Florida Gators recruiting is doing well and this week’s recruiting mailbag had a lot of great questions about how prospects view the Florida Gators after their loss to Florida State.
As you have noticed Gator Country and Andrew Spivey have mixed things up and we have taken our Florida Gators recruiting mailbag to podcast form, as well as continuing the written version of the mailbag.
Make sure to listen as Andrew answer’s everyone’s questions from this mailbag and don’t forget to get your questions in every week so he can answer your question next time on all things Florida Gators recruiting.
Here’s the written version of this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag:
Tjkalick: I’m going to put out the obvious one that everyone is thinking… Is hosting Eason going to lead to Franks flipping back to LSU??
AS: I don’t think Franks goes back to LSU, Jim McElwain and company still have an in-home visit plus an official visit to use on Franks to smooth things over with him. Franks wants to be close to home plus he likes the idea that can play early at Florida.
Gator_nica: Please elaborate on the current quarterback recruiting situation regarding Eason, Franks, Trask and Haskins.
AS: I’m not sure what else I can say that hasn’t already been said. Florida wants quarterbacks that can play early next year. Dwayne Haskins and Jacob Eason are too good of players to turn down visits from them. Florida really likes Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks but they have to continue to pursue Haskins and Eason.
Sammage: How are we doing with finding a kicker?
AS: The official visit with kicker Eddy Pineiro went really good and the Gators are definitely a threat to Alabama. Right now Florida is monitoring the situation but they also have others they are looking hard at as well.
Juggernautz: Where does our 2016 class rank as of now?
AS: Florida has hit on a lot of its needs so far but still need a kicker and more linebackers in this class. Things though are going really well so far and they should get much better as they close out the class.
Juggernautz: What’s the latest on tight end recruiting?
AS: Florida is in great shape for Nick Eubanks as Eubanks named the Gators his leaders and the Gators are still recruiting Jacob Mathis, Kelvin Lucky and LSU tight end commit Jamal Pettigrew. The Gators want one tight end but could after two of them if it’s the right fit.
Juggernautz: How will Will Grier(if he does) coming back affect the QB’s we’re recruiting now?
AS: I don’t think it affect it much because quarterbacks know that he has to sit out for six games next year so they can come in can compete for playing time.
Juggernautz: Do you think Jake Allen will have a problem with all of the QB’s we’re going after.
AS: Allen knew he was going to have to compete with someone when he arrived so I’m not sure it will impact him that much but only will tell if he takes visits or not. I lean towards him sticking.
Ctresh: What’s the latest on JuCo o-linemen Garrett Bolles and Malcolm Pridgeon?
AS: No visits set up for either yet and time is running out for Pridgeon who early enrolls. I think Bolles stays out west so I don’t think Florida gets a visit here either.
Msgator1981: In regards to Lyndell Wilson and the postponement of his announcement, in your opinion, is this just him trying to see where the dust settles or is there some motive behind or information we can glean from this? Also, 2 very close freinds of Wilson are currently committed to UF, Jeawon Taylor and Antonio Nelson. How much impact do you think this has on Wilson’s decision? Any news on Shavar Manuel or other DT we are after?
AS: Wilson in my opinion was set to commit to Florida on Friday but when he found that Kirby Smart was going to Georgia I think he decided to wait and see how things went for Smart at Georgia. I think Georgia will be now squarely in the mix as Wilson loves him. Wilson does have two good friends going to Florida and they are helping Florida out.
Florida is the leader for Shavar Manuel at this time from everything I’ve heard after his visit to Florida on Saturday.
Cdeal15: Are we still in it for Binjimen Victor and Eli Stove? Will getting Franks or flipping Eason help with them?
AS: Getting Eason would absolutely open their eyes to Florida more but right now Stove is sticking hard with Auburn. Florida is getting back some of the momentum Ohio State stole with Victor and I’m hearing that Victor has back to 50/50 between UF and Ohio State.
Philsgator: Pineiro and Reese. Visited last weekend. No updates. Please discuss.
AS: I just posted an update on Michigan linebacker commit David Reese, I think it will come down between Florida, Texas and Nebraska. I touched on Pineiro earlier in the mailbag.
Gatordon: Was the staff surprised by the Jayvaughn Myers decommitment? Do they plan to replace him with another DB? Is Eason a serious possibility in your mind?
AS: They were some what surprised yes but Jayvaughn Myers reportedly mentioned during the visit on Saturday. I think Florida goes hard after another defensive back like Kristian Fulton but Myers could come back.
Yes, Florida is a serious contender for Eason or he wouldn’t have visited this late.
MrB-Gator: How are we looking at LB recruiting?
AS: Still going hard after David Reese and Mack Wilson and they have a few other guys in their back pockets that they’re monitoring in case they need to go that route. They will get one more at least.
Jlh6121: Are there any other UGA recruits Mac and the staff may look to poach. Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen.
AS: Not really but they will certainly look at that their class again and some of their targets as well. Florida was doing a good job against Georgia this year and was really on battling Georgia for defensive end Brian Burns.
Gotime51: If Wilson decides Alabama will his buddies be told they should look elsewhere as well or are they legitimate targets by the staff?
AS: They legit targets that Florida worked out this summer and really liked. Jeawon Taylor is a safety that Florida thinks can play early next year.
Mdmcgarry: Based on where we are now in commitments, how many can we take?
AS: I’ve been told that 32 is a number that Florida could take but I doubt they take 32 in this class.
Mdmcgarry: Heard Aaron Robinson has schedule an official visit to Tennessee on Jan 22nd. What is your feelings on him being in our class?
AS: Robinson is close with Brandon Powell as they played high school ball together but I know that Robinson has been concerned by the number of defensive backs in this class but I think the staff smoothed that over with him during the visit last Saturday. Robinson is also with Quincy Wilson.
850gator: Of our current commits, who do see getting quality playing time next year/ making instant impacts?
AS: Chauncey Gardner, Mark Thompson, Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond, Aaron Robinson and maybe Lamical Perine. I think this class will see a lot of guys contribute next year.
Ol2ange: What was the general reaction from many of the recruits during the FSU game? Obviously something like that has to hurt, right?
AS: They all noticed opportunity for early playing time during that game on Saturday. One game doesn’t hurt your chances with a prospect and especially after the year Florida has had this year.
Ol2ange: Any updates with some of our top targets: NCM, Brian Burns, Mack Wilson, etc?
AS: I had updates on all of these guys posted over the weekend but Nate Craig-Myers is still visiting other teams and Florida State and Auburn are visiting him this week. Burns has Florida and Georgia tied at the top but I think he’s leaning toward Florida now. Mack Wilson delayed his decision as talked about earlier.
74gator: How did the OV for DT Antwuan Jackson go?
AS: It went very well but Florida still trails Auburn and Ohio State and Jackson early enrolls so it will be tough for Florida but Chris Rumph is working hard here.
Mdmcgarry: Seems Coach Mac is playing Russian Roulette by having Eason visit and with Les Miles now visiting Franks who just committed to FL. What do you make of all of this, at the time you write your responses?
AS: I think Florida has to have a quarterback that can play early so he’s doing his best to make that happen. Franks is flirting with LSU so Florida is flirting with Eason at the end of the day Mac knows what he’s doing.