Life was still rosy for Florida football in February of 2010. Yes the Gators were still feeling the effects of the humbling setback to Alabama in the 2009 SEC Championship Game. Yes, Tim Tebow had moved on after his glittering four-year career produced a pair of national championships. And yes, head coach Urban Meyer had briefly stepped down citing health concerns, only to came back a few days later and announce he was staying on for Year Six in an altered role.

Receiver Quinton Dunbar has probably been the most productive remaining member of the Class of 2010 (photo by Steve Johnson)

All those factors did not quell the momentum of a program which had gone a sprightly 26-2 in the prior two seasons. And all Meyer did in the aftermath of the unsettling loss to the Tide was reel in a star-studded 27-member signing class that was considered by most to be the best in the nation.

The parade of big names was led by Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley and Matt Elam, a dynamite defensive quartet who all eventually left early for the NFL. But there was an unsettling nature to the recruiting class as well, with a dozen of the 27 – close to half – transferring out of the program, some within days of arriving on campus, others after four years in Gainesville (Tyler Murphy, Cody Riggs and Ian Silberman) to play their final season elsewhere. And then there were four – Trey Burton, Darrin Kitchens, Solomon Patton and Jaylen Watkins – who were not redshirted and played all four years at UF.

Which leaves us with seven members of that 2010 class still on campus, ready to suit up for their fifth and final season beginning next month. These seven, plus sixth-year senior receiver Andre Debose, comprise the last remnants of Meyer’s recruiting, the final locker room link to the former head coach (walk on quarterback Christian Provencha and snapper Drew Ferris were also on the 2010 roster).

With all the comings and goings, all the personnel turbulence, the coaching shakeup, three mediocre seasons (a combined 19-19 in 2010, ’11 and ’13) and one stellar campaign (11-2 in 2012), this group is set for its final bow this fall as the fingerprint of Meyer, at least from a personnel standpoint, will be completely erased by the end of the year.

So let’s take a look at the Urban Eight (not to be confused with the Elite Eight or the Great Eight), as we get set to close the final chapter on the six-year run that featured some glorious highs and ended with a disheartening low:

GIDEON AJAGBE

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: One of the lowest-rated of the signees coming out of high school, Ajagbe spent most of his career as a reserve linebacker and special teams performer before being switched to fullback in the spring of 2013. Played sparingly on offense although he did catch a touchdown pass in the season opener against Toledo, UF’s first score of the season. Has played in 14 games in his career, starting once.

2014 PROGNOSIS: It’s hard to see where Ajagbe fits into new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s scheme. He has lined up as a hybrid fullback/H-back type, but doesn’t really forecast to have much of a role this season.

NEIRON BALL

Linebacker Neiron Ball has oversome serious health issues (photo by Steve Johnson)

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: A four-star recruit with a back-story of courage and determination, Ball sat out the 2012 season with a potentially life-threatening brain affliction. Cleared to play last season, Ball started seven games and was a solid contributor with 25 tackles and a sack. He has appeared in 36 games in his career and was mostly a special teams guy the first few seasons.

2014 PROGNOSIS: A terrific athlete, Ball is penciled in for a large role in the revamped Gator defense at outside linebacker. A strong pass rusher, Ball steadily improved as last season progressed and is in line to conclude his career on a positive note.

MACK BROWN

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: A solid four-star recruit out of Georgia, Brown has been a decent contributor, but has been unspectacular to date. He did lead the Gators in rushing with 543 yards last season and scored four touchdowns. A hard runner, he lacks the breakaway speed to be a home-run threat, but is a good team guy who has battled injuries for much of his career.

2014 PROGNOSIS: Although sophomore Kelvin Taylor has cemented his spot as the No. 1 tailback, there is certainly a role for Brown this season, especially in short-yardage or goal-line situations. Roper likes to utilize a number of running backs, so Brown figures to be a factor this fall.

QUINTON DUNBAR

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: A four-star prospect who is easily the most accomplished of the Urban Eight, Dunbar is coming off a career year in which he snared 40 passes for 548 yards, but did not score a touchdown. He owns a streak of 28 consecutive games with a reception and has appeared in 38 games, with 26 starts, grabbing 90 passes for 1,147 yards and six touchdowns in his career.

2014 PROGNOSIS: Having established himself as a solid possession receiver, Dunbar looks to turn his speed into more of a deep threat this season. The top receiver on the depth chart, Dunbar is in line to have a true breakout campaign in his final go-round as a Gator.

Right tackle Chaz Green hopes to be fully healthy after sitting out the entire 2013 season (photo by Steve Johnson)

CHAZ GREEN

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: A terrific four-star prospect who was the eighth-highest rated member of the 2010 class, Green got off to a strong start after getting redshirted, starting 19 games the following two seasons and earning SEC All-Freshman honors in 2011. Expected to be one of the anchors of the offensive line, Green suffered a torn labrum in preseason camp last summer and missed the entire season.

2014 PROGNOSIS: Green is again expected to provide a bookend at right tackle along with D.J. Humphries, forming the strength of the offensive line. After an impressive spring, Green hopes to stay healthy and be a stalwart on an improved offensive line.

LEON ORR

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: After spending much of his early career as a backup behind a pair of future first-round NFL draft picks at defensive tackle, Orr assumed a more prominent role last season, especially after the injury to Dominique Easley. Orr started eight times and was fairly productive, with 21 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries in the interior of the line.

2014 PROGNOSIS: To put it simply, more is need from Orr, who will be one of the keys to the Florida defense this fall. Orr needs to provide stability in the middle and become a factor both in run stopping and in moving the pocket in pass rushing situations. The Gators need a big season from Orr.

MIKE TAYLOR

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: A four-star prospect out of Atlanta, Taylor has had a solid career to date despite being a touch undersized. He led the Gators in tackles last season with 62 and added 3.5 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. A durable player in the middle of the Gator defense, Taylor has appeared in 36 games with 130 tackles in his career.

Mike Taylor led the team in tackles last season (photo by Steve Johnson)

2014 PROGNOSIS: Taylor is expected to be one of the leaders of the defense based on experience and manning a critical inside linebacker spot. With a nose for the ball, Taylor has come up with some big plays and along with Antonio Morrison, will have to provide strength in the middle of the Gator D.

ANDRE DEBOSE

WHATCHA DONE SO FAR: There is an asterisk here, because the oft-injured Debose is actually a member of Meyer’s 2009 class, a sixth-year senior granted an extra year of eligibility after missing last season with a knee injury. His whole career probably merits an asterisk, because he came in as a five-star prospect with a fistful of accolades, and has briefly flashed his tremendous ability, but has yet to make much of an impact except as a terrific kick returner (a 27.4-yard average and four touchdowns in 58 returns).

2014 PROGNOSIS: Who knows? Debose was kept out of contact in the spring while he continues to rehab his ailing knees. He has yet to make much of a dent as a receiver (just 29 career catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns), but if he’s healthy enough to contribute, expect Roper to find ways to get the ball in his hands while he resumes his duties as one of the nation’s top special teams performers. A return to health for Debose would certainly provide a major boost to a Gator offense desperate for playmakers.

The 2010 Signing Class

Still at UF:

Gideon Ajagbe

Neiron Ball

Mack Brown

Quinton Dunbar

Chaz Green

Leon Orr

Mike Taylor

* Andre Debose (actually class of ’09)

Left UF After Four Years:

Trey Burton

Dominique Easley

Darrin Kitchens

Solomon Patton

Ronald Powell

Jaylen Watkins

* Tyler Murphy (at Boston College)

* Cody Riggs (at Notre Dame)

* Ian Silberman (at Boston College)

Turned Pro After Three Years:

Matt Elam

Sharrif Floyd

Transferred:

Gerald Christian

Robert Clark

Adrian Coxson

Chris Dunkley

Jonathan Dowling

Jordan Haden

Mike McFarland

Josh Shaw

Lynden Trail