Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: November 3rd edition

Gator Country’s popular Florida Gators recruiting mailbag is back to its weekly spot on Thursday’s as we answer your recruiting questions.

The Gators recruiting class is off to a great start in 2017 and look to be setting their selves up for another top class.

This week members had a lot of questions on the status of the Class of 2017 and we answer your questions here.

Remember to get your questions in on Tuesday for the Florida Gators recruiting mailbag each week.

Hogtown: Are we recruiting Isaiah Wilson or Jeff Okudah? I know that we have sent offers but I never hear their names.

AS: No, Florida hasn’t been recruiting them since the summer. Neither guy showed much interest in the Gators.

Gatorteachuf: Are there any fast rising seniors that we are trending for? If so, can you share a little about them?

Are there any prospects that we are cooling on?

AS: Jordan Wright the defensive end from Dillard is someone that Florida just offered and are in good shape for. That’s a name to remember as he plans to visit for the South Carolina game.

Jordon Scott was the main one that seemed to drop out and he left the class on Tuesday.

Khc_dad: Is there a realistic shot for us with Trevor Lawrence? Getting someone like him and Lorenzo Lingard committed in the spring/summer would be huge for our recruiting momentum going into next season.

AS: In my opinion Florida is the dark horse in the battle between Georgia, Clemson and Florida. Florida is just staying around and they’ve a very good depth chart for a guy like Lawrence. Doug Nussmeier is working on him hard but they’ve got to get him back on campus.

RVG: Does the staff look at any potential upcoming coaching changes (firings, leaving for better job, retiring, etc) and evaluate if there is any “flippable” targets? I’d imagine Texas, Oregon, and Notre Dame would all be prime candidates to not have their same coach in two years, if not by next season.

AS: Yes, they do that all the time and you can see with the guys they’re after that are committed to LSU. Florida continues to monitor things around the country and that’s something Drew Hughes does a great job at doing.

Slickkkk15: Who in your opinion is the better receiver Jerry Juedy, or Donovan Peoples-Jones? Which of those do you see us having a better chance at signing?

AS: Man, that’s a tough choice to have to make. Jeudy and Peoples-Jones are both so good and are elite guys. I’ll go with Peoples-Jones but not by much. Both will make a lot of money in the NFL.

Hickorygatorfan: Are we recruiting any punters this year? With Johnny Townsend being a junior, do we recruit a punter this year or wait till next year? Any chance Johnny Townsend leaves for the NFL early?

AS: They’re looking at some punters right now but I don’t believe they sign until next year. Remember that Townsend’s brother transferred into Florida from Tennessee.

Gatorcop: With the turmoil at Tennessee, is there any of their recruits that we may try to go after?

AS: Honestly no, because Florida isn’t really interested in any of the guys that Tennessee has committed right now.

Ufsports24_7: Give us a name or 2 that isn’t being talked about much on these boards or TOS that you believe will sign with us come NSD.

AS: Linebacker Levi Jones and offensive lineman Stephan Zabie from Westlake out in Austin, Texas are two names that I think Florida has a good shot with. Jones and his family has ties to Randy Shannon and Zabie likes Florida because of early playing time.

Gatorrick22: Who will be the biggest surprise recruit this year?
Will we get 4 Offensive lineman recruits this year… if not, then how many do we get?
What is our biggest position of need?
Will we sign 25 or more players this recruiting cycle?
Will we sign a top 10 class?

AS: Elijah Blades is the guy that I think is going to surprise everyone because he has good speed, is an elite athlete and is forgotten about because he’s from California.

I think Florida ends up with three because they aren’t going to reach for just anyone at the position. Florida must get quality over quantity this year.

I think Florida gets between 24-25 players this year because of guys leaving early and graduating.

I think they get a top 10 class, they’re close now and they only have 15 players committed to them. They will get some bigger names to help the rankings.

rajinGator: Coach, like a lot of the offensive players Mac has brought in and is bringing in, although I’m a little concerned about not enough speed and explosiveness (or lack there of) at the skilled positions. What is your take?

AS: Florida is getting faster, Malik Davis has speed, they’re recruiting C.J. Henderson who has speed. Florida is always looking to get faster but remember that Dre Massey had elite speed but was lost for the year. Believe me though that the staff knows that they must get faster.

Tampalegalgator: Any chance that we pursue Kellen Mond (IMG)or N’kosi Perry ( Vanguard)? I know both kids are committed and we haven’t had any luck at IMG. Just curious

AS: No, I don’t think they go after either of those guys. Mond is very solid to Texas A&M and Florida has never offered Perry.

Codyboyd88: Alex Leatherwood posting and retweeting a lot of Gator stuff. %?

AS: Florida has got to get him back on campus but right now the chances are low because he hasn’t been on campus in awhile. Alabama is working hard to keep him but Leatherwood is still listening to others.

Mrgator: How would you rank position of need for this recruiting cycle and how would you rate our success in filling those most important needs at this point in the recruiting process?

AS: Offensive line and defensive back are the two biggest needs this year and so far they’ve done a good job at defensive back. Offensive line is still a work in a progress and that won’t be figured out until closer to signing day.

Macbgator: Who are we looking at for running back, other than Malik Davis

AS: Southridge’s Bentavious Thompson looks to be a guy that Florida has focused in on. Thompson is a former Miami commit and is teammates with commits Shawn Davis and Kemore Gamble. I expect Florida to continue to look at other running backs though.

Juggernautz: > Will winning or losing to ARKY and/or LSU have any impact on our recruiting?

> Which area of Florida is our top priority, recruiting wise?

AS: Winning is always a positive impact on prospects and that is even the case if Florida was to make it back to Atlanta like they look to be able to do. Beating LSU and FSU would be a huge impact on recruiting because they haven’t beaten those guys in awhile.

Tampa and South Florida are two areas that Florida is focusing on this year and doing a great job at. Those areas are huge Florida year in and year out.

ThePlayer: According to this Rivals article, we may have 3 QB’s in mind.
Which, if any, do you think we have a real chance with Andrew?
Trevor Lawrence
Artur Sitkowski
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

AS: I would say Florida has the best chance with Sitkowski but they working hard on Lawrence. I think Thompson-Robinson is an extreme long shot because of him being in Las Vegas.

Ufgatordad: Would you say that it seems like a strong possibility that we may only add C.J. Henderson and Brad Stewart to our defensive back class with Hamsah Nasirildern, Shaun Wade, Gibbs, A.J. Terrell, Ambry Thomas, and Devon Hunter either committed or leaning elsewhere? If so, what would be your assessment of that class? Seems like we need a greater influx of talent than that to help alleviate the losses after this year.

How much would you say Miami’s 4 game skid helps us with Kadeem Telfort?

AS: I believe that Florida lands three more defensive backs in the class. I still think they have a shot with Wade and Hunter despite them not saying much in the media. If the Gators add three guys then I think it’s a great class but even if they only add two more guys then it would a really good class.

As far as Telfort goes, Miami is pushing early playing time to him. I think Randy Shannon and Florida hang onto him but Miami is pushing him hard.

Gatorman_07732: If we land Alex Leatherwood what are the chances this could create one or two offensive line recruit surprises for guys that would want to play with him and have a good shot at playing time?

AS: I think it would catch people’s attention for sure and could create some momentum. Maybe not in the 2017 class but definitely in the 2018 class as Leatherwood is a big name prospect.

Twondiddy: Do you know if James Robinson is that interested in us? Are we his top choice? If Henry Ruggs goes to FSU, Donovan Peoples-Jones to Michigan and Jerry Juedy sticks with Bama. Who else are we looking at? Is James Robinson willing to commit to us?

AS: Robinson has a lot of interest in Florida and would probably commit if he was able too. The Gators are watching him closely and if what you says happens then I would expect Florida too look even harder at him.

Khc_dad: Do we have any chance with Aubrey Solomon? I saw we visited him during the bye week. Would be huge to have him and Fred Hansard in the rotation for next year. Defensive tackle and corner back are my biggest worries for our defense next year.

AS: Florida is working on getting Solomon down on a visit but people around him are pushing him to Georgia. I’m told that Solomon himself likes Florida and Alabama but those schools will have to convince the people around him. Florida is working on getting a visit form him.

Macbgator: Who takes Jordon Scott place at DT since he decommitted??

AS: The name that looks the most likely right now is Tyrone Truesdell but the Gators are still working on several names at the position. Truesdell has admitted that Florida is leading for him and he plans to take an official visit to Florida.

BCNGator99: Saw Navaughn Donaldson was at Florida State for their game against Clemson. Are they a serious player for him?

AS: Florida State is trying to get in the mix but word is that his family doesn’t want him there. Right now Florida is the biggest threat to Miami with Donaldson planning to official visit Florida in December.

Shep: Is Blake Barnett planning on visiting Florida?

AS: Right now the only official visit he has planned is to Oregon. I know Florida and Texas A&M are trying to get him on campus. Barnett has a good relationship with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and that should help at least get a visit.