Top 2010 Florida Football Recruits

Urban Meyer has hit the recruiting trail hard this year hoping to add even more depth to his Florida football team. With 2010 recruiting classes still taking shape, Meyer and the Florida coaching staff should be thrilled with the fruit of their labor so far. They have already received commitments from some of the top players both in the state of Florida and around the country, but as most dedicated fans know - the recruiting process is far from over.

Committed

Matt Elam - DB / OLB / RB
Elam is one of those "do it all" type of players who combines speed and power, making him valuable on both sides of the football. He is a good low tackler but seems to like to sling the ball carrier down as opposed to finishing tackles with leg drive. If he adds some size he could find himself playing outside linebacker, but already has sufficient bulk to play either safety or running back. I am not sold on his coverage ability, but his superior athleticism and willingness to be coached will likely cancel out any of his weak points. Interesting fact - brother Abram plays safety for the Cleveland Browns.

Mack Brown - RB
Brown has decent breakaway speed but what I like best about him is his willingness to keep his legs churning at initial contact. He is not a particularly big back although he boasts numerous traits to make you think he is; not afraid of contact, makes a good extra effort and runs really well between the tackles. He makes up for his lack of size by relying on blockers to open up holes for him; he is very patient and rarely tries to force himself into gaps if they aren't there. While I am not sure about his ability to pick up the blitz on passing downs, it does appear he will need to add some size if he wants to compete for playing time early. The Gators will benefit from this type of running back as Meyer coached Florida football teams tend to have above average run blockers up front.

Gerald Christian - TE / MLB
The opposition is going to have trouble with a guy like Christian, plain and simple. He currently plays along side fellow Florida football commit Matt Elam, and like his teammate, Christian is able to make an impact on both sides of the ball. He is strong enough to line up at tight end as a pass catcher but appears to lack adequate bulk to be a good blocker at the college level (listed at only 220 pounds by Rivals.com). I think he could be effective as a slot receiver on short routes given the fact that he can match the size of some of the linebackers. He has the speed and tackling ability (great form tackler) to play linebacker himself, but it is hard to justify putting him on defense given his receiving ability. Regardless of where he ends up lining up at for the Gators, the guy will be successful.

Trey Burton - QB
Burton runs and cuts like a running back once he is in the open field. While he is an effective scrambler, he is also a very capable and efficient passer; a true duel-threat quarterback. He throws well on the run and doesn't try to play outside of his ability level (doesn't throw across his body on the run, checks down under pressure; generally makes good decisions). Burton has sufficient "next level" size but could likely benefit from packing on a bit more. Florida fans should be excited about this player, as he is one of the most exciting 2010 quarterback prospects to watch.

While these four elite high school athletes sit atop the list of Gator recruits, they are merely a sample of what Urban Meyer will likely bring in as the season progresses. Look for big things from the Florida football team in coming years if they can continue to reel in this kind of talent.

"Gerald Christian" Rivals.com