2002 was not kind for the first year head coach, after all not only did Zook have the task of taking over one of the nations top football programs but having to follow a legend in the process.

The 2002 Zook campaign was not all that the team, coaching staff and the fans expected for the post Steve Spurrier era. But in the same perspective not all was lost either. Zook managed to pull in one of the nation's top recruiting classes this past off-season and keep the core of the team in tact.

Heads began to turn once Zook proved that he could recruit and keep the ship from sinking. What once was thought to become a mass exit of transfers and early NFL draft entrees once the 2002 season ended has turned into positive energy and Zook along with the entire coaching staff knows they must take every advantage of every opportunity that falls into their laps.

"When you have a great product like the University of Florida it makes it easier. Another reason we feel so good about the recruiting class coming in this year is the fact that they are good people. There is a reason why our players spent so much time recruiting. They gave up their time and their weekends for the benefit of the team. The more good players we have here the better our chances are of reaching our goals. People make the place, I don't care where you go." said coach Zook.

"The thing that we have is number one, we have a great product here, we have players that are excited to be here and we have a great staff that has done a great job recruiting. You are selling yourself, you are selling the people and you are selling the program"