Hysteria In Florida: Let The Recruiting Wars Begin

The Big Four USF, FSU, Univerity Of Florida and University Of Miami

With the regression of Florida Gators football this season, some of the deep pool of Florida high school recruits will entertain leaving the state. More importantly, there will be an intense battle within the state to land top recruits that change programs immediately. It is wide open and for the first time in a long time the University Of South Florida, Florida State University, University Of Florida and University Of Miami all have the opportunity to build great teams. It will important to examine what has to be done by each coach.

USF Bulls
South Florida lost a couple of games that seem unexplainable at this point in the season. Losing at home to Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Skip Holtz is in his inaugural season and has done a solid job. Holtz and his coaching staff should and will become more familiar with BJ Daniels’ strengths at quarterback in the offseason. Daniels wil win the job back from Bobby Eveld in the spring and have an excellent 2011-2012 season. In recruiting, the Bulls need to surround Daniels with more weapons at the skill positions. The Bulls need to recruit some quality players to add depth to the secondary. The Bulls should win the Big East next season and also have an outside chance at a national title.

Florida State Seminoles
Florida State should finally end up with top recruiting class in the state. After a dominating victory against Florida 31-7 and possible ACC championship title, Florida State is on the way back. Jimbo Fisher seems ready to move the program back to competing for national championships each season. Christian Ponder will be difficult to replace, but certainly not impossible. If Florida State does not end with the top recruiting class in state of Florida this year, the coaching staff should be fired. The Seminoles must recruit a quality quarterback. The Seminoles need to recruit more depth on the defensive line and the secondary. The momentum is building, the atmosphere in Tallahassee should mean no less than ten wins next season. The Seminoles should win the ACC next season and finish in the top five of college football next season.

University Of Florida Gators
The University Of Florida took the furthest step back this season of the big four schools in Florida. Tim Tebow was perfect on the field, however, he failed in one area by not leaving the Gators in good hands at quarterback. Do not fret Gator Nation Urban Meyer will get the team back on track. Urban Meyer needs to fire Teryl Austin the defensive coordinator because opponents ran the Gators over too easily this season. Clearly, the loss of Charlie Strong was big, but the chemistry is not there between Meyer and Austin. Gators pride themselves on being a no excuse program. John Brantley’s confidence is gone. If Trey Burton is the answer at quarterback that means Florida will have less big plays, which may help on time of possession. Bottomline the Gators need to pick one quarterback. The Gators need to recruit and groom a complete quarterback that can run and pass for the long term. The Gators need to recruit defensive line help immediately. The Gators need to recruit another kicker because points are just too valuable in the SEC. The Florida mystique is gone. Teams will be testing Florida on the ground next season. Mick Marotti will put together his most elaborate strength and conditioning offseason program during his tenure at Florida. Urban Meyer is competitive enough he will finish near the top of the SEC next season.

University Of Miami Hurricanes
The University Of Miami made a great decision by firing Randy Shannon. Shannon did some good things. But with Florida’s fall off this season the window to build an ACC championship contending team or eventual national championship caliber opened. The administration knows windows of opportunity do not come each year. Randy Shannon just did not stand out against the likes of Holtz and Meyer. Recruits were not excited about the direction of Miami. Expectations can rise again once the University Of Miami hires a big name coach like Jon Gruden. The Hurricanes can be much better in a relatively short amount of time. The Hurricanes need to hire a big name coach in the next month. Over the next three to five years, the Hurricanes need to upgrade facilities to compete with other programs in the state. The Hurricanes need to more depth at all positions on defense. Nine or ten wins is possible next season.

The state of Florida is filled with high school talent. The next couple of months as the recruiting period heats up and ends may be the most exciting in history. What a great football state.