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: What does the offensive line board look like? Any Juco’s for offensive linemen?
AS: Alabama commit Alex Leatherwood, JUCO lineman D’Marcus Haynes, Navaughn Donaldson, Toryque Bateman, Auburn commit Calvin Ashley and Tony Gray are all on the board for the offensive line.
Dopplegangerg8r: AS, do you still feel good about the recruit that was ready to “pop” but had to go home and talk it over with family first?
AS: Still feel like it will happen for Florida but the biggest question is when he will commit. Things are still good there though.
Hogtown: Do you think we close with any 5 star guys? We usually have 1 or 2 in every class.
AS: I think Florida has a good shot with receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and they have a shot with Ohio State cornerback commit Shaun Wade. Also Alabama commit Alex Leatherwood is still a possibility for Florida.
Gator_nica: What is the plan for the quarterback position for the next three years? What happens if Luke Del Rio declares for the draft following the 2017 season?
AS: I think it’s a very slim chance he leaves after just one year but if he does then you hope that Kyle Trask or Felipe Franks is ready to go. Jake Allen needs a redshirt year and Austin Appleby graduates this year.
Jacobrenda: Update on Patrick Surtain Jr
AS: Surtain is a 2018 prospect so Florida still has time here but he says he will visit Florida this fall. I know Florida is putting a lot of focus on Surtain and he’s one of the best 2018 defensive backs in the country.
Jacobrenda: Who are some ELITE players like Hargreaves level talent we have a chance at in 2018 ?
AS: DB’s Patrick Surtain, Tyson Campbell and Tyreke Johnson are all elite players at the position. Florida is after all of those really hard.
Dfalco2: AS what’s the status on Brad Stewart? When will he pop and you still feel good about him in this class? Of course I have to throw my DPJ comment in…. I assume still waiting to see our production on the field? If we play above average on offense you think we beat out Michigan? Who is his main recruiter and is there a lot of communication with our staff?
AS: No timetable on Stewart right now but likely after the season is over. I think Florida still has a good shot with him as Tim Skipper is doing a good job there. Donovan Peoples-Jones isn’t waiting to see Florida but rather taking his time and taking all of his official visits. Kerry Dixon, Jim McElwain and pretty much everyone on staff talks to him a lot. I think it will be a battle down the stretch between Florida and Michinga.
Ufgatordad: Anything more on Kai-Leon Herbert beyond him still talking to the staff, or is it more just wait and see?
With the staff filling the need this year for defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive tackles, where do you think our focus goes for 2018, and what recruits do you see filling those roles?
Where is our 1st 2018 commit!!??
AS: Florida is still recruiting Herbert but they’re waiting on him to visit again. Nothing really new besides that on there.
I think the focus for next year will be, offensive lineman, quarterback, receivers and defensive backs again. Really good group of players at those positions too.
Gatorrick22: What would you say our chances are, percentage wise, that we land Shaun Wade at defensive back?
AS: Not very good at this point because he still hasn’t visited Florida with his parents. I think Wade has legit interest in Florida but his parents haven’t really given Florida any interest at this point.
Ufgatordad: Do you see Rahyme Johnson filling our last linebacker spot and the staff being done with that position at that point? It seems like there are still a lot of talented guys with interest in us, so just curious how that will all play out with 1 spot left?
AS: Johnson doesn’t plan to commit until the Under Armour game but Florida is recruiting him and Levi Jones out of Texas hard for linebacker. I think Florida has the best shot with Johnson though and he’s a really good player.
Ol2ange: Do you see one of our defensive tackle commits decommiting by NSD? Or, for a lack of a better term, being forced out of the class?
AS: I don’t see that happening because Florida needs defensive tackles in this class bad. I think they may still add one more to this class too.
Ol2ange: Estimated total players in this 2017 class?
AS: Between 23-25 because of some of the guys that have left recently. The numbers are starting to look like Florida will be able to get a full class this year.
Khc_dad: It seems like every position group besides OL has a really strong class coming in this next cycle. Does that have to do with guys just waiting to see the on the field success or is Mike Summers just not doing a great job recruiting? There are quite a few top guys from Florida this year, and they all seem to be leaning toward other schools. It’s especially bad when looking at the offensive line class FSU brought in last year, it just seems like we’re falling behind in that category.
AS: Florida has just gotten a late start on most of those guys as other schools offered when McElwain just got on the job. Recruits are watching Summers and Florida a lot but they definitely need to pick it up on the offensive line. That’s a focus for the staff though.
Khc_dad: Do you see Brad Stewart as a strong safety or a free safety?
AS: I see Stewart as a free safety that has really good ball skills. Stewart can really play anywhere in the secondary.
Khc_dad: If Donovan Peoples-Jones and James Robinson both want in (assuming no off field troubles), we have to take them both, right?
AS: I think if they get Peoples-Jones they would call it a day unless Robinson just has a great season this year. Florida only really needs two receivers and a slot this year.
Khc_dad: How do we sit with Aubrey Solomon and Jarez Parks? Pulling either of those guys would make this already impressive defensive line class even better.
AS: I don’t see Florida getting Solomon because I think they can get Tyrone Truesdell to finish off the defensive tackle class. Jarez Parks is going to take visits this fall and winter before announcing closer to signing day. Right now I would say Florida, Florida State and Alabama all have a good shot at landing Parks.
Hogtown: Now that Kirk Callahan has been fired, have the Gators made a better impression on players in Tampa?
AS: The Gators have done well in Tampa this year with defensive line coach Chris Rumph doing the bulk of the work there. I think they will continue to do well in Tampa and 2018 has a lot of good players in that area.