Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: October 20th 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.

 

Gatorcop: Number of offensive linemen that you think we take?

AS: Florida needs to sign at least three but four would be great but I don’t see four good ones out there.

 

GatorCop: How many defensive backs are in this class this year?

AS: I think Florida adds two safeties and a corner to go along with Elijah Blades, Marco Wilson and Shawn Davis.

 

RVG: What is going to be done about the QB position? UF hasn’t had a consistent, productive starter since Tim Tebow graduated. Luke DelRio is described as someone who is going to manage the game, but not over whelm you with his arm. That leaves the two QBs from last cycle; Trask is described as a “long term project”, and our last look at Franks was throwing 3 picks in the Spring game. Our only QB this cycle is Jake, and Andrew has said he isn’t going to come in and be able to compete for the starting job.
Does having to wait 2-3 for these QBs to potentially develop mean we are going to see the same, “dink and dunk” offense for all that time? Is there any thought to getting a freshman who can compete for the starting job?

AS: Florida has felt good on there two guys they signed last year in Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks. They believe that one of them will be the next big time quarterback for Florida and so far both are doing well in practice from what we hear. The Gators will also monitor the Blake Barnett sweepstakes to see if he’s interested in Florida at all.

 

Macbgator: In your opinion, who do we end up as linebackers in this class??

AS: I think Florida adds Rahyme Johnson to go along with James Houston and Ventrell Miller. I think Florida has a shot with Levi Jones and Anthony Hines but I’m not confident enough to say they will be in the class yet.

 

Hogtown: With one home game left, are we going to double stack the recruits to try and get everyone at the South Carolina game? Do you think Alex Leatherwood will make a visit? Has the hurricane killed our chances with him?

AS: Florida will try to load up for the South Carolina without a doubt and Leatherwood says he’s going to try and make it. With Leatherwood I still maintain that Florida has a shot because of the early playing time. Also McElwain and his entire staff is working hard on Leatherwood.

 

Mikegator10: What’s going on with C.J. Henderson and Brad Stewart?

AS: Henderson is going to take a little time before he makes another decision but the Gators are in good shape with him right now. Stewart is letting the process play out but he’s another guy that Florida is in excellent shape with. Running backs coach Tim Skipper will visit him on Thursday night.

 

Gatorfanseth: Any graduate transfers or Jucos we should be looking out for that haven’t really been discussed?

AS: Too early for graduate transfers and the only JUCO right now looking hard at Florida is D’Marcus Haynes. Usually graduate transfers come up at the first of the year.

 

Chooch: What is your sense on how recruits are viewing Florida’s “brand”? Are the facility upgrades (current and planned) helping out? – Or just not hurting us anymore…

AS: I think the brand is getting back to where it should be at most positions under McElwain. The one concern is still offensive line but that has to be fixed. The new facility upgrades have created some buzz but kids really like seeing them instead of hearing about them.

 

Jacobrenda: Besides Donovan Peoples-Jones, who is the best uncommitted receiver on the board? Would the staff rather take Henry Ruggs or James Robinson? Which one of those two do we have a better chance with?

AS: The best uncommitted receiver after Peoples-Jones would have to be Ruggs who’s having a great year. He has over 800 yards receiving and is just an all-around playmaker. Ruggs is a guy that reminds me a little of Callaway in high school where he isn’t talk about much but can play anywhere you put him.

 

Gatorrick22: Will we land a top ten recruiting class come February 2017?

AS: With the big name targets out there that Florida should land, I think they land a top ten class. Things could change quickly if a guy like C.J. Henderson or some of the leans don’t go to Florida though.

 

Gators1120001: There seemed to be some concern in a thread regarding how our camps are run. It was mentioned we are disorganized and it turned away a few guys. It’s hard for me to imagine this with Macs attention to detail. What was your overall opinion of FNL. Also, as far as stars go, do you see any of our current commits getting another star before the season is over.

AS: This is just my opinion but Mac’s camps are much better than Will Muschamp’s camps ever were. I’m not sure what was disorganized but from what I was able to tell it was well put together. Recruiting coordinator Drew Hughes did a really good job with Friday Night Lights this past year and I personally thought it was very successful.

 

Twondiddy: I haven’t seen his name be mentioned to us, but the former 5* Kendall Sheffield that recently transferred from Bama to Blinn, since we are in urgent need of cornerback play next year, would he be someone we look at, or even have a shot at?

AS: To be honest, I haven’t heard his name mentioned at all either but now that you bring his name up, I’m going to check on him. I looked at his stats and he’s having a decent year out there for Blinn.

 

TheJGator: For those of us that haven’t been following this year’s recruiting too closely yet, which of our commits and realistic targets will be ready to play as true freshmen?

AS: Out of the commits, Daquon Green could see the field early as should Marco Wilson and Shawn Davis. I think Elijah Blades is also a guy that will see the field at least in special teams if not at cornerback. Javier Edwards is another guy that should see the field because he’s a JUCO guy and Zach Carter has a shot to play early. Out of the targets I think Shaun Wade, Devon Hunter, Brad Stewart, Alex Leatherwood and D’Marcus Hayes play early.

 

Jgrow: Shaun Wade? Jerry Jeudy? Lol

AS: Florida goes and visits Wade on Friday and they visited Jeudy on Tuesday. Florida should get an official visit from Jeudy and the Gators are still working hard on Wade. I think Florida has at least closed the gap on Wade and they should get him back on campus two more times before he signs in December.

 

74gator: Are we recruiting Adonis Thomas or offensive lineman EJ Price ?

AS: Florida is recruiting Thomas right now and they’re trying to get him down on a visit. Thomas liked Florida coming out of high school a lot so I think Florida can get a visti from him.

 

Gatorfanseth: What’s going on with Tony Gray?

AS: That’s the million dollar question right now because he doesn’t talk much. Georgia was the favorite but it doesn’t seem like they’re the favorite anymore. Gray hasn’t visited many schools so it will be a thing of wait and see who he visits down the stretch. Florida is working on him though.

 

Ufgatordad: I understand that Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson (Marcus Maye as well) are irreplaceable, but is there any product the coaches can put on the field next year between our current roster, current commits, and potential commits so that we do not experience a significant drop off in the secondary next year, or is it inevitable? If we do have such a drop off, would you say the balk of that falls on Callahan for not closing on guys like Kristian Fulton?

AS: There is no way Florida’s defense doesn’t show some drop off next year especially when you consider that you could have four first round picks on this team. Chauncey Gardner has shown he can play corner but you have to find someone to play opposite of him. I think Nick Washington and Marcell Harris will be your safeties with Jeawon Taylor also playing a good bit.

 

Ufgatordad:  It’s been asked before, but where do you see Jake Allen fitting in over the next few years, and if you were to guess, where does the staff project him (i.e. Career back-up, starter)? I was hoping to see him take a huge leap his senior season but just haven’t seen it yet..

AS: I think Allen needs a redshirt once he arrives on campus to gain some more weight and work on his mechanics. It’s tough to say where Allen will fit in at because we haven’t gotten to see Felipe Franks or Kyle Trask in a game yet.

 

Gatorfanseth: You still thinking a full 25 for this class?

AS: Yeah, I think it will be a full class after some guys leave early for the NFL, plus you will always a guy or two transfer away.

 

Gatorjnyc: Any inside stuff on linebacker Anthony Hines? He visited last weekend if I’m not mistaken and his film is incredible. Thanks in advance AS.

AS: Hines and his family don’t talk much, which means there won’t be many stories on him. I do know that he had a really good visit to Florida and his connection with Randy Shannon is really good. After speaking with a few people it sounds like Texas A&M is the top team and Florida right there behind them. It’s always tough to land a prospect when they only visit one time though so that will be an obstacle to overcome for Florida.

 

 

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.