Five-star Floyd commits to Florida
SAN ANTONIO - Sharrif Floyd is big, tough and plays with a nasty streak and the five-star defensive tackle is headed to Florida.
Floyd, from Philadelphia (Pa.) George Washington, picked the Gators over Ohio State, North Carolina and South Carolina Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Floyd is a big pickup for Florida since it was believed the Buckeyes held a slight edge at the beginning of the week.
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"It was a battle between Ohio State and Florida," Floyd said. "Coming to the end, I picked the place where I was most comfortable with not for the next four years, but 40 years of my life."
The coaching situation at Florida with Urban Meyer taking an indefinite leave of absence did not scare Floyd away.
"Coach Meyer is going to be coach Meyer at the end of the day," Floyd said this week. "I still love him. I've talked to him almost every day. We have a good relationship and he tells me he's coming back next year.
"(The conversation) was long. It was basically what I could bring to the program and what they needed in the program and basically all around how we could help each other. I'm somewhat (worried about his health.) I'm going to be talking to him during the week and getting his thoughts on it."
What also helped make Floyd's decision a little easier was that he has already talked with Florida's new defensive coordinator George Edwards, formerly of the Miami Dolphins.
Floyd said Friday he's impressed with Edwards' credentials and NFL experience. That was one of the big keys in getting the 6-foot-3, 310-pound prospect to Gainesville.
Florida's coaching staff also did a tremendous job this week keeping Floyd's people up-to-date with its coaching search. According to a source, Floyd's coach was one of the first people to know that Edwards had been hired.
Rivals.com rates him as the top defensive tackle, best player in the Pennsylvania state rankings and ninth overall.
"He gets so low and comes off the ball so hard that he can get underneath and overpower any lineman in the country," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every said. "Floyd also plays with a nasty disposition and is looking to physically embarrass his opponent."