2012 Recruiting Rundown: Austin Hardin

This is the last entry for the 2012 Recruiting Rundown. Tomorrow begins the "SEC Team Breakdown" series where I analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each of the SEC teams and my predictions on where they will finish the 2011 season.


Austin Hardin

Kicker
Marist High School, Ga.
5’-11”, 200 pounds
40-yard dash: N/A
Vertical Leap: N/A


Position Ranking
ESPN: #2
Rivals: #10
Scout: N/R

The Skinny
Austin Hardin has kicked long-range field goals including a 59-yard game winner with three seconds to go last year. His kickoffs consistently stay airborne for longer than four seconds. He made 13 of 20 field goals last year. The seven he missed were either longer than 50 yards or blocked. He made all of his extra points and kicked every kickoff out of the end zone except when the team tried an onside kick. At Florida’s camp, Hardin averaged 75 yards per kickoff with a 4.1 hang time. Hardin could immediately be installed as the kickoff specialist, which could help keep oft-injured kicker Caleb Sturgis on the field.

2012 Recruiting Rundown: Lorenzo Phillips

Lorenzo Phillips

Outside Linebacker
Patterson High School, Patterson, La.
6’-1”, 200 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.74
Vertical Leap: 30 inches



Position Ranking
ESPN: #10
Scout: #18
Rivals: #15

The Skinny
Lorenzo Phillips is projected to contribute early, especially on special teams. He has exceptional quickness and agility to go with good size and speed. He is an explosive tackler who can also read and recognize plays and blocking schemes. He has the strength to handle blockers and the speed and recognition to beat them to the point of attack. In time, Phillips could become a dominant SEC linebacker for the Gators.
He had 23 tackles for loss last year.

2012 Recruiting Rundown:

Brian Poole

Cornerback
Southeast High School, St. Petersburg, Fla.
5’ – 10”, 192 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds
Vertical Leap: 29.5 inches

Position Ranking
ESPN: #9
Scout: #2
Rivals: #8

The Skinny
Brian Poole is a solidly built corner prospect. His strength is playing underneath and to the boundary while providing run support. He is very good at jumping routes. His speed is not great, but he plays fast because of his football instincts and nose for the football. The word is he has a great motor and coaches like his intangibles.
His speed is a little slow for a corner and he doesn’t have the kind of size you would like in a safety. He can be effective with over the top help or would be good as a nickel back.

2012 Recruiting Rundown: Colin Thompson

Colin Thompson

Tight End
Archbishop Wood High School, Pa.
6’- 4”, 255 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.79


Position Ranking
ESPN: #1
Scout: #3
Rivals: #6

The Skinny
Thompson comes in as a natural tight end that can both block and catch passes. Thompson has experience blocking and has shown the ability to get a good push and make it into the second level to pick up other blocks. He has excellent size with some room to add more weight. His film shows he has good hands (one of the clips is of him making a one handed grab in traffic) and possesses the ability to catch the ball with his hands away from his body. His skills will fit nicely with what Charlie Weis likes to do in his offenses. Thompson was the Gators 10th commitment in the 2012 class.

2012 Recruiting Rundown: Willie Bailey

Willie Bailey
Cornerback
Hallandale High School, Fla
6’-2”, 175 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds
Vertical Leap: 33.6 inches


Position Ranking
ESPN: #23
Rivals: #41
Scout: #34

The Skinny
Willie Bailey, who played safety in high school, is tall and speedy. To play safety, he will need to add weight. To play corner, he will need to work on his technique, specifically turning his hips as he covers receivers one on one. His film shows good closing speed and the ability to close on plays in front of him.
Bailey needs to show improvement turning and running with receivers at the next level to be effective as a corner. His film shows that he likes to leave his feet so he can deliver a big hit, which will get him into trouble at the next level.
Decommitted from Miami to commit to Florida in April. In 2010 he blocked four kicks and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.