What's on the Roster - before signing day

Signing day was Tuesday, and before I get into a review of this year’s class, I think we need to look at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 classes – Meyer’s first 3 classes. To me it is the only real way to gain insight into what needed to be signed this year. It will also explain why we might have “missed” on some recruits.

Players will be broken down by position and star ranking. I have not included any kickers or punters, basically because I don’t think they should be ranked.

Offense:

QB 2006 – Tim Tebow – 5 star
2007 – John Brantley – 4
(Cam Newton is no longer attending UF)

2 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.5 stars

RB 2006 – Emmanuel Moody – 4 star (originally signed with USC)
Brandon James – 2
2007 - Chris Rainey – 5
2008 - Jeff Demps – 4
TJ Pridemore – 3

5 players at the position
Average player ranking: 3.6 stars

WR 2006 - Riley Cooper – 4 stars
Justin Williams – 4
2007 - Deonte Thompson – 5
TJ Lawrence – 4
Paul Wilson – 3
2008 - Carl Moore – 5
Omarius Hines – 4
Frankie Hammond – 4

8 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.125 stars

TE 2007 – Aaron Hernandez – 5 stars

1 player at the position
Average player ranking: 5 stars

OL 2006 - Carl Johnson – 5 stars
Marcus Gilbert – 4
Corey Hobbs – 4
Jim Barrie – 3
Maurice Hurt – 3
2007 - James Wilson – 5
Michael Pouncey – 4
Maurkice Pouncey – 4
2008 - Sam Robey – 4
David Young – 3
Byran Jones – 3

11 players at the position
Average player ranking: 3.82 stars

Total Offensive Players on the roster: 27
Average player ranking: 3.96 stars

Defense:

Safety 2006 - Bryan Thomas – 4 stars
2007 - Major Wright – 5
Ahmad Black – 4
2008 - Will Hill – 5

4 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.5 stars

CB 2006 - Markihe Anderson – 3 stars
Wondy Pierre Louis – 3
2007 - Joe Haden – 4
Moses Jenkins – 3
2008 - Janoris Jenkins – 4
Jeremy Brown – 4
Adrian Bushell – 4

7 players at the position
Average player ranking: 3.57 stars

LB 2006 - Brandon Spikes – 5 stars
Dustin Doe – 4
A.J. Jones – 4
2007 - Lorenzo Edwards – 5
John Jones – 4
Brandon Hicks – 4
Steve Wilkes – 3
2008 - Brendan Beal – 4
Lerentee McCray – 4

9 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.11 stars

DE 2006 - Jermaine Cunningham – 4 stars
2007 - Carlos Dunlap – 5
Justin Trattou – 5
Duke Lemmons – 4
2008 - William Green – 4
Earl Okine – 4

6 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.33 stars

DT 2006 - Brandon Antwine – 4 stars
Terron Sanders – 3
Lawrence Marsh – 3
2007 - John Brown – 5
Torrey Davis – 5
Jaye Howard – 3
2008 - Matt Patchan – 5
Omar Hunter – 5
Troy Epps – 4

9 players at the position
Average player ranking: 4.11 stars

Total Defensive players on the roster: 35
Average player ranking: 4.09 stars

The talent level of the current roster is unbelievable - remember that a 4 star player is generally considered one of the top 150 players in the country for that year. It also shows some holes. For 2009 we needed to sign the following:

1-2 QBs – 1 is a must, 2 would be a luxury
1-2 RBs – preferably bigger than Demps and Rainey
1-3 WRs – 1 slot receiver and 1 outside receiver
1-2 TEs – biggest hole on the roster, looking at it from the outside.
4-5 OLs – this year is a must for quality offensive linemen
1-2 DEs – put me in the group that thinks Brendan Beal becomes a DE
2-3 DTs – my understanding is that the staff is worried about injuries at this position.
Plus you never know if John Brown and Torrey Davis will make it in the classroom
1-2 LBs – most talented group on the team
1 CBs – pretty young and loaded
1-2 Safeties – at the moment we are almost too good at this position with 3 quality players for
2 spots (and Munroe should be back this year).