Finish Line: Florida

With college football's national signing day inching closer, college staffs are starting the stretch run to finish the 2013 cycle. In our latest “Finish Line” feature, 247Sports and GatorBait.net take a look at what left for Florida in the 2013 cycle, which is a class currently with 20 commitments.

It's been known for some time that four-star safety Marcell Harris would be Florida-bound in the end. He should make it official this week.

Marcell Harris, S, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips

While the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Harris has made visits to Texas, Oklahoma and Florida State, this recruitment has always boiled down to the 2012 season for the Florida Gators. Well, 11-1 and a BCS Bowl to come certainly has this recruitment looking great for Will Muschamp and staff headed into a Thursday announcement.

GatorBait.net’s Luke Stampini on Harris’ recruitment: “While Harris has never publicly named a leader, it has long been believed the Gators were the school to beat.  He gave his finalist a shot taking official visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Florida State as well as Florida, but he continued to make unofficial trips to Gainesville.  Harris is set to announce his commitment Thursday and all signs point to him picking the Gators.”

Elijah Daniel, DE, Avon (Ind.)

The recruitment of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Daniel will likely come down to a battle between a trio of SEC programs. The former Clemson commit originally from Alabama has seen Ole Miss and Mississippi State and will trip to Florida January 12 with the Gators favored by many.

Stampini on Daniel’s recruitment: “Even when Daniel made a bit of a surprising commitment to Clemson this summer, Florida continued to pursue the prospect tabbed to play the ‘Buck’ position.  His commitment to commitment to Clemson recently fell apart and the Gators promptly set a January 12 official visit date.  Florida’s biggest competition looks to be Mississippi State and Ole Miss, two schools he recently visited.”

Ebenezer Ogundeko, DE, Brooklyn (NY) Jefferson

The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Ogundeko visited Clemson over the weekend shaking up a recruit that appeared to be headed the Florida Gators way. A visit to Syracuse is still looming as well.

Stampini on Ogundeko’s recruitment: “This is another prospect that named Florida his leader after a recent official visit to Gainesville.  The early enrollee just finished a visit to Clemson and has one set for in-state Syracuse before making his commitment known in mid-December.”

Jarran Reed, DT, Scooba (Miss.) East Mississippi C.C.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound former North Carolina commitment recently visited Ole Miss and gave the Rebels glowing reviews. With visits to Florida and North Carolina still on the docket for December or January, the four-star tackle’s recruitment is up for grabs.

Stampini on Reed’s recruitment: “With Florida losing a few players to graduation, transfer and possibly the NFL, the need for defensive tackles is great.  Reed recently de-committed from North Carolina and is considering Ole Miss, Florida as well as the Tar Heels still. The Gators feel good about their chances and recently picked up a commitment from his EMCC teammate Darious Cummings.”

Trenton Brown, OT,

The one time Georgia commitment now appears to be headed for another program. While the Florida Gators are the heavy favorite, Will Muschamp and staff will have to hold off Florida State and Oklahoma to snag the mammoth four-star lineman.

Stampini on Brown’s recruitment: “Florida is looking to add depth to their offensive line and the 6-foot-8, 350-pound prospect would certainly help in that regard. The one-time Georgia commit recently named the Gators his leader, but took an unofficial visit to Florida State and an official visit to Oklahoma since.  The Gators, Seminoles and Sooners are currently his in his top three with a December announcement planned.”

Alex Collins, RB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) South Plantation

The Top247 running back now appears headed for Florida State after de-committing from Miami (Fla), but the Gators would love to add the explosive playmaker to the 2013 class to go along with Kelvin Taylor.

Stampini on Collins’ recruitment: “The Gators joined the race for the talented back late with an October offer. While Florida already has running back commitments from Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.) five-star Kelvin Taylor and Winter Haven (Fla.) three-star Adam Lane, they are looking to add as many playmakers to the offense as possible.  Collins recently backed off his Miami pledge and Florida State appears to be the school to beat with Wisconsin lurking in the hunt as well.”

Jalen Ramsey, CB, Brentwood (Tenn.) Brentwood Academy


One of the top committed prospects in the country still making visits is the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Ramsey. With a trip to Florida in the rearview mirror, Ramsey will now head to Mississippi State before visiting Alabama and USC in January.

Stampini on Ramsey’s recruitment: “Florida would like to add another top flight corner to the class and remains in contact with the University of Southern California commit. The Gators were able to get Ramsey on an official visit to Gainesville earlier this fall with teammate and Florida quarterback commit Max Staver.  Despite the frequent talks, it seems as if Florida’s chances of flipping Ramsey are slim at this point in time.”