Florida football recruiting: Sleeper DE Luke Ancrum commits to Gators

Sometimes, commitments happen when you least expect it: Minutes after Inside The Gators's lake Alderman tweeted that Sebring defensive end Luke Ancrum had Florida "on the top" after an official visit this weekend, but would not commit until National Signing Day, Gator Country's Andrew Spivey tweeted that Ancrum had, indeed, committed to the Gators.

Can't sleep for even a second on this beat.

Ancrum, though, is a rather deep sleeper: He doesn't even have an evaluation from 247Sports, is rated a two-star prospect by Rivals and Scout, and earns his lone three-star rating from ESPN. And in his highlights, it's pretty clear why:

Ancrum is consistently listed at 6'5" and 230 pounds by ESPN, 247, and Rivals, but checks in at 6'4" and 220 pounds on Scout — and yet 6'5" and 220 seems more accurate than any of those measurements, given the gangly defender who lines up inside far too often for Sebring. Ancrum's not particularly powerful inside, and lacks great burst, though he does seem to accelerate around offensive tackles when lined up at end.

He's a project, to be frank, and his offer list — on which Wisconsin and Pittsburgh stand out, and Florida International gives Florida yet more #GetSomeFIU bragging rights — is a bit sparse, and a bit concerning once you know that his offers from Wisconsin and Pittsburgh came last spring.

So he's a player who has some potential, but needs to add weight, and comes in as a project on the defensive line ... plus, he didn't blow up this fall, despite FBS offers, so it's not like he was choosing Florida over other big-name schools when it came down to brass tacks.

To a degree, reeling in players like Ancrum is just what Florida has to do at this point in this cycle. But it's also more incumbent on Jim McElwain's coaching staff to develop a player like Ancrum than it is to develop a more college-ready prospect.

Ancrum's commitment gives Florida 13 in the 2015 recruiting class.