Big recruiting update after Florida-Florida State

BREAKING NEWS: Five-star shooting guard Bradley Beal (St. Louis, MO) has committed to Billy Donovan and Florida Gators basketball, according to two sources.

Four-star wide receiver Ivan McCartney (Miramar, FL) is believed by many to be the Florida Gators’ top receiving target for 2010. Leaving Gainesville, FL, over the weekend, McCartney may very well have the Gators at the top of his list (though he will not say for certain). “It was crazy,” McCartney told Rivals of his weekend. “It’s overwhelming. There’s nothing much more I can say. I loved everything – coaches, players, atmosphere, campus, education, everything is just great.” The No. 4 WR in the nation, No. 4 recruit in Florida and No. 35 prospect overall, McCartney met with head coach Urban Meyer and position coach Billy Gonzales. “They were saying they really want me. That I’m their No. 1 receiver prospect and with my work ethic I can come in and play right away and even start. It’s all up to me.”

Recruiting news on Gerald Christian and Matt Elam, a 2011 commitment, a list of visitors and much more after the jump…

Gators four-star tight end commit Gerald Christian (West Palm Beach, FL) was also in attendance on Saturday and got a chance to visit the locker room prior to and following the game. “The mood in the locker room was exciting,” he told Rivals. “They were pumped up. I knew they would bring their ‘A’ game.” Christian loves Florida’s winning ways and expects everything to stay the same when he joins the Orange and Blue next year.

Christian also spoke to Rivals about his teammate at Dwyer High School and fellow Gators commit, five-star safety Matt Elam. Elam, who was an unofficial visitor for the FSU game, will take his official visit on Dec. 12. While Elam has been the subject of plenty of rumors and speculation over the past few months, Christian said what many have long believed – that he is keeping everyone guessing for fun. “I think he just likes the attention,” Christian said. “I think he’s having fun with it because he always says he likes the visits but he’s a Gator.” Elam’s facebook status on Sunday was the following: “Dolphins just spoiled my weekend! Great win Friday (Dwyer), Great win Saturday (Florida Gators), & terrible loss Sunday (Miami Dolphins)!”

Florida locked up athlete A.C. Leonard (Jacksonville, FL) as its second commitment of the 2011 recruiting class this weekend. Leonard, who will most likely play either TE or defensive end with the Gators, always knew he wanted to play in The Swamp. “They offered me sometime over the summer.,” he told Rivals. “I’ve always been a fan, I’ve wanted to be a Gator for years. When I’ve been down to Florida I feel in love with the coaches and the atmosphere.” UF’s first 2011 commit was athlete De’Ante “Pop” Saunders (Deland, FL), who declared on Oct. 20 and was there this weekend.

Three-star defensive tackle Johnathon Hankins (Detroit, MI) made his first visit to the University of Florida on Saturday. Having previously been sold on the Virginia Cavaliers and head coach Al Groh, Hankins took the coach’s firing to heart and reopening his recruitment. Hankins received an offer from the Gators when he returned home and immediately put them at the head of the pack.

Other recruits seen on Saturday at Florida Field include: commits Jordan Haden (4s DB), Ian Silberman (4s OL), Jaylen Watkins (4s DB), Trey Burton (3s QB), Jonathan Dowling (3s ATH), Solomon Patton (3s WR), Michael McFarland (3s TE) and notable recruits Chris Martin (5s DE), Owa Odighizuwa (5s DE), Chris Dunkley (4s WR), Chaz Green (4s OT), Christian Green (4s ATH), Kenny Stills (4s WR), Cody Riggs (4s DB), Darious Cummings (4s DE), Adrian Coxson (4s WR), Robert Clark (3s WR), Brandon Green (DE), Josh Haden (T), Sammy Watkins (’11 ATH), Nick Waisome (’11 DB), Marlin Lane (’11 RB) and Javares McRoy (’11 WR). Quite sure there were others, too.