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Gators bolster class on national signing day

 
Andrew Ivie smiles for the cameras after committing to the University of Florida as his older brother Joey Ivie, left, already a UF defensive lineman, throws up a Gator Chomp on National Signing Day at Pasco High School. [BRENDAN FITTERER | Times]
Andrew Ivie smiles for the cameras after committing to the University of Florida as his older brother Joey Ivie, left, already a UF defensive lineman, throws up a Gator Chomp on National Signing Day at Pasco High School. [BRENDAN FITTERER | Times]
Published Feb. 5, 2015

GAINESVILLE — When Jim McElwain was hired in December, the Florida Gators had seven oral commitments and were ranked in the low 80s in the national recruiting services.

Florida picked up seven players Wednesday, and by the end of national signing day, the Gators had risen to No. 20 and 23 in the three major recruiting services.

McElwain declared the class a success under the circumstances.

"For our first signing class, first and foremost, the momentum that we gained has been fantastic," McElwain said. "The doors that we opened in this short period of time, back in the places that we need to be successful at when we go out and recruit and obviously that's in the state of Florida first, and then bumping into that five-hour radius part as we go up into Georgia, is something that we need to make sure we work on and keep getting better at. I think that we answered some things from all kind of corners of the state and that's a good thing."

Ordinarily, finishing 10th in the SEC wouldn't be cause for celebration, but the Gators regrouped better than expected, landing two five-star recruits — No. 1 OT Martez Ivey of Apopka, and Glen St. Mary's CeCe Jefferson, the nation's No. 2 DE and No. 9 overall prospect.

"What made me decide on Florida was that I feel at home there," Jefferson said. "… I fit great in the defense they're trying to bring."

Chris Nee of 247Sports said: "The thing you always worry about with a recruiting class is taking dead weight onto a roster. How many of the guys they signed are not going to be able to contribute at the highest level for four years in the SEC.''

THE MUSCHAMP EFFECT: Florida and Auburn had arguably the most unusual one-on-one recruiting battle in the 2015 class, with McElwain going against former Florida coach Will Muschamp, who is now the Tigers defensive coordinator. The Gators lost four key players to Auburn — Lakewood WR Ryan Davis, Armwood DE Byron Cowart, Jacksonville White's Gavarius Davis and LB Jeffery Holland. Muschamp's long-standing relationship with the players he recruited while at Florida gave him an edge, ESPN national recruiting director Tom Luginbill said. Ivey and Jefferson chose the Gators over Auburn.

McElwain downplayed recruiting against his predecessor. "Obviously the guy's a great ball coach and he had obviously some insights that I'm sure they were able to use," he said. "But it's never about anybody else. It's about what we have and who we are, and we're very secure in that."

CONTINUING THE BLOODLINES: Among the newest class is Pasco DL Andrew Ivie, brother of junior DL Joey Ivie. "I like multi-sport guys," McElwain said. "Here's a guy that obviously his record as a wrestler and what he does and the discipline it takes, he's very strong. He comes from pretty good bloodlines with his brother playing pretty good."

WHERE'S THE QB?: The Gators may have met needs on the offensive line, but did not get a QB. Though new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said he likes to sign at least one QB per class, McElwain said it can be addressed later: "I feel really good about our quarterbacks.''

Contact Antonya English at aenglish@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.