Gator prospect faces a difficult decision
Earl Okine made one of those tough, life-defining decisions last spring when he ended the recruiting process by committing to Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators.
Now, the Gainesville High star faces another tough call.
Does he graduate in December and enroll at UF early, starting his college career in January? Or does he stick around for the completion of his senior year, play for what should be a very good GHS basketball team, and enjoy the special, final days of high school with his teammates and classmates?
The 6-7, 247-pound defensive end is a little torn at the moment.
"I have to think about it before the summer ends," Okine said earlier this week. "I've been thinking about it real hard for the past couple of months.
"I'm pretty sure I'm enrolling early because I'm taking (advanced) classes (this fall). There's also a question there whether or not I should. I play basketball and there's a very good chance we're going to state this year. I have to make my decision before the summer is over."
GHS basketball coach Tony Wise obviously would like to see Okine stay. Wise also sees the benefits of Okine enrolling early at UF, GHS football coach Eddie Moore said.
"Earl is still pulled a little bit by basketball. It's a tough call for him," Moore said. "(Enrolling early) is something he and his family have decided they want to try. I have supported it. I told him the positives and talked to him about the negatives about giving up your senior year activities. I think he sees the up side (to enrolling early).
"It's a struggle for Tony. But even Tony is pretty philosophical about it. We just all want the best for Earl. That's the important thing. I've told him, 'Make yourself happy. If you're doing what you want to do and feel good about it, you're going to be happy and content.' "
Prospects enrolling early has become one of the latest trends in recruiting. Nine members of UF's 2007 class started classes this past January and participated in spring ball. Starting quarterback Tim Tebow did the same a year ago and played a vital role in the Gators' national championship run in 2006 as a true freshman.
Okine said has had conversations about enrolling early with his future position coach, UF defensive line coach/defensive coordinator Greg Mattison.
"Coach Mattison was telling me about how (UF's recent early enrollees) were thinking about not graduating early," Okine said. "Tim Tebow was a star pitcher for his high school baseball team and (true freshman and No. 2 quarterback) Cameron Newton was an all-star basketball player. But they feel like they made a great decision and are happy they graduated early."
Okine said there are definite benefits to enrolling early.
"I would get to go in there pretty much a year earlier that all the other freshmen," he said. "When I come back in the fall (of 2008), it will be like I'm a sophomore and will have the correct amount of muscle weight. I'll be ready then and I can graduate from the University of Florida early.
"Going to the University of Florida is a big deal. You need every advantage you can get because there's a lot of competition out there. It's not easy to get playing time."
Although it sounds like Okine will be giving up his senior season in basketball, he said he won't make a final decision for another few weeks.
He will not be thinking about that decision tonight, he said, when he participates in UF's Friday Night Lights, a summer camp for elite prospects. Okine said he's looking forward to competing with some of the nation's best players and picking up some instruction from his future coaches.
"I'm very excited," he said. "It's just elite athletes out there and I'm ready to compete against all of them.
"I'm sure (the UF coaches) will teach us and teach us some technique. I'm looking forward to it."
Okine said he's also looking forward to being a Gator. The first commitment for the class of 2008, Okine is so rock-solid with his decision that he's trying to sway some other prospects to Florida. He'll work on Gainesville, Ga., standout defensive end Keith Wells this weekend, he said.
"At Florida's camp (earlier this summer), Keith and I got to know each other," Okine said. "We talk on the phone almost every day and we talk about the recruiting process. I would like it if he comes to Florida because he's my very good friend now."
Shortly after Okine committed to UF, it appeared he had a little tug of doubt because he said he still planned to visit other schools, including possibly Florida State.
That feeling, apparently, has passed.
"I feel great about (committing to Florida)," he said. "I'm just happy to be committed and get the recruiting process out of the way and calm down a little bit. I'm very happy to be a Florida Gator."
His next decision will be about when he officially becomes one — in January or next summer
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