The Florida Gators recruiting efforts will start to gain momentum now that the Gators have started their season and players are able to watch Florida.
Most prospects have started their season already so they’re in season mode but also continuing through the recruiting process.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2018 class will shake out and who are the top prospects that the Gators are still after.
We answer your questions in this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.
Well let’s dive right in to this week’s recruiting mailbag:
Georgiagator478: Is there a real shot at us landing receiver Jalen Hall in 2018? If so which receivers get pushed out I’m thinking Jalynn Williams because he hasn’t visited in a long time but I could be wrong here.
AS: Florida is recruiting Hall but right now the signs don’t point toward him picking the Gators. He does plan to visit though. Nobody is being pushed out.
LEMONHOPE: Been awhile since we hooked an offensive line for this 18 class. Richard Gouraige/William Barnes you’ve said are the closest to pop. While Nick Petit-Frere is gonna be a battle till the end. Are we still trending favorably with all three here? Do you think we see one of them pop during the fall?
AS: Florida is trending up with all three at this point. Petit-Frere is the guy that Florida has to continue to work on but the Gators have him listening. I don’t see any of the three popping this fall though.
Jonsantiago1: How many guys do you see committing in September now that campus visits can take place again?
AS: I could see one guy popping in September if he actually visits as he has said he does. But I don’t see much more than that happening.
UFsports24_7: TOS reporting Jalen Hall planning a trip to Gainesville, any truth to it? Assuming he might tag along with Matt Corral when he takes his official visit.
AS: Corral has said in the past and on our podcast that Hall would visit with him this fall and that still seems to be true. When that visit will take place is something that I haven’t heard for sure yet.
UFsports24_7: How do you feel #’s wise on defense? Seems to me we pretty much have our offense sorted out, going after the big 3 on the offensive line and then maybe another receiver or 2.
On defense, how many do we look to add to defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs?
AS: 2-3 on the defensive line, 1 more linebacker and 1-2 more defensive backs. The numbers always work themselves out so at this point, I wouldn’t focus so much on the numbers more so focus on getting certain guys.
Jackgator2: Defensive end and defensive tackle board?
AS: At defensive end you have to start with Andrew Chatfield and really the next guy on the board is newly offered defensive end Jayson Oweh. Not a big board right now.
At defensive tackle you have Miami commit Nesta Silver, Coynis Miller and Rick Sandidge.
Gatordon: Are you anticipating any big news in the foreseeable future, like Matt Corral’s hint about bringing in a 5 star?
AS: I don’t see it happening anytime soon but more after the season. Visits are going to be important for those big name targets.
Gatordon: Will the staff hold out any slots for recruits that want to take it the distance or will they not take that gamble?
AS: You always have a few plus one guys that you hold a spot for. For example if Tyson Campbell was to call you on signing day and want in, you find room for him. But to answer your question, yes they will hold a few slots for tops guys.
Emaness: Which of our current 2018/2019 commits do you think would be able to play day 1? And I don’t mean on special teams
AS: Predicting that for a 2019 kid is way too early but out of the 2018 guys there are a few guys. Jacob Copeland, Ja’Marr Chase and Dameon Pierce all could play early. Even a guy like Kyle Pitts could be ready to play next year.
Byrus: If we have another sub-par year offensively, do you think Matt Corral waivers in his commitment? I hate to be that guy, but watching those highlights make it clear that he’s the missing piece to bring home a national championship.
AS: I don’t think so, I think it’s pretty clear in his mind that he’s a guy that can turn things around and he believes that. He’s not going to let that influence his decision.
Ufgatordad: Do you think we still have the makings of brining in a fantastic defensive class overall, and will we have the best offensive class in the country when all is said and done?
AS: If certain pieces fall Florida’s way at defensive tackle and linebacker then yes Florida should have a really good defensive class. Florida already has a really good offensive class and adding offensive linemen will only help that cause out.
OklahomaGator: With the early signing date of 12/20 do you see the coaches moving on from players who have committed but don’t sign in December?
AS: No I don’t at all. Some guys aren’t going to sign because of the constant movement of coaches and what not but Florida isn’t going to stop recruiting a guy because he doesn’t sign in Decemember.
Gator_n_Bmore: How do we stand with the American Heritage kids? Any more rumblings that Campbell and Surtain are giving us a look? Is Nesta Silvera really solid to Miami? Is Chatfield a strong lean? And is Schwartz a Gator in a week or so? Also does Heritage have any underclassman on the Gator radar? Ton of questions all wrapped up in a ball of American Heritage haha Thanks AS
AS: Florida is looking good for Anthony Schwartz and Chatfield right now with both likely to visit Florida in September. Silvera says he’s solid to Miami but most expect him to still take visits to other schools including Florida. Florida will continue to recruit him. Tyson Campbell is the guy that Florida is really trying to gain momentum with and they’re hoping to get him to visit this month.
Macbgator: Is Coynis Miller, defensive tackle out of Alabama a lean to the Gators??
AS: Yes, he has Florida as his leader at this time but Auburn and Alabama will be tough competition. Miller says he plans to visit this season but he wont make a decision until after the season is over.
Mrgator: Continuing with what Byrus asked, we might still be a year away from putting the whole thing together and our schedule is very tough (as it is every year). What impact does the regular season have on recruits and what do you think is the make or break mark for the Gators to keep our recruiting momentum come December?
AS: A team’s record plays some part but it really is how you show you use that player’s position and how he fits into the system. You can’t look terrible by no means but at the end of the day, coaches create their own momentum.
RVG: Does the staff stay in contact with big name kids, even if the staff believes there is little to no chance of signing them? (Examples: Justin Fields, James Cook, Lorenzo Lingard, etc.) Do those relationships just dry up because we have someone else committed/or they have committed elsewhere? I’d be curious to know how that aspect of the relationship works.
AS: Florida always talks to guys committed elsewhere just in case something happens or changes. Just like they did with a guy like Alex Leatherwood last year. Recruiting is a relationship game so if you continue to recruit those guys, you keep hope alive somewhat.