Prized defensive end Jordan Jenkins continued the stay-at-home streak established by many top recruits in the class of 2012 on Monday — the four-star prospect chose Georgia over Florida, Alabama and Auburn in a televised interview with the Fox Sports South network.
Jenkins’ oral commitment to Georgia was a huge miss for UF, which could have used his tested pass rush ability and disruptive strength at defensive end, where the Gators are currently extremely thin.
Now, coach Will Muschamp and his staff will focus on another recruit deciding between Florida and Georgia in five-star prospect Josh Harvey-Clemons, as well as five-star defensive end Darius Hamilton of Ramsey, N.J.
However, Florida had a huge grab Saturday night when five-star defensive end Jonathan Bullard orally committed at the U.S. Army All-America game.
The Shelby, N.C., prospect chose the Gators over Clemson and South Carolina, among others.
Bullard fills a need on defense for Florida heading into 2012, as Ronald Powell is the only remaining experienced pass-rushing end on the Gators’ roster.
Bullard’s explosiveness off the ball and 6-foot-4, 255-pound frame have improved over the course of his final high school season, and he could compete for immediate playing time next season.
Early enrollees on campus: Fresh off of the U.S. Army and Under Armour All-America games, seven new freshmen navigated the UF campus for the first time as students Monday.
Seven spring enrollees from the recruiting class of 2012 began classes, in hopes of gaining an advantage with a full semester finished — and a playbook memorized — by the time they are joined by fellow 2012 recruits during the summer.
Three-star cornerback Willie Bailey of Hallandale; four-star offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker of Boynton Beach; three-star defensive end Quinteze Williams of Tyrone, Ga.; four-star linebacker Antonio Morrison from Bolingbook, Ill.; four-star wide receiver Latroy Pittman of Citra; five-star offensive tackle D.J. Humphries of Charlotte, N.C.; and junior college defensive tackle transfer Damien Jacobs all had their first days at UF Monday.
These seven have helped propel Muschamp’s first full recruiting class to No. 3 nationally, according to Rivals.com.
Currently at 18 recruits — near the NCAA-mandated limit of 25 per signing class — this class could be officially spliced in order to sign seven extra players, with the seven early enrollees being counted toward 2011’s 18-member class.
Salt decommits: Florida lost top junior college transfer Visesio Salt out of Walnut, Cal. Monday night.
Salt, a 6’3” 340-pound four-star defensive tackle, switched his oral commitment from Florida to Utah Monday night.
Oral commitments are nonbinding until a national letter of intent is signed on or after National Signing Day on Feb. 1, 2012.
