Questions about Florida's ability to recruit in the wake of the Urban Meyer saga have been answered resoundingly.
The Gators continue to dominate.
Florida was the clear winner in the recruiting decisions that took place at the U.S. Army All-American Game, landing three of the country's premier players and demonstrating that concerns about Florida's future may have been vastly overstated.
Momentum began to build at half-time, when George Washington (Philadelphia, Pa.) defensive tackle
Sharrif Floyd verbally committed to Florida over Penn State and South Carolina.
George Washington (Philadelphia, Pa.) defensive
tackle Sharrif Floyd committed to Florida today.
Floyd's commitment came one week after Curtis (Staten Island, N.Y.) defensive end Dominique Easley pledged to the Gators, giving Florida two of the top players from the Northeast. The Gators' ability to land two national caliber recruits a thousand miles from Gainesville is a testament to their continued recruiting prowess, and a sign that Florida is not slowing down.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Floyd is a menace to opposing offenses. A MaxPreps All-American, Floyd accounted for 60 tackles while blocking five punts and one field goal.
He is the nation's No. 33 recruit regardless of position according to Tom Lemming.
Florida continued to roll when Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) defensive back
Matt Elam chose the Gators cap.
"I'm positive," Elam said, when asked whether he was sure of his decision.
Elam had been committed to Florida since his junior season, but changed course and pledged to Florida State nine days ago after Urban Meyer announced he'd be taking a leave of absence.
Rumors began to swirl early in the week that Elam may have been persuaded to rejoin the Gators after a phone call from Meyer. He made it official during the fourth quarter of the Army All-American game by once again committing to Florida in front of a national television audience.
Lemming ranks Elam the nation's No. 14 overall recruit, and the top defensive back.
The Gators further solidified their future defense when Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.) defensive end
Ronald Powell announced his verbal commitment.
Powell played linebacker this season, but the 6-4, 230-pound MaxPreps All-American will probably play defensive end in college.
It came down to USC and Florida for Powell. Most believed he was heading to Gainesville, but the news of Carroll's departure may have sealed the deal.
Named the game's MVP, Powell put on a show on the field, catching a touchdown pass, recording a sack, and returning a blocked extra point from goal line to goal line for two points.
Lemming ranks Powell as the No. 11 recruit in the country. He averaged over 10 tackles a game and posted seven sacks this season.
Landing the trifecta of Floyd, Elam, and Powell is a huge coup for Florida, less than two weeks after it appeared its recruiting class could be in for a major shake up.
The Gators could make an even bigger splash in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day, as they are still in the hunt for Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.) tackle Seantrel Henderson, Plano West (Plano, Texas) defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, and Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) linebacker Jordan Hicks.
