Gators get two junior college transfers

The first members of Florida's 2008 class are two junior college transfers who'll be on campus when spring semester begins.

On Wednesday Florida received letters of intent from wide receiver Carl Moore and defensive tackle Troy Epps.

Moore is a 6-foot-4, 220 pound receiver from Cordova/Sierra Community College, and is considTheered one of the most sought -after JC transfers in the nation. He had 73 receptions for 1,068 yards and tied for fourth in total points scored on the team. He was sixth in receptions in the California junior college system. He was a five-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com, considered the No. 2 junior college player.

Epps (6-1, 280) fills a critical need for the Gators, who by the end of the season were using two freshman at defensive tackle, including a converted center. He is a junior college All-American who started for Coffeyville Community College for two years. He was a first-team all-conference selection. This past season, he had 62 tackles, forced five fumbles, five sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

Both will be on campus in two weeks and UF coach Urban Meyer said he expects both to play right away.

"They have to,'' Meyer said. "We’re not going to go to California to get somebody who’s going to watch. Same thing with defensive tackle. Defensive tackle is one of our biggest areas of concern. When you have to move your backup center over and you’ve got two freshman, that tells you how much it’s a concern. Lawrence Marsh has had some great practices, but Troy Epps will give us some instant depth.''

Meyer said as a rule, he's not a big believer in recruiting junior college players, but he will when necessary.

"We don't really junior college recruit here,'' he said. "We'll hand pick a couple. Defensive tackle, we had no choice and the high school choices were few and far between when you do the grades involved. But receiver, we'll always every year take a peak at the best receiver in America and I think we'll be right in the middle of it. He (Moore) was the name that kept showing up when we started doing evaluations. He's a hell of a player, by the way. If you haven't seen highlight tape, you ought to see him.''

   

Comments

[Mike]

Carl Moore is going to be sick! This guy is like a Calvin Johnson clone. I can't wait to see him in Orange & Blue next year!