Florida Gators: Linebackers recruiting board

Between spring practice and junior days, the Florida Gators hosted well over 100 prospects and those efforts have a lot of recruits thinking about the Orange and Blue.

Over the next two weeks Gator Country is going to break down each position and take a look at who the Gators have the best chance of landing at each position. To start of the series we talked about the offensive line board, receiver position, the running back position, the much needed quarterback position and then turned our efforts to the defensive line.

Now, on to linebackers, another position where Florida sorely needs to add talent and depth.

After signing only one linebacker the last two years combined the Gators must sign 3-4 linebackers in the class of 2016 as the Gators need depth at the position.

 

Linebacker commit

Vosean Joseph (6-2, 210, Miami, FL Norland)

Commitment Status: Joseph grew up rooting for the Gators and he has a very close relationship with linebackers coach Randy Shannon so Florida is sitting in great shape with Joseph. I think it would take something big to happen in Gainesville for Joseph to flip his commitment. Joseph is gaining weight and is someone that should have a bright future in a Gators uniform.

 

 

Linebackers with offers

Ja’Quain Blakely (6-2, 210, Moultrie, GA Colquitt County

Teams in contention: Florida, Louisville, South Carolina and Tennessee are schools that Blakely has either visited or has talked about visiting soon.

What are Florida’s chances: Blakely really liked his Florida visit and he plans to return back to Gainesville this summer. If Florida pushes hard for Blakely then the Gators have a great shot here.

 

Tyree Horton (6-1, 225, Highland, KS Highland C.C. JUCO)  

Teams in contention: Horton is committed to Florida State but talks to Florida a good bit.

What are Florida’s chances: Horton is very close with current Florida receiver C.J. Worton and that helps the Gators out a lot. Horton plans to take an official visit to Florida and if everything goes well then Florida has a great shot at flipping the talented JUCO linebacker.

 

Jonathan Jones (6-0, 207, Orlando, FL Oak Ridge)

Teams in contention: Florida, LSU, Duke, Michigan and Kentucky are the schools that Jones told GC he was looking hard at this spring.

What are Florida’s chances: Kentucky and Michigan are considered to be the two teams to beat right now for him, but Jones’ teammate is Tyrek Tisdale and since he committed to Florida has been recruiting Jones hard. Florida needs to continue to try and get Jones on campus to have a shot here.

 

Tre Lamar (6-3, 240, Roswell, GA High)

Teams in contention: Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Clemson and Tennessee are five schools that Lamar told GC were standing out to him this spring.

What are Florida’s chances: Lamar really liked his visit to Florida this spring and he has a good relationship with defensive coordinator Geoff Collins but Alabama and Auburn have been gaining momentum here as of late. Lamar says he plans to return to Florida for another visit and the Gators are definitely a player here. Lamar is a player that Florida really needs to land in this class.

 

Shaq Quarterman (6-0, 239, Orange Park, FL Oakleaf)

Teams in contention: Committed to Miami but listening to Florida, Michigan and LSU.

What are Florida’s chances: Quarterman has visited Florida several times due to the short distance from his home, but Miami continues to be the team he likes most. The more that Quarterman visits Florida, the better the Gators chances are. As of right now I expect Quarterman to stick with Miami but with the Canes coaching situation up in the air nothing is impossible.

I expect Florida to offer more linebackers once they get on the road for the evaluation period this spring.

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.