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Florida's recruiting roll of late has been both facilitated and mitigated by decommitments. Wednesday brings another, with four-star defensive tackle Caleb Brantley telling the world he is no longer committed to Florida.
Brantley committed to Florida in February 2012, and was the Gators' second-longest-committed recruit in the class of 2013 as a result. But Brantley was also reportedly shaky in his commitment at multiple points this fall, and is likely to investigate Florida State, long rumored to be one of his most probable landing spots in the event of a decommitment, in the near future.
While Brantley's decommitment mitigates Florida's momentum, it might facilitate the future commitment of four-star defensive lineman Demarcus Walker, who will visit Florida this weekend and could flip to the Orange and Blue from Alabama, and/or five-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams, who will visit this weekend and likely decide in February.
Until either or both of Walker and Adams are in hand, however, Brantley's departure leaves Florida painfully thin at defensive tackle in the 2013 recruiting class. JUCO lineman Darious Cummings is the only true interior lineman in Florida's flock at the moment, and though Joey Ivie has potential to slide inside, it is likely that he will need a year of seasoning to play in the SEC, no matter where he ends up. Elijah Daniel also remains on Florida's board, but does not project as an interior lineman.
Then again, there's also the possibility that Florida could miss on both Walker (seemingly a 50-50 UF-'Bama battle) and Adams (UF is likely third behind Georgia and Clemson) and still end up with Brantley, as Justin Wells seems to be suggesting. If you're thinking of sending off a miffed missive to Brantley as a result of him backing off a pledge to play for Florida, you should consider that — and, additionally, reconsider your priorities, if you're thinking of sending unsolicited messages to high schoolers.