The Gators are expected to have one of the country's top recruiting classes once the dust settles Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Live Blog: #16ATORS National Signing Day Coverage
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
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Check out our live blog throughout the day for updates
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
Updated: 5:20 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's 2016 National Signing Day is in the books. The Gators received Letters of Intent from 13 players on Wednesday, joining the 12 early enrollees to give the Gators a 25-man class for now.
Check back with FloridaGators.com later for a report from head coach Jim McElwain's press conference.
The day was pretty much drama-free until Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema, perhaps bothered by Florida landing receiver Tyrie Cleveland or adding former Arkansas commit Joseph Putu late Wednesday afternoon, sounded off about the Gators during a television interview.
Bielema referred to the Gators as the "new Ole Miss,'' which is easily taken as negative innuendo considering the Rebels are currently dealing with NCAA issues.
"They're doing some things in recruiting that kind of shock you a little bit,'' Bielema continued.
Needless to say, McElwain was asked about Bielema's comments later in the day during his press conference.
"You got to get a kick out of it a little bit because obviously this guy doesn't know who the heck I am," McElwain said. "I sure as heck don't know who he is. I'm not sure we really ran into him on the recruiting trail but you know I know what I'm all about.
"I know what the University of Florida is all about and I think if you were to poll anybody in college football I think that they'd know that Mac does it right. I have no idea what this guy was talking about to be honest."
Once his comments lit up social media, Bielema clarified his remarks and said he called McElwain to make peace.
Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley issued the following statement on the matter:
"Obviously Bret clarified his remarks as he should have,'' Foley said. "We know what Coach Mac stands for and what our standards are here at the University of Florida."
***** Updated: 4:30 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Here is video of Gators head coach Jim McElwain's National Signing Day press conference:
***** Updated: 3:10 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- If you follow recruiting closely, you know what a grind it is for coaches as they drive and fly around the country in meeting with players and their families.
When they land a player on the bubble like receiver Tyrie Cleveland out of Houston, Texas, well, this is what happens:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida head coach Jim McElwain is scheduled to hold his National Signing Day press conference in about 40 minutes.
For real-time updates as McElwain speaks, follow me on Twitter: @GatorsScott.
You can also watch the press conference via a live stream here:
Meanwhile, McElwain has plenty to discuss as Florida's 2016 signing class is currently at 24 -- 12 early enrollees, 12 signed today. Add fifth-year senior transfer quarterback Austin Appleby to the mix, and that is 25 new players.
While the biggest news for the Gators today is the addition of receiver Tyrie Cleveland, the strength of this class could very well be in the dozen players who enrolled early and will participate in spring practice.
We'll find out soon what McElwain has to say about Florida's class.
***** Updated: 12:20 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators have 12 early enrollees in school, and as these words are being typed, they have added 12 more players so far on National Signing Day.
Since my last post, Florida has received and validated the LOIs of seven more players: DL Antonneous Clayton, LB Vosean Joseph, DB Quincy Lenton, DB CJ McWilliams, DB Jeawon Taylor, LB Jeremiah Moon and WR Tyrie Cleveland.
Let's start with Cleveland, a highly-sought receiver from Westfield High in Houston. Cleveland chose Florida over Houston, Arkansas, TCU and Oklahoma among others.
Cleveland originally committed to Houston, received a push from Arkansas, and eventually decided on the Gators following a recent visit. Florida's coaching office erupted with a cheer when Cleveland announced his final decision as the program added a potential dangerous playmaker.
Meanwhile, Clayton is a player Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph is pumped to get into the program. Clayton committed early to Florida and improved over the course of his senior season at Dooly (Ga.) County High.
Here is some footage of Clayton in action:
***** Updated: 10:35 a.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators head coach Jim McElwain remains in the football offices with his staff waiting to see how the rest of National Signing Day plays out.
He did appear earlier on ESPNU to discuss Florida's addition of a school-record 12 early enrollees already on campus and participating in offseason conditioning.
Jim McElwain"We're just excited about those guys being able to contribute in spring, and then when this next group of guys comes in as soon as they graduate, now they've got some guys to show them the ropes as they move through the summer,'' he said.
A major emphasis for the Gators during McElwain's first full recruiting cycle was to identify early targets and try to build a strong foundation for the 2016 class at the onset.
"I think the big thing was the work our guys did early,'' McElwain said. "Our coaches did an outstanding job as far as prepping those guys, helping them, for those who wanted to choose to come into college early and get a jumpstart.
"I was excited about the way they did that and went about their work, as we are now, starting after Christmas on our classes of '17 and '18. We've got a great jump on it, and obviously part of that is the momentum we have here with facility upgrades, all the things that are important to these guys to help them be successful."
***** Updated: 10:15 a.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators are looking for help at receiver after the departure of Demarcus Robinson for the NFL Draft. So far, so good for Florida in that area on National Signing Day.
The Gators' most recent addition is receiver Rick Wells from Raines High in Jacksonville. Wells was the first commit to Florida's 2016 class and stayed committed. He has the size (6-2, 185) to play in the SEC.
Check out some video on Wells below:
***** Updated: 9:25 a.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators have officially welcomed running back Lamical Perine, whose LOI has arrived and been validated by the UF compliance office.
Perine is a nice get for the Gators out of Theodore, Ala. Perine was on Florida's radar early in the 2016 recruiting cycle and remained committed to the Gators despite interest from other schools.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators just received defensive end Jachai Polite's LOI. They are glad the fax machine came through on this one.
Polite is a 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman who has the skill-set to develop into a potential speed rusher. Polite starred at Daytona Beach Mainland and was considered one of the state's top defensive line prospects.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The first LOI to arrive in the Florida football office belonged to Mount Dora High offensive lineman Brett Heggie, a 6-foot-4, 300-pounder who played center in high school.
Heggie is from a football family. His brother is former Notre Dame offensive lineman Bruce Heggie Jr., and his father Bruce Heggie played linebacker at Florida State.
Heggie is the 13th official member of the 2016 class and keeps the streak alive: an offensive lineman has sent in his LOI first the last two years.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Before it gets too crazy, let's quickly take a look at where the major national recruiting rankings have the Gators going into today's drama zone.
Scout.com: Florida checks in at No. 4 overall. Complete list. ESPN.com: The rankings are behind a pay wall, but Florida's class is currently ranked sixth. Rivals.com: The Gators are ranked eighth. Complete list. 247Sports.com: Florida's class is No. 7 overall. Complete list.
Those rankings always change as the day progresses, so we'll post how Florida finishes later.
*****
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Good morning from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where it's still dark outside but the lights are on in the Gators' football offices as head coach Jim McElwain and his staff put the final touches on their first full recruiting class at Florida.
The Gators have already added 12 players to the roster in the 2016 signing class with the addition of the country's largest class of early enrollees besides UAB (which is restarting its football program) according to ESPN.
They will add more than a dozen new players today on National Signing Day. The National Letters of Intent should start arriving soon.
A year ago shortly after 7 a.m. offensive lineman Tyler Jordan was the first player to send his LOI to UF. That worked out pretty well for the Gators as Jordan played as a true freshman and is considered one of the key pieces to Florida's young offensive line.
Check back throughout the day here for regular updates, news and nuggets as one of the craziest days in sports unfolds.
