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Florida, Miami (Fla.) both have recruit signed

Posted: Friday February 04, 2000 12:09 AM

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Top offensive line prospect Jonathan Colon was apparently so torn between the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes that he decided to sign with both schools.

The 6-foot-7, 300-pound youngster's indecision had both schools claiming Colon as theirs Thursday.

Colon, a tackle from Miami Central, announced Wednesday that he had signed a national letter of intent with the Gators. But Colon also signed hours earlier with Miami, Hurricanes coach Butch Davis said.

Because the Hurricanes were first, Davis said, the Gators are out of luck.

"It makes their letter void," he said.

But the Gators consider Colon committed to play for them, said Jamie McCloskey, NCAA compliance officer at Florida.

"There's no real case to deal with as far as we're concerned," McCloskey said, "until we hear otherwise."

The issue will likely be decided by the Collegiate Commissioner's Association. Carl Hicks, assistant commissioner for the Southeastern Conference, confirmed that the first national letter-of-intent signed in such cases is binding, but he said all he knew about Colon's case was "innuendo and rumor."

Davis said compliance officers with the two schools discussed the matter, and Miami consulted with the NCAA and Big East. The Hurricanes were still waiting Thursday for an explanation from Colon.

"We haven't been able to find him," Davis said. "But for eight months he said he wanted Miami."

Florida announced the signing of Colon on Wednesday. The Hurricanes did not, Davis said, because they were aware he had signed with both schools and wanted to consult with the NCAA before revealing the situation.

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