• GATORS SIGN 22 FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES TO NATIONAL LETTERS-OF-INTENT (as of 5:00 p.m. ET)

    GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Florida football team has received National Letters-of-Intent from 22 student-athletes as of 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 3.

    It is not anticipated that there will be any additional signings.

    UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 1999 SIGNEES

    NAME POS. HT WT HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
    Ran Carthon Back 6-0 210 Key West/Key West HS
    Tony Charles Line 6-3 270 Sterling, Va./DeMatha HS
    Daryl Dixon Back 5-11 180 Oak Hill, Fla./New Smyrna Beach HS
    Matt Farrior Back 6-2 225 Petersburg, Va./Matoaca HS
    Derrick Gaffney Back 6-2 194 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS
    Rex Grossman QB 6-2 205 Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South HS
    Byron Hardmon Line 6-2 215 Jacksonville, Fla./Ed White HS
    Elgin Hicks Back 5-10 175 Port Charlotte, Fla./Charlotte HS
    Dwright Jackson Back 6-1 195 South Bay, Fla./Glades Central HS
    Taylor Jacobs Back 6-0 180 Monticello, Fla./Florida A&M HS
    Tron LaFavor Line 6-3 245 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS
    Bobby McCray Line 6-5 225 Miami, Fla./Homestead HS
    Clint Mitchell Line 6-7 250 Clearwater, Fla./Countryside HS
    Mike Nattiel Line 6-1 218 Archer, Fla./Newberry HS
    Todd Poitier Line 6-2 215 Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach HS
    Keiwan Ratliff Back 6-0 175 Columbus, Ohio/Whitehall-Yearling HS
    Arpedge Rolle Line 6-2 255 Miami, Fla./Miami Central HS
    Roderick Royal Line 6-2 225 Baton Rouge, La./Glen Oaks HS
    Marshall Schaap Line 6-3 235 Ocala, Fla./Belleview HS
    Lito Sheppard Back 5-11 190 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS
    Chris Stephens QB 6-3 205 Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz HS
    Roy Williams Line 6-2 265 Deland, Fla./Deland HS

    NOTES ON FLORIDA'S 1999 SIGNING CLASS

  • Nineteen (19) of the 22 members of the signing class were named to a prep all-america team.
  • Eight (8) members of the signing class were ranked among the top five players in the nation at a particular position category (Dixon, Farrior, Grossman, Hardmon, Hicks, LaFavor, Royal, Sheppard).
  • Fifteen (15) members of the class were ranked among the top 10 players in the nation at a particular position category (the above listed eight players plus Jackson, Mitchell, Nattiel, Poitier, Ratliff, Stephens, Williams).
  • Nineteen (19) members of the class were ranked among the nation's top 20 players at a particular position category (the above 15 listed players plus Charles, Gaffney, McCray, Rolle).

    BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

    RAN CARTHON
    One of the state's top running backs in '98 who missed much of the season (seven games) due to an ankle injury...Named to PrepStar's all-region team...SuperPrep ranked him among the top 50 players in the state of Florida and among the top 10 running backs in the state despite the '98 injury...As a junior in '97 rushed for more than 1,300 yards and then gained over 500 yards in '98 despite missing seven games...Honorable mention all-state (4A) in '98.

    TONY CHARLES
    One of the country's highly regarded prep defensive lineman in '98 who earned all-america honors...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 15 defensive line prospects...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team as well as that publication's Super All-ACC Region Team...Named Metro Washington D.C.'s 1998 Defensive Player of the Year...A outstanding student (1380 SAT and 4.2 GPA)...Three-year defensive starter for DeMatha HS in Washington D.C...174 tackles in '98 (112 solo) with 21 quarterback sacks and 55 total tackles for loss...Completed prep career with 418 tackles (276 solo) and 48 quarterback sacks.

    DARYL DIXON
    A defensive back standout who gained all-america recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top three prospects at cornerback....Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top 10 cornerback prospects in the nation...A first-team all-state selection (4A) who garnered honorable mention all-america honors from USA Today...A four-year starter who posted a 3.5 GPA...Combined for over 1,000 yards in total offense in 1998...Selected his district's MVP in '98...Blocked 12 kicks over his prep career.

    MATT FARRIOR
    Considered one of the nation's elite prep linebackers in '98...Named to prestigious Parade All-America Team...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 10 linebackers...Named to PrepStar's All-America Dream Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top two linebacker prospects...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the country's top four prospects at weakside linebacker...Named Virginia's Player of the Year for Group A (second largest classification in state) after rushing for 1,781 yards and 25 touchdowns on offense and registering 80 tackles with 32 for losses (12 QB sacks) in '98...USA Today honorable mention All-America selection...Brother, James, was an outstanding linebacker at Virginia and was a first-round selection in 1997 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

    DERRICK GAFFNEY
    National Bluechips ranked him among the top 20 players in the nation at the flanker position...Named to PrepStar's All-SEC Regional Team...A two-year starter at wide receiver for an outstanding Raines team that won the state title in 1997 (Gaffney caught the game winning fourth quarter pass in the championship game at Florida Field)...28 catches for 486 yards and 10 touchdowns in '98... High school teammate of fellow Gator signee Lito Sheppard...Father, Derrick, played wide receiver at UF and with the NY Jets and was on the receiving end of the longest pass play in Gator history (a 99 yarder from Cris Collinsworth vs. Rice in 1979)... Uncle, Don, was a quarterback at UF in the 1970's.

    REX GROSSMAN
    Considered one of the nation's elite prep quarterbacks in 1998...Enrolled at UF for spring '99 term...One of seven quarterbacks named to prestigious Parade All-America Team...Named to PrepStar's All-America Dream Team and that publication ranked him the top QB in the midwest region and among the top nine in the nation...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top five players in the nation in its "pro-style QB" rating...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication also named him its Midwest Offensive Player of the Year...USA Today selected him the Indiana Player of the Year for '98...Ranked among the nation's top 15 QBs by SuperPrep...Passed for 3,085 yards and 44 touchdowns in '98 in leading Bloomington South HS to state 5A title...7,399 career passing yards with 87 career touchdown passes.

    BYRON HARDMON
    One of the state's elite linebackers in '98 who garnered all-america recognition...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top six linebackers...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top three prospects at strongside linebacker...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top six players at strongside linebacker...Named Jacksonville's Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in '97...In '98 posted 127 tackles (68 solo) and caused five fumbles while gaining first-team all-state honors (5A)...Credited with nine defensive touchdowns scored during prep career.

    ELGIN HICKS
    One of Florida's premier prep wide receivers in '98 who earned all-america recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top four wide receivers in the nation...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top 10 wide receivers in the nation...First-team all-state (5A) in '98 and was also named his district's MVP...69 catches for 2,183 yards (31.6 avg.) with 34 touchdowns as a junior in '97, all single-season school records...55 receptions for 1,024 yards (18.6 avg.) and 17 touchdowns in '98.

    DWRIGHT JACKSON
    A standout athlete who garnered all-america recognition...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top dozen linebacker prospects in the SEC region...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 10 prospects in its weakside linebacker category...Registered over 150 tackles with 15 sacks as a DE/LB in leading Glades Central to state 4A championship in '98.

    TAYLOR JACOBS
    One of the state's top wide receiver prospects who gained all-america recognition...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him the top dozen wide receiver prospects in the SEC region...Named to PrepStar's All- SEC Regional Team...Named his district's MVP in '98 and was also a first-team All-State (2A) selection for the '98 season...Caught 33 passes for 708 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and then played wide receiver (37 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns) and quarterback in 1998 (rushed for 362 yards).

    TRON LaFAVOR
    One of the state's top defensive linemen in '98 who received prep all-america honors...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top five prospects at rush defensive end...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 10 players in its weakside defensive end classification...USA Today honorable mention all-america recognition...First-team All-State (6A) honors in 1998...86 tackles with 20 quarterback sacks for Dillard High School in '98.

    BOBBY McCRAY
    A standout defender who earned all-america recognition...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top 20 defensive line prospects in the SEC region...National Bluechips ranked among the nation's top 20 prospects at its rush end classification...SuperPrep ranked him among the state's top 40 players overall and top eight defensive line prospects in Florida despite missing half of the season with an injury...Had 32 tackles with seven quarterback sacks in half a season.

    MIKE NATTIEL
    One of the state's elite linebackers in 1998 who garnered all-america recognition...A rare three-time first-team All-State (3A) selection...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top seven linebackers...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top dozen prospects at weakside linebacker...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top eight linebackers in the SEC region...Honorable mention honors from USA Today in '98...132 tackles in 1998 and made nearly 400 tackles (394) in his sparkling prep career (150 as a junior and 112 as sophomore)...Ricky Nattiel, a outstanding Gator wide receiver in the 1980's who was a first round NFL Draft selection by the Denver Broncos in 1986, is his uncle.

    CLINT MITCHELL
    One of the state's elite defensive linemen in 1998 who garnered a good deal of national recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the country's top seven prospects at the strongside defensive end position...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 25 defensive linemen...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team...Honorable mention USA Today All-America honors and first-team all-state (5A)...Brother, Jeff, was a All-America center on UF’s 1996 national championship team and is now the starting center for the Baltimore Ravens...Credited with 122 tackles (64 solo) in 1998 with 10.5 quarterback sacks and was named his area's Defensive Player of the Year.

    TODD POITIER
    One of the state's top linebackers who garnered all-america recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top eight players at weakside linebacker...A third team All-State (6A) performer in '98 who was named the MVP of both the Broward and Broward-Dade High School All-Star games...75 solo tackles in 1998 with six quarterback sacks and four fumble recoveries...Four year starter at linebacker...3.5 GPA.

    KEIWAN RATLIFF
    A two-way standout (receiver/defensive back) from Ohio who gained all-america recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top seven wide receivers...Named to SuperPrep's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 25 receivers...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top three defensive back prospects in the midwest...In eight games as a senior in 1998 had 46 catches for 880 yards and 13 touchdowns and was named All-Ohio and his conference's Player of the Year...42 catches for 760 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior...Nine combined interceptions over course of junior and senior seasons.

    ARPEDGE ROLLE
    A standout defensive linemen who garnered all-america recognition...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top dozen players at strongside defensive end...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top 20 defensive line prospects in the SEC region...SuperPrep named him to its All-Dixie Team and ranked him among the state of Florida's top 35 players overall and top six defensive linemen...Second-team all-state (6A)...112 tackles in '98 with 15 quarterback sacks…1998 Florida state champion in shot put and discus...4.3 GPA...In conjunction with the recent Super Bowl in Miami, he was presented the first annual NFL/Ford C.I.T.Y. Scholar-Athlete Award (which was presented at a ceremony by former NFL greats Ronnie Lott and Sterling Sharpe), chosen after a national search of high school players, which included a field of 27 finalists.

    RODERICK ROYAL
    A standout linebacker from Louisiana who garnered prep all-america honors...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top five prospects in the nation at its strongside linebacker category...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top 15 players at weakside linebacker....Credited with 104 tackles (20 tackles for loss) in '98 and was named his area's Defensive MVP...Two-time first-team all-state...As a junior in '97 was credited with 125 tackles.

    MARSHALL SCHAAP
    Named to SuperPrep's All-Dixie Team and that publication ranked him among the top two tight end prospects in the state of Florida...Named to PrepStar's SEC All-Region Team...Led heavily run-oriented team in receiving in 1998 (10 catches for 150 yards) and also had 60 tackles as a defensive lineman.

    LITO SHEPPARD
    Considered one of the nation's elite prep players in 1998...Named to prestigious Parade All-America Team and was Parade's choice for the nation's top defensive back...National Bluechips named him the nation's top cornerback prospect...Named to PrepStar's All-America Dream Team and that publication ranked him among the top two defensive backs in the nation...SuperPrep ranked him among the top five overall players in the nation...First-team USA Today All-America selection...Had 18 interceptions in 29 total games over the course of junior and senior seasons...First-team all-state (4A) in '97 and '98...Jacksonville's Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.

    CHRIS STEPHENS
    A Gainesville product who received prep all-america honors...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top six players in its dropback QB classification...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top eight players in its "pro-style" QB rating...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team...Honorable mention All-America honors from USA Today...Second-team all-state (5A) in '98...Threw for 2,012 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in '98 before suffering a season-ending knee injury...A three-year starter at Buchholz High School who threw for 4,636 career yards and 48 touchdowns, breaking the school records held by current Gator quarterback Doug Johnson...Father, Jimmy Ray, is offensive line coach at UF...3.5 GPA and over 1300 on SAT.

    ROY WILLIAMS
    One of the state's elite defensive linemen in '98 who earned prep all-america honors...Named to National Recruiting Advisor's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top nine players at nose guard...Named to National Bluechips All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the nation's top eight players at nose guard...Named to PrepStar's All-America Team and that publication ranked him among the top 15 defensive linemen in the southeast...First-team All-State (6A) honors in '98 and was selected his district's MVP by the coaches...Honorable mention all-america honors from USA Today...104 tackles in '98 with 23 for a loss.

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