'12 JUCO DT Damien Jacobs (Florida signee)

But his first priority is early playing time, which he will receive a lot of in Knoxville according to the Volunteer coaches. After speaking at length with UF head coach Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and defensive line coach Bryant Young, Jacobs said the Gators offer the same shot at a starting job with the departure of senior DT Jaye Howard.

“The coaches told me how much of a necessity I am to them and that I could come in and possibly be a starter,” Jacobs said. “They said I’d be ready to roll from day one, so the rest was on me once I got in the rotation. How much I play will be determined by how well I practice.”

Although Jacobs became sold on the staff and school, there was no pressure on him to switch his commitment.

“Coach Muschamp told me to take everything and digest it in,” Jacobs said. “He didn’t want to rush me into a fast decision so he told me to take my time.”

Starting job open for Jacobs – Gator Prospectus - Gator Sports - Gainesville, FL - Archive

The backup for Jaye Howard is a 5* RS Jr this year, Omar Hunter. In 2008 he was the #2 DT in all the country. All the other starters on the DL for the gators are 5*s. Jacobs maybe could start but they have I think at least 4 other up and coming DLinemen that have been on the roster for 2 or more years that were mid 4*s out of HS, so its not like he isn't going to have major competition. He will be going up against some of the best talent money can buy - figure of speech. Easley was #2 in his class behind Floyd who they moved to DE opposite Powell. We would kill to have that DLine. Right?

If early playing time is really his priority I don't see how Florida can compete with us. If he thinks he can beat out the guys they already have and have been training in their system and are just as old as he is then good luck. Clearly we have a bigger need and his only competition would be if we sign McCullers and/or Sentimore. Still he'd likely easily make the rotation.

I'm not worried about this one for the same reason I am worried about Patterson. I don't think Georgia is our real competition for CP; I think its Auburn because they are the ones missing a stud WR which is what I think CP is looking for in lieu of his statement that his concern was to make sure he could get his touches. I think Bray gave us an advantage with CP but with both JH & DR I think CP may have some concern about three being a crowd. The opposite is true for Jacobs. Not very much competion ATM.

JMO.
 
Jay's right. It looks pretty bad in Gainesville too. I'm really disappointed with the product on the field but I'm ready for the off season. Hopefully the team can be focused and S&C can squeeze every ounce of talent out of the players. I feel like a Cubs fan just by saying this, but we'll get 'em next year.
 
I am confident about next year. People forget too easy how good we were at full strength. Just rewatch the cincinati game. We were a good football team.
 
I am confident about next year. People forget too easy how good we were at full strength. Just rewatch the cincinati game. We were a good football team.

I agree. We have 18/22 starters returning, 11/12 on offense and more importantly a group of players that will understand the system a lot better next year (Dallas, Arnett, Rivera, Clear) and so forth. I really believe, every single position will be up for grabs, although the WR's positions will more than likely be taken with Justin and DaRick.

Jacobs is a priority. We have immediate playing time. He will not walk into a starting position at UF, they are lying to him if that's what they are saying. They have more talented players there than him. He may not walk into a starting position here either, Hood may be more physically prepared to play at this level and it may take Jacobs time to adjust. We still lead for Jacobs, coaches need to lock him up after his game next week.
 
next year we will be great b/c all of our young players will have a year of experience-just like our oline was this year after they got there year of experience!
 
I agree. We have 18/22 starters returning, 11/12 on offense and more importantly a group of players that will understand the system a lot better next year (Dallas, Arnett, Rivera, Clear) and so forth. I really believe, every single position will be up for grabs, although the WR's positions will more than likely be taken with Justin and DaRick.

Jacobs is a priority. We have immediate playing time. He will not walk into a starting position at UF, they are lying to him if that's what they are saying. They have more talented players there than him. He may not walk into a starting position here either, Hood may be more physically prepared to play at this level and it may take Jacobs time to adjust. We still lead for Jacobs, coaches need to lock him up after his game next week.


If we play with 12 on offense next year we should definitely score some points!
 
Who is the fourth starting senior? I thought we were returning 19/22 losing Poole, Johnson and Jackson

Ben Martin...

We lose Jackson, Poole and Johnson as full time starters....Martin as a part time starter...and Vareen and Anderson as "significant"contributors...

Jackson is the only one that really hurts IMO...and that is why the recruit who this thread is all about is so important
 
Jackson is the only loss. Had we had more DT depth, he would have been a monster as a DE for us. I don't see him playing much DT in the NFL. He'll be a huge DE unless he gains more weight to move inside.

Johnson was solid but we won't miss much with what we'll have behind him. Poole complained about not getting playing time his whole career, then when he finally got it he used it to dance behind the line of scrimmage. Ben Martin was a 5* recruit that played like a solid 3* contributor. No loss there.
 
Jackson is the only loss. Had we had more DT depth, he would have been a monster as a DE for us. I don't see him playing much DT in the NFL. He'll be a huge DE unless he gains more weight to move inside.

Johnson was solid but we won't miss much with what we'll have behind him. Poole complained about not getting playing time his whole career, then when he finally got it he used it to dance behind the line of scrimmage. Ben Martin was a 5* recruit that played like a solid 3* contributor. No loss there.

I agree.... Johnson wouldn't be starting if Lathers wasn't hurt.... Poole wont be difficult to replace and like you said Martin never lived up to the hype....
 
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