In private chats, Florida's Urban Meyer and Florida State's Bobby Bowden admitted last month that with Randy Shannon coaching the Canes, it has become increasingly difficult for them to lure top players from South Florida. But after recent lulls here, both are making a big push for top Dade and Broward 2009
prospects.
''Last year was real hard. Coach Shannon has done a nice job,'' said Meyer, who plucked seven Broward/Palm Beach players -- but none from Dade -- in the past three years, after UF grabbed 11 from Dade from 2002-05. ``We'll always be real aggressive here because there are more NFL players from this area than any in the country. It has just made it a little more difficult.''
So impressed with Shannon's recruiting, Bowden is reminded of a UM legend. ''That's where Howard Schnellenberger made a real good move -- wrapping up kids from this area,'' said Bowden, who signed seven players from Miami-Dade from 2004-06 but just one the past two years.
