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.
MrB-Gator: Safeties for this class….who looks good for us?
AS: C.J. Henderson and Brad Stewart are both liking Florida a lot at safety. The Gators are still after Devon Hunter, Auburn commit Tray Bishop and Xavier McKinney. The Gators should get two good ones this year.
Jacobrenda: Will James Robinson be in this class?
AS: He has gotten better but I’m not ready to say he will be in the class just yet. This will likely be decided after the season is over though.
Jacobrenda: First commit of 2018?
AS: Good question, several candidates but nobody seems ready to pop right now. Surely someone does this fall but who, that’s the million dollar question.
Bamagator85: Any new news about Devon Hunter?
AS: Virginia Tech has the momentum but the Gators will get an official visit to try and get that momentum back. Right now I’m leaning that he goes to Virginia Tech but Florida has several guys still close to him that can help them out.
Dhainer24: So…moving onto 2018. It looks like the 2017 defensive back board is going to be strong, and it needs to be. But we need to keep DBU strong and build the depth back up. Who are the top 2018 targets? How are we looking for those top guys? Do you think we have an early lead for any of those guys (Radley-Hiles, Surtain, T. Johnson, . other top guys)???
AS: Florida is going big in 2018 as well because they need depth. Right now the Gators are recruiting Brendan Radley-Hiles, Pat Surtain Jr. Tyreke Johnson, Tyson Campbell and several others really hard. 2018 is a great year for defensive backs across the country. Florida is in good shape early on with Johnson and Radley-Hiles though.
Happygator: Any chance we can land the stud OL Ashley who is a commit to Auburn? What is his back story on picking Auburn in the first place?
AS: Academics are huge concern here but I don’t see him flipping from Auburn unless something happens to Malzahn up there.
Tampalegalgator: Treshaun Ward -2019- Plant City – running back ? News ?
AS: I know he’s someone that is getting looks but besides that I’m not sure. Very good player though.
Texator: Have we improved our chances with any of the out of state kids i.e. Peoples-Jones, A.Thomas, R.Johnson, or anybody else you think we should be looking at as a possible commit?
AS: I think Florida is still in good shape with Rahyme Johnson and he plans to be in town for the LSU game with Elijah Blades. It’s going to be a fight with Michigan for both Peoples-Jones and Ambry Jones but the Gators are staying right with them. It will be key to see if they take an unofficial and official to Florida this year.
Gator_nica: Should we look at another running back besides Adarius Lemmons? Thompson probably declares after this season, Mark Herndon graduates, and Jordan Scarlett/Jordan Cronkrite could transfer?
AS: I think they only take one back this year
HawthorneGator: What kind of year is James Robinson having ON the field?
AS: 13 catches, 218 yards and two catches through three games so decent year so far. Robinson has the ability to be a really solid receiver.
Atllagator: IF the following coaches lose/or get new jobs later this season or before signing day, which recruits will it help us with?
Lane Kiffin, Gus Malzahn, Les Miles, and Kevin Sumlin.
AS: At Auburn you have to feel like Florida would be all in on athlete Tray Bishop and then two offensive lineman Nick Brahms and Calvin Ashley
At Alabama the Crimson Tide are not likely to lose anyone because of an OC, Nick Saban is too good for that.
Florida hasn’t really pushed for many of Texas A&M’s recruits so that would be tough to say on Sumlin.
Juggernautz: > Which 5 states-in order-produce the most productive HS football talent?
> Will we pursuing another place kicker in this or the 2018 class?
AS: The five states that Florida should recruit hard because of production is obliviously Florida but also Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and then I personally think they can get more involved with some Tennessee kids. Florida will also recruit kids in Louisiana too.
I think they recruit a kicker next year, yes.
Thedynasty1: What is your honest opinion on Alex Leatherwood? Is he really interested in Florida, even though he doesn’t visit, or is he just trolling Florida?
AS: He has legit interest but Alabama is keeping the pressure on him. This spring I thought the Gators had a great shot at flipping him and then Alabama got him pretty hard. The key is here to be patient and let things go quietly so Alabama doesn’t jump on him again.
Ncargat1: Assuming Jarez Parks and Labryan Ray both $ign with Alabama (or anyone el$e not name Florida for that matter), who does Florida look at to add a WDE to this class, and who do we have a legitimate chance to land? Thanks.
AS: I don’t Alabama gets both of those guys but Florida is still hard after Markaviest Bryant and they’re working to sign him as a defensive end in this class. The Gators have options at end.
47gator: Any update on Shaun Wade after his visit?
AS: We posted an update on him on Wednesday on the site. The visit was good because his parents got to meet the coaching staff. Very good step in the right direction for Florida.
Ewrivera21: Whom is the most important person left for Florida to get a commit from?
AS: Alex Leatherwood without a doubt. The Gators need an elite left tackle and Leatherwood is that guy. He’s a guy that plays from day one because he’s that good.
Hogtown: Can you give a percentage on the odds that Florida lands Wade? Are we at least 50%?
AS: After the good visit I would say about 30 percent with Florida definitely trending in the right direction here. The Gators need to just keep getting him and his family on campus.