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Florida, Chris Rumph doing work recruiting defensive linemen
By JC Shurburtt
Published:
Florida’s defensive line recruiting is an under-the-radar, but significant, storyline in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Given the depth of overall talent in that state, raiding Georgia is a good bet for most Southeastern Conference football programs. Florida has done a nice job of that in its quest for defensive ends.
Former South Carolina pledge Jordan Smith (Lithonia, Ga.) committed to Florida this past weekend and that gives the Gators two Peach State pass rushers in the 2016 class.
Smith joins Antonneous Clayton (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County).
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Smith has great length, a great first step and a great frame. He will have to be developed, but that should start within the next month as he is set to enroll early at Florida. What Smith lacks in polish he makes up for with his tremendous upside.
Clayton, who committed Oct. 28, is one of the more intriguing defensive line prospects in the entire 2016 class. The word “explosiveness” comes to mind when you watch him on film. Like Smith, Clayton will have to add strength and some size, but once he does the ability is evident.
These two aren’t the only defensive ends in the class, mind you. Eric Mitchell (Miami, Fla./Central), JaQuan Bailey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Jachai Polite (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) also are committed, though you could realistically see position changes at the next level for all three — Mitchell at linebacker and Bailey/Polite sliding into the interior of the defensive line.
Who is behind Florida’s defensive line recruiting success? Defensive line coach Chris Rumph. The former Clemson, Alabama and Texas assistant joined Jim McElwain in Gainesville last year and has been hot on the recruiting trail with regards to his position. He’s the recruiter-of-record for both Smith and Clayton (along with Polite) and his four total commits this cycle have an average four-star rating (0.8913 per 247Sports Composite rankings).
There’s also a good chance Florida isn’t done landing lengthy pass rushers this cycle. The Gators are the team to beat for U.S. Army All-American defensive end Brian Burns (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage). The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder may have more upside than both Smith and Clayton. Burns also is a Rumph recruit.
Florida has recruited as well as any school in the country on the defensive line for quite some time, dating back to the Urban Meyer era, but this cycle there’s a need to restock and reload. It looks like, given what has taken place so far and what could happen in the very near future, that the Gators are well on their way.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
