Saturday night's announcement by Florida that it had hired Texas defensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp to replace Urban Meyer was viewed by some as a stretch and by others as a home run. It is undoubtedly going to cause a ripple effect with the Gators and Longhorns recruiting efforts.
Starting with Muschamp's new team in Gainesville, the quick and high-profile hiring should mean that many of Florida's 17 public commitments will remain that way.
Interestingly, Meyer and his former staff were targeting more offensive weapons with what is currently still a 17-player class -- as only two of the nine four-star commitments (LB Ryan Shazier and DB Nick Waisome) play on the side of the ball that is Muschamp's specialty. Shazier (6-3, 205, Plantation, Fla., HS) had re-opened his recruiting in the wake of Meyer's departure, and visited LSU this past weekend. Waisome (5-10, 171, Groveland, Fla., South Lake HS) has also wavered on his commitment in the past week, and visited Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State staff over the weekend.
Meyer's sudden announcement Wednesday shook up what was to be a star-studded weekend of official visits in Gainesville, though pro-style QB Jeff Driskel (6-3, 225, Oviedo, Fla., Hagerty HS) was among the few that made the trip. Driskel is expected to honor his commitment and enroll next month -- and has been helping shore up Florida's efforts with uncommitted prospects before he arrives on campus.
Muschamp's former stop, Texas, is a different story. LB Steve Edmond (6-3, 225, Daingerfield, Texas, HS) and LB Kendall Thompson (6-3, 232, Carthage, Texas, HS) are among the Longhorns' 23 public 2011 commitments to potentially re-open their recruitment in the wake of Muschamp's departure.
Heisman Equals Recruiting Success?
Cam Newton's polarizing effect throughout the 2010 season reached a new high Saturday when the talented Auburn junior won the Heisman Trophy. And while it would seem there are few individual awards that could carry as much recruiting clout as the famed 25 pounds of stiff-armed bronze, it turns out a Heisman winner doesn't directly factor as much into recruiting success.
Alabama recorded a No. 5 class in 2009 after RB Mark Ingram hoisted the school's first Heisman, putting the Crimson Tide four notches below its top-ranked class of 2008. That year, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford won the Heisman, and the Sooners ended up with an average recruiting ranking of 13th.
In 2007, Florida QB Tim Tebow won the Heisman, and the Gators were able to follow it up with a No. 3 recruiting class the ensuing February. In 2006, Ohio State saw QB Troy Smith win the award, but the Buckeyes were able to close with just a No. 15 recruiting class.
QB Matt Leinart and RB Reggie Bush won Heismans for USC, in 2004 and 2005. Pete Carroll and his staff were able to fully capitalize on the success, landing No. 1 classes in the wake of both -- which also saw the Trojans win one national title and play for another.
QB Jason White won the Heisman at Oklahoma in 2003, and the Sooners followed up with a No. 8 recruiting class. In 2002, QB Carson Palmer won the Heisman at USC and the Trojans followed it up with a No. 3 class. And QB Eric Crouch won a Heisman for Nebraska in 2001, but Nebraska signed only 18 athletes en route to a No. 40 recruiting ranking.
Two All-Star Games This Saturday
As one season ends across the country, another begins for potential college football players: All-Star season. Here is a glance at some of the nation's top all-star events being held over the next month.
The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
When: Dec. 18
Where: Spartanburg, S.C.
Who: North Carolina vs. South Carolina
The 411: The nation's No. 1 player, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, leads a strong South Carolina team that is also highlighted by wide receiver Charone Peake (Clemson) and offensive lineman Brandon Shell (South Carolina). The North Carolina team is led by linebackers Stephone Anthony and Kris Frost, and tight end Eric MacLain (Clemson).
The Crab Bowl
When: Dec. 18
Where: Bowie, Md.
Who: Baltimore-area prospects vs. District of Columbia-area prospects
The 411: The D.C. roster is highlighted by four-star prospects Blake Countess, Brandon Phelps and Darian Cooper, while the Baltimore squad features Virginia pledge Marco Jones and Wake Forest commitment Hunter Goodwin.
This Week's Commitments
The commitment ticker has been working overtime in the past week, with 31 three-star-or-higher athletes making their public pledges.
DE Silverberry Mouhon (6-3, 225, Norcross, Ga., HS) and WR Akise Teague (5-10, 178, Youngstown, Ohio, Ursuline HS) committed to Cincinnati. OT Korian Chambers (6-6, 350, Yuma, Az., Arizona Western CC) pledged to New Mexico. OLB Donavon Lewis (6-3, 230, Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS) committed to Fresno State. OLB Mike Rose (6-3, 215, Simpsonville, S.C., Hillcrest HS) pledged to North Carolina State.
OT Marc Mustoe (6-7, 270, Arvada, Colo., Arvada West HS) committed to Colorado. QB Adam Pittster (6-1, 190, Richmond, Ill., Richmond-Burton HS) is headed to Wyoming. CB Floyd Raven (6-2, 18, Reserve, La., East Saint John HS) will go to Ole Miss. OT Matt Williams (6-7, 290, Wahpeton, N.D., North Dakota State) is transferring to Cal. QB Christian Brumbaugh (6-3, 200, McDonald, Pa., South Fayette Township HS) will go to William & Mary.
OLB Andrew Smith (6-1, 185, Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain HS) will also play at Cincinnati. Four-star S Isiah Wiley (6-1, 188, Yuma, Ariz., Arizona Western CC) and five-star WR George Farmer (6-2, 210, Gardena, Calif., Junipero Serra HS) will both play at Southern Cal. RB Brendon Bigelow (5-10, 180, Fresno, Calif., Central High East Campus) committed to California. OG Greg Robinson (6-5, 285, Thibodaux, La., HS) pledged to Auburn.
OLB Gionni Paul (6-0, 223, Lakeland, Fla., Kathleen HS) committed to Arizona State. TE Christian French (6-6, 230, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, John F. Kennedy HS) committed to Oregon. OLB Ben Kline (6-3, 225, Dallastown, Pa., Dallastown Area SHS) pledged to Penn State. CB Josh Stewart (5-10, 170, Denton, Texas, Guyer HS) will go to Oregon State. OLB Joshua Francis (6-2, 213, Scranton, Pa., Lacawanna HS) committed to West Virginia.
OLB Andre Wiggins (6-2, 200, San Antonio, Texas, Madison HS) and WR Curt Evans (5-11, 170, Hollywood, Fla., Chaminade Madonna College Prep) will both play at Wake Forest. OG Givens Price (6-4, 260, Houston, Texas, Taylor HS) will play at Nebraska. S Corian Hamilton (6-1, 221, Orlando, Fla., Olympia HS) committed to South Florida. S Charles Washington (6-0, 185, Encino, Calif., Crespi Carmelite HS) pledged to Fresno State.
CB Bennett Okotcha (6-0, 175, Coppell, Texas, HS) committed to Notre Dame. CB Ellis Henderson (6-0, 170, Vancover, Wash., Skyview HS) pledged to Hawaii. DE Damon Knox (6-5, 265, Muskegon, Mich., HS) committed to Michigan State. DT Tony Gillespie (6-3, 315, Coffeyville, Kansas, JC) will transfer to Troy. Four-star QB Zach Mettenberger (El Dorado, Kansas,Butler County CC) will transfer to LSU. CB Destry Berry (5-11, 185, Buffalo, N.Y., Erie HS) will head to New Mexico.
December 13 2010 Last updated at 10:45 AM ET
Will Muschamp Hire Affects Florida, Texas Recruiting Efforts
By David Wasson
College Football Writer
Read More: Florida Texas Recruiting Heisman Will+Muschamp
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