Friday Night Lights is marketed as one of the nation’s grandest showcases for top-tier high school football players.
But in the days following UF’s seventh-annual rendition of Urban Meyer’s brainchild, this year’s event has gotten mixed reviews.
“I feel like the atmosphere was a good sight,” four-star offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty said. “The competition out there? Other than the receivers, I didn’t see much.”
The Fox Chapel Area High (Pa.) prospect’s observation wasn’t uncommon. Like many of the top recruits at Friday Night Lights, Bisnowaty chose to not participate in workouts, instead spectating from the sidelines.
He was joined in his inactivity by UF oral commits Matt Jones, Brian Poole Jr. and Dante Phillips. Nine other 2012 Florida pledges did not even attend.
Joining UF’s oral commits on the sidelines were four-star prospects like defensive end Jordan Jenkins, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and 2013 Georgia running back oral commit Derrick Henry, who left after about an hour.
All of the onlookers made Friday Night Lights feel more like a social event than a premier camp. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium backdrop might be becoming more of a story than the players on the field.
One of the evening’s only major standouts was Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) five-star receiver Stefon Diggs, who not only worked out but put on a show.
Diggs was accompanied by his former coach and current mentor Will Flaherty, who left Gainesville a little surprised.
“To be honest, and I’m not trying to downplay Florida, I think [Diggs] expected more,” he said.
“When I think about it now, Florida has depth, but they don’t necessarily always have the best player.”
The nation’s No. 2 receiver according to Rivals.com toyed with his defensive counterparts, lulling them to sleep with slants and comeback routes before striking deep.
“I did not expect him to dominate the way he did,” Flaherty said. “I don’t think he was underwhelmed, but he definitely felt a normal level of competition.”
Bisnowaty blamed the watered-down competition level on the fact UF is not permitted to host an invite-only camp. While Florida targets always highlight Friday Night Lights, participation is open to high school players of all abilities for a $35 fee.
“[The Gators] have 40 guys they want to come and [those guys] always tell their friends and that’s how they get all these kids in here that aren’t what they’re looking for,” the offensive tackle said. “So I think I saw a lot of those kids, especially in the O-line area.”
Bisnowaty said watching the action was his best option, so he could pay full attention to how offensive line coach Frank Verducci operates with current players.
For the first time since 2008, Florida did not net an oral commitment the day of Friday Night Lights. The only known offer of the evening went to three-star defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., son of the former NFL linebacker.
Etc.: Rivals’ No. 1 cornerback Tracy Howard was supposed to visit UF on Wednesday but canceled after being informed of the death of a Miramar teammate. Offensive guard Isaiah Laurencin collapsed Tuesday evening during conditioning drills and was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning at Hollywood’s Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Laurencin was 16 years old.
