DeMarcus Walker committed to Alabama on Friday afternoon, during ESPNU's RecruitingNation. But "scooping" his announcement with a couple of tweets set to get Florida fans mad was genius. Evil genius, of course, but genius nonetheless.
I'm in studio. I think it's UF. I need to be close
— DeMarcus Walker (@livinglegend_44) August 24, 2012
Orange and blue here we go.
— DeMarcus Walker (@livinglegend_44) August 24, 2012
Walker, a consensus four-star prospect from Jacksonville's Sandalwood High, chose 'Bama over Florida (and Clemson and Auburn, I guess?), as reported by Justin Barney of the Jacksonville Times-Union about 45 minutes before his announcement (to the dismay of some), and gives Nick Saban's forever fierce defensive line another big name with a big frame up front.
His recruitment is likely not "over," as he tweeted:
I like to thank the people who aren't bama fans that is still congratulating me on my decision .Those are my true fans And it's not the end
— DeMarcus Walker (@livinglegend_44) August 24, 2012
But while Walker will likely take official visits, and likely one to Florida, but I don't like the Gators' chances of snagging him from Saban's clutches.
As for Florida: There's a bit of pain from this announcement, as the Gators were hoping Walker would head down the road to Gainesville and become their premier pass-rusher, and there seems to be no player quite like Walker in the 2013 class. ESPN's Derek Tyson points out that Ebenezer Ogundeko is still on the list, but going after him and rolling with Joey Ivie and Jordan Sherit and Antonio Riles may well be the plan unless something changes.
Update: Sure, I totally believe this.
Hold on Now My twitter was Hacked earlierI sware those 2 Gator tweets today was not by me
— DeMarcus Walker (@livinglegend_44) August 25, 2012