Friday Night Lights post-camp evaluation

Well, the Florida Gators football team wrapped up their Friday Night Lights recruiting event last weekend and there were several changes to the recruiting board as a result.

I had a chance to pass by and there was a healthy buzz surrounding the Swamp on Friday night. I can only imagine what must have been going through some of those guys' minds as they watched highlights of the BCS Championship in the Swamp.

I'll go over some of the top stories from the event and talk a little bit about who I think went up and down our board based on conversations I've had with a friend in the know and my own speculation.

First off, Miami commit Tavadis Glenn was sent home from the camp after repeatedly "flashing the U" and making several pro-Miami comments openly after making a good play. He was asked by the coaches repeatedly to stop, and he didn't. The coaches then told him he had no place at our camp.

I have no problem with this, we run the camp and if the kid can't do what he's asked to, it's our coaches right to be able to ask him to leave. Miami fans weren't all too pleased with star recruit Bryce Brown showing up in Tennessee gear last year, so I don't really feel sorry for the ones complaining about the send off.

The offensive MVP of the night was WR Markeith Ambles. Ambles committed to Tennessee on Tuesday morning and has promised to actively recruit for the Volunteers.

First off, I've heard that Ambles was extremely impressive and that the Gator coaches were ready to accept his commitment. However, Ambles does seem to have some "intangible qualities" that have caused some other teams to back off him. He was all but set to recruit, but after his interview with the coaches Saturday morning, the coaches took him off our board and pulled the offer.

I have no info on exactly what happened, but the interview must not have gone well. This somewhat pains me as a Gator fan, as Ambles has all the measurables to be a future star in the SEC. To see Lane Kiffin end up with him, especially when Ambles promises to be an active recruiter, is a little unnerving. If Tennessee does land a high caliber quarterback in this recruiting class, you can bet Ambles will have done his part in recruiting him.

Defensively, Ronald Powell was a standout. He played everywhere, including linebacker, defensive end and tight end. He has an NFL body already and will almost certainly be one of those guys that comes in and pushes for a starting spot. The Gators seem to be in decent shape with him, but pulling high profile guys off the West Coast is never easy. The fact that Powell came all the way to Gainesville for the camp on his own dime definitely proves the Gators will be a player for his services.

WR Chris Dunkley also looked extremely good. He is very fluid and has great hands. He is exactly the type of receiver Florida would love to have on board. If National Signing Day was tomorrow, I'd say Dunkley is a Gator. He is rumored to be a silent commitment, but over the years I've learned not to put a whole lot of stock into that. He is certainly a prospect that is both high up on the Gators' board and highly interested in the Gators.

Several Gator commits were in attendance, and QB Trey Burton was the most active recruiter among them. He helped to land a commitment from talented RB Mack Brown. Brown committed to the Gators on Friday night and told one reporter that Dunkley was committed to Florida. LB Neiron Ball committed to Florida as well early this week.

I'll keep the recruiting updates coming as I hear more. The guys to keep an eye on for commitments in the near future are C Brandon Linder, WR Christian Green, CB Cody Riggs, and OT Chaz Green. Dunkley could go public as well, but he's the type of high profile guy that will likely wait until he gets back to school, where he can have a press conference to announce his decision.