Florida Football: Commits Who Are Most Likely to Jump Ship

The Florida Gators have started the 2013 recruiting cycle as well and as fast as any team not named Michigan. 

With ESPN releasing its first 2013 class recruiting rankings, only the Wolverines top the Gators and Florida has commitments from 16 players all rated as 4-star recruits. 

The class seems strong in their commitments with players like Gator legacy Kelvin Taylor often tweeting pictures wearing orange and blue and confirming they are solid to Florida. For the most part, the Gators class of '13 is solidly committed and should stay that way.

Do not read this article and think that I am telling you that these three players will not be wearing orange and blue come 2013. These are simply three players who have not been as vocal publicly as some other recruits and are the most likely to end up flipping. 

With that out of the way, here are three kids who are currently committed to the Gators but may not end up signing come February. 

Daniel McMillian, OLB

McMillian has been a Florida commit since February. He was the third player to announce his commitment to the Gators and comes in third on the list. 

According to reports, McMillian is eager to be part of the rebuilding process and wants to help return Florida to a title contender. The reason I could see him flipping is the caliber of teams that are after him. 

McMillian spurned the likes of Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, Miami and Michigan. That is a serious list of recruiting heavy hitters that will not stop recruiting until the ink is dry on his letter of intent. 

I think McMillian is all Gator for now, but will he remain committed for a full year or search for greener pastures elsewhere? 

In the end I believe that McMillian is sold on the direction of the coaching staff and thinks that he can be a big part of Florida's return to prominence. 

Chance he jumps ship: 20 percent

Roderick Johnson

Listed at 6'6'' 300 lbs, Johnson is a physically imposing presence along the offensive line. 

The reason I think that Johnson could end up flipping his commitment is he may not be able to play as early as he thinks. Johnson said after discussing the depth chart with the coaches, he liked that he would be able to get on the field early. 

The Gators signed two offensive tackles last season (D.J. Humphries and Dante Phillips) and will have Chaz Green returning in '13 also. 

Humphries is thought to be the future at left tackle and Green and Phillips will battle it out on the right side. At times in high school Johnson has weighed as much as 315 lbs, and at 6'6'', he may be too big to slide inside. If he cannot play guard he will have to outplay some big time recruits at tackle. 

Chance he jumps ship: 25 percent

Caleb Brantley, DT

Of all 16 current recruits, Caleb Brantley is the most likely to jump ship. 

After committing to Florida and saying he was solid, Brantley backtracked and changed his commitment to a soft verbal. 

Although Brantley says in the video he "was born a Gator," the Gators got a big commitment from a longtime FSU fan in Dante Fowler this past recruiting cycle.

Brantley's wavering in his decision early should give Gator fans some cause for concern, but Will Muschamp should end up getting this lineman's national letter of intent come signing day.

Chance he jumps ship: 40 percent

Summary

Before the comments section erupts with angry Gator fans, I would like to point out that I think the 16 players who have verbally pledged their allegiance to Florida so far will all end up wearing orange and blue. 

This is simply a list of the three players most likely to waver in their commitment based on the depth chart, opportunity else where or a change of heart. 

When it comes down to it these are 16-18 year old kids who are making a decision that will impact the rest of their life. They may go on a recruiting trip and fall in love one day, only to have a change of heart a week later. Covering recruiting can be one of the toughest jobs in sports and nothing is final until the ink is dry on their letter of intent. 

Due to transfers and graduation the Gators were low on numbers last season and have a ton of room to add players through recruiting. Expect the Gators to sign a class that totals around 23 players and to finish the recruiting cycle with another top-ranked class. 

Let me know in the comments section below if you have concerns about any of the recruits and some other uncommitted players you would like to see end up in Gainesville.