Breakdown of UF prospects at The Opening III
Last week many of the top prospects from across the country converged on the Nike Campus in Oregon to take part in The Opening. Included were 15 prospects who are either committed to or are top targets of Florida. Rivals.com analysts Jake Brown, Mike Farrell and Chris Nee provided Inside the Gators breakdowns and tidbits on those 15 prospects.
Up today is the third part of a three-part series detailing Florida's commits and targets.
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* All measurements are from The Opening unless otherwise noted.
Click Here to view this Link.Linebacker Quinton PowellClick Here to view this Link. - 6-foot-2, 189-pounds, 4.8 (Orlando Nike)
Brown: I didn't get a long look at Powell, but heard nice things about how he played well in space considering he's usually a defensive end.
Farrell: He's skinny as heck, so that will be an issue, but he's very long and good in coverage. Powell gets his hands on the ball often for a linebacker.
Click Nee: Powell continues to shine in the camp setting showing that he is good in pass coverage. He covers a lot of ground laterally and is good at making it quickly to a spot. The main concern/question with regards to Powell is how big he can ultimately become. His commitment is also very firm.Here to view this Link.Defensive end Jordan SheritClick Nee: Powell continues to shine in the camp setting showing that he is good in pass coverage. He covers a lot of ground laterally and is good at making it quickly to a spot. The main concern/question with regards to Powell is how big he can ultimately become. His commitment is also very firm.Here to view this Link. - 6-foot-4 ½, 234-pounds 4.78
Brown: He's a really solid kid off the field. Sherit really moves well for a big man, as his SPARQ score indicates and because of that he will be a nice defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level. From what I've heard and seen out here, he's probably a Florida lean at this point based on comfort level with the school and coaches. The biggest contenders outside of the Gators appear to be Stanford, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt.
Farrell: A bit undersized for an end, but he played tough and was physical. At his size, he was sometimes over-matched by the size of the offensive linemen, but other times used his speed and willingness to be physical to beat bigger guys. He will need to get quicker.
Click Nee: Sherit is a big frame defensive end who can bulk up a great deal. He has a good first step, active hands, and a variety of moves off the edge that make him tough to stop. He intends to take his time with making a decision, but Florida is in a good position at this time for his services.Here to view this Link.Running back Kelvin TaylorClick Nee: Sherit is a big frame defensive end who can bulk up a great deal. He has a good first step, active hands, and a variety of moves off the edge that make him tough to stop. He intends to take his time with making a decision, but Florida is in a good position at this time for his services.Here to view this Link. - 5-foot-11, 216-pounds, 4.64
Brown: I'm not sure the camp setting is where Taylor performs at his best. He made a play or two, but he just wasn't as explosive in 7-on-7 drills as the other running backs on hand.
Farrell: Wasn't used much during 7-on-7 play, but in the camp portion on Friday he showed some explosion and quickness. He has a great build for a running back, powerful lower body and runs low to the ground.
Click Nee: Taylor didn't steal the show in the 7-on-7 portion of the event, but during the camp portion he did make an impression. He has very quick feet allowing him to handle change of direction with ease and is good in tight spaces. He is going to make his mark with how he plays in pads, in a game, over what he does in a camp. His commitment is very firm.Here to view this Link.Defensive lineman Demarcus WalkerClick Nee: Taylor didn't steal the show in the 7-on-7 portion of the event, but during the camp portion he did make an impression. He has very quick feet allowing him to handle change of direction with ease and is good in tight spaces. He is going to make his mark with how he plays in pads, in a game, over what he does in a camp. His commitment is very firm.Here to view this Link. - 6-foot-4, 280-pounds, 5.04
Brown: He plays physical and was unstoppable at times in 1-on-1 line drills. The general consensus in Portland was that he will land at either Alabama or Florida.
Farrell: Not sure if he's a big end or a small tackle, but he's strong as heck and played inside most of the time. He is powerful, plays low, and uses his hands very well
Click Nee: Long-term, Walker likely ends up at defensive tackle. He had a good three-day performance at The Opening. He regularly won 1-on-1 drills and showed that he is very physical at the point of contact, does a good job of getting off blocks, and has some quickness in tight spaces. He should be an excellent run stopper at the next level. He was regularly being talked to by Florida commitments, especially the likes of Fulwood and Washington, about joining them in Gainesville. Tough to deny that Alabama is in a good position with him as he admits that he thinks very highly of Nick Saban.Here to view this Link.Safety Nick WashingtonClick Nee: Long-term, Walker likely ends up at defensive tackle. He had a good three-day performance at The Opening. He regularly won 1-on-1 drills and showed that he is very physical at the point of contact, does a good job of getting off blocks, and has some quickness in tight spaces. He should be an excellent run stopper at the next level. He was regularly being talked to by Florida commitments, especially the likes of Fulwood and Washington, about joining them in Gainesville. Tough to deny that Alabama is in a good position with him as he admits that he thinks very highly of Nick Saban.Here to view this Link. - 6-foot, 183-pounds, 4.53
Brown: He looks the part physically. I honestly can't say I watched Washington a lot, but nothing stood out in the "bad" category.
Farrell: Looked good in 1-on-1 drills and could play cornerback in a pinch if needed because he has good size and hips and can play the ball well. Didn't see him do a lot in 7-on-7 play, but he wasn't beaten that much either because that would have been noticed.
Nee: While I only recall one interception for Washington in the games, I also don't recall a single instance of him being beat down the field. He is a reliable, consistent defensive back who can handle cornerback or safety duties. He is a good athlete with nice size and the ability to stay tight on a receiver down the field.
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(Deal ends July 20, 2012)