Question for Florida fans

[KillerNut]

Do any of you know if you are still in the running for a running back named Noel Devine? I heard from tOSU forums that this kid is an absolute freak. Some are comparing him to Reggie Bush in a Garrett Wolfe size with Ted Ginn Jr. speed. This would be a great pick up to compliment Tim Tebow IMO.

[fernandomike]

I hear he's juco bound regardless.

[Cianne]

Noel Devine probably deserves to be in jail moreso than a 4-year university.

[GatorHunter]

Devine has some major "character" and grade issues...have heard that he's kept his nose clean for a while now...doesn't change the fact that he's an 18 year old kid with 3 children.

He's headed to prep or juco either way...I doubt Meyer wastes a scholly on him. He'll be two years getting qualified.

[KillerNut]

Devine has some major "character" and grade issues...have heard that he's kept his nose clean for a while now...doesn't change the fact that he's an 18 year old kid with 3 children.

He's headed to prep or juco either way...I doubt Meyer wastes a scholly on him. He'll be two years getting qualified.

The new Rivals 100 that came out yesterday has him listed as the 15th best overall prospect and the schools in the running are Florida, FSU, West Virginia, LSU, Nebraska, and Southern Cal.

Here is his rivals.com page

Noel Devine (http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=36104&Sport=1)

[GatorHunter]

The new Rivals 100 that came out yesterday has him listed as the 15th best overall prospect and the schools in the running are Florida, FSU, West Virginia, LSU, Nebraska, and Southern Cal.

Here is his rivals.com page

Noel Devine (http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=36104&Sport=1)

Devine is such a "unique" talent, that any school would be wise to "sign-n-place" him. To be honest, he's had a very rough life...mother and father are either drug addicts or have passed away...not sure. The guy has made some pretty stupid decisions and hasn't been a model student. He really needs guidance...tough love. He could get that at UF...but, as a Florida Alumni, I have trouble believing he could cut it academically. He doesn't, as of today, have a committable offer from UF...it may say so on Rivals and Scout, but I know for a fact that he doesn't...I look for him to sign with f$u and then be placed at a prep...although, I've heard f$u is "down" on scholly numbers this year, so they may not be able to waste a schollie on him. UF could sign him as an "over-sign" with the intention of placing him, but I don't know. If the kid gets his life together...he could be a special player. I've never seen film as "sick" as his.

[Cianne]

Hasn't Deion Sanders taken Devine under his wing?

[cocky4ever]

Devine is such a "unique" talent, that any school would be wise to "sign-n-place" him. To be honest, he's had a very rough life...mother and father are either drug addicts or have passed away...not sure. The guy has made some pretty stupid decisions and hasn't been a model student. He really needs guidance...tough love. He could get that at UF...but, as a Florida Alumni, I have trouble believing he could cut it academically. He doesn't, as of today, have a committable offer from UF...it may say so on Rivals and Scout, but I know for a fact that he doesn't...I look for him to sign with f$u and then be placed at a prep...although, I've heard f$u is "down" on scholly numbers this year, so they may not be able to waste a schollie on him. UF could sign him as an "over-sign" with the intention of placing him, but I don't know. If the kid gets his life together...he could be a special player. I've never seen film as "sick" as his.
I hope he gets his life together, but at the same time as a fan I wouldnt want my school to gamble on him. Especially if you consider that he will have to be placed the chances are that whatever school he committs to will only get one year out of him. With his talent he could go to prep or juco for 2 years, come back to I-A and play for one, then jet for the NFL. And thats without even getting into the character issues and baggage that come with him. Sounds like a high risk gamble that doesnt have a high payout.

[KillerNut]

Hasn't Deion Sanders taken Devine under his wing?

I have heard that Deion is mentoring him. Deion changed his life around and maybe Coach Meyer could help that too but Deion is probably trying to tell him to go to FSU. The Kid is unbelieveable from what I have heard. He can cut and changed directions at full speed and definetely can fly. I know it is a gamble and I as an tOSU fan should know. Tressel took a gamble on Maurice Clarett whom was the #1 overall prospect in 2002 and look how that turned out. Tressel and Meyer are cut from the same mold as far as classyness and philosophy. Tressel could not help Maurice from getting out of his rough roots so maybe it is wise of UF not to take a chance.

Just imagine what Devine, Tebow, and Harvin would do to the SEC.

[shanksta13]

Everything that I have had from my sources (normally pretty good) say that Devine is headed to LSU and will go JUCO. That doesn't make any sense to me though, because LSU seems to have a pretty full stable already with Williams and Scott and maybe Joe McKnight coming in. Just passing that along, though, that's what I've got on him.

[GatorHunter]

Hasn't Deion Sanders taken Devine under his wing?

Deion actually became involved with Devine a couple of years ago...his sophmore season, I think. Deion took Devine to NC..or wherever he lives and moved him in. A couple of weeks after, Devine steals one of Deion's many SUVs, goes to the airport, and flies home...either that, or he drove, the details are escaping me...never-the-less, Devine stole Deion's SUV and made it home...he said, he missed his kid(s) and friends. Devine ended up moving in with a white couple and their 3 children...since, I've heard he's kept his nose pretty clean. It is a weird relationship, though. Before the AAA game, Devine was about to be interviewed, and Deion walks up, puts his arm around Devine, and pretty much speaks for the kid...the reporter would ask questions to Devine and Deion would answer...weird.

[GatorHunter]

Everything that I have had from my sources (normally pretty good) say that Devine is headed to LSU and will go JUCO. That doesn't make any sense to me though, because LSU seems to have a pretty full stable already with Williams and Scott and maybe Joe McKnight coming in. Just passing that along, though, that's what I've got on him.

I've heard this as well...I don't know how they do it...but LSU can get kids "qualified" that you would think had no shot. Devine is headed to prep or juco either way...I don't even think LSU could get this kid on the field next season.

[GatorNation]

I heard we have a really good shot at him, but with Rainey and Bo Williams, along with Walker (though he's getting a look at DB in the spring), Moore, James, and the rest of the guys on our roster (Williams, etc.), I'm not sure we really need him.

He can't play until '08 anyway....