So I guess we can expect Kiffen to helicopter in to a Deland game soon and offer this young man a scholly? That seems to be his M.O., wait until the Gators evaluate the talent and then go after them wholeheartedly. Ken K MNGator
_____ From: gatorn...@googlegroups.com [mailto:gatorn...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Badrish Davanagere Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:51 PM To: gatorn...@googlegroups.com Subject: [gatornews] [OrlSentinel - Recruiting] DeLand's standout junior ATH De'Ante 'Pop' Saunders commits to Florida orlandosentinel.com/sports/recruiting/orl-recruiting-deante-saunders-commits -to-florida-,0,4010496.story OrlandoSentinel.com DeLand's standout junior ATH De'Ante 'Pop' Saunders commits to Florida By Buddy Collings Sentinel Staff Writer 9:53 PM EDT, October 19, 2009 DELAND - DeLand standout junior athlete De'Ante "Pop" Saunders has committed to the University of Florida, the Gators first verbal for the 2011 signing class. Florida faxed a written scholarship offer to DeLand High on behalf of junior De'Ante "Pop" Saunders on Monday. That's all it took to land a player who starts on offense, defense and as a return man for a 7-0 state-ranked team. Saunders, part of DeLand's "Double Barrel" combo with fellow running back Shontrelle Johnson, a Northwestern commitment for 2010, is the No. 1-ranked player in Sentinel's Central Florida Top 50 for juniors, and ranks No. 20 on the Sentinel's 2011 state Top 100. Saunders, Central Florida's leader in rushing yards with exactly 1,000, asked his high school coach to call the Gators back and tell them he was committed. "It was a place that I always wanted to go," Saunders said. "Once I saw they had a full ride for me, I knew I that what was I wanted to do. I always liked Florida, even when I was little." The 6-foot, 180-pound two-sport star has received major college offers for both football and basketball. He was the leading scorer for a Nike Team Florida basketball travel team that was runner-up in the AAU 16-and-under national tournament. "Right now, I'm pretty much in love with football more than I am with basketball," Saunders said. Saunders starts at wingback and cornerback for DeLand. "Florida likes him for both offense and defense. They just like him as an athlete," said DeLand Coach Kevin Pettis. "He's probably the most talented punt returner I've ever been around." Saunders attended UF's Friday Night Lights Camp this summer and attended a home game against Tennessee. He saw UF home games vs. Ole Miss, LSU and Hawaii last year with former DeLand teammate Mike Gillislee, who is now a freshman running back for the Gators. "That's a big factor, Mike being up there. We've been friends since we were little," Saunders said. Copyright C 2009, Orlando Sentinel <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
