Five guys who could commit to the Florida Gators

The Florida Gators got their first commitment on Tuesday when tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe committed to Florida. Getting their eighth commit of the class is a good way to get the ball rolling but Florida has a long road ahead of them leading up to national signing day.

Several prospects have talked about making a decision in the next few weeks so the Gators have the potential to go on a small recruiting spree before the recruiting season re-opens again on January 14th.

The good news for coach Jim McElwain is that he has created some momentum for the Florida Gators and as he continues to add more coaches to his staff the Gators will continue to remain in the news and give Florida exposure to prospects.

In this article we are going to highlight five prospects that the Gators are in the mix for that are expected to announce soon.

As always, prospects could decide to push back a decision date so this could change.

 

Offensive lineman Brandon Pertile

Teams in the mix: The JUCO offensive tackle is committed to Oklahoma State but he just received an offer from Florida last week and he took an official to the Gators this past weekend. This is a two team race between the Cowboys and Gators.

Florida’s chances: Florida is the leader here despite Pertile being committed to Oklahoma State. Pertile is also from Clearwater, Florida and is good friends with several of Florida’s current players. Right now I believe Florida lands Pertile on Wednesday.

 

Offensive lineman Jalen Merrick

Teams in the mix: Florida, Florida State, Miami and Arkansas are believed to be the final four teams for Merrick. Only Florida State and Arkansas received an official from Merrick but the lineman did visit Florida several times unofficially over the past year.

Florida’s chances: I continue to be told that Florida State doesn’t have room for Merrick, who early enrolls in January, so that eliminates the Noles. Merrick is a tough prospect to get a read on but I believe this is a Florida and Arkansas battle with the Gators landing Merrick within the next week or so as he enrolls in January.

 

Safety Tim Irvin

Teams in the mix: Florida, Miami and Texas are the three teams sitting above everyone else right but I believe that it comes down to Florida and Texas. Irvin had great official visits to both. He is scheduled to announce at the Army All-American game next month and enroll in school in January so he has a decision to make soon.

Florida’s chances: If Travaris Robinson is at Florida, then I like Florida’s chances a lot as the two have formed a great relationship. If Robinson leaves Florida then I think he chooses Texas as Irvin likes Charlie Strong’s defensive scheme at Texas.

 

Defensive end Byron Cowart

Teams in the mix: Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Alabama are considered the four teams in the mix. Cowart has taken an official to Alabama but he plans to take visits to the other three in January so while Cowart wants to decide at the Under Armour game his recruitment is likely not to end until February when signs his LOI.

Florida’s chances: Cowart doesn’t seemed to be bothered by the fact that Brad Lawing and D.J. Durkin aren’t returning to Florida as he told GC on Sunday that it was a business decision and he had to do what was best for him. Cowart grew up pulling for the Gators and his mentor is Dante Fowler Jr. so the Gators are in decent shape but will it be enough is the question.

 

Offensive lineman Martez Ivey

Teams in the mix: Auburn and Florida are co-leaders at this point in Ivey’s recruitment and he has taken official visits to both places. Ivey has hinted that he may make a decision at the Army All-American game in January but that isn’t final. Ivey doesn’t plan to enroll early so he has time to decide.

Florida’s chances: The Gators were Ivey’s favorite team growing up and Ivey also knows that he can play early at Florida as the depth on the line is bad. With Florida keeping offensive line coach Mike Summers on board I think the Gators are the team to beat for the big time offensive tackle.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

6 COMMENTS

  1. UF needs to start picking up recruiting guys for the front seven on defense. Depending on whether Morrison and Bullard leave early, UF is very thin at linebacker and defensive line. UF is in good shape in the secondary, so that’s not a critical need right now. But only one of the current eight commits is on the defensive side, Andrew Ivie, a lineman. It looks like UF is getting bodies for the offensive line, and if both Merrick and Ivey come, it will be a fantastic group. UF desperately needs a quarterback and running back. After four months of no one, it’s great to get the ball rolling again.

  2. AS, in your opinion or from what you may have heard, just how good do you think Bertile is or will be at Florida if he chooses us. Is he a guy that can come in and possibly start right away or is he being considered as just a guy to provide more depth. Also, just how good a prospect is Merrick considering the Noles may not have room for him? Is it because they feel they already have better prospects on board or does it mean that Merrick may be considered as good as any of them, but they don’t want to wait. I would obviously prefer it to be the latter, but I’m guessing that may not be the case.