BY JOSEPH GOODMANjgoodman@MiamiHerald.com
NEW ORLEANS -- Several South Florida high school football players being recruited by the University of Florida said Saturday evening they plan on honoring oral commitments to UF despite the news of coach Urban Meyer's resignation.
Quinton Dunbar and Lynden Trail of Miami's Booker T. Washington and Demar Dorsey of Lauderdale Lakes' Boyd Anderson said Saturday the news of Meyer stepping down came as a shock but does not mean they will de-commit -- at least for now.
Florida announced in a statement Saturday evening that Meyer will coach his final game on Jan. 1 when No. 5 Florida (12-1) plays No. 4 Cincinnati (12-0) in the Sugar Bowl. Meyer said the decision was based on concerns for his health and family. Meyer also said that he will remain in Gainesville and be associated with the university.
``It caught me with a big surprise,'' Dorsey said. ``I'm still a Gator. I'm still committed to Florida, but now I just have to fall back and look at some other schools now that all these coaches are gone.
``I've been talking to other colleges anyway.''
Dorsey, a safety, is one of 20 elite high school football players currently committed to Florida. National Signing Day is Feb. 4. The football team lost two of its best recruiters earlier this month. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was hired as head coach of Louisville and recruiting coordinator/receivers coach Billy Gonzales left for Louisiana State. Dunbar, a receiver from Booker T. Washington, learned of Meyer's resignation Saturday while watching TV.
``It was just shocking, I didn't expect him to resign like this,'' Dunbar said. ``I couldn't even dream about this. I couldn't imagine Urban Meyer leaving. I have a funny feeling he isn't going to stay retired.''
Despite being recruited by Gonzales and Meyer, Dunbar said he's still committed to Florida. He could reevaluate his commitment, however, if Florida hires a run-oriented coach to replace Meyer. Trail, a defensive end at Booker T. Washington, told Dunbar on Saturday that he ``is still a Gator.''
``If they hire the coach at Georgia Tech or something like that, that could change things,'' Dunbar said. ``But I'm still a Gator. Of course this affects my decision, but unless they completely change the offense, I'm going to Florida.''
A source close to UF athletics director Jeremy Foley said on Saturday that a coaching search is under way. The source said that Strong might have been a candidate had he not left for Louisville and that recently hired Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly would have been a good candidate to replace Meyer.
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