The fax machine was quieter than usual this year in the UF football office, and Gators coach Urban Meyer couldn't be happier about it.
After signing 22-plus players in each of the last three seasons, Meyer brought in 16 signees Wednesday, and the smaller size of the 2009 recruiting class is mostly because the Gators didn't have many holes to fill.
The entire defense will return to Gainesville for next season, as will a large number of offensive playmakers, leaving Meyer with a more manageable class that's less likely to result in players transferring due to lack of playing time.
"This is right where we want to be," Meyer said at his National Signing Day press conference. "We want to have 18 to 21 every year. If we're doing a good job and we don't have a mass exodus of juniors to the NFL, we should be right there.
"If you had said, 'Coach, where do you want to be four years into the program?' Right here."
But National Signing Day wasn't without the usual drama. The Gators lost two verbal commits at the last second but added two big prospects, including one who may be remembered as the centerpiece of the class.
Jelani Jenkins, widely regarded as the nation's best outside linebacker, chose UF over Penn State, Southern Cal, Notre Dame and Stanford, and it's hard to imagine a better fit for Meyer than the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder.
Jenkins, just 16 years old, boasts a perfect grade point average, 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed and is a finalist for the high school equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, the Watkins Award.
He even devised a three-page matrix with his family to help him choose a college.
"I'll be disappointed if he's not a captain at Florida someday," said Meyer, who added that Jenkins committed to him a week ago.
Along with four-star defensive back Josh Evans - who also chose UF on Wednesday - Jenkins gives the recruiting class some luster.
"(Jenkins) shows exactly what this Florida class is about: potential," Scout.com recruiting analyst Miller Safrit said. "I think some people may have looked at this class and been upset about it, but adding Jenkins completely changes that."
While Jenkins and Evans provided the Gators a boost, two others turned in their UF gear for a different shade of orange.
Pahokee High receiver Nu'Keese Richardson and Paris (Tenn.) defensive back Marsalis Teague - both four-star prospects - broke off their verbal commitments to sign with Tennessee.
That was a major coup for the Volunteers' new head coach, Lane Kiffin, who made it clear he'd be gunning for the Gators at his introductory press conference when he said he most looked forward to "Singing 'Rocky Top' all night long after we beat Florida next year."
Even with those losses and defensive back Greg Reid - who committed to UF in his junior season - signing with Florida State, the Gators came away with a class that will plug all the necessary holes.
"I'd give it an 'A' for fitting needs," Safrit said. "The loss of a couple of guys here at the end probably kept it from being an A-plus. When you look at it, they fit all the needs they had, but a big portion of that is they didn't have many needs. With what they have coming back, they probably should get an A-plus just for keeping Brandon Spikes and Tim Tebow."
There's no question about who Meyer's favorite player in the class is. Sanford Seminole High receiver Andre Debose drew high praise from his new coach, who expects him to fill the role of NFL-bound playmaker Percy Harvin.
"I've got to tell you, this Andre Debose - I know I can't single guys out, but I'm going to single him out," Meyer said. "He's as good as there is. I think he's the best player in America. … Before I came down here, I flipped on his highlight tape one more time so I'll leave with a big smile on my face."
The Gators also added five offensive linemen to replenish the gap left by graduates Jim Tartt, Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins, and they may get another player in the coming days.
Meyer hinted during his press conference that one more would sign, and Tampa Plant High tight end Orson Charles is a likely candidate.
Charles, rated the nation's No. 3 tight end by Scout.com, made headlines in 2007 when he accidentally broke UF's 2006 national championship trophy on a recruiting visit.
