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Florida football recruiting: The 2013 National Signing Day open thread

Florida's 2013 recruiting efforts come to a close today. Let's talk about them, hmm?

By Andy Hutchins
USA TODAY Sports

Florida's only got several more hours and a few more prospects in its efforts to land a top-notch 2013 recruiting class, and this shouldn't be a dramatic National Signing Day for the Gators, with most of the class already locked up. (Updates will appear at the bottom of the page.)

Because we're starting slow to the day, South Florida prospect Jay-nard Bostwick picking Florida over Miami — as expected — has already happened, bringing Florida's total of defensive tackles to three in this class. We'll have more on Bostwick in a separate post, but that's the first important thing that has happened today.

The next important things happen literally in minutes and will be big deals even if the prospects announcing their school choices at 9:30 — wide receiver James Clark, JUCO defensive tackle Jarran Reed, and defensive end/BUCK prospect Tashawn Bower — all opt for other schools, as is possible.

We'll have tons more on them, Bostwick, and the makeup of this Florida class, and updates in this thread throughout the day. Buckle up. Only a few hours remain.

  • 9:30 Eastern: James Clark commits to Ohio State over Florida and Clemson.
  • 10:10 Eastern: Tashawn Bower commits to LSU over Florida and Auburn.
  • 10:30 Eastern: We finally get our article up about Jay-nard Bostwick committing to Florida over Miami.
  • 10:40 Eastern: A bunch of five-star prospects Florida wanted but could never really get are not coming to Florida. Save your tears.

  • 10:50 Eastern: There may be time left on the clock with Tashawn Bower.

  • 11:04 Eastern: We're all still waiting on Jarran Reed, but 247Sports' Luke Stampini was hearing an 11 a.m. announcement ($).
  • 11:17 a.m. Eastern: ESPN's Corey Long expects Tashawn Bower to end up at Florida ... State. ($)
  • 11:21 a.m. Eastern: Mike Scarborough of LSU's Rivals site tweets that Tashawn Bower's high school coach says he's signed with the Tigers. I say believe something for certain on Bower when a school announces him.
  • 11:43 a.m. Eastern: Florida's only outstanding NLI belongs to Jay-nard Bostwick, ESPN's Michael DiRocco notes. Doubt that's cold feet as much as it is "no one's sent the fax yet."
  • 11:54 a.m. Eastern: LSU receives an NLI from Tashawn Bower, and RSPNU broadcasts the moment on air. Les Miles tells Holly Rowe that "family consideration" factors in when getting papers in from players on the last day.
  • 12:04 p.m. Eastern: Rivals' Blake Alderman writes that Jarran Reed's announcement might get pushed again ($).
  • 12:11 p.m. Eastern: Florida's received Jay-nard Bostwick's NLI, and so Jarran Reed is the only player Florida's waiting on.
  • 12:17 p.m. Eastern: Former Florida commitment Quinton Powell officially commits to USC.
  • 12:42 p.m. Eastern: Erstwhile Florida target Alex Collins committed to Arkansas earlier this week, but his NLI isn't in. Why? ESPN's Corey Long reports on ESPNU that Collins' mother "confiscated his papers" and, so, uh ... yeah.
  • 1:03 p.m. Eastern: Florida receives a commitment from Jarran Reed. Florida's 2013 recruiting class may be complete with it.
  • 1:35 p.m. Eastern: GatorZone's Scott Carter confirms that Jarran Reed has sent in his National Letter of Intent and had it validated. 28 commits, 28 NLIs: That's a good ratio.
  • 2:02 p.m. Eastern: Two great long reads for you if you're already feeling recruiting withdrawals: How Altee Tenpenny has dealt with the pulls of Alabama and Arkansas and how Robert Nkemdiche ended up at Ole Miss.

  • 2:27 p.m. Eastern: Here's video of Florida signee Jarran Reed discussing his commitment, via Luke Stampini. Also interesting to see the different reasons different East Mississippi kids chose their schools.

  • 3:01 p.m. Eastern: Will Muschamp is going to breathe fire and consume Billings, Montana address the media about Florida's National Signing Day class at 3:15. You can watch at this link.

  • 3:52 p.m. Eastern: Some of the choice quotes from Muschamp's entertaining presser:

    "I've never understood the difference between a guy committing in March and a guy committing on Signing Day. Does that make him a better player?" (Beat.) "Some of you guys think so."

    On whether star ratings matter to him: "Absolutely no consideration at all. Maybe they look at our ratings."

    About the lack of QB depth behind Driskel: Muschamp asked about inexperienced QBs behind Driskel: "I don't have a very high comfort level, obviously."

    "I always tell 'em" — recruits — "I'm gonna promise you an opportunity. I'm not gonna promise you anything more than that."

    On National Signing Day decisions by recruits: "If you don't know, they're not coming to you. It's not like there's a bunch of suspense like our favorite network says there is." I would bet my entire life savings the favorite network rhymes with BSPN.

    Muschamp mentioned wanting "15 to 17 offensive linemen" and "17 or 18" players in the front four on defense. Gators had 12 recruited scholarship offensive linemen in 2012.

    "I always tell our assistant coaches, 'Don't fall in love with the film.'"

    "At the end of the day, you win with good people. You can't compromise what you believe in as a coach for the grace of a good player."

    "Do you like the hat dance on Signing Day?" Muschamp: "No."

  • 10:39 a.m. Eastern, Thursday: Florida's pursuit of Trevon Young means its recruiting for 2013 might not be totally over.

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