Hicks spurns Gators, Buckeyes for Longhorns

By Adam Silverstein
January 29, 2010

With National Signing Day approaching on Feb. 3, five-star linebacker recruit Jordan Hicks (West Chester, OH) decided to end the speculation and announce his college commitment a few days early in front of friends and family. Hicks took the Florida Gators, Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns down to the wire as his three finalists but ultimately declared that he would play college football in Austin, TX, beginning next season.

Unanimously considered the top LB in the nation, Hicks is ranked No. 4 overall on the ESPNU 150 and No. 16 on the Rivals100. The Gators will now focus on gaining a commitment from five-star LB Christian Jones (Winter Park, FL).

Photo Credit: Will Gallagher/Inside Texas

14 Comments

  1. O-town Gator says:

    If Jones commits to UF, at least he won’t be far from home.

  2. Mitch says:

    can anyone really see Jones not going to FSU? Legacy usually does not spurn family alma mater.

  3. npgator says:

    I would rather have Jones if I had to choose but he will be difficult to pry away from the Noles.

  4. Mitch- That wasn’t the case for Matt Patchan, as I pointed out here – http://205.132.151.20/01/29/2010/ten-recruits-to-watch-on-national-signing-day/

    FSU now may or may not be the same as it was when his family played there. Jones has to do what is best for his future career and, right now, playing for the Gators would likely be better for him. Then again, it is his decision to make and we don’t know the type of influence his family is having on him. Last I heard, he was leaning toward Gainesville.

  5. O-town Gator says:

    Mitch, lest you forget Jeff Demps and the Pouncey twins were FSU fans in their younger years – and we all know where THEY wound up going.

    CJ Spiller was also an FSU fan, and he wound up at Clemson.

    If Florida turns out to be the best fit for Jones as far as working with the coaching staff, opportunity to get on the field, academics etc. go, that’s who he should sign with.

  6. Mr2Bits says:

    Does Jones want to get into a pissing battle with Luc and others at FSU? I could see Jones getting playing time first year and developing with what will be the top ranked D in 2011-2013, not so much at FSU.

  7. Daniel M. says:

    threadjack

    the “Making of the Pirelli Calendar” thread at Deadspin is DEFINITELY worth a peak. NSFW.

  8. O-town Gator says:

    Back on topic, I’ve read tweets about Hicks being upset with the coaching situation at UF as being the awaying factor in his final decision; this really pisses me off. Urban’s getting well and is coming back for spring practice, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back on the sidelines ready to go this fall. Still, others seem to fill these kids’ heads with notions and rumors that they fall for instead of hearing about what’s really going on straight from those who should know. Sure it’s the “nature of the beast” when it comes to the dog-eat-dog world of recruiting, but I hate it when others have to lie and start rumors just to gain the upper hand.

  9. ReptilesRule says:

    I have read that Hicks is a lifelong Texas fan. That’s a pretty strong pull and you have to respect him for following his dream, just like if he were to be a Gator fan and commit to UF. Best of luck to him.

  10. The depth chart at LB opens up after this upcoming year. Jones will be able to compete for a spot almost right away. He’s a big get if Florida can pull it off.

  11. Twgator says:

    I think the lb depth chart looks pretty good next year I would love to get Jones though

  12. KB_Gators says:

    Gator Bait

  13. npgator says:

    Jones is a Nole and Henderson is either a Buckey or Golpher. I hope we get Chaz Green and Adrian Coxson and I think that will be it.

  14. Henderson is a Cane. Gators will likely get Green, Coxson and Kitchens.

Join The
Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top
WordPress Appliance - Powered by TurnKey Linux