Four Gators Named to Watch Lists

Three Florida players were named to the Maxwell Watch List, announced on Monday, while another was listed among the preseason candidates for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

Junior running back Percy Harvin, sophomore running back Emmanuel Moody, and reigning Maxwell Award winner, quarterback Tim Tebow, were all named to the Maxwell Award List. Junior linebacker Brandon Spikes was named to the Bednarik list.

The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell. The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagles great.

Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Maxwell Award last season. Harvin is making a repeat appearance on the watch list in 2008 after being among the names last season.

Each list is comprised of sixty-five players who were selected based on their performance during the 2007 season.

Florida ranked No. 6 among nation's sports programs

With a school-record-tying 12 athletic teams earning top-10 finishes during the 2007-08 season, Florida placed sixth in the 2007-08 United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings.

It is the 25th consecutive year the Gator program has ranked among the nation’s top 10 in all-sports standings.

Points are awarded based on finishes in 20 NCAA Division I sports, based on participation. Florida fielded 17 sports that advanced to NCAA Championship action, compiling 1,126.75 points for the sixth-place overall finish. Only two programs in the nation - Florida and UCLA - have ranked among the country's top 10 in each of the national all-sports rankings over the last 25 years. Stanford won its 14th consecutive Directors' Cup title in 2008 with 1,461 points.

Florida's top 2007-08 finishes both came during the month of May. The Gator softball squad finished its best season in the 12-year history of the program by tying for third in their first Women's College World Series appearance. Women's tennis advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships for the 19th time in the last 22 years.

Here is the complete list of Florida's 2007-08 top-10 teams: Softball (Tied-3);  Women's Tennis (T-3);  Gymnastics (No. 4); Women’s Swimming & Diving (No. 6); Men's Swimming & Diving (No. 8); Men's Indoor Track & Field (No. 8); Women's Indoor Track & Field (T-8); Women's Golf (No. 9); Women's Outdoor Track & Field (No. 9); Soccer (T-9); Men’s Tennis (T-9) and Volleyball (T-9).

Speights goes No. 16 to Philadelphia

It turns out, Marreese Speights made the right decision afterall.

The Florida forward/center was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, using the 16th overall pick. Speights became the 10th Gator to become a first round NBA pick, the eighth under head coach Billy Donovan.

"My heart said do it and it came out right,'' Speights said from St. Petersburg Thursday night. "I'm in a good spot right now.''

Speights is the first Gator ever drafted by Philadelphia, while his selection at No. 16 is the seventh-highest pick in school history.

Florida has now had five first round draft picks since 2005, the most of any SEC school, and has had at least one player drafted five of the past six years. The Gators have had four first round picks in the last two drafts alone.

Speights finished second on UF in scoring during his sophomore season, averaging 14.5 points per game. He led the Gators in rebounding with 8.1 rebounds per contest, as well team-highs of 49 blocked shots and 10 double-doubles.

He scored 16 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds against Massachusetts in the semifinals of the MasterCard NIT in what would be the final game of his career. In his two-year career, Speights averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and blocked 64 shots.

Speights will leave Friday morning for Philadelphia to begin his new career.

Gators as good a No. 1 preseason pick as any?

Florida has landed itself at No. 1 on at least two major preseason magazines, Phil Steele's College Football Preview and Athlon. While that may seem a little lofty, considering the Gators were 9-4 last season and finished No. 13 in the final rankings, at least one national analysts (SI.com's Stewart Mandel) believes it's as good a GUESS as any.

Check out the story here.

Tebow named SEC Male Athlete of the Year

Quarterback Tim Tebow has been named the SEC Male Athlete of the Year, voted on by the league's athletic directors. He was honored along with former Tennessee basketball player Candace Parker as the league's Female Athlete of the Year.

As the only sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy, Tebow has thrown for 3,644 yards and 37 touchdowns in his two seasons as a Gator.  He has rushed for 1,364 yards with 31 touchdowns, both school records by a Florida quarterback.

An All-SEC first-team selection by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press, Tebow also became the first quarterback in college football history to pass for 20 and rush for 20 touchdowns.

Also this season, he earned a spot on ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-American First-Team squad, the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and the SEC Community Service Team.

The other male nominees were: Michael Thompson, Alabama (golf); Darren McFadden, Arkansas (football); : Cesar Cielo, Auburn swimming); Gordon Beckham, Georgia (baseball); Rashaud Scott, Kentucky (track & field); Glenn Dorsey, LSU (football); Erling Tveit, Ole Miss (tennis); Jamil Hubbard, Mississippi State (track & field); Jason Richardson, South Carolina (track & field); Chris Lofton, Tennessee (basketball); Shan Foster, Vanderbilt (basketball).

UF takes Mitchell ace

Mitchell left-handed ace Patrick Schuster, who has spent the summer improving his status among pro scouts in hopes of being drafted in  2009, announced his backup plan this evening.

He has committed to the University of Florida.

Schuster, who tied a 51-year-old Pasco County single-game record when he struck out 20 Gulf batters in an April 15 road win, said he chose the Gators over Central Florida, North Carolina and Texas, among others.

"I know a lot of my friends are going there from my travel team (the Tampa Bay Raiders)," said Schuster, 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA for the Mustangs as a junior last season.

"The program's great; actually the coach (Kevin O'Sullivan) is the pitching coach so he's got a good, strong hold on what the pitching staff's going to do. Money was part of the decision and they made an offer that made money not an issue."

Schuster (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) just returned from Cary, N.C., where he threw a pair of scoreless three-inning stints last week to lead Dixie National to USA Baseball's eight-team "Tournament of Stars" championship.

He said he ultimately was asked to join the 18-under national team, but declined so he could participate in next month's East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase in Lakeland.

JOEY KNIGHT, Times staff writer

Gators pick up another commitment for 2009

GAINESVILLE - Naples offensive tackle Nick Alajajian, considered one of the top high school offensive linemen in the nation, orally committed to the Gators on Tuesday.

“We met with Coach (Steve) Addazio and Coach (Urban) Meyer and toured the school and went through the academics and stuff,” Alajajian told Gatorcountry.com.  “When we were done I just told them I want to be a Gator.  They were really excited that I committed and told me congratulations and all of that good stuff.”

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Alajajian said Florida's offense suits him well because he enjoys both run blocking and pass blocking.

“The main thing Gator fans can look for from me is I am an intense player,” he said. “I am real passionate and don’t mess around. Football is my life. I have spent my lifetime on that, so they will see the way I can make plays and finish.”

Ninety-three Gators make SEC Academic Honor Roll

Seven area athletes are among 93 Gators on the 2008 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Florida's 93 recipients is third behind South Carolina (105) and Georgia (96).

To be recognized, each student-athlete must  have a GPA of 3.0 for either the preceding academic year or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the nominating institution; be on scholarship, a letterwinner or have participated on a varsity team for two years if non-scholarship; have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial credit at the nominating institution; and have been a member of the varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA championship segment.

The seven area athletes are:

BASEBALL: Brandon McArthur (Seffner), Sr. Criminology; Brett Bentley  (Tampa), Sr. Exercise Physiology.  This is McArthur's fourth consecutive year earning SEC Academic Honors, one shy of a school record held by three other players.

SOFTBALL: Kristina Hilberth (Dunnedin), Jr. Sport Management

WOMEN'S TRACK: Kathryn Kramer (Tampa), Jr. Nutritional Sciences; Natalie Moser (Tampa), Sr. Health Education and Behavior.

MEN'S TRACK: Calvin Smith (Lutz), So. Sport Management; Kurt Lee (Springhill). Sr. Exercise Physiology.

Two former Gators named to US Olympics soccer team

Former Gator All-Americans Heather Mitts and Abby Wambach were named to the 2008 U.S. Woomen's soccer Olympic team, head coach Pia Sundhage announced Monday afternoon.

The two are part of an 18-player roster and are making their second consecutive appearance in the Olympics. Wambach scored the game-winner in overtime to give the U.S. a 2-1 win over Brazil in the 2004 gold medal match.

Wambach is considered one of the world's top players. She has scored 98 goals, which computes to scoring in 80 percent of her 123 U.S. National Team appearances. She is two goals away from joining the U.S. Women's 100-goal scorers list, which currently includes such luminaries as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers and Tiffeny Milbrett. Wambach leads the USA in 2008 scoring with 12 goals.

Dee Finley reportedly headed to prep school

Dee Finley, the highly-touted incoming safety from Auburn, Ala., will not be academically eligible to enroll at Florida this week, and instead will enroll in prep school, scout.com is reporting.

Finley will reportedly attend Milford Academy in New York.

He represents the third safety, or potential safety, the Gators have lost since January. Jerimy Finch transferred due to academic and personal reasons and Jacksonville native Jamar Hornsby was dismissed from the team after being being arrested and charged with credit card theft.

Former Gators helping current stars improve

Around the Florida basketball practice facility these days, the pickup games include three former members of the Gators' two-time national championship team who are trying to help mold a new generation of players.

Al Horford, Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey have spent time this summer joining the pickup games with the current Gators, in-between attending summer classes.

It's been great, we've been going real hard,'' sophomore guard Nick Calathes said this week. "We've got just 10 guys, but Lee, Al, and Taurean plays with us so I think they really help us a lot too on the court. Them being at the NBA level helps us a lot.''

Aside from the tough love the former players are showing on the court, Calathes said they have also spent time trying to impart the wisdom of mental toughness to Calathes and his teammates, including Chandler Parsons and Jai Lucas.

"The thing they are trying to tell us most is just (how important) it is to practice everyday, wanting to play every night and getting the freshman coming in just like we are, playing every day,'' Calathes said. And just coming in the gym working out.''

Calathes said he's tried to take on more of a leadership role since the season ended, but ultimately success will be a team effort.

"I've taken on leadership a lot and I've tried to help the guys out, but I think we all know what it's going to take because we've been through it last year,'' he said. "We don't want that same thing happening.''

Donovan to return to Orlando with Gators

Billy Donovan will coach a basketball game at Amway Arena afterall.

Nearly 18 months after Donovan accepted, then backed out of a deal to become the head coach of the Orlando Magic, he and the Gators will play the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Nov. 30 at Amway Arena, officials with Florida Citrus Sports announced Wednesday.

It will be the first appearance for the Florida’s men’s basketball team in Orlando since 1997. The Gators have played 11 games all-time in Orlando between  1989 and 1997.

“We are certainly excited to return to Orlando for the first time in over a decade,” Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said. “The tremendous support we receive from the alumni and fan base in Orlando is extremely important to us, and we’re elated to be able to bring our basketball program to this great Gator city.”

The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Orlando-area natives and Gators Nick Calathes and Chandler Parsons – who led Lake Howell High School to the Florida 5A state championship en route to being named to McDonalds and Parade All-American teams as seniors.

Ticket prices for "Gator Jam" are as follows: Lower Level (Sidelines), $30; Lower Level (Corners/End Zone), $15; and Upper Level (all), $10.  For ticket information or to purchase tickets, call (407) 423-2476 or go to www.Ticketmaster.com after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23. 

Will Gators struggle without Speights?

You can argue both ways about whether Marresse Speights is making the right decision by skipping his junior season for the NBA, but ESPN's Andy Katz believes it's the Gators will be hurt more by his departure.

Katz wrote on ESPN.com: Florida may be one big body short in the middle: "The Gators were a likely NCAA tourney team with Marreese Speights in the post. Without him, they may need significant seasons from their incoming freshman post players to make the tournament.''

His departure means the loss of 15 points and eight rebounds per game for the Gators.

 

 

Does Florida Have SEC's Best Sports Program?

It's that age-old question fans love to ponder: "Who's No. 1?''

Well according to The Birmingham News, it's the Gators - overall.

"During the past 75 years, Florida's athletics program rates as the best in SEC history, based on a formula created by The Birmingham News to measure all-time conference success in all sports. Georgia finished second, followed by LSU and Tennessee,'' the paper wrote.

The formula measures success in each sport for the 12 current SEC members over their entire SEC affiliation, and no results were counted before the SEC was formed in 1933, the News said.

For each sport, The News selected varied measurements. More weight was placed on national titles and SEC titles than on other easurements such as number of All-Americans.

Check out the story and the results for all of the SEC right here.

Caldwell, Leak on different professional paths

Not so long ago, Chris Leak was the Gators' starting quarterback and Andre Caldwell was one of his best targets at receiver.

My, how things have changed.

This week, Leak finds himself in Montreal trying to catch on with yet another CFL team (he left the Hamilton team after just three days), while Caldwell is making a strong impression with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

The Dayton Daily News reported Sunday that Caldwell is clearly ahead of second-round draft pick Jerome Simpson from Coastal Carolina. Even Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is high on Caldwell.

"Jerome is a raw receiver coming out of a much smaller division school with a ton of potential, speed, quickness (and) great hands," Palmer told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "He's a little ways away from being ready to be in there in the heat of the fire, but has tremendous upside. On the other side, there's Andre Caldwell, our third-round pick, who can start right now and play right now. He doesn't get shaken or nervous with all the media here on the first day of minicamp. He doesn't show any signs of being a rookie. He looks like a vet. He looks like he's been out there and done it before, doesn't really get rattled or nervous about anything."

Meanwhile, Leak is trying to catch on in with Montreal. You can check it out here.

Catching up with Jeff Demps

Urban Meyer's need for speed in his offense has the Gator staff giddy about the impending arrival of freshman Jeff Demps, who has run a 10.17 100-meters time this year.

In case you missed it, he was recently profiled in USA Today story.

Former Gator Mincey honored by NFL

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey, a former Gator, was recently honored with the NFL’s Continuing Education Recognition Award - the N4A - given annually to the player who completed his degree while maintaining his professional football career, and overcoming obstacles and challenges.

The award is presented by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics. The second-year veteran received his bachelors degree in recreation and tourism from Florida.

"He was coming here, doing his workouts, driving back to Gainesville, finished up, got
his degree, so we're proud of him for doing that,'' Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said in a statement from the team. "I encourage the players to finish their education. I think it's very important, and so
we're happy for Jeremy.”

Mincey was a two-year starter at UF at defensive end in 2004 and 2005, earning second-team All-SEC honors as a senior. He was also selected as team captain on Urban Meyer's first Gator squad and served on UF's Leadership Committee. He finished his senior season with 62 tackles, tops among SEC defensive lineman. He was voted UF's Outstanding Defensive Lineman in 2004.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Mincey said. “I went back to school for the 2007 spring semester and I had two internships I had to do and I had to work out at the same time. Every day, I would get up and drive
back and forth to class in Gainesville, and come back for workouts, then head out to my internship in the afternoon at the Dupont YMCA. I appreciate the whole process and the recognition.”

Marresse Speights heading for the NBA

Florida sophmore forward Marreese Speights will not return for his junior season and will enter the NBA draft.

Speights, a native of St. Petersburg, informed coach Billy Donovan of his decision Thursday morning during a conference call. Speights declared for the draft in April, but did not hire an agent, leaving open the possibility for his return. But after numerous workouts with NBA teams, Speights told the Times Thursday morning he believes his best option is to move on.

"It was a hard decision,'' Speights said.. "But we had a good conversation. Coach Donovan understood. He always said he wants what's best for me.''

Speights is expected to sign with agent Andy Miller of ASM Sports, whose clients include Kevin Garnett and Chauncey Billups.

"I completely support his decision, this is what he wants to do,'' Donovan said in a statement. "I wish him nothing but the best of luck on June 26 (NBA draft day) and in the future.''

Speights' advisor and former AAU coach Matt Ramker said following their conversation with Donovan, Speights was even more sure he was making the right decision, which he's been trying to come to terms with the past few weeks based on all the information he has been receiving.

"Coach (Donovan) is very supportive,'' Ramker said. "He wants what is best for these guys. He knows Marreese has the opportunity to help himself and his family and to set them up for the rest of their lives. But it took a lot of conversations with coach and a lot of people the last two weeks so we could make the best decision for Marreese.''

[Brian Cassella, Times files]

Speights continues NBA workouts, nears final decision

Florida center Marreese Speights continued his whirlwind tour of NBA team workouts with a session today with the Indiana Pacers, as he nears a decision on his future.

Over the past two weeks, Speights, a St. Petersburg native, has also worked out for the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns and the Seattle Supersonics.

Speights declared for the NBA draft on April 8, but at the time did not sign with an agent, clearing the way for a possible return to school. But as he continues to impress NBA brass during workouts, there is growing speculation that Speights will not be at Florida next season.

His advisor and former AAU coach Matt Ramker said today Speights has still not signed with an agent and will confer with Florida coach Billy Donovan later this week. Speights has gotten good feedback from NBA officials.

"From some of the information we got, he's done a very good job with conditioning during his workouts and he's performed very well,'' Ramker said.

Speights averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore for the Gators last season. He's been projected anywhere from a mid-first round pick to an early second round in the NBA draft

Ramker said the experience of traveling across the country has been beneficial for Speights.

"It has been a unique experience for him,'' Ramker said. "He's by himself, flying into cities, working out, having dinner, then flying right back out the next day. He's having to be extremely focused. It's been a good experience in preparation for potentially what he'll experience with an 82-game schedule and five or six games in a row.''

24 Gators begin quest for NCAA titles

When the NCAA Track and Field championships begin today, 24 Florida athletes will be vying for national championships and All-American honors.

The men’s squad finished tied for 34th last year, while the women finished tied for 46th. Both squads will be looking to crack the top 10 for the first time since 2005 when the men were the runner-up and the women placed 10th.

UF’s relay team will try and extend its streak of having at least one relay advance to a final for the 13th straight year. At least one relay has made the final every year since 1996.

The Gator women are led by senior Lakecia Ealey, who is trying to become the Gators' first All-American in the 100-meters since Keisha Jett in 1998. Ealey won the 100-meter dash at the NCAA East Regional on May 31.

Freshman Rebecca Lowe is also trying to become the first All-American in the 5K since Wendy Frazier in 1990.

Here is a list of the Gators who will compete in the NCAA championships.

MEN:

100 meters: Jeremy Hall, Terrell Wilks; 400 meters: Calvin Smith; 800 meters: Carlos Phillips; 110 hurdles: Kallinka Pitt; 4x100 relay: Jeremy Hall, Wilks, Willie Perry and Smith;  4x400: Bernard Middleton, Smith, LaMarr Davis, Eric Alberter; Pole Vault: Eric Foran; Shot Put: Wes Stockbarger; Discus: Stockbarger; Javelin: Adam Montague; Decathlon: Steffan Hommel.

WOMEN:
100 meters: Lakecia Ealey; 200 meters: Natalie Knight; 3,000 Steplechase: Lindsay Sundell; 5,000 meters: Rebecca Lowe; 4x100 relay: Abigail David; Ealey, Dominique McLeggin, Knight; Long jump/Triple jump: Shara Proctor; Shot put: Mariam Kevkhishvili; Javelin: Evelien Dekkers.

UF golfer earns SEC sportsmanship award

Freshman golfer Jessica Yadloczky has been named the female recipient of the inaugural SEC Sportsmanship Award, joining Tennessee basektball player Chris Lofton as the male recipient.

The winners will be forwarded for nomination to the NCAA for its national sportsmanship awards, which will be announced in July.

Yadloczky's best finish was a tie for  second at the Northrup/Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif.  On the last green, during the second round, she saw her ball had moved after she addressed it.  She did not realize she needed to replace the ball to avoid further penalty and then putted out.

Immediately after the round, Yadloczky reported the situation to UF head coach Jill Briles-Hinton, but because she did not replace the ball before she putted out, the penalty was two strokes.  She ended up finishing second in the tournament by just one stroke.

The SEC awarded Yadloczky, saying "because of her sportsmanship, she has brought honor to herself, to her school and to her sport.''

Added Briles-Hinton: “Golf is by nature a game of honor. The
players are responsible for reporting any infractions and imposing their
own penalties. No one saw the ball move on the green other than Jessica. She gained no competitive advantage, but she knew that she had made a mistake and she rectified the error knowing that she may have put herself in position not to win. She is a great young lady, and always wants to do things the right way.”

Yadloczky finished fifth in the SEC with her season average of 74.00 strokes per round.  She helped lead the Gators to the SEC title and to a ninth-place finish in the NCAA Golf Championships this season.

Leak already struggling in CFL

Former Gator quarterback Chris Leak's Canadian Football League prospects have already hit a snag.

Leak signed with the Hamilton Tiger Cats last week, but was released last Friday, just three days after he signed.

Leak reportedly wasn't happy with the situation he found when he arrived. The team is committed to starting quarterback Casey Printers as well as backup Richie Williams.

Ti-Cats coach head coach Charlie Taaffe told the Hamilton Spectator Leak came to the realization he could get more playing time by joining a team in the Arena Football League than battling four other quarterbacks for a CFL job.

"I just don't think he really wanted to be here,'' Taaffe told the Spectator. "I think he felt he didn't have a legitimate shot with having four quarterbacks already on board and coming in late and behind the 8-ball in terms of learning the system," Taaffe explained.

But Leak may remain in the CFL afterall. Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, citing sources, said Leak is expected to be in Montreal to work out before the Alouettes' coaching staff this week. The sources said Leak's agent was in touch with the Als over the weekend.

It's hard to believe that just 17 months ago, Leak was basking in the glow of his offensive MVP award after leading the Gators to a BCS national championship.

Two softball players earn WCWS honors

Florida junior pitcher Stacey Nelson and sophomore left fielder Francesca Enea were named to the Women's College World Series All-Tournament team, the NCAA announced following Tuesday night's championship game in Oklahoma City.

Nelson finished WCWS play with a 2-2 record, including two shut outs, and a 0.98 ERA. She pitched 35.2 innings, giving up only five runs on 24 hits - only four for extra bases. Nelson struck out 26 batters and walked 12. Each of Nelson's losses were by one run (3-2 to Louisiana-Lafayette and 1-0 to Texas A&M) and each in extra innings. Her two wins were shut outs, 2-0 victories over Virginia Tech and UCLA.

Enea hit .316 in the series while leading the team with four runs scored and four RBI. She hit two home runs in Florida's 6-1 win over Texas A&M. Enea's six hits were second-most of any player in the WCWS, as the Gators posted the best team batting average in the tournament. Enea led all players in the WCWS with 12 total bases and was one of only two players to hit two home runs in the tournament.

Leak signs contract to play in Canadian League

Former Florida quarterback Chris Leak has signed a contract to play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League.

Leak, 23, led the Gators to a 13-1 record and the 2007 BCS National Championship in his senior season, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He spent last summer in the Chicago Bears' training camp, but was waived in September.

He set UF records for pass attempts (1,458), completions (895),  passing yards (11,213), total offense (11,350) and 200-yard passing games (33) during four years at Florida. He also had 88 touchdown passes in 51 games.

“We consider Chris to be a great CFL quarterback prospect,'' said Hamilton  general manager Bob O’Billovich on the league's website. “We believe that   Chris’ style of play is suited for this league. He’s accomplished some great things in his career and we’re excited to see what he can do for the Ticats.''

Athlon names Gators preseason No. 1

                           Athlon sports concluded its annual preseason countdown today by naming the Gators its preseason No. 1 team.

High on its list for naming the Gators to the top spot is reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and the "weapons galore'' he'll have surrounding him, most notably junior receiver Percy Harvin.

Take a look at Athlon's full breakdown of the Gators.

Gators make Smart choice

Clemson's Shaka Smart, a well-regarded recruiter, will join the Florida basketball staff as an assistant coach, the school announced. Smart, 31, replaces Lewis Preston, who left late last week for a similar job at Penn State. Smart, originally from Madison, Wis., played at Kenyon College, graduating Magna cum laude in 1999 with a degree in history.