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Gators Land Palm Bay Defensive Star

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

An already deep defensive class got even deeper during the weekend when Melbourne Palm Bay four-star S/LB Ramon Buchanan renounced his commitment to the University of Miami and chose Florida on Sunday.

Buchanan (6 foot, 181 pounds) was spotted on ESPN during Saturday's Florida-Kentucky men's basketball game being led in the Gator Chomp by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. Buchanan told CaneSport.com he has canceled his scheduled visit to Coral Gables this weekend.

Buchanan is ranked 61st in the final version of the Rivals100, released last week. He also is Rivals' No. 2-ranked safety, but is projected at linebacker in college.

Buchanan's switch gave Florida 21 verbal commitments (11 on defense, nine on offense and one kicker).

MORE TO COME? Indications were the Gators also appeared poised to land four-star LB William Green of Hoover (Ala.) Spain Park High and - potentially the biggest prize in a star-studded weekend of visiting prospects - five-star DT Omar Hunter of Buford (Ga.) High.

Speculation about additional commitments was fueled by comments made by Lakeland Lake Gibson C Ricky Barnum, who committed to UF last week and made his official visit this past weekend. He told GatorBait.net "two or three" players had committed during the weekend.

GATOR TAILS: Also in Gainesville this past weekend was top-rated WR Julio Jones out of Foley (Ala.) High. Jones visited FSU last week and is scheduled to visit Oklahoma this weekend, with Texas Tech and presumed favorite Alabama still on his list of schools. ... Lakeland Kathleen WR T.J. Lawrence, who made his official visit to the University of South Carolina during the weekend, told GamecockCentral.com that Florida still is among his potential choices, along with South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Michigan. Lawrence is scheduled to make his visit to Michigan this weekend. ... DeSoto (Texas) DB Adrian Bushell committed to Florida on Thursday. ... RB Jamie Harper of Jacksonville Trinity Christian had been scheduled to visit Gainesville this past weekend, but was a no-show. Indications are Clemson remains the favorite, but he told the Spartanburg Herald Journal that Florida, Illinois, Florida State and Miami remain in contention.

Carter Gaddis

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