CFB Recruiting: Gators Receive Huge Commitment from Top Cornerback Brian Poole

The Florida Gators continue to bolster their secondary under Will Muschamp and the new coaching staff.

They received a call earlier today from Brian Poole, a four-star cornerback prospect from Bradenton, Fla, who committed to the Gators. Geoff Vogt, a Florida Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com, regarded Poole as "one of the most explosive athletes in the state."

In an interview with InsidetheGators.com, Poole said the coaching staff was excited about his commitment.

"I called Florida today and committed," said Poole. "I called Coach [Travaris] Robinson and told him and he was so amped up and excited about me coming."

Poole will bring an immediate impact to the Gators' secondary when he arrives on campus in 2012.

It's a unit for the Gators that could be the weakest spot on the defense in 2011 with the departure of Ahmad Black, Janoris Jenkins and Will Hill.

Because of that, Muschamp is heavily concentrating on defensive backs in this year's class and Poole noticed that Muschamp and the staff treated him like he was a top priority.  

Poole, who had Florida as his leader for much of the recruiting process, credited Muschamp's defensive scheme to what interested him in the Gators.

"The defense just fit me great personally," Poole added. "But also the school has so much tradition of winning and being a top program in the nation."

Poole plays both ways in high school, mainly as a running back and rushed for almost 1,000 yards his junior year. But Poole's size at 5'11", 187-pounds, projects him as a cornerback in college.

As a sophomore, Poole registered 65 tackles and four interceptions. He excels at jamming wide receivers on the line and being an aggressive presence in the secondary.

Poole's ability to run with the ball and set up his blockers as a running back is a huge asset for him.

This potentially means Poole can provide the big return following an interception.

Once 2012 comes around, Poole will be in line for a huge career at Florida and will look to carry the Gators back to the BCS Championship.