He played every offensive skill position, defensive back and special teams.

His triple dose of duties didn’t give him much time to prepare for what his primary position will be in college. But with the help of former UF and NFL receiver Reidel Anthony, Bailey has been dialed in this spring.

“Wide receiver is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” said the Florida signee. “But being an athlete in high school, you can’t focus on one thing. Now all my focus is on that, and it’s great to have a mentor like Reidel to put me in the receiver mentality.”

In 1996, Anthony was a first-team All-American, All-SEC mention and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. (Photo by Sports Illustrated)

Anthony was a wideout for the Gators from 1994-96 and finished his UF career with a national title and 126 catches for 2,274 yards and 26 touchdowns. He spent all five of his NFL seasons in Tampa Bay after being drafted by the Bucs with the 16th overall pick in 1997.

Anthony is now a skills coach at the Performance Compound in Tampa, which trains youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes from several sports.

Bailey started seeing Anthony two months ago and they’ve been working out at least twice a week ever since.

“You’re never too good to stop being trained,” Bailey said. “He has a lot to teach me and there’s so much stuff he knows that I don’t. I’m just taking it all in.”

The 5-foot-11 Bailey is also training with former NFL receiver Yo Murphy, the director of sports performance at the Performance Compound. According to Anthony, the Under Armour All-American has improved his agility and increased his upper and lower body strength. He’s added eight pounds of muscle and weighs over 180.

As a senior, Bailey accounted for 2,045 yards and 10 total touchdowns. (Photo courtesy of Bailey)

“He’s really enjoying what we’re doing with him,” Anthony said. “He’s soaking it up. He takes everything in and he’s willing to learn. He will go out and do whatever we ask him to do.”

Anthony, who trains USC sophomore receiver Nelson Agholor as well, believes Bailey will see the field as a freshman and make an immediate impact for the Gators. He compared him to his former UF teammate, Ike Hilliard.

“The way he’s built and the way he moves, he reminds me of Ike,” Anthony said. “Remember, he also came out (of high school) as a running back/quarterback/receiver. Alvin is going to be that guy who can catch the ball and go from zero to 60 at the drop of a dime.”

After spending time with Anthony in the offseason, Bailey is confident in his abilities as he gets ready to report to Gainesville in late June. The Florida coaches plan on using him as a returner, slot receiver and wildcat quarterback.

“It’s definitely special learning from him,” Bailey said. “He was a legend in Tampa Bay and he did his thing as a Gator. He’s basically showing me the blueprint for everything that’s coming up for me. He’s giving me some cheat codes to the game of football and I can’t wait to use them.”

For more info on Anthony’s services and the Performance Compound in Tampa, click HERE. Below are some of Bailey’s senior highlights and one of Anthony’s top plays from his Florida days.

McMillan was named the state of Georgia's defensive player of the year in Region 3-4A. (Photo by Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News)

In his latest diary with 247Sports, five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County) went in-depth about the college coaches who are recruiting him personally.

When he got to Florida’s Will Muschamp, the Under Armour All-American compared him to a coach from the defending national champs. But it wasn’t his old mentor, Nick Saban.

“Two coaches I’ve talked to a lot are Coach Will Muschamp and Coach Kirby Smart,” McMillan wrote. ”I think Coach Muschamp would fit right in if he was on the Alabama coaching staff. To me, him and Coach Smart are spitting images of each other. Coach Muschamp and Coach Smart are defensive-minded guys. Muschamp is a head coach, but they have the same mentality. And they like great-size linebackers that can run.

They both coached at Valdosta State. They can relate to the people in my part of the state because of that I think. That’s where they first started. They mention each other sometimes.”

Another talking point Muschamp has with Peach State prosect is his history in Georgia, where he went to high school and played college football.

“Muschamp also talks about when he was a Georgia Bulldog. He always refers back to his Georgia days,” McMillan wrote.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder currently has Ohio State leading and plans to announce a Top 7 in July, which is expected to include the Gators. He has visited UF twice — most recently in Febuary — and was evaluated by the Florida coaches earlier this month.

McMillan is ranked the No. 1 inside linebacker by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. As a junior, he recorded 151 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

At No. 24 overall, Miami Central running back Dalvin Cook is now the highest-rated recruit by Rivals for the Gators. He’s down two spots from his previous rank and was passed by Oakley (Calif.) Freedom running back Joe Mixon, who jumped from 82nd overall to 15 and earned his fifth star.

UF quarterback pledge Will Grier of Davidson (N.C.) Day dropped 11 spots to No. 29, which is a bit of a head-scratcher. He had a strong showing at the Charlotte camp in April and some analysts suggested he might become a five-star prospect. Moreover, pro-style quarterback Kyle Allen is now ranked ahead of Grier despite finishing behind him in the QB rankings from the Rivals Camp Series.

Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley linebacker Christian Miller, who decommitted from Florida on Friday, fell out of the Rivals100 after being No. 91 overall in the initial rankings.

The Rivals250 comes out Tuesday followed by unranked four-stars on Wednesday and positional rankings Thursday.

Here’s a list of UF targets in the Rivals100:

No. 1 — DE De’Shawn Hand
No. 5 — DE Lorenzo Carter
No. 7 — DT Andrew Brown
No. 9 — CB Adoree’ Jackson
No. 17 — LB Raekwon McMillan
No. 20 — CB Jalen Tabor
No. 21 — RB Bo Scarbrough (Alabama commit)
No. 23 — DL Malik McDowell
No. 32 — WR Ermon Lane
No. 39 — DB Jamal Adams
No. 44 — DE Gerald Willis III
No. 48 — DE Jalyn Holmes
No. 55 — LB Clifton Garrett
No. 59 — LB Dillon Bates
No. 75 — WR Speedy Noil
No. 79 — DE Keyon Brown
No. 81 — WR Artavis Scott
No. 83 — LB Nyles Morgan
No. 84 — DT Thomas Holley
No. 87 — OL Demetrius Knox
No. 88 — LB Dwight Williams
No. 89 —OL Isaiah Wynn
No. 97 — OL Jamarco Jones
No. 99 — OL Damien Mama

May 14
RB Bo Scarbrough, 6-2, 222, Tuscaloosa, Ala./Northridge (Alabama commit)
TE Montez Sweat, 6-6, 220, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson (Vanderbilt commit)
DE Trent Harris, 6-2, 227, Winter Park, Fla/Winter Park
LB Dillon Bates, 6-3, 225, Ponte Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda
LB Torrence Brown, 6-4, 230, Tuscaloosa, Ala./Tuscaloosa Academy
DB Jared Tucker, 5-11, 162, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson
2015 WR Dexter Neal, 6-3, 195, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson (South Carolina commit)
2015 TE/DE Chauncey Rives, 6-2, 238, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson

May 15
RB/FB Cortavious Givens, 5-11, 215, St. Petersburg, Fla./Admiral Farragut Academy
DL Davonte Lambert, 6-3, 278, Milledgeville, Ga./Georgia Military College
2015 ATH Shawn Burgess-Becker, 6-1, 185, Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch

May 16
WR Corey Holmes, 6-2, 174, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas
WR Trevon Lee, 5-11, 167, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
OL Roderick Johnson, 6-7, 310, Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central
DT Khairi Clark, 6-2, 315, Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna
DT Anthony Moten, 6-4, 280 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida commit)
DE Chad Thomas, 6-5, 229, Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington
LB Richard Yeargin III, 6-3, 216, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School
CB Quincy Wilson, 6-2, 195, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School
ATH Treon Harris, 5-11, 180, Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington
2015 TE Jake Bargas, 6-3, 220, Boca Raton, Fla./St. Andrew’s School

May 17
LB Christian Miller, 6-4, 215, Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley
DE Cory Thomas, 6-5, 272, Mc Calla, Ala./McAdory

May 18
ATH Jimmy Bayes, 6-3, 197, Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee (South Florida commit)
ATH J.C. Jackson, 5-10, 175, Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee (Florida State commit)

News & Notes

* The following prospects received offers from Florida this week: Michigan defensive end commit Lawrence Marshall (Southfield, Mich./Southfield), 2015 receiver Devante Peete (Pompano Beach, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), 2015 defensive tackle Trenton Thompson (Albany, Ga./Westover), 2015 athlete Shawn Burgess-Becker (Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch) and 2016 Nate Craig (Dade City, Fla./Pasco).

* Norcross (Ga.) five-star defensive end Lorenzo Carter of plans to visit UF on June 14.

The Gators landed Damien Jacobs in 2012 and returned to East Mississippi C.C. to sign defensive tackles Darious Cummings and Jarran Reed in the last class.

UF is hoping to have similar results at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga.

Florida has stopped by Lambert's school twice this spring. (Photo by 247Sports)

Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and defensive line coach Brad Lawing were at the school Wednesday to evaluate defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert. He is former teammates with 2013 offensive tackle signee Trenton Brown, who enrolled at UF on May 13.

“Me and Trenton have a pretty good relationship,” Lambert said. “Going against him in practice last year taught me a lot. He helped me use my hands and get off blocks better, and now I know what to do in the pass rush.”

Nowadays, the two don’t discuss recruiting much when they talk on the phone.

“He’s already told me enough about Florida,” Lambert said. “He made it clear that the coaches don’t lie and I’m seeing it right now. They’re not promising me I can come in and start. They’re promising me an opportunity and that’s all I’m looking for.”

UF offered Lambert last month and, unlike some schools, have consistently communicated with him.

“College coaches look at a player’s film and say, ‘OK, I like him. I’m going to offer him.’ But then they never talk to them again. I’ve been getting that a lot.” Lambert said. “But with Florida, they call every week to talk and check up on me. It’s a good feeling to know they really want me.”

The Gators aren’t alone. Lambert has offers from several SEC schools and currently lists Florida, Georgia and Tennessee as his Top 3 with no leader. The 6-foot-3, 278-pounder plans to see all three favorites next month, including an official visit to UF on June 15.

It will be Lambert’s first trip to Gainesville.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the players and coaches act. The love they show me and family is a big deal to me. I also want to see to the education and if I have a chance to come in and play,” said Lambert, who would like to reach a decision before his seasons starts.

For more than a month, he’s been scheduled to make his commitment at his spring game on May 24 and had Florida as his frontrunner. But an offer from Ohio State on Monday put a hold on that announcement.

Harris grew up rooting for the Gators and is a big fan of Urban Meyer because of it. He wants to check out Columbus this summer to see what the Buckeyes have to offer before pulling the trigger. UF still leads for the 6-foot-2, 227-pounder followed by Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and now Ohio State.

Harris received a visit on Tuesday from Florida defensive line coach Brad Lawing and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, his primary recruiter.

Noil names Top 3

Florida hasn’t signed a prep prospect from Louisana in over a decade, but that trend will likely end this year.

The Gators already have New Orleans St. Augustine offensive lineman Joesph Paul committed for the 2014 class, and they’re in contention for several other recruits from the talent-rich region.

One of those is New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr receiver Speedy Noil. The 6-foot, 176-pounder named a surprising Top 3 on Tuesday, which left out in-state LSU in favor of Texas A&M, USC and UF.

Noil is the eigth overall prospect and No. 1-ranked athlete in the ESPN150. He will officially visit Florida in the fall and plans to decide at the Under Armour All-America Game. Noil is also teammates with defensive lineman Gerald Willis III, who lists Florida, LSU, Texas A&M and Texas as his leaders.

UF loses recruiting assistant

Brendan Donovan, Florida’s Director of On-Campus Recruiting, is leaving the school to accept a position in the NFL.

According to the Facebook page of Donovan’s high school football team and 247Sports’ Luke Stampini, who first reported the news, Donovan has been named the College Scouting Administrator of the Cleveland Browns.

Donovan declined to comment when reached by phone and calls to a UF spokesman were not returned.

Knox is DeLand's first All-American in three years. (Photo by Zach Abolverdi/The Gainesville Sun)

DeLand offensive tackle Benjamin Knox can scratch another goal off of his list.

The Florida commit was selected to the Semper Fidelis All-American Game on Wednesday. The game, which is in its third year, will be nationally televised on NFL Network in January and is presented by the United States Marine Corps.

“I’ve always wanted to be an All-American,” Knox said. “Some of my first goals were committing to a school and being invited to an Under Armour football camp. Now I have another thing accomplished and I’m very happy about it.”

So is new DeLand coach James Thomson, who spent the past two seasons at Gainesville High and led the school to its first state championship game in 32 years. He left the Hurricans in Febuary to take over the Bulldogs’ football program.

“I had great players in Gainesville and throughout my coaching career, but Ben is my first All-American,” Thomson said. “So that’s special for me and it’s great for the DeLand community. He’s the first All-American here since Trey Pettis and De’Ante Saunders.”

Thomson has only coached Knox for two weeks, but he’s been impressed with his progress in spring practice.

“He’s shown a ton of improvement,” Thomson said. “He’s gotten tougher and you can see it. That’s a big statement for an offensive lineman. I can’t think of a better compliment. He’s going to be good and I think Florida will be pleased with him at the end of the year. He just needs to have a good senior season and a good showing in that game to represent the city.”

Knox’s verbal to Florida sounded shaky last month when he told The Sun he was 55 percent committed to the Gators and could decommit if they land another offensive tackle. He also expressed interest in schools such as South Florida and Florida State, both of which haven’t offered him.

Since then, Thomson has advised the 6-foot-5, 259-pounder on his recruitment and believes he will be more cautious about his UF commitment.

“I got here and literally two days later he committed to Florida,” Thomson said. “So we didn’t really have a relationship. Now we’re a few weeks into the spring and we see each other everyday. So I think I’ll have more influence on him as far as how to handle his recruiting process and conduct himself. I think he’ll be better about everything going forward. Some colleges tell these kids they love them and they really don’t. But it’s a lot to take in. He just needs somebody to guide him. His parents do and hopefully I will, too.”

Scarbrough is a consensus top-50 prospect. (Photo by Zach Abolverdi/The Gainesville Sun)

As tall as the task may be, Florida isn’t stopping its pursuit of Alabama commit Bo Scarbrough.

On Tuesday, UF running backs coach Brian White stopped by Scarbrough’s school for the second time this spring.

“After practice, he told me I look like a stallion,” Scarbrough said. “I told him I’m trying to be.”

The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder, who is considered an athlete by most recruiting analysts, plays running back, receiver and special teams (including place kicker) for Northridge in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Gators have been his second favorite team since January and are recruiting him just as hard as the Tide.

“It means a lot,” Scarbrough said of Florida’s efforts. “It shows me that they want me to come play for them. I can’t wait to take a visit down there to see if it’s really the spot for me.”

Scarbrough plans to take a trip to Gainesville in June and then return for an official visit in the fall. He hopes to see a family-like atmosphere at UF and learn about its criminal justice program.

“The main thing I’m looking for is are they going to take care of me and make me feel at home,” he said. “I also want to look at their academics because I want to get my degree. There’s going to be one day when someone says I can’t play football anymore, and I want to have something good to fall back on. Criminal justice is something that I like doing and it’s my dream.”

Scarbrough said Alabama and Florida are recruiting him to play running back. Although both schools have depth and youth at the position, he isn’t the least bit concerned.

“I want to compete,” Scarbrough said, “because I want to see how great of a player I am. If this or that school has a lot of running backs, it doesn’t mean anything to me. They’re going to play the best player at the end of the day. And if I’m not the best, then I know I got some work to put in and I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best.”

Bates is ranked 58th overall in the Rivals100 and 88th overall in the ESPN150. (Photo by The St. Augustine Record)

Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin spent his Tuesday afternoon in Ponte Verda evaluating linebacker Dillon Bates.

His presence at practice gave the consensus four-star recruit some extra motivation.

“I definitely wanted to perform well in front of him,” Bates said. “It was good to see him there and speak with him afterward. He told me about Florida’s scheme and how what they run is similar to what my high school does. So it was just good to talk to him about football and fill him in on where I’m at with recruiting.”

The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, who is ranked the nation’s No. 3 outside linebacker by ESPN and Rivals, visited Gainesville earlier this spring for UF’s first practice in full pads. Bates released his Top 5 last month and the Gators came in at No. 2 behind Tennessee.

Although the Volunteers currently lead, two other schools including Florida have a chance to change that.

“Tennessee is leading for me right now in my recruitment because of the relationships I’ve made with the coaches there,” Bates said. “But I’m definitely open with Florida and mostly Alabama. Those are two schools that I’m taking a harder look in addition to Tennessee. But there’s still a good possibility I go to Florida or Alabama. I just need to take more visits, be around the players and see different pros and cons of the schools.”

Bates hopes to see all three schools again after he wraps up spring football. He plans to announce his decision this summer at The Opening, an annual invite-only combine that runs from June 30 to July 3 at the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon.

Mission accomplished.

The four-star recruit visited UF over the weekend and enjoyed his stay.

“It was great,” Westphal wrote in a text message to the Sun. “I loved the campus and how it’s set up. Everything necessary for an athlete is all around the same area on campus.”

Florida will make the cut for Westphal. (Photo by Rivals.com)

Florida’s chances have improved with Westphal following his first trip to Gainesville. He guaranteed the Gators will be a finalist for him.

“The visit helped out a lot,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to get to know they coaches on a more personal basis, as well as them being able to get know me as more than just a player on film wearing the number 21. Florida will definitely make the cut, when I narrow things down.”

Westphal got along extremely well with UF defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, who is his primary recruiter.

“He is just like my DB coach (Todd Howard), but just coaching at a higher level,” he said.

During the trip, the Rivals100 and ESPN150 member sat down with Robinson and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin to discuss X’s and O’s. According to Westphal, they were just as impressed with him as he was them.

“While on my visit, coach Robinson and Durkin showed me their defensive and the schemes that they run,” he said. “They also tested me on the coverages they showed me. (Coach) Robinson said he was impressed and that not many high school players, let alone some college players, are able to comprehend what they showed me. So he said he was even more fired up to try and get me to be a Gator.”

The 6-foot, 186-pounder said Robinson will be up for a couple of his games in the fall. Westphal still plans to make a decision before the start of his senior season.