Will Urban Meyer Leaving Florida Steer Gator Recruits to Ohio State?

Urban Meyer has resigned from Florida as the head coach due to apparent health issues, though not life-threatening.

In this most stunning of moments, one of the schools that could benefit the most is not from the SEC, but the top school from Meyer's home state of Ohio.

When it comes to recruiting, those in the inner circles know that anybody Ohio State has targeted or is targeting has Florida in their top three as well.

In addition, S Matt Elam, one of the top 10 players in the country, had considered visiting Ohio State because of the proximity to his older brother, Cleveland Browns SS Abram Elam.

Among other important battles are the ones for OT Seantrel Henderson from Minnesota, DT Sharrif Floyd from Philadelphia, and Ohio-product LB Jordan Hicks.

All of these players are the top of their rank at their respective positions, and all have decisions to make involving the Buckeyes and Gators, who met in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game ironically enough.

Other than the battle for Hicks, who has appears to be strongly leaning towards the Texas Longhorns, OSU and UF have been involved in battles that could come down to National Signing Day.

Floyd had Florida as a leader for quite some time along with South Carolina, until Ohio State finally offered the talented DT a scholarship and welcomed the U.S. Army All-American on an official visit in October.

Henderson is one of the most touted line prospects in recent memory, ranking first in multiple services, and is strongly considering USC in addition to the two schools, but will take all his visits and announce on National Signing Day.

One other thing the resignation might do is further solidify the commitment of WR James Louis, who stunned many by spurning the Gators from what was rumored to be a "silent commit" to commit to the Buckeyes.

Only recently have the Buckeyes made significant strides in recruiting talent from Florida, landing C Mike Brewster and LB Etienne Sabino in 2008, and RB Jaamal Berry, one of the top backs in 2009, though he has redshirted this season.

A son of northeast Ohio, Meyer has been one of the best recruiters in the nation landing consistent top-five classes in the last few seasons, including the one that brought the Gators Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes.

Obviously, thoughts and prayers go out to the Meyer family and we wish him the best.

But the world of college football goes on, and we won't hear much in the recruiting front due to the dead period going on until early 2010.

So we will have to stay tuned to see what happens.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in the recruiting world, but Meyer leaving UF as the head man has to raise eyebrows and with the Buckeyes vying for so many top players this season, this situation should help to improve their odds.