clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Florida recruiting: Alex Anzalone commits, flipping from Notre Dame

Alex Anzalone's about the only high school recruit in the 2013 class with a crazier recruitment than Demarcus Robinson. He'll be a Gator, too.

By Andy Hutchins
Linebacker Alex Anzalone talks to LaVar Arrington at Under Armour All-America Game practice.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone talks to LaVar Arrington at Under Armour All-America Game practice.
Bud Elliott/SB Nation

Oh, you thought Demarcus Robinson's recruitment was crazy? Alex Anzalone has him by some margin — and he's reportedly the newest Florida commit, according to Rivals' Mike Farrell.

Anzalone, a four-star linebacker recruit, was heavily wooed by Florida in the fall, and Farrell reported in October that Anzalone "is going to become a Florida Gator" when he was still a shaky Notre Dame commitment. But Anzalone subsequently changed his mind, reaffirmed his commitment to Notre Dame, and shut down talk of switching his commitment to Florida.

Now it seems the early enrollee has changed his mind again, opting for the Gators and the stability provided by Will Muschamp while rumors swirl that Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has had talks with the Philadelphia Eagles. And, remember, Anzalone was originally an Ohio State commitment, before parting ways with the Buckeyes over their lack of oversight in regards to a registered sex offender getting access to players and recruits.

Sorry, Mr Robinson: Mr. Anzalone has you beat.

But the insanity of Anzalone's recruitment should fade if he plays like he is capable of playing for Florida. Anzalone's already got great size at 6'3" and 232 pounds according to 247Sports, which also him as a four-star player and the No. 59 player nationally in their 247Composite rankings. Anzalone's got good athleticism, too, and tackling skills that could make him a very good player at the BUCK or outside linebacker positions in Florida's defense.

Anzalone's commitment also presents a problem for Florida, however: With it, Florida has five linebackers in its 2013 recruiting class, with Anzalone joining fellow early enrollees Daniel McMillian and Matt Rolin and commits James Hearns and Jarrad Davis. That's a lot of players in one position group in one class, and while the three early enrollees are likely very solid, Hearns and Davis could look to depart from Florida's flock.

The more likely of the two players to leave is Hearns, who had already been talking about the idea of taking a visit to Ohio State in January. Our Bud Elliott suggests that Hearns might end up at Louisville.

In any case, Florida's gone a long way to replacing seniors Lerentee McCray and Jon Bostic and surprise NFL Draft entrant Jelani Jenkins with its 2013 recruiting class. And the Gators seem poised to have the nation's best crop of incoming players, and will reap all the benefits of coverage that will come with it.