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Saturday, January 12, 2008
Florida rejects commitment from Sanders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Zebrie Sanders’ plan to choose between Florida and Georgia this weekend has hit an unexpected snag.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive tackle from Northmont High in Clayton, Oh. was set to commit to the Gators on Sunday.
But the lack of scholarships available in Gainesville for offensive linemen has Sanders looking elsewhere for a place to play college football.
“The school that Zebrie was going to commit to called and informed him they no longer have slots available,” said Sanders’ father Vincent Sanders. “It was a disappointing situation for him. He had told that school to hold a spot for him when he went on a visit there.
“And Zebrie had already called all the other coaches and told them he appreciated the experience, but he wanted to go elsewhere. Needless to say, now he feels like he has egg on his face.”
Sanders’ opportunity to commit to the Gators apparently slipped away this week after Florida accepted commitments from offensive linemen Ricky Barnum of Lakeland, Fl. and Matt Patchan of Seffner, Fl.
Georgia is in a situation similar to the Gators. The Dogs are tapped out on the total number of scholarships it has remaining for the current recruiting class.
“I have not talked to the people at Georgia,” Vincent Sanders said. “They told Zebrie if anything comes open they will contact him.”
Florida State and UCLA now appear to be Sanders’ new front-runners.
“He may take an official visit to FSU; he may take an official to UCLA,” Vincent Sanders said. “He’s going to go where they want him.”
Vincent Sanders was still stinging Saturday night from the disappointing news.
“As his dad, I was hurt,” he said. “When a head coach tells you ‘you’re a part of our school’ and then everybody backs away from you, how am I supposed to feel?
“I’m not interested in bashing anybody. I’m just telling you what happened.
“Zebrie is just fortunate enough that some other doors are still open.”
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