Tuesday's announcement by coach Urban Meyer that five-star true freshman S Jonathan Dowling had been permanently dismissed from the team underscores the depth problem that Florida likely will face in the secondary next season.
If junior CB Janoris Jenkins and junior S Will Hill enter the NFL, as many feel they will do, then the Gators may have as few as 11 players vying for playing time at those four spots, five of whom would be true freshman.
For that reason, DB is a huge priority for Florida between now and national signing day. But even if the Gators land a few more commitments in the class of 2011, they will still be freshmen, and we've seen how difficult it has been for true freshmen (Matt Elam notwithstanding) to compete for time on this defense.
That's why Justin Wells of Swamp247.com suggests that Florida would be smart to consider bringing in former commitment/Tennessee WR Nu'Keese Richardson, who is now playing CB for Coffeyville CC. Wells acknowledges that it's a long shot but says that Richardson "is arguably performing at a level higher than any other defensive back at that level this year."
Wells writes: "Considering how he bailed on the Gators right before National Signing Day, in addition to his criminal activities in Knoxville, it would take an awful big leap of faith for Urban Meyer to extend a hand to Richardson at this time. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the situation in the secondary is pushing critical mass for the Gators in looking ahead to 2011. No option should be considered completely out of the realm of possibility at this time."
