With the recruiting season over, new Florida coach Will Muschamp is looking forward to preparing for his first spring practices leading the Gators.

Muschamp said the goal is to create as smooth a transition from icon coach Urban Meyer as possible, but he understands it won't be easy. The Gators will be switching schemes on offense (spread to pro style) and defense.

"Part of the process that's difficult in a transition ... (is) getting to know the players, the players getting to know us," Muschamp said, "And not just me, but the entire staff, position coaches, operations people. I mean, all of those things changed."

Muschamp was able to salvage a recruiting class of 18 players for 2011. All 14 of the prior verbal commitments before Meyer left in December kept their word and signed with Florida. Muschamp and his staff added four more recruits in less than two months on the job.

"Recruiting is all about developing relationships and trust," Muschamp said. "It's tough to do that in a short time of recruiting. Recruiting is different today. You start recruiting guys in their sophomore and junior year. You build that relationship over two or three years. To come in short-term, we did a nice job."

The class included the consensus top-rated quarterback in the nation (Jeff Driskel), the No. 1 fullback (Hunter Joyner) and the No. 2 defensive back (Marcus Roberson). It was ranked as high as eighth nationally and as low as 15th nationally by various recruiting services. But Muschamp said he's not a big believer in recruiting rankings.

"I haven't turned on ESPN today to check on what everybody is saying," Muschamp said. "I'm worried about what I think more than what they think. I'm pleased with what we got."

TOP OF THE CLASS

QB Jeff Driskel (Oviedo High, Oviedo, Fla.) -- A four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Driskel has a strong arm, quick release and size to be an exceptional pocket passer. Driskel also is athletic enough to scramble and avoid the rush on occasion. If senior John Brantley struggles in the spring, Driskel has the talent to compete for the starting QB job, even as a true freshman.

TE A.C. Leonard (University Christian School, Jacksonville, Fla.) -- Florida lacked a receiving threat at tight end last season. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound Leonard has the potential to fill that role for the Gators next season. Rivals.com rated Leonard as a four-star recruit and fifth best tight end prospect in 2011. Leonard has a combination of great hands and speed that could wind up as a good fit in new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis' pro style offense.

DB Marcus Roberson (St, Thomas Aquinas High, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) -- A four-star recruit, Roberson was the second-ranked cornerback in the country according to Rivals.com and fourth-ranked safety in the country according to Scout.com. Roberson, who possesses great speed and instincts, is versatile enough to play either the corner or safety.

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