The Gators get an early commitment from Denver, Colorado defensive end Nick Kasa. He's considered to be one of the top five DE's in the nation and rated "five stars" by Scout.com. Nick has great speed for a big man...he's an 11.0 100m sprinter for the Legacy High School track team.
In a year or two of workouts, Gator strength coach Mickey Marotti will likely add 50 pounds of muscle to Kasa's 6' 7" frame...and may add a couple steps of speed as well.
Video of Kasa blocking a field goal shows great leaping ability...he got his hands a couple feet above the height of a basketball rim in blocking a field goal that had absolutely no chance of getting over Kasa...the block was made from behind the line of scrimmage, though the line was pushed toward the kicker ala the Jarvis Moss' block against South Carolina in the '06 game...looked to me as though Kasa got well above the height that Moss attained.
With the addition of Kasa, the Gators are on track to have another top-three recruiting class. Pete Carroll and staff flew to Denver to "meet with Kasa's coach", but Kasa had Florida at the top of his list even before the Gators contacted him. When Kasa got Meyer's offer, he readily accepted. USC doesn't get them all, out West.
12 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Edmon 7 months ago
The fact that Florida are such a young team now, and still pulling in great recruits, is a very good thing for them.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
I imagine Florida will be in the top-5 again this year for recruiting. Anyone seen the latest Rivals or Scout rankings?
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Carson Howell 7 months ago
The Gators are going to have a SCARY ass defense next year.....excuse my french..but seriously.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
Scary... exactly the word that came to mind for me, too.
BTW, 11.0 in the 100 meter is a fair time for a high school sprinter... translates to about a 9.9 100 yard dash. This won't time won't attract any college track scholarships. But 11-flat for a 6'7" 256 lb bruiser? Man, that's world class speed in that category.
I'll bet strength coach Mickey Moratti has a lifting and conditioning program written out for Nick already!
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Justin Thomas 7 months ago
Urban Meyer is doin' a heck of a job recruiting. It's almost scary...
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Nick The Only 7 months ago
He is like Carlos Dunlap.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
Exactly. I really like the progress Dunlap has made... great speed, great range. He's made some big plays for the Gators.
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Justin Thomas 7 months ago
Dunlap is going to be a force if he sticks with it and plays hard. If this guy is like him, my goodness the edges of this defense could be impossible to get around...
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
Florida was #1 on Kasa's list before anyone from the Gators contacted him... That's a big deal. Kasa is not alone in that respect. Meyer is beginning to have the luxury of SELECTING recruits rather than having to SELL recruits on joining the Gators. Another National Championship will only make an excellent Gator recruiting program even better.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
I'll be interested to see if Kasa continues running track at Florida. He's probably outclassed at the 100m, but with his natural speed and enormous stride he may make a formidable 400m guy.
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Carson Howell 7 months ago
Very possible, just like Demps and Rainey are.
I would rather him stay in the weight room than on the track, he has the potential to be the next "freak" if he keeps adding lean muscle weight to that very mobile frame.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
It may be unrealistic, but Kasa may be able to handle both... Dunlap is now at about 290 with next to no body fat. I would agree that the weight room and football are first and foremost for Kasa, but can't help wondering what he could achieve on the track as well.
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