Florida Gators recruiting is doing well right now and this week’s recruiting mailbag was full of great questions on the offensive side of the ball and how the Gators are doing with big name receivers.
Gator Country and Andrew Spivey are mixing 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 them for you.
Here’s the written version of this week’s podcast:
gatorguz: What is the story on a running back named Cronkrite Saw his film earlier this year and it was truly outstanding! However, have not heard anything about him in months. (Maybe my fault as I am not online every day). What year is he? Is he still interested in us and we in him? Please…some info. He looked like an exceptional running back.
AS: Jordan Cronkrite is battling for the number three running back position at Florida right now and, while he isn’t as big as Jordan Scarlett, he’s still a very good running back. I think you will see Cronkrite play a little this season.
gatordon: Andrew, some time ago you had remarked that some recruits were waiting to see the product on the field before deciding on the Gators. Is that still an issue with some of the recruits we have targeted?
AS: Yes, a lot of the offensive playmakers at receiver and tight end are waiting to see what happens on the field this year and to see how Florida Gators Head Coach Jim McElwain and Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier run their offense. I think prospects will have a good idea of what the fundamentals of the offense will look this year by mid season.
Juggernautz: Any new news on 2016 QB recruiting? Are we done with 2017 QB recruiting with Jake Allen on board?
AS: Florida is still talking to a lot of quarterbacks that are committed elsewhere right now. They are still talking to Clemson Tigers commit Zerrick Cooper a lot and I still believe that the Gators will flip a quarterback this cycle to add to Kyle Trask who is already committed. I think some people dismiss what kind of player Trask is, but I think he’s a solid passer. In 2017 I think Florida is feeling good with Allen but I believe they will try and land another quarterback for the class of 2017, unless they are able to land another highly touted quarterback for 2016.
AG111: A lot of buzz on NCM and the good guys…why are you not on board yet lol
AS: I’m on board and I feel like Florida is moving in the right direction with Nate Craig-Myers, but I also don’t think the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers aren’t going to go quietly either. When Jayvaughn Myers committed to Florida that definitely helped the Gators chances here because they are close and it will also help Florida get Craig-Myers back on campus more with his brother.
MrB-Gator: Are there any new names on the board for OL that you have not mentioned?
AS: Honestly, not really at this point. Offensive linemen always pop up on the board during and after their senior season so I believe the Gators board will grow during that time. You will also see some linemen start to become more interested in Florida if the Gators have a good year on the field this year.
gotime51: Who is this years must get in terms of both perception and need?
AS: I hate to say anyone is a must get but I think the Florida Gators must land a receiver that can play early as a freshman next year because there’s a good chance that Demarcus Robinson heads to the NFL if he has a decent year. I think both Binjimen Victor and Nate Craig-Myers are both big playmakers that can play early at Florida if they choose the Gators.
dfalco2: AS, as always thanks for all you do here. Odds on landing both Bruce and Victor on signing day? Which linebackers do you feel good about?
AS: I think the Gators have a really good shot at landing Miami Hurricanes commit Sam Bruce and Binjimen Victor on signing day right now but the season will play a big part in that. The linebacker position is tough for me because Florida really likes Vosean Joseph and Jeremiah Moon in this class, but after that the Gators aren’t in great shape with really anyone else. Linebackers coach Randy Shannon always does a good job of getting a late bloomer into the class and I think that happens again this year.
kdm: I would expect that we’ll lose a couple of the current commits (always happens), but that still leaves us only 10 spots or so and we are still in on lots of big names. Are we done taking commits from anyone other than the bigger names at this point?
AS: It depends on what you call the bigger name guys. I don’t think Jim McElwain and his staff look at it like that, so if someone they want is ready to commit then I believe they will take them. I do believe that Florida will start being a little more selective in who they take and I also believe that recruiting will slow down some during the season.
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wesstump: Do we have any silent commits? If so just give us a crumb or two. Is it offense or defense? Thanks. You’re doing a great job.
AS: No silents at this time to my knowledge. Florida, of course, feels good on some prospects and they feel like they lead for them just like fans and media members do. But at this time no silents.
gator_nica: Are the Gators trending up or down with the 2016 recruits? Will the season be a big factor or are the coaches simply good recruiters?
AS: The season will play a big factor because kids want to see that the program is moving in the right direction, but I think it will be more about schemes on the field then wins or losses because kids know that McElwain isn’t going to win a national championship in year one. These coaches are also very good recruiters though.
hoganmac97: Sam Bruce has visited the Gators more than some of our committed players…what will it take for him to flip?
AS: Have a good year and continue to recruit him hard and show him that the offense at Florida is going to be able to throw and catch. Bruce is very good friends with Jordan Scarlett and that helps the Gators out a ton.
tito22: Where do we stand with Victor? Been reading reports and we don’t seem to be a favorite with him anymore
AS: Florida and the Ohio State Buckeyes are his top two schools but I still feel like that if today was signing day that Victor would commit to Florida because of his relationship with the Gators coaching staff.
firefightinggator: top 5 leans for 2017?
AS: Right now I would say defensive end Zachary Carter (6-4, 237, Tampa, FL Hillsborough), running back A.J. Davis (6-0, 179, Lakeland, FL High), running back Kyshaun Bryan (5-9, 187, Plantation, FL American Heritage), receiver James Robinson (6-3, 185, Lakeland, FL High) and Miami Hurricanes tight end Tre McKitty (6-4, 225, Bradenton, FL IMG Academy) are the guys Florida has a great shot with right now.
juggernautz: Can you list what recruiting area each coach covers?
AS: Offensive line coach Mike Summers has the panhandle, tight ends coach Greg Nord as the North central part of the state including Gainesville and Ocala, defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan has the Polk County area, defensive line coach Chris Rumph has the Tampa area extending all the way to Bradenton, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has the Orlando area, running backs coach Tim Skipper has Jacksonville, receivers coach Kerry Dixon has Broward, Palm Beach and all the way up the east coast of the state including Space Coast and Daytona. Linebackers coach Randy Shannon has the South Florida area and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has the Pasco area.
RVG: What are the chances we land Bruce, Victor, and Swain all in the same class?
AS: I think Florida has a great shot at those three at this time but we will see what these guys are saying once one or two of these are in the class, plus what Florida already has committed. It’s always tough to land so many good prospects at one position but the receiver position is probably the easiest position to do that at.