Post Camp: Receiver recruiting board

As of Monday the NCAA new mandated summer dead period begins and won’t end until July 13th so Gator Country decided it would be a good time to get everyone up to speed on where the Gators stand at each position.

Over the next week Gator Country is going to take a look at each position and get everyone caught up on who’s in the class and who may end up in the Class of 2015.

One thing we are also going to add to each position is a quick look at who to keep an eye on for the upcoming Class of 2016.

After kicking the series off with quarterback, running back and tight end we are heading to the receiver position where Florida is looking to add 3-4 receivers to the spread offense.

New receiver coach Chris Leak has two commits already verbally committed into the Class of 2015 in Derrick Dillon (5-11, 175, Franklinton, LA Pine) and Tristan Payton (6-0, 187, Jacksonville, FL First Coast).

Dillon is a quick and explosive receiver that runs in the 4.4 range and has good hands that will allow him to be a big asset in the Roper’s offense.

Payton is another fast receiver but he’s a little more physical than Dillon and that will allow him to potentially line up on the outside as well as the slot receiver position.

Now that we have talked about the two receivers in the class already let’s look at some other candidates to fill the remaining spots in the class.

Receiver George Campbell (6-3, 183, Tarpon Springs, FL East Lake) is the top remaining target at the position and right now Florida is good shape here but Clemson is lurking due to his former teammate Artavis Scott being at Clemson. Campbell has said he would be at Florida on a visit in July but the Gators staff will have to wait until January for him to make a final decision.

Receiver Ryan Davis (5-10, 161, St. Petersburg, FL Lakewood) is the cousin of Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. and Davis has also built a good relationship with new receiver coach Chris Leak. Davis is a top target for FSU, as well as Florida. The Gators would like to have his speed in the spread offense to go with Derrick Dillon. Davis will be at Florida for Friday Night Lights in July.

Receiver K.J. Hill (6-0, 190, North Little Rock, AR High) couldn’t wait to get a Florida offer but once he received the offer nothing has happened. Hill,however, says he will take an official visit to Gainesville this fall but right now Arkansas and Alabama are the top two schools.

Receiver Van Jefferson (6-1, 166, Brentwood, TN Ravenwood) visited Florida in late June and is from the Jacksonville area before moving to Tennessee. Jefferson has had good things to say about Florida but Ohio State and Tennessee are the top two schools with Georgia and Florida in the next group. Florida needs to get him back on campus to have a chance here.

Receiver Antonio Callaway (5-11, 177, Miami, FL Booker T. Washington) visited Florida for Will Muschamp’s 7-on-7 team camp and had a good visit. Callaway has Florida as his leader, but right now isn’t in any hurry to commit and that’s perfectly fine for Will Muschamp and his staff. If the Gators start pushing hard for him then things could pick up quickly.

 

 

Look ahead to 2016

Florida already has one commitment at the receiver position for 2016 in receiver Tyler Byrd (5-11, 160, Naples, FL High) who could play receiver or cornerback in college. Byrd is a fast but physical receiver that is a home threat as well as a speed threat for the short game.

Here are a two other prospects that Florida has offered already out of the 14 receiver offers out already.

Receiver Trevon Diggs (6-0, 168, Rockville, MD Wootton) is a name that Florida fans should remember as he’s the brother of former Gators target Stefon Diggs and the younger Diggs has the same tools as big brother. Diggs is fast and a perfect fit for the spread offense. Diggs is expected in Gainesville for Friday Night Lights.

Receiver Darnell Salomon (6-2, 186, Hialeah, FL Champagnat Catholic) called his Florida offer a “dream offer” and grew up rooting for the Gators. Salomon says he will visit Florida in July and the Gators are definitely ready to take a commitment from him. Salomon is a big receiver that can play the outside receiver position.

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.