It’s a huge period of time for the Florida Gators recruiting staff and every coaching staff in America as the recruiting evaluation period is currently under way.
For the last few weeks through the end of May, the Gators coaches will be visiting prospects around the country and watching them practice.
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 after right now. We answer your questions in this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.
Well let’s dive right in to this week’s recruiting mailbag:
Ctresh: So can you tell me if any offensive players are in wait and see mode with our team, or do they feel pretty good about the product and sales pitch Mac & Co. are peddling?
AS: Most offensive guys feel like that the program is headed in the right direction and the staff is telling them that they’re a quarterback away from being really good. I’m sure a few guys are watching closely but it hasn’t been a common theme like it was in the past.
Lurkingator1: What’s the latest updates on Justin Fields ? When might he commit is he scheduled to visit again ? etc
AS: Honestly not much news on Fields. His baseball team did get eliminated from the playoffs last week so he’s now back in football mode. Fields and his father are setting up some visits for the summer but nothing is set up yet.
Gatorczar: What are our chances with landing the Penn State kids?
Who do you see us landing at tight end?
AS: The biggest thing is to get those guys on campus for a visit. Defensive end Micah Parson says he’s coming in for a visit in June so we should have a better idea on him after that. The rest of those guys haven’t set up anything yet.
As far as tight end goes, I honestly believe that we won’t know that answer until after camps this summer. There are a few guys that are planning to camp and I think after that we will have a better idea on who’s wanted and what not.
Johnl: Has UGA turned up the heat on Dameon Pierce? Is Auburn a dark horse threat to steal him? How close is Florida behind UGA?
AS: Kirby Smart went to Pierce’s High School so that’s something working in their favor but yes, Georgia has turned it up on Pierce. The biggest thing is that Pierce isn’t happy that they waited so long to offer him. Auburn is in the mix but I don’t them as a bigger threat than Florida or Georgia to Alabama. I don’t believe Florida is behind Georgia, I would say that they’re even behind Alabama at this time. Pierce and his family like Florida and running backs coach JaJuan Seider.
Gatorczar: How do we look for Jarren Williams? Who leads for him?
AS: Florida is one of many teams that Williams is looking at and is one of many teams that he plans on visiting this summer. Williams says he’s going to set up visits and that he wants to sit down and talk to offensive coordinators during the visits. From everything I’ve heard, Williams is pretty open right now as he’s looking for the right fit.
Middleman: How is the offensive line and defensive line recruiting going?
AS: Offensive line recruiting is going much better than in years past and that has to do with Brad Davis recruiting the position and also the huge instate talent that Florida has this year. Guys like William Barnes, John Campbell, Richard Gouraige and Nick Petit-Frere are all names that are high on Florida and the Gators like.
Defensive line recruiting is going slower this year because once again the state is down at the position this year. Florida will go out of state for several guys at the position this year.
Diesel350z: Who is planning to visit us next month?
AS: A lot of guys are saying they’re going to visit in June but it’s really too early to tell exactly who will make it. Guys like Jacob Copeland, Micah Parsons, Iverson Clement, Asa Martin and others have said they will but again it’s over a month away. As we get closer to the first month, dates will be finalized.
GatorSteeler: What’s the number we are taking this year?
AS: Low 20’s is the number that I keep hearing but that number can move if guys leave early or transfer so right now you just go get the best players and let the numbers work themselves out later.
GatorSteeler: Who’s the one player that you want to see sign a letter of intent to the Gators ?
AS: No way can I answer this question. When I answer this question I make someone mad because I didn’t say their favorite prospect or something. For me personally I’ll say that I’m looking to see who comes in as the quarterback and takes over the class.
Georgiagator478: With Jordan Whittington in the fold for 2019 (and trust me he’s a take) how many receivers should we take this 18 class? The 2019 class is stacked with talent. Also would Goolsby for 2019 be willing to move to a flex tight end? That would would be an ideal place for him in that class.
AS: 3-4 is the number for 2018 because 2018 is a good class too but 2019 is loaded as you say. Those things always have a way of working themselves out though. Goolsby is likely staying as an h-back next year.
Juggernautz: Do you think we’ll have any attrition prior to the fall kickoff?
AS: It always seems like someone leaves in the summer or fall camp but I haven’t heard of anyone that is looking to leave right now. Justus Reed was the one guy that I knew wasn’t going to be around this fall but he has already announced his decision to leave.
Juggernautz: Any NEW news on Malik Zaire?
AS: Just waiting on the SEC to make a ruling one way or the other. Zaire and his family continue to speak with Florida a lot but nothing can be done until the SEC changes the rule. I personally believe it happens but it’s college football.
Jonsantiago1: How many 2018 and 2019 kids do you see potentially committing over the summer? How many kids do you think will be already in the ’18 class as of the start of fall practice?
AS: The first part of the question is tough to say but usually a handful of guys commit over the summer and I believe that stays true this year. I would say 10-15 in the class before camp starts though so I guess that would mean close to double digit commits this summer. Mac wants his class mostly done before football season.
Blake_usmc: Who’s our second running back going to be? Lavonte Valentine or Asa Martin or someone else?
AS: Those two guys, plus Dameon Pierce are the guys talked about the most as far as the second back goes. All three of them are very good players and are expected to visit Florida this summer.
UFGator402: What position are you most worried about at this stage in the game and why?
AS: Defensive line is the position that is the head scratcher early on because the state isn’t loaded at the position so out of state prospects will make up the position this year. There is a lot of good players mentioning Florida here though.
Ufgatordad: How talented do they think our ’18 receiver board is this year? Is there still a ton of talent to be had there, or will we be just ok at WR this year and go hog wild in ’19? Where are we at with Warren Thompson? Couldn’t get the guy off campus during the season, but now he’s MIA..
AS: Thompson is likely a FSU lean at this time but he still mentions wanting to visit Florida this summer. The receiver board is pretty good this year with guys like Jacob Copeland and Warren Thompson sitting high up there. 19 is a good class too but you have to get there and then let things play out when you get to that class.
Nickelgators: Do you feel good about Dax Holleyfield from Shelby?
AS: Florida hasn’t really turned up the heat fully on him yet but Clemson and South Carolina seem to be the team to beat right now.
GatorSAK: The Offensive line class in Florida looks to be one of the best in years. How many do you think we take and who are Florida’s top targets are at the O line position.
AS: I would say four is the number with guys Gouraige, Petit-Frere, Campbell, Jamaree Salyer and Barnes all high up on the board.
Ufgatordad: Any timeframe for Malcom Lamar’s commitment, and is he all UF at this point? Do you think he grows into a defensive tackle or remains at defensive end?
AS: He says he could potentially announce this summer and I would say that’s probably when it happens honestly. I also see him being a guy that plays inside but also is able to play some end as well. He could be a really good third pass rusher inside and play the role that Jonathan Bullard played his senior year.
Singles: What are you seeing that this new staff is doing on the recruiting trail that maybe the old staff was not doing? I like how this new staff is clicking and seem to really get along. Thanks as always AS!
AS: The biggest key is that this staff is working hard everyday at every position. Last year it was just a few guys who would push daily and that came back to hurt them at the end. As Coach Mac says you have to recruit daily. You’re seeing how hard work pays off at the offensive line position in particular.