The Florida football recruiting Class of 2012 just added one member and got a lot larger: Offensive tackle D.J. Humphries of Charlotte, N.C. Mallard Creek committed to Florida in a hat-on-the-table announcement at his high school. Humphries chose Florida over Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, and Clemson.
Humphries is rated as a five-star player by Rivals and Scout, and ranked No. 1 in the nation at offensive tackle and the third-best prospect overall by Rivals. His commitment doesn't come as a huge surprise: Humphries had been seen as a Florida lean throughout his recruiting process. He will still take visits, according to Rivals' Keith Niebuhr, but it would be surprising to see Humphries decommit from the Gators.
The tall and athletic Humphries — he's 6'5", and north of 265 pounds, but has outstanding athletic ability for his size — could be a huge help for the Gators in the SEC, land of premier pass-rushers, and against a Florida State team that is bagging defensive line talent like Peter Warrick once did Dillard's merchandise. (What can I say? It's FSU Friday.)
Humphries' commitment is the 17th for Will Muschamp's Class of 2012, and by some margin its biggest coup. The "Texas system" Muschamp is employing, identifying the best talent and trying to lock it up as early as possible, is paying off with an impressive crop of players.