>The FL Gators have never been strangers to talent, but sometimes stockpiling all of that talent can harm the three time NCAA champions. This past Thursday the Gators lost wide receiver T.J. Lawrence. The former Kathleen High School (Lakeland, FL) star was finally granted his release from the Gator football program. “It’s like the whole recruiting process all over again from when you graduate from high school, but it’s just a lot less colleges, ” Lawrence said on Saturday. The former four star prospect chose to leave the FL Gators because he felt that his talents were not being showcased on the team. Is he to blame? Urban Meyer really likes to make sure his offense is deep at that position.
Currently a redshirt sophmore, T.J. Lawrence expressed several reasons as to why he made his decision. In 2008 he dressed for five games, but he didn’t get on the field for one snap. Last season he managed to get into three games in which he made no catches but returned two kickoffs for 69 yards. Originally, the Gators recruiting staff were high on him but obviously times have changed.
According to Lawrence several schools have been contacting him. Eastern Kentucky, Pearl River CC, and U of South Florida are just a few from the list. While Lawrence claims to have a prospective list, the door for options may be fairly narrow. “I believe the Gators are going to put barriers on all SEC schools, rival schools and schools Florida plays in the next two years,” Lawrence said.
NCAA rules state that if Lawrence chooses to attend another Division I school, he will have to miss all of the 2010 college football season. The only way to avoid sitting out this year is to attend a lower division school. Right now Lawrence really isn’t sure what his final decision will be, but he should know by this Monday or Tuesday. Things must really be heating up in this fall practice. There is definite quality at the wideout position for the FL Gators this year, but I wish Lawrence the best. Athletes coming out of Lakeland, FL usually have decent careers.
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