. I could be wrong though.

That's been my understanding from the beginning, that only after they were enrolled and on campus could any specifics be discussed. 

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Vertigo

Vertigo 20276

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10 minutes ago, RGBIII said:

Shocked no one melted down about Hills On3 ranking

It just shows that Linebacker is a devalued position in terms of recruiting rankings. Hill is a transcendent prospect who is going to play early. Once these guys hit the field in Spring ball, their rankings don't make a shit. 

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futureman

futureman 22444

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14 minutes ago, MAGS® said:

Does Hill's ranking affect his ability to play on the field?  No....  Who gives a fuck then...  

Of course it doesn’t but it just means that he’s not the player we thought he was and that he’s probably not that good of a player, period.  What does the position look like in-state for 2024?

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BornAndRaised

BornAndRaised 12281

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https://www.kohlskicking.com/player-profiles/ian-ratliff#:~:text=He graded out at the,three charting phases of camp.

 

KOHL'S COMMENTS
Ratliff recently competed at a 2022 December Showcase Camp. He graded out at the 5.0 star level as a punter! He scored 107.9 points on punts and did well in the drill work phase of camp. Ratliff also attended the Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp in July of 2022. He hit an impressive 46-yard 4.86 second hang time punt and averaged a 102.71 over the three charting phases of camp. Ratliff competed at the Kohl's Texas Showcase camp in May of 2022. He punted with great command and hit multiple 45+ yard hits. He scored a 107.88 during the charting phase and hit some very impressive punts during the drill work portion of camp.

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Goodman

Goodman 3273

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I believe Hill actually went up three spots in this final ranking for them. They've always had him much lower than the others. 

Burton made sure to voice that he does not agree with the low ranking, seems it’s due to questions on being able to stay at LB. Bobby gets fired up while wearing on3 gear, Burton loves Texas.
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