Signing Day Updates: Florida Rolling

Some are saying that the Florida Gators are putting the finishing touches on one of the greatest recruiting classes, ever. How's that for a headline on this latest of a most unusual America celebration: signing day? There are people that annually skip work and plunk down big dollars to secure a seat at rubber chicken celebration dinners, so this is kind of a big deal no matter how absurd the guesswork and ogling of men not even two decades into their lives.

And yeah, the Gators. Let's hold the fire on calling it an all-time class just yet -- the closest example in recent memory was USC's 2003 class that gave us Reggie Bush, Steve Smith, Sam Baker, Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Ryan Kalil and LenDale White. Florida has secured some ridiculous talents including stealing two high profile players from California in defensive lineman Ronald Powell and defensive back Josh Shaw.

The big story with the Gators is that they may have signed one of the alltime defensive line groups, securing five stars Powell from California, Dominique Easley from New York and Sharrif Floyd out of Philadelphia. Behind them, three more "four star" defensive linemen are also set to join the Gators. Stunning.

Florida is not the only SEC program having a nice day, as Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee are finding themselves atop most team rankings. Auburn and Tennessee are the huge surprises -- Auburn because they've been overshadowed by Alabama and usually have to fight with Georgia and Florida State for scraps but find themselves a national recruiting power this year. The Tigers secured former Florida turned JUCO quarterback Cameron Newton and five star tailback Michael Dyer as headliners.

And then there's Tennessee, fresh off the Lane Kiffin departure with newly hired coach Derek Dooley holding a great class together while securing a five star high profile recruit in Georgia receiver Da'Rick Rogers.

As for Kiffin, he held most of USC's class together after Pete Carroll's abrupt departure but fell out of favor with big national names like Lache Seastrunk (who ended up with Oregon) and Jackson Jeffcoat (who ended up with homestate Texas). The one big hope may be supersized offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson out of Minnesota who will decade later Wednesday between the Trojans, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

USC's losses are the Pac-10 gains, however, as its been a nice resurgence for the conference which at this moment has placed teams at No. 4 (USC), 9 (UCLA), 11 (California) and 14 (Oregon) in Rivals.com's team rankings. California stunned more than a few folks in securing the services of five star defensive back Keenan Allen all the way from North Carolina. They also landed USC decommit Trajuan Briggs and two super defensive ends in Gabe King out of Oregon and Chris Martin out of Colorado.

Back in Los Angeles, UCLA had one of its better classes in years. Two huge late gets much-coveted by USC were defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa out of Oregon and local linebacker Jordan Zumwalt. That's on top of securing backs Anthony Barr, Malcolm Jones and Jordan James. Jones' brother is a USC defensive back while defensive end Marquis Jackson's brother also plays end for the Trojans. In fact, much of the Bruins' class was on the Trojans' radar, a good indicator that the talent level is about to rise.

Elsewhere, Texas did its usual top five dance while being true to the Longhorn state. Just three recruits were from outside of Texas, one a kicker from neighboring Louisiana, another an athlete from Oklahoma and the other in Ohio linebacker Jordan Hicks who had offers from nearly everyone. Texas even linked up with quarterback Case McCoy, younger brother of departing legend Colt McCoy.

We'll keep posting updates here during the last shift of signing day...

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Seantrel Henderson -- The nation's top-rated offensive lineman picked USC.

Dietrich Riley, S to UCLA -- back-to-back defensive gets for the Bruins who secured Riley once Pete Carroll departed for NFL waters.

Josh Shirley, LB to UCLA

Chaz Green, OL to Florida -- Green's commitment only further bolster's Florida's No. 1 class and adds offensive line punch to a class absolutely loaded on the defensive side

Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE to UCLA -- This is a huge get for UCLA and coach Rick Neuheisel in securing a top 10 player nationally and providing immediate defensive pop in the wake of defensive tackle Brian Price's NFL departure

John Cullen, OL to Utah -- USC took a look at Cullen and needs line help but the JUCO prospect ends up with the Utes

Demar Dorsey, S to Michigan -- ESPNU today called Dorsey the one that got away for Florida. Michigan's been desperate for an impact safety for years, and they may just have found him.

Corey Lemonier, DE to Auburn

Calvin Smith, DE to New Mexico -- Wow, second-year coach Mike Locksley sure can recruit the big name prospects. He helped convince several big DC prospects to head to Illinois several years ago

Ricky Heimuli, DT to Oregon

Sean Parker, S to Washington -- A player that may have gotten away from USC once Pete Carroll departed for the Seattle Seahawks job. Sean Parker is a versatile defensive back who should immediately help the Huskies' secondary.

Da'Rick Rogers, WR to Tennessee -- The vols may have lost an elite receiver to USC but plucked another out of Georgia in Rogers who is one of the nation's best receivers.

Markeith Ambles, WR to USC -- Ambles seems to have made a connection with Lane Kiffin, following him to Los Angeles after seeming like a Volunteer get for most of the year.