College Football Recruiting: Florida Gators Should Let Deaysean Rippy Commit

When you analyze the recruiting process and the recruits themselves, sometimes you come across a situation where a high school prospect does not end up where he wants to go.

That is currently the case with 4-star linebacker Deaysean Rippy.

Rippy has expressed interest in the Florida Gators for a couple years now. In fact, he has said that Florida was his favorite team growing up in Pennsylvania.

Since May, Rippy has even talked about committing to Florida. They have been his leader for all of his recruiting process and he finally wanted to make it official.

But there was only one problem.

Florida has yet to accept his commitment for their 2012 recruiting class.

It's not that Florida does not want Rippy. He is one of the most talented linebackers in the entire 2012 recruiting class. He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and a standout two way player in high school, racking up more than 700 receiving yards and 77 tackles.

The problem is that Florida has already received commitments from fellow 4-star linebackers Lorenzo Phillips and Jeremi Powell.

I understand that the coaches want to keep a limit on how many players they take from certain positions. And if certain prospects commit before others, I understand that sometimes those who wait are left on the outside looking in.

But Rippy is everything you want in a prospect if you are the Gators.

Not only has he proven his worth on the field, but the intangibles are there with Rippy.

As a program, you look for a recruit who will not only perform well on the field, but wants to be at the program. Someone who will give 110 percent on every workout, every drill and every play.

Sometimes players who might not be as talented, but give it their all in every aspect of the program, turn out for the better.

Deashaun Rippy is that kind of player. And the Gators, who are having troubles with transfers (i.e. Janoris Jenkins, Mike Blakely and Chris Martin), need players like Rippy to build a stronger foundation.

If Rippy stands behind everything he says about Florida always being his favorite school and he had no plans on looking anywhere else, you take him. You take him in a heartbeat.

Players like Deashuan Rippy will bring that winning attitude back to Gainesville, something the Gators desperately need in this transition period. 

Rippy is saying all the right things, let's just hope the Gators start listening.