Florida, a school already known for its quarterbacks, landed a prized prospect Wednesday.
C.J. Leak, a star at Charlotte Independence High School in North Carolina, committed to the Gators on National Signing Day. Wednesday is the first official day that high school football players can make binding commitments with schools. The signing period runs until April 1.
Leak threw for 5,193 yards, 64 touchdowns and had just 12 interceptions as a senior to lead Independence to a third straight North Carolina big-school title.
"Not only is he a very talented athlete, he's a really great person," Florida coach Ron Zook said. "The way he's handled it -- he's a special person. We look forward to watch him throw the ball in 'The Swamp.'"
The job at quarterback is open at Florida after Rex Grossman decided last month to leave school early and apply for the NFL draft. One of the reasons Leak said he chose Florida is the chance to play as a true freshman.
"The thing we told him is he'd be given the opportunity," Zook said. "I've never been around a team that had too many good players."
Other top prospects who already have committed to the Gators include defensive tackle Jarvis Moss of Denton Ryan High School in Texas, cornerback Dee Webb of Ed White High School in Jacksonville, Fla., and Chad Jackson, a receiver from Hoover, Ala.
Another top quarterback prospect, Kyle Wright, also will head to the Sunshine State. The Monte Vista (Calif.) High School signal-caller will attend Miami, where the list of competitors includes University of Florida transfer brock Berlin.
Some scouting services rated Wright higher than Leak.
Defending national champion Ohio State let one of the best prospects from the Buckeye State get away when defensive back Prescott Burgess of Warren Harding High School in Warren, Ohio committed to rival Michigan. Burgess attended the same high school as current Ohio State star Maurice Clarett.
Southern California, which has enjoyed a resurgence under coach Pete Carroll, landed star running back Reggie Bush of Helix High School in San Diego.
Notre Dame landed Greg Olsen of Wayne, N.J., who is considered one of the top tight end prospects in the country.
