Florida Gators recruiting mailbag for March 30th

Spring football is almost over in Gainesville but the Florida Gators have had a lot of success getting members of the Florida Gators recruiting board on campus this spring.

This is a big time for the coaching staff as many out of state prospects visited for the first time this spring and it was chance for prospects to watch the coaches coach in person.

GatorCountry will have a lot more updates on recruiting but we bring you our first edition of the spring Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.

850_gq_gator: (At this time) What Elite DT’s/LB’s do you feel the best about us landing?

AS: Let’s start with linebacker and I think the Gators would like to have three in this class and I expected the board to grow this spring. Florida is in the mix for K.J. Britt (Oxford, AL.), DeAndre Wilder (Carol City, FL.), Chandler Wooten (Kennesaw, GA.) and James Houston (Plantation, FL.) Right now I think the Gators are in the best shape with Wooten and Houston, but Britt still has a little bit of time before he announces.

At defensive tackle Florida in good shape with Aubrey Solomon (Leesburg, GA.) and in contention for M.J. Webb (Madison, GA.) and Kivon Bennett (Fort Lauderdale, FL.). The board should grow a good bit this spring.

Gator78: Who’s visiting for the Spring Game and are any of them likely to commit?

AS: I haven’t put together a full visitor’s list yet but I know Jake Allen plans to bring receiver Trevon Grimes and OL Kai-Leon Herbert up to campus with him. Receiver James Robinson and tight end Tre McKitty have mentioned coming as well. Safety Ken Handy-Holly is also expected to visit next Friday. I would say Florida gets at least one commitment next Friday but multiple commits are possible.

47gator: Who are the top 5 recruiters we have on staff?

AS: Florida really has a strong recruiting staff and that was evident last recruiting season. Running backs coach Tim Skipper, receivers coach Kerry Dixon, cornerbacks coach Torrian Gray, defensive line coach Chris Rumph and linebackers coach Randy Shannon are five of the top. Coordinators don’t get to recruit as much as the position coaches so that’s why they aren’t in the list.

Mr-B Gator: How many OL in this class and which ones are we probable?

AS: Right now I would say four linemen in this class but there is possibility that it goes up to five. Florida already has Kadeem Telfort in the class and I like the Gators chances with Kai-Leon Herbert. They are recruiting Calvin Ashley and Alex Leatherwood hard. They are recruiting Robert Hainsey (IMG) but he has yet to visit. Again there several names on the board but many of these guys have yet to visit so it’s tough to gauge their interest.

Ncargat1: Do you feel that Herbert has future starting potential, and do you see the Gators accepting his commitment if he chooses to give it prior to the start of fall as he had suggested he might.

AS: Florida would absolutely take his commitment and I think he has a lot of potential at the next level. Herbert is already 277-pounds at 6-4 so he has good size and a good frame to grow once he gets into a college weight room. He moves good for a tackle as well.

Trina_dc: Is the staff still interested in RB Jamari Peacock from Yulee?

AS: Yes, Florida is still in contact with Peacock and he’s on the Florida Gators recruiting board. Peacock has a lot of interest in the Gators right now but hasn’t visited since January.

HawthorneGator: What position are we recruiting CJ Cotman for? How high is it on the board and do you think he will be in town for the Spring Game?

AS: Florida is recruiting him as a receiver/athlete and he’s high on the recruiting board. Cotman is a guy that can play multiple positions in college so he’s a guy you recruit and get on campus and then figure it out. I haven’t heard a final answer from Cotman on his plans for the spring game.

HawthorneGator: After 2 visits I think we are 50/50 for Trevon Grimes. Do u agree or do you think he’s still leaning to Ohio State? Would a commitment from him or James Robinson scare the other off?

AS: I think Florida has gained a lot of ground on Ohio State and the Gators are even or pretty close to even with them now. Grimes is very close to Jake Allen, plus he knows he can play early at Florida. I don’t think one guy affects the other especially since Florida needs impact receivers so much. The only way to really tell though is to see what they say after one commits.