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          On The Trail

          Gators get three commitments at 'Friday Night Lights' camp, one more Saturday

          • Derek Tyson, RecruitingNationJul 25, 2015, 04:50 PM
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            • SEC recruiting reporter
            • Joined ESPN in 2011
            • Attended Northwood University
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          GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators hosted their annual Friday Night Lights camp this weekend. The one-night camp was introduced and was a staple under Urban Meyer and it continued with Will Muschamp. For new Gators head coach Jim McElwain, this was his first time hosting the event, which generally brings in some of the top talent from across the Southeast. Friday was no different.

          Despite muggy and rainy conditions, several top prospects made it to Gainesville, including ESPN 300 members Sam Bruce, Binjimen Victor, Quincy Lenton, Shavar Manuel, Chauncey Gardner, Antonneous Clayton and Nate Craig-Myers.

          Manuel, a five-star defensive end from Tampa ranked No. 13 in the 2016 class, has long been considered an Florida State lean. But while at Florida, Manuel announced that he had a top three of Florida, Auburn and LSU, all SEC schools. The Seminoles are certainly still in the picture, but this revelation makes it clear that the talented defensive lineman is more open than many people thought.

          There were several ESPN Junior 300 prospects in attendance as well, such as Florida quarterback commit Jake Allen, wide receivers James Robinson and Jerry Jeudy, Miami commit Tre' McKitty, offensive lineman Kai-Leon Herbert and athlete Devan Barrett.

          By all accounts, the camp was a rousing success. The Gators landed commitments from ESPN 300 safety Lenton (No. 220), ESPN Junior 300 wide receiver Daquon Green (No. 41) and three-star offensive lineman Brett Heggie on Friday, and landed four-star linebacker Jeremiah Moon less than 24 hours later.

          Lenton, a former Mississippi State commit, is from Meridian, Mississippi, but has formed a close bond with Florida defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan. The bond, along with his visit to Gainesville, was enough for Lenton to pull the trigger.

          After finishing spring with only six healthy offensive linemen, the Gators have made the offensive front a priority. Florida helped their cause on Friday by landing Heggie, a 6-foot-4, 301-pound center prospect. The three-star prospect, who also competed at The Opening, is the third offensive lineman to commit to the Gators.
          With the addition of Lenton, Heggie and Moon, the Gators are now up to 17 verbal commitments, three of whom are ranked in the ESPN 300.
          The biggest commit of the night came from Green. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver is the highest-rated of Florida's four 2017 pledges, and wide receiver is a big area of need for the Gators. Three of Florida's four 2017 pledges are ranked in the ESPN Junior 300.
          Florida head coach Jim McElwain was excited to learn of his new commitments. In usual McElwain style, he sent out a tweet referencing Florida's newest commits.
          The Gators offered Moon after the camp on Friday. The a 6-foot-4, 200-pound outside linebacker committed Saturday.