Gator Country’s recruiting mailbag is back to get you caught up on all things Florida Gators recruiting on a weekly basis.
The Florida Gators currently sit at 20 verbal commits and are in the running for several big name prospects on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Without further ado here’s this week’s recruiting mailbag that is loaded with a lot of your questions.
15gator05.) Can you give us a rundown on the linebacker board and who would be the top five most likely to sign with UF?
AS.) The linebacker board is very thin and there is no denying that. Florida State linebacker commit Tyree Horton is having some academic issues that could keep him away from Florida so that hurts. The Gators feel very good about Vosean Joseph and Jeremiah Moon in the class. Florida is also trying to flip Miami Hurricanes linebacker commit Zach McCloud at this time. Florida is also still recruiting Texas linebackers Jeffrey McCulloch and Dontavious Jackson, but both are very long shots to land in Gainesville. One name to remember is Aaron Hansford (6-2, 210 from Washington D.C.) who plans to take an official to Florida. I still think Florida will add someone to this list this year.
SVSqueek7.) With DBU locking it down, it’s all about the front seven. Inquiring minds what to know what [Chris] Rumph and [Randy] Shannon are bringing to the show.
AS.) Randy Shannon has two linebackers are already committed and I think he will get one or two more in the class to fill out the position. Shannon is also doing a great job in South Florida with other prospects. Rumph has only landed Jaquan Bailey at this time but he’s in the running for big names like Dexter Lawrence, Shavar Manuel, Jordan Woods and Janarius Robinson. Rumph is a guy that can close and I have no doubt that he will land several good prospects.
Lloydperkins53.) You ignored me when I asked this question on another thread a couple of weeks ago….so I will ask again…..Do the Gators have any interest in Tyrique McGhee from Peach County H.S. in Fort Valley, Georgia? He is a CB that is verbally committed to Georgia….I talked to his coach a couple of weeks ago and he told me that “he is the best DB in the State of Georgia!” Same High School D. Robinson went to.
AS.) Florida hasn’t been recruiting him from what I know, but that could change as the season progresses. The Gators are in great shape at the defensive back position and are only looking for one more at the position.
Halfull.) If you had to project, given what you know today, what receivers do you predict will be in this class?
AS.) Binjimen Victor, Rick Wells, Sam Bruce, Freddie Swain, Isaiah Johnson and Josh Hammond. I think that Nate Craig-Myers ends up with the Florida State Seminoles and Cavin Ridley ends up with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Lurkingator.) Who are our best options at DT?
AS.) I think Shavar Manuel ends up playing defensive tackle, and then I think Florida looks out of state for the other prospect. At this time I’m not ready to say who will be the second defensive tackle in the class.
Msd.) Who are the top remaining OL – best case scenario? Need more big guys…
AS.) OL Marcus Tatum is the name instate to remember. Out of state Jauan Williams from Washington D.C. is a name to remember but Florida State is the team to beat at this time. LSU Tigers commit Jakori Savage is also a name to remember if the Gators can get him on campus. Like every year, more names will appear on the board as the season goes on.
Lurkingator1.) Do we get any more commits before the season starts ? Prediction on who it might be?
AS.) I think the last two commits that Florida got could very likely be the last ones before the season starts unless someone like Jordan Woods decides to go ahead and make his decision.
Jmike131014.) What other 16 QB do you see in the class?
AS.) Florida continues to talk to several quarterbacks committed elsewhere and I think Florida will eventually land one of them. Clemson Tigers quarterback commit Zerrick Cooper visited Gainesville for Friday Night Lights and liked the visit, so he’s someone to watch for sure. Right now it’s tough to say whom Florida lands, but I do believe they get someone.
MrB-Gator.) How do we look for Dexter Lawrence (DT from NC)?
AS.) The Florida Gators are just waiting on him to visit campus. He likes Florida but he has yet to visit the Gators. He’s also someone who is very close to his family, which helps the North Carolina Tar Heels out.
Gator_nica.) How big of a class are we looking at?
AS.) I still see a class of 27-28 at this time.
Gator_nica.) Being that Mac is an offensive coach, do you expect Florida to still sign top quality defensive players?
AS.) Yes, I do. McElwain doesn’t take the approach that Will Muschamp did as McElwain is involved in all aspects of recruiting and not just the offensive side of the ball.
Ol2ange.) Do you see Eric Mitchell or Jaquan Bailey moving from DE to LB? Their size concerns me a bit.
AS.) I think Jaquan Bailey will be a rush end type of player, which is what Dante Fowler was at Florida. Mitchell I’m not sure where he can play at.
Ol2ange.) What position is Tyrek Tisdale going to start at?
AS.) Right now Florida continues to call him an athlete and I don’t think he will have a solid position until he arrives on campus.