Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: September 29th 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.

Ufgator84: Will Mac put even more personal time in at the offensive line and Safety positions for recruiting? They are critical for the 2017 class. Can’t miss on these spots.

AS: Mac spends a lot of time on all areas but he’s personally talking to several linemen and safeties. Alex Leatherwood and Devon Hunter being two guys he talks everyday.

 

Usmcgators90: Who is the next recruit to pop? Any updates on the situation with James Robinson?

AS: Nobody has decision dates yet that Florida will play a part in but that doesn’t mean someone doesn’t pop out of nowhere. Robinson is having a solid year on the field but Florida will continue to monitor him off the field.

 

Ufgatordad: How high is Daquon Green’s ceiling? Do you think he has the potential of being one of the top 5 receivers from this recruiting class? His explosiveness at times is scary!

AS: I don’t know about top five but he’s one of the top guys in this class at the position. Green has good ball skills and runs really good routes. He will get stronger and that will help but he’s already a really good player.

 

Ufgatorsdad: The woes of O-line recruiting have been noted numerous times. If we fail to bring in a top-shelf O-line class this year, do you think Mac shows Summers the door?

AS: I think it’s too early too tell on Summers but it’s something worth watching down the stretch. Summers needs to improve both coaching and recruiting though.

 

90gator: How is Coach Nord viewed in his current role as Recruiting Coordinator both internally and by the high school coaching community?

AS: Nord isn’t the recruiting coordinator at Florida. In fact Florida doesn’t have the title for anyone as everyone recruits and Drew Hughes heads up the process. Nord is liked but he’s just not a social media guy and that hurts him.

 

Macbgator: Is the staff looking at Judd Davis son as a future kicker??

AS: I know he’s on the radar but I think Florida will want to see him in camp this summer before going any further than that. I’m sure he will camp though.

 

Ufsports24_7: Who is someone that will be a surprise to us all next year, the Jawaan Taylor of this class?

AS: I’m really excited to see Zech Byrd, Ventrell Miller and Fred Hansard do after hitting college. All three are guys that are forgotten about but can be good players in the future.

 

Ufsports24_7: Chance that our defensive back class includes: Marco, Blades, Davis, Henderson, Hunter, Stewart??
If we could pull that off DBU is not going anywhere. While I know 6 defensive backs would be alot, I dont think it would be a negative thing given our current depth.

AS: I think Florida gets six defensive backs in this class, I think the Gators have a solid shot with all six but I wouldn’t expect all six to land in the class. I think the Gators end up with six but I think you want another elite corner in the class instead of three safeties.

 

Gatorfanseth: What is Brad Stewart’s time line?

AS: No timeline right now, he says that he’s taking his time and taking visits before he announces anything. I would say after football season you see some movement from him.

 

Ufgatordad: I randomly saw the other day that we lead over Clemson for 2018 recruit K’Vaughan Pope? I don’t even think I have seen that name before much less that we lead for him. Any info here?

Do you think the 2018 class will be Mac’s best yet?

AS: Pope is a 6-2, 205-pound athlete out of Virginia and he grew up loving the Gators. He visited this summer and the Gators are in great shape with him going forward.

Right now, I would say the 2018 class should be the best class for Florida because Mac and staff are on level playing field finally. Also the Gators are in great shape with several big name players for that class.

 

Dhainer24: Are C.J. Henderson and Brad Stewart both takes, or is it 1 spot and first to commit gets it? Looking at defensive back, I keep hearing 5 or 6 is the number. But right now, it looks like Wilson, Blades, Davis and then we are looking strong for Henderson and Stewart and there is no way you say “no” to Hunter or Wade. Do we take both and then if we pull in the 2 studs, we go to 7? Or is Wade such an extreme long shot that we aren’t worried about it?

AS: Florida would take both Henderson and Stewart and then figure it out. You don’t say no to Wade or Hunter so you just figure the numbers out and likely someone would leave if that happened. Florida has to fill the class with the best players and landing those guys would do that.

 

Jayy14: Any chance the coaches try to get Blake Barnett to transfer in? And if they do how good of chances would we have?

AS: Florida feels really good with its two freshmen quarterbacks so I would say no but it’s too early to tell. I’ll make sure to keep everyone updated on what happens there though.

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.