Alright Jim McElwain, you’ve got the nation’s attention.
Florida has landed a commitment from WR Josh Hammond, of Hallandale, FL. He’s a consensus four star recruit, holding offers from dozens of top FBS schools, including Ohio State, LSU, FSU, Georgia and Wisconsin.
But each of those schools will have to look elsewhere for a big play receiver now, because Florida found theirs. Perhaps family had something to do with Hammond’s decision- Josh is the younger brother of former Florida WR Frankie Hammond.
In Hammond, Florida gains a tremendous receiver with a fantastic route running ability, great hands and a lot of smarts. He also figures to play right away, given the troubles the Gators have had finding success on both ends of the passing game since Will Muschamp arrived in 2011. DeMarcus Robinson may very well be gone when Hammond arrives in 2016, and even if he’s still around for his senior year, he could use a little help from others; Hammond is simply the newest “other” who could possibly help out.
Give Randy Shannon and Kerry Dixon credit for landing him, too. Obviously, McElwain was the one who extended the initial offer, and continued to help recruit him, but it was Shannon and Dixon who walked back down into Miami Hurricane country and walked out with one of the nation’s top receivers. They were the ones who sold Hammond on an accolade-laced future at Florida, and that he could accomplish even more than his brother had with a decent QB and the right offense.
And on a day where the Gators’ baseball team plays for Sunshine State supremacy (not to mention a trip to the College World Series), taking a step to secure it on the recruiting trail is a good omen.
