NFLNBANHLMLBWNBARoland-GarrosSoccer
Featured Video
Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

Florida Football Recruiting 2012: Which Recruits Are Destined for Gator Stardom?

Edwin WeathersbyJun 7, 2018

We arrive to the program in Gainesville with this edition of the "stardom" series. Florida hauled in a top 5 class earlier this month, and it's full of talent that will help the Gators get back to their normal elite status.

With the incoming freshmen coming onto the roster in 2012, Will Muschamp will try to get the Gators ready to battle for a SEC title in 2012. But looking from an overall standpoint down the line, which of these freshmen will become stars for the Gators?

Here's who I think will.

Watchlist

1 of 6

DE Dante Fowler

Fowler is a  6'3", 240-pound DE that switched from Florida State on NSD. He's a great pass-rusher that could be a rush end in the Gator defensive scheme.

DB/OLB Marcus Maye

6'0", 200-pounds, Maye played OLB during the UA game and dazzled with stops, range, athleticism, instincts and speed.

TE Colin Thompson

Thompson is a big and rugged 6'5", 255-pound TE that has a chance to be complete traditional TE. He can block well in-line and has soft hands to factor as a receiver.

5. Matt Jones, RB

2 of 6

Whether Jones plays RB, LB or maybe even WR for Florida, he should be a good one. He's 6'3", 225 pounds, very athletic and just a good football player.

He can become a big back due to his size, strength and speed. Or Jones can hone his ball skills and develop into an imposing WR on the perimeter.

Then Jones could become a great LB. So Will Muschamp have some choices to make as for the direction of Jones' career. 

4. Jonathan Bullard, DE

3 of 6

Bullard is going to be a on the Gator DL one day. He's a stout 6'4", 250 pounds and has all the tools to be a great one.

Bullard has good strength to stop, stack, anchor, read and shed blocks to combat the run. Then he's an excellent athlete, using good snap quickness, the ability to convert to speed to power, change of direction, bend ability and a burst to finish on passers.

He's should be a starter one day and more. 

TOP NEWS

Ohio State Team Doctor
2026 Florida Spring Football Game
College Football Playoff National Championship: Head Coaches News Conference

3. D.J. Humphries, OT

4 of 6

Two things, OLs don't really become "stars," and the only reason Humphries is ranked No.3 is because he's an OL.

However, this guy has a chance to be an All-American LT. He's 6'6", 265 pounds and looks almost like a WR with that frame. So he's going to tack on 30-40 pounds easily. 

Humphries looks like the next D'Brickashaw Ferguson due to his easy knee bend, set quickness, fluid agility, incredible athleticism to mirror, wash and adjust to rushers, solid hand quickness to punch as a pass protector.

Versus the run, Humphries can adjust to moving targets, is productive in space and can get up to the second level on LBs with ease. He's got as high a ceiling as perhaps any incoming freshman in the country.

2. Kent Taylor, TE

5 of 6

Taylor has the skill set to bring the TE position back in style in Gainesville. He's a natural pass catcher that will surely be a joker type for the Gattors.

He's 6'5", 215 pounds, and he should be in the 240-range before he walks out of Gainesville. Taylor can be an in-line guy, flex out to a WR spot, play some slot, be a move guy, help lead block and play some H-Back too.

He should be either Jeff Driskel's and Jacoby Brissett's best friend in the seams soon enough.

1. Brian Poole, CB

6 of 6

Florida has some talent in the back end, but Poole could be the next Joe Haden. I say that in the sense of a complete CB prospect.

Poole's 5'11", 185 pounds and will come up and tag a ball carrier versus the run. He'll press and jam at the line of scrimmage versus WRs, has a good feel for routes, speed to carry deep, transition quickness to come out of his pedal clean and quick close to drive and finish.

I think he becomes a starter soon and develops into one of the better CBs in the SEC.

Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

TOP NEWS

Ohio State Team Doctor
2026 Florida Spring Football Game
College Football Playoff National Championship: Head Coaches News Conference
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 01 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Ole Miss vs Georgia

TRENDING ON B/R