Rivalry Review: Florida-Florida State

In this edition of Rivalry Review, we take a look at which 2017 commitment, Zachary Carter or Ja’Len Parks, is a bigger get for Florida or Florida State respectively.

What type of player did they land? Carter, the highest-ranked Gators commit so far in the class, is a guy who can line up outside the tackle or over the tackle and be equally effective. He can get after the passer with inside moves, he can beat tackles with outside speed and he has the length to adjust passing lanes and the timing to get his hands up properly to deflect balls. He plays with power as much as with speed and he’s very good at staying on balance and under control in pursuit of the quarterback. Against the run he holds the edge well, disengages at the proper time and he can either turn things inside for help or string them out and run them down. He’s an athletic kid who is not flat-out fast but explosive in bursts and anticipates the snap well.

What makes this a big get? He’s an athletic kid from a very good program who can impact early and isn’t afraid of inside contact. He’s not just a “loop around” defensive end, so his pass rushing moves are numerous and he is strong at the point of attack. The Gators held off Clemson and a week-long visit for his services and numerous programs in the Southeast from Alabama to Miami to LSU wanted him, not to mention Ohio State, Michigan, USC and others out of area.

What type of player did they land? Parks isn’t projected to play the same position as Carter, but he lines up outside quite often and is a physical edge rusher. He’s not as fast off the snap or in pursuit, but he’s also 70 pounds heavier and his range for a big defender is impressive. He’s more of a player who works off contact he initiates as he likes to rock offensive linemen and then work when they are off balance, but he can dip his shoulder and beat you with speed at times as well. I love future defensive tackles that can play end in high school because it shows they can cover ground and work in space and with his size and power, we also know he can work in tight spots.

What makes this a big get? Parks has been committed to Florida State since the summer of 2014 and he had many big-time programs recruiting him at the time. Programs are still working on him. As a legacy recruit whose father was in the same FSU recruiting class as Odell Haggins, he was a must-get and is a must-keep. In addition, he’s an important positional get as FSU needs interior linemen with many upperclassmen at the position on defense. He’s also a versatile prospect a la Mario Edwards, who could play in many schemes if needed.

I know he’s a legacy recruit and all of that, but the need for Parks in this class is bigger for FSU than Carter is as an end for Florida. The Gators have some impressive young ends and some versatile defenders who can work outside while FSU needs a big-time defensive tackle in this class badly. It’s tough to compare players who project at different positions and both have stardom in their future, but the get here for the ‘Noles is bigger.