The Florida Gators recruiting class of 2018 is squarely underway as prospects are now taking visits and participating in 7-on-7 football as spring football is underway in Gainesville.
The Gators coaching staff will host a lot of visitors during spring football and then on junior day, which will be held on March 25th.
GatorCountry asked for your questions on the 2018 class and all things Florida Gators recruiting for this Gators recruiting mailbag.
Here’s this week’s recruiting mailbag:
15gator05: What’s the strategy behind waiting to hold our junior day until late March?
AS: Get more kids on campus and allow them to watch a spring practice. McElwain likes guys to be able to watch his practices so that’s the biggest reason here. Also, it gave the new staff members time to identify their top targets so they could visit campus.
Dhainer24: So many great defensive backs and receivers in the state of Florida and we can’t take them all. Please help me figure out how they all fit onto our board.
AS: The one thing to always remember is that the numbers will take care of themselves. Some of the guys that look like top guys will struggle this spring or summer or become academic problems. Other guys will commit elsewhere or Florida will take another guy over them. What looks like a big board will be shortened a lot by fall.
Firefightinggator: Are you or Nick going to Dallas for the Michigan game?
AS: I will be there for sure and I believe Nick is planning on making the trip as well. It’s a trip I’m looking forward too.
McLeanti: Are we going after Tyson Campbell?
AS: Yes, Florida was one of the first schools to offer him and they’re recruiting him hard. They’re trying to get him on campus for junior day.
47Gator: Has Joe Milton changed your mind on Florida’s approach? I’m asking this based on what I have heard about his performance at the Opening. Secondary question, will Florida make a real push for Justin Fields to flip prior to Milton being on campus the 17th?
AS: I don’t think an offer to Milton happens until he throws for Florida this summer or until Florida sees him throw this spring. Florida is still evaluating him and making sure that he can make all of the reads and make sure he’s the right guy.
MrB-Gator: What does the offensive line board look like for us……and who are Gator leans?
AS: Here are the guys that Florida is in good shape with or are at least in the mix with. John Campbell, William Barnes, Nick Petit-Frere, Richard Gouraige, Cleveland Reed, Reuben Unije, and Ed Montilus.
G8trJasonB: Is this the year that the Gators finally crack IMG?
AS: I would love to tell you yes just because it’s about time they land someone from there but I can’t say that for sure. They’re targeting several guys from the school but until it happens, I won’t believe it.
Ufgatordad: What’s your take on Lorenzo Lingard and how solid he is to Miami? Even though it’s early, he seems very locked in with them. Will the staff stay on him until the bitter end, or will they move on to other backs?
AS: Florida will continue to recruit Lingard but the impression I get is that he’s pretty solid to Miami right now. I’ve been told that he may not even take other visits to other schools. Florida is recruiting several other guys at the position.
Haljordan: What is the staff’s process when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks?
AS: They identify the guys they like and then they like to see them throw in person before offering them. They have a board of guys they like and go through that list. They only difference with a quarterback versus other positions is that they want to see the guy throw in person before offering.
BCNGator99: Settle a reoccurring discussion:
Andrew Chatfield: Does he project as a defensive end in college or as a linebacker in a 3-4? What do you think the hold up on his offer is? Size, better options at defensive end, or a combination of both? Or something else entirely?
AS: He’s guy that you likely put his hand in the dirt some and stand him up some as well. He’s a good pass rusher but not sure of how good he is in coverage. Florida is just evaluating him and going to watch him this spring. I don’t think there is just one thing that is holding up an offer at this point.
Hickorygatorfan: What does our defensive back board look like this year? Who is the top defensive back? Surtain?
AS: Patrick Surtain is a top of the board kind of guy. Myles Sims, Tyson Campbell, Chris Smith, Sevyn Banks are all corners. At safety you have Nadab Joseph, Tyreke Johnson C.J. Smith, Gurvan Hall, and Jamien Sherwood are all up there.
Lurkingator1: What were you tweeting about when you wrote Alabama’s new pipeline to IMG or something to that effect.
AS: Alabama hired Chris Weinke on its support staff. It was more of me just joking around than anything, though.
Georgiagator478: What does the running back board look like? And who do you think will be the fist big name to pop?
AS: Asa Martin, James Cook, Leddie Brown and Chris Curry all on the board. Right now I like where Florida is at with Martin heading into his visit this month.
Macbgator: What does our defensive tackle and linebacker board look like for 2018??
AS: At defensive tackle Florida is after Robert Cooper, Stephon Wynn of IMG, Rick Sandidge and then Malcolm Lamar could grow into a defensive tackle.
At linebacker J.J. Peterson, Quay Walker, Channing Tindall and KeVaughn Pope are all on the board.
Juggernautz: Do we need to get a kicker for 2018?
Who do you think will be our starting quarterback?
AS: Florida is looking for a kicker in the 2018 class. And right now I will say Feleipe Franks is the quarterback to start the spring game.
Gatorwats: How solid is Justin Fields to PSU?
How hard will it be to beat out LSU and FSU for Patrick Surtain?
AS: Fields is keeping his options open while being committed to Penn State. Fields is going to listen to everyone’s pitch.
Surtain liked Corey Bell a lot during his recent visit to Florida and I think that at least gets Florida more visits. LSU has always seemed to be the team to beat and I think that’s still the case right now.
JacobRenda: Better chance with James Cook or Lingard?
AS: James Cook as hard as it’s to believe. I don’t think Lingard even takes any more visits, to be honest. Cook does plan to visit this spring so that’s why I say the better chance.
Gatorjack: Which of the Braves’ pitchers looked best in yesterday’s shutout of the Cards?
AS: Lucas Sims looked really good. To be honest though all week the guy that I liked the best was Max Fried. That guy is going to be special real soon. Lefty who has a nasty curveball and a fastball that is sneaky.
Bherny22: How many receivers do you think we take this class? A lot of really talented players in the state this year.
AS: Three receivers is the number I think they take but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they took four this year. They could take three outside receivers and one slot guy and yes, this year is a loaded year at the position.
Gator_nica: Are we potentially looking at two quarterbacks for this class?
AS: I think they will ultimately take two quarterbacks in the class but I think it also depends on whom they land. If they land one elite quarterback than they can get away with one taking one in the class.