Florida Gators recruiting is doing well and this week’s recruiting mailbag had a lot of great questions about how prospects liked the Florida Gators first win of the season over New Mexico State and also if the momentum is changing for the Florida Gators recruiting efforts.
As you have noticed Gator Country and Andrew Spivey have mixed things up and we have taken our recruiting mailbag to podcast form as well as continuing the written version of the mailbag.
Make sure to listen as Andrew answers everyone’s questions from this mailbag and don’t forget to get your questions in every week so he can answer your question next time on all things Florida Gators recruiting.
Here’s the written version of this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag:
Wilbur11: Which recruit was most positively influenced by the UNMST game?
AS: It’s a close race between Nate Craig-Myers and Sam Bruce but I’m going with Craig-Myers because he was watching very closely. Craig-Myers also sent out a positive tweet saying how much the energy has changed around Florida and how that he could tell it was a new era.
Wilbur11: Is there more of a buzz around UF now?
AS: A lot more buzz around the Florida Gators recruiting world right now. Florida just has to continue to show improvement and the Tennessee game should be a huge game for them. A lot of recruits will be in attendance for that game and the outcome of the game could help Florida a ton.
Phillip214: Since 2006, according to Rivals, the Gators have had more 4 and 5* recruits than 3* recruits every year, but last year. When we were at our recruiting peak from 2006-2010, we would bring in 3-4, 5 * players, and 7 or less 3* players a year. We currently stand at 14, 3 * players which would be the most we have ever had since they tracked this (going back to 2002). When its all said and done how many elite 5* and 4* guys do you think will have signed with us this recruiting cycle?
Just read Andrew’s chat transcript and expect to be grilled for this question. lol
AS: LOL, I hate stars but I will say that I expect Florida to had several big names prospects in the class after the prospects see Jim McElwain continue to put his stamp on the program. Guys like Sam Bruce, Freddie Swain, Nate Craig-Myers, Shavar Manuel and Jordan Woods are also highly rated guys that are favoring Florida right now.
Lilro: The linebacker board? And whom is Florida recruiting the hardest
AS: Florida has Jeremiah Moon and Voseasn Joseph in the class and they’re very happy with those guys. They want to add one more guy but they aren’t leading for anyone at this point. Linebackers Zach McCloud, Jeffrey McCulloch and Aaron Hansford have all said they will visit but Florida has room to make up there.
Lilro: What QB does UF contact the most?
AS: Florida is in contact with Maryland QB commit Dwayne Haskins, LSU Tigers commit Felipe Franks and Clemson Tigers quarterback Zerrick Cooper a lot but I wouldn’t say they talk to one more than the other.
MrB-Gator: The DL board…..which ones look good for us?
AS: Brian Burns, Janarius Robinson, Antonneous Clayton, Jordan Woods, Ben Frazier, Shavar Manuel and Jachai Polite are all on the Florida Gators recruiting board right now and that number could grow. I think Florida has the best shot with Manuel and Woods right now but they are battling for Clayton and Burns right now.
Lilro: Does Kriston Fulton have legitimate interest in UF?
AS: Yes he does but I still think the LSU Tigers win out here. Florida and LSU have big defensive back classes so one doesn’t have the advantage over the other, but I do expect Florida to get a visit from Fulton and I know Fulton has true interest in the Florida Gators.
Revengeofthegator: We will sign whoever the coaches feel fits their system. 2-3-4 or 5 star. Depth is an issue here. It’s not the top twenty players that get you beat; it’s that bottom 40.
AS: I agree with that but you need some playmakers that are ready to play early but you need to have a deep class much like they did last year. You need a class that is full of guys that can compete for the Gators.
Texasgator94: Putting the likelihood of a commitment to UF on a % basis, the higher the % the greater the likelihood the WR choose UF & Mac/Nuss for the next 3-4 yrs, would you agree that NCM, Swain & Bruce, regardless of CBs, prior or current commitments, etc., are at 75% or above to Florida as of today? Would you say agree Victor currently sits 50/50 to UF/ ohio state hype machine? If Victor were to choose Benedict Meyer’s squad, do you see Eli Stove as trending upwards & most likely to get Victor’s spot should he trend back & ultimately choose to freeze his nads off in Ohio?
On a related note, there’s a long way to go for 2017 ATH Judson. Do you believe we are trending up & what kind of chance would you give UF & Mac/Nuss procuring this young Floridian’s services?
Thx AS
AS: I would say the percentages are right for Bruce and Swain and maybe a little high on Craig-Myers but it’s close there. I do think Florida is in good shape for all three at this point. Right now I think the percentage should be higher for Ohio State on Binjimen Victor but still a lot of time to go for him. Florida is still recruiting Auburn Tigers commit Eli Stove but they don’t have a set number of receivers they will take. They just want to add playmakers.
Wrl344: The only QB we have committed this year went 0-1 this last week. We need a stud QB in this class. Who do u feel good about?
AS: Florida really likes Kyle Trask a lot and he proved how good he was when he worked out for offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and McElwain in camp. Florida does want to add another quarterback to the class but they are still working on getting a guy to flip.
Nickelgators: Who are the receivers that you feel will make this class?
AS:I feel good about Josh Hammond, Isaiah Johnson, Sam Bruce, Nate Craig-Myers and Freddie Swain. I know Florida really wants to keep Rick Wells but he plans to take visits to other schools including South Carolina. Right now I think Florida keeps Wells unless someone else blows him away.
G8trJasonB: Are Shavar Manuel, Dexter Lawrence and Darius Whitfield all going to take OV’s to Florida? Who do we have the best shot with out of this bunch?
AS: I think Manuel and Lawrence will take official visits to Florida and I like Florida’s chances with Manuel the most because I think Lawrence stays close to home.