National University Catalog

Some say great recruiting has a price. Eventually, you build such a monster team that newer recruits are scared to sign for fear of never getting to see the field. With Nick Saban working on yet another top-five class following his other two No. 1 classes, is he reaching that point already? This year the nation's top-ranked offensive lineman recruit, D.J. Fluker, sat on the bench and better learned his craft in practice. He would have seen the field on almost any other team in America. Eddie Lacy, the nation's No. 5 running back, rode the pine while watching others set the record books on fire. Other top position players such as linebacker Nico Johnson and the nation's No. 1 defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick also didn't playing time. So it begs the question: Why do some of the nation's best continue to come to Alabama when the pipeline for playing time is getting so narrow? The answer quite simply is, if you're not afraid of competition and want to play for the best, you'll come. It only takes one season for a coach's reputation to be bolstered or bullied. Recruits know from reading the internet that Saban never promises what he doesn't deliver. If you ask if you will have playing time, his answer is quick and unyielding: If you deserve it, yes; if you're the best, yes; if you're not, then no, but we'll prepare you to be the best and take what you brought ...

The US Army All-American Bowl game was today on NBC, and though the score, as usual, was inconsequential, the commitments made at the game will send shock waves through the college football community. Quite simply, if the Gators can hold on to the class they have now, they will have pulled one of the greatest recruiting coups in all of history. Pennsylvania defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd's "surprise" announcement was for the school in Gainesville, as was five-star defensive end Ronald Powell's (pictured). And in an announcement everyone (and no one) could see coming, four-star "ATH" (athlete)—and temporary defector to the Florida State Seminoles—Matt Elam recommitted to Florida as well. With the commitment last week of four-star end (and game MVP) Dominique Easley, the Gators now field one of the most talented defensive lines in all of college football. Remarkably, this all comes just a month removed from the retirement/rehiring of their head coach and the loss of their defensive coordinator, Charlie Strong, and one of their chief recruiters, Billy Gonzales, to other programs. Powell's decision comes as no surprise—he was choosing between Florida and USC, and the Gators led way before Pete Carroll decided to head to the NFL. But his performance in the game cemented him as a standout player among the nation's elite. He made two of the most exciting plays in the game for the White team, catching a pass off play-action that showed his scary versatility and returning a blocked extra point ...

For Trent Dittmer the plan was simple. After graduating from Cartersville High School in May of 2007, Trent planned to fulfill his lifelong dream of attending the University of Georgia. Trent enjoyed a successful high school football career at Cartersville. Despite being a very accurate and reliable high school kicker, Trent did not have any scholarship offers to play football in college when he graduated. For Trent that was fine. “I knew I wanted to attend UGA at a very early age and when I was accepted I knew that was where I wanted to spend the next chapter of my life, even if it meant not playing football.” In the summer of 2007 things began to change. Trent was offered a scholarship to play football at Tuskegee University. After their punter became ineligible, Trent knew that he could be the starting punter as a freshman. Despite that opportunity, Trent made the decision to go with his heart and attend Georgia. Walking on at UGA was certainly an option, but it was not the priority. Next up was the Georgia-Tennessee high school All Star game. As fate would have it, Trent met Marc Feuerbach, a kicking instructor who was also working with Georgia Tech kicker, Scott Blair. Feuerbach told Trent to call him if he wanted to work with him. Trent did just that, and began to work with Feuerbach. Trent saw immediate results. “Up to that point I had never considered playing college ...

Urban's assurance that he's not leaving must have resonated with the top recruiting prospects, as the Gators cleaned house at the Army All America Bowl.  Five star DE Matt Elam, five star DT Sharrif Floyd, and five star DE Ronald Powell, three of the top recruits in the nation, all announced during today's game that they would be heading to Gainesville.  Elam was a Gator prior to the SEC Championship, but uncommitted following Urban Meyer's decision to retire and instead committed to Florida State. During the week, he had a chat with Urban Meyer and Elam then uncommitted from Florida State. Now, he's come full circle and will be back in Gainesville. Look for Elam to make plays on special teams, similar to Will Hill in 2008. He could work into the rotation later in the year, but I wouldn't expect him to make a large defensive impact until next year. Sharrif Floyd is a huge pickup for the Gators, literally. He's a 310 lb. monster defensive lineman who can anchor the line in run support. He also fits in with the Gators' 3–3–5 nickel blitz if the Gators decide to continue the package. Floyd was seen as a steal for the Gators. Ohio State seemed to have the edge all week, and with the Buckeye's stable program, the Gators were not in a very advantageous position. Still, Urban worked his magic and got the biggest man out there. Ronald Powell, the MVP of the game, ...

The Official Post-Pete Carroll 12 Step Program IF PETE CARROLL DECIDES TO LEAVE. 1. Go into denial. After all, you've been down this road before, haven't you? Remember the interview on the Costa Rica airport tarmac with the Dolphins? Just keep being in denial. 2. Frantically search the Internet to find any stories that say it's not a "done deal" with the Seahawks. Good luck with that. 3. Hang on by a thread. Go to the Pete vigil tonight at 5 p.m. in Heritage Hall. Stare at the Heismans, talk with stunned alums, and throw eggs at Mike Garrett's parking spot. 4. Come to grips with the fact he is gone. If anyone asks why your eyes are red, tell them you burned one with Snoop Dogg. 5. Panic over 2010 recruiting class. Time to go to Scout.com and refresh every five minutes to see who is staying, who is going. Remember to drink plenty of water and rest. 6. Check out Mike Riley's record at Oregon State. Time to look at the new face of USC. Check Twitter to see if he has an account, and if so, follow him. 7. Replay January '05 BCS Championship game when USC beat Oklahoma 55-19 and convince yourself that those days will soon be returning. Drink. Rinse. Repeat. 8. Don a USC Emerald Bowl sweatshirt and head up to Westwood. Count how many giggles you get, then play Fleetwood Mac's Tusk on your MP3 player and ...