The Florida Gators will host their annual Friday Night Lights event on Friday, and it will be followed by a cookout on Saturday that will end the summer recruiting circuit for the Gators.
Several of Florida’s commits will be in town on Friday and will be joined by several of the Gators top targets in the Classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024.
GatorCountry will be live at the Swamp bringing you coverage of the event and we preview the visitors list for this weekend here.
Commits coming to town
Seven of Florida’s 10 commits will be in town this weekend to help the coaching staff recruit the targets.
Quarterback Nick Evers has been very vocal in helping the Gators recruit and he will be in town for both events this weekend.
Kicker Trey Smack, linebacker Shemar James, receiver CJ Smith, and defensive back Jamarrien Burt will be in town for the first time since they committed to the Gators in June.
Offensive lineman Tony Livingston and tight end CJ Hawkins were both in town in June and will return this weekend.
Defensive back Julian Humphrey is also scheduled to be in Gainesville on Friday just days after he visited Texas A&M. Humphrey has been up front with the coaches that he plans to visit other schools, but he remains solid with the Gators heading into the visit.
Top offensive targets to visit
Headlining the targets on the offensive side of the ball this weekend will be receiver Evan Stewart as this will be his second trip to Gainesville this summer. The Gators continue to be in a good spot with the Texas receiver and he will join his good friend Evers in town.
Receiver Jayden Gibson is scheduled to be in Gainesville on Saturday after he visits Athens on Friday as the Gators continue to battle Georgia and Miami for his signature.
Running backs Jaylon Glover and Terrance Gibbs are both scheduled to be in Gainesville this weekend and both are guys that the Gators are in good shape for. Gibbs is a guy that was going to announce a decision at the end of June but pushed it back some and Glover is scheduled to announce a decision on August 6th. Both guys are top targets for the coaching staff.
Offensive lineman Eston Harris recently named Florida State his leader but the Gators will get their chance to gain on the lineman this weekend as this will be his first trip to Gainesville.
Offensive linemen Leyton Nelson and Elijah Zollicoffer are scheduled to be in town and workout during the event. The Gators have offered both prospects and Florida sits in a good spot for Nelson as they look to gain ground with Zollicoffer after the event.
Another lineman that will be in town is David Conner as the offensive lineman made it to campus on Thursday and worked out for John Hevesy, but he will stay in Gainesville through Saturday.
Defensive targets to visit
Defensive back Azareyeh Thomas is one of the bigger targets expected in Gainesville and he plans to stay Friday and Saturday. Thomas visited LSU on Thursday as LSU, Florida, and Georgia Tech are the three schools in the mix for the defensive back.
Defensive lineman Jamari Lyons visited Gainesville twice in June and he’s expected in town on Saturday. South Carolina has made up some ground for Lyons heading into his October decision, but the Gators still seem to be the team to beat.
Linebacker EJ Lightsey is the top remaining target for the Gators at the linebacker position as the Gators would like to add him with Shemar James in the class.
Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe is someone that the coaching staff has been recruiting for two years now but Florida State and Miami are the teams to beat heading into this weekend.
Defensive back Elijah Mc-Cantos will be in Gainesville for the first time on Friday as he looks to earn an offer from the Gators after he works out during the event.
Underclassmen coming to town
The Florida Gators have just one 2023 commitment right now, but they will host several top targets on campus this weekend including a few 2024 prospects.
Here are the underclassmen expected in town.
2023 running back Richard Young
2023 receiver Raymond Cottrell
2023 receiver Nathaniel Joseph
2023 offensive lineman Tommy Kinsler
2023 offensive lineman Vysen Lang
2023 athlete Cedrick Hawkins
2023 defensive lineman Kelby Collins
2023 defensive lineman John Walker
2023 defensive lineman Damon Wilson
2023 linebacker Lewis Carter
2023 defensive back Amare Ferrell
2023 defensive back Aaron Gates
2023 defensive back Cormain McClain
2023 defensive back Jaden Robinson
2024 quarterback Battle Alberson
2024 quarterback Shooby Coleman
2024 running back Jerrick Gibson
2024 receiver James Randle
2024 athlete Zavier Hamilton
2024 defensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis
2024 defensive back Tavoy Faegin