Let's be honest. Everybody wants to be Southern Cal.
Pete Carroll has built a dynasty worth emulating, and lately the program that has the best chance at doing so is UF.
The Gators have a young coach who knows how to win, great recruiting and a solid fan base, and they're also in an attractive location - even if Gainesville isn't really part of the Florida you see on television.
But there has been a kink in the plan.
Not everyone on the roster is happy, and with offensive lineman James Wilson's recent request to transfer, that makes at least five players who wanted out.
Wilson will soon follow in the footsteps of Chevon Walker, Jarred Fayson, Bo Williams and Bryan Waggener, who all left UF this year.
There are a multitude of reasons for the transfers, and in a backward way it's the sign of a good program. The pond is stocked, and some of the guys have to go elsewhere.
The previous four, despite their high potential, were nothing to cry over.
Wilson is.
There's a reason why Rivals.com named him the No. 12 overall prospect of the 2007 class, even ahead of the beloved Pouncey twins, who have already made their mark in the trenches.
He was a dominant force in high school and has one of the best personal relationships with Tim Tebow, thanks to their three years together at Nease High.
Don't think Wilson is much of a loss? Urban Meyer does.
Check out what Wilson told DeaconsIllustrated.com - Rivals.com's Wake Forest affiliate - a few days ago:
"I have asked for my release from the University of Florida, and now it's up to Coach Meyer to make that decision. He hasn't granted me the release yet because he's hoping that I change my mind, but I just don't think that Florida is the right place for me."
It's a hard pill for Meyer to swallow, and along with running back Emmanuel Moody, Wilson was one of the first signs that the Gators could go toe-to-toe with the Trojans after he switched his commitment from USC.
Maybe Wilson wouldn't start against Hawaii on Aug. 30, but you can bet that he would've made a difference by season's end and in the next few years when Jim Tartt, Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins have moved on.
Because he sat out this season with a knee injury, Wilson could petition to get an extra year so he could play a full four seasons at his next school, but for all intents and purposes he's throwing a year of eligibility out the window by leaving UF.
He's also giving up on a dream he has carried for a while - to block for Tebow.
I don't know all the details, but it's not a good sign when UF can't hold onto someone that talented who stands to lose a lot by leaving.
The sky isn't falling, but it's a cause for concern.
Until now, the Gators kept up with USC's ability to weather the storm by not losing irreplaceable players.
Sure, the Trojans lost Moody to UF. He's great, but they had eight - yes, that's eight - other guys competing for a starting job at the position.
It's not the same with Wilson, and the Gators had better hope they don't run into him, wherever he lands, in the future.
