GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Will Muschamp announced nine early enrollees from the Class of 2014 on Monday, and it's a group that could address some important needs for the Gators.
"Having nine guys in mid-year says a lot about these kids academically, being ready to go," Muschamp said.
Here's a breakdown of each. Muschamp offered thoughts on all but one recruit, who will be listed here with an excerpt from his scouting report.
CB Jalen Tabor | Scouting report
Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds
Ranking: No. 15 overall, No. 5 cornerback
Muschamp's take: "Jalen Tabor was a corner we added late there. A 6-1 corner that’s got a lot of length and athleticism on the top, and he can finish some plays."
QB Will Grier | Scouting report
Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day
Height/weight: 6-3, 181
Ranking: No. 34 overall, No. 2 dual-threat quarterback
Muschamp's take: "[He has] the ability to learn, athleticism. Obviously you look at accuracy as a thrower, being able to throw the ball into tight spots. He’s shown the ability to do that. We had him in camp multiple times. ... The athleticism and accuracy, we feel like, is there."
DB Duke Dawson | Scouting report
Cross City, Fla./Dixie County
Height/weight: 5-11, 197
Ranking: No. 213 overall, No. 17 cornerback
Muschamp's take: "[He's] a guy that we feel like had a great senior season and a guy who continued to impress and improve."
ATH Brandon Powell | Scouting report
Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
Height/weight: 5-9, 169
Ranking: No. 272 overall, No. 35 athlete
Muschamp's take: "[Powell] was a running back we’ve been on [despite his commitment to Miami] and had an opportunity there to get him."
DE Taven Bryan | Scouting report
Casper, Wyo./Natrona County
Height/weight: 6-5, 255
Ranking: No. 31 defensive end, No. 1 prospect in his state
Muschamp's take: "[He's] broad-shouldered, looks great. Excited to get him on campus. Did a fantastic job at our summer camps this past year. ... He is a guy that was very athletic in the workouts here he was very athletic in the workouts at his school. He showed great athleticism for a guy that's 6-5, 6-5½, 265 pounds to run like he runs. There’s a tremendous upside and there’s multiple positions he probably could play. He’s still young for his age. Who knows where his body is going to grow? But you always think size and speed when you have the athleticism. Great work ethic, great toughness, and a guy that I’m really pleased to have as a part of the program. I think he’s got tremendous upside as a player."
OG Nolan Kelleher | Scouting report
Mount Pleasant, S.C./Wando
Height/weight: 6-5, 310
Ranking: No. 18 offensive guard
Scout's take: "Kelleher is a dominant run blocker as an offensive guard, however his size, athleticism and toughness appear better suited for the tackle position at the BCS level."
OT Kavaris Harkless | Scouting report
Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian
Height/weight: 6-5, 285
Ranking: No. 22 offensive tackle
Muschamp's take: "[He] had a little change of heart there at the end about where he was going to go to school [after being committed to Louisville]. We’re fortunate to have been recruiting him throughout the fall of his senior year. Had a great senior year. Had a great state championship for Trinity Christian."
TE DeAndre Goolsby | Scouting report
Derby, Kan./Derby
Height/weight: 6-4, 225
Ranking: No. 9 tight end/H-back
Muschamp's take: "We need some help at the tight end position. He’s a guy that’s going to come in here and be here and certainly get his opportunities."
OT Drew Sarvary | Scouting report
Tallahassee, Fla./Tyler Junior College
Height/weight: 6-6, 310
Ranking: No. 16 juco offensive tackle
Muschamp's take: "He finished his senior year at North Florida Christian. A guy that had been on our radar at the time. We were not going to take a junior college lineman and then we had some attrition there at the end of the season and felt like we needed a more mature guy to step up up front and go through the spring with us."