Spring defensive visit recap: Florida Gators recruiting

The Florida Gators recruiting efforts took a giant step forward during spring football, as campus was filled with prospects day in and day out for practices.

This is one of the biggest times to get prospects on campus to see the coaching staff in action, plus give them a campus tour and meet with the coaches after practice. Coaches are also able to eye some out of state targets for the first time, which could lead to an offer or further evaluation.

Florida was able to not only host 2017 prospects but also they were able to host prospects as far ahead as the class of 2020, which helps the Gators get a leg up on the competition.

During the month and few days for spring practice the Florida Gators recruiting list had well over 100 prospects on campus and we’re going to recap who visited.

GatorCountry will break it down into a two part series and we started with the prospects that visited on the offensive side of the ball this spring and now we move to the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive ends:

Florida signed three solid defensive ends in the class of 2016, but are in the mix for several good 2017 prospects. A few of those prospects were on campus this spring to watch defensive line coach Chris Rumph in action.

Jarez Parks (6-5, 255, Sebastian, FL Sebastian River) visited Gainesville once this spring and the Gators remain in the thick of things for his commitment. Florida State is the team that’s battling the Gators the most right and this race won’t be over anytime soon.

Zach Carter (6-4, 237, Tampa, FL Hillsborough) was on campus twice this spring. Florida and Clemson continue to duke it out for his signature. Florida has looked to be the team to beat for sometime now, but Carter says he doesn’t have a leader at this time.

Jordan Wright (6-5, 225, Fort Lauderdale, FL Dillard) visited for the spring game but still doesn’t have a Florida offer yet. That could change this spring when the Gators hit the road recruiting and evaluating prospects.

While Markaviest Bryant (6-5, 228, Cordele, GA Crisp County) didn’t visit this spring he has visited Florida already this year.Bryant says he’s going to visit the Gators this summer for a visit. Florida will battle Georgia and Auburn for him.

Defensive tackles:

Florida needs to have a solid year with recruiting defensive tackles this year after not signing one in the 2016 class. So far the Gators have had a few visit this spring and I expect the board to expand more this spring.

Aubrey Solomon (6-4, 287, Leesburg, GA Lee County) has Alabama, Florida and Georgia out in front for his recruitment. Solomon was on campus once this spring and the Gators are working on getting him back on campus this summer. Solomon is one of the top defensive tackles in the country.

M.J. Webb (6-3, 272, Madison, GA Morgan County) has Auburn, Georgia and Florida high on his list. Webb didn’t visit this spring but was on campus in February. Webb was supposed to visit for the spring game, however, the ACT shook up his plans.

Linebackers:

The Gators did a good job of getting three linebackers in the class of 2016 but they will continue to look to add depth in this year’s class. Florida has a lot of offers out and I expect that to grow this spring during the evaluation period.

K.J. Britt (6-1, 223, Oxford, AL High) is a high priority for Florida and right now the Gators are locked in a battle with Auburn for his signature. Britt really liked his visit to Gainesville this spring but getting him back on campus will be huge.

James Houston (6-1, 225, Plantation, FL American Heritage) visited Gainesville twice with his family, including the spring game. Houston says Florida is one of his top schools and said he could decide this summer, but he hasn’t set a date yet. Houston is a guy that can play all three linebackers spots.

Nadarius Fagan (6-2, 200, Miami, FL Southridge) was on campus to watch a spring practice but he has yet to receive an offer from Florida. The evaluation period will be key for him as Randy Shannon is expected to watch him practice.

Hamsah Nasirildeen (6-5, 220, Concord, NC High) was on campus for a multiple day trip during the spring game and from everything GC has been told the visit went great. Nasirildeen is more of an athlete but outside linebacker is a position that looks to fit him best.

Miami commit Waynmon Steed (6-0, 224, Miami, FL Central) visited for a practice but he has yet to receive a Gators offer. Steed much like Fagan will receive a visit from Shannon this spring and that will go a long ways to whether or not he gets an offer.

Cornerback:

It’s rare to say, but the Gators are looking for depth at the cornerback position and they’re looking to add several bodies in the 2017 class. Good thing for Florida is that there are several good players in the state and around the southeast that are looking at the Gators. A lot of those guys were on campus this spring.

Ohio State commit Shaun Wade (6-2, 179, Jacksonville, FL Trinity Christian) was on campus once and he continues to communicate with the Gators, Alabama and Ohio State. Wade is committed to Ohio State, but still taking visits and the Gators will try to continue to get him back on campus. He’s one of the top corners in the country.

Marco Wilson (5-11, 163, Plantation, FL American Heritage) visited once this spring and he’s the younger brother of Florida cornerback Quincy Wilson. Wilson seems to be wide open in his recruitment.

AJ Terrell (6-2, 170, Atlanta, GA Westlake) has the Gators in top five following a visit this spring to Gainesville. Alabama and Georgia are also squarely in the mix but Terrell has a good relationship with defensive backs coach Torrian Gray.

Amir Riep (6-0, 180, Cincinnati, OH Colerain) visited earlier this spring, and had a good trip, but right now he looks to be staying closer to home. The Gators will visit him this spring in hopes of getting him back down on a visit.

Shawn Davis (6-1, 195, Miami, FL Southride) was on campus multiple times this spring including for the spring game. Davis hasn’t named a public leader yet but the Gators are in great shape following the spring.

Latavious Brini (6-2, 184, Hialeah Gardens, FL Mater Academy) bounces back and forth between Florida and Miami, it seems, as the cornerback was on both campuses this spring. The two schools are battling for his signature with the Gators appearing to have the upper hand at this time.

Miami commit C.J. Henderson (6-0, 174, Miami, FL Columbus) is a speedy athlete that plays multiple positions in high school but is likely at corner at the next level. Henderson was also on campus multiple times this spring and the Gators are running second to Miami at this time.

Safeties:

Much like cornerback the Gators are hunting for quality safeties in the class of 2017 in order to fill depth issues heading into next year. Florida did a good job of getting safeties on campus this spring though.

Devon Hunter (6-1, 204, Chesapeake, VA Indian River) has connections to the Gators in that he knows Gray really well from his time at Virginia Tech, plus he knows quality control coach Mark Debastani really well. Hunter doesn’t have any leaders but the safety says he will be back in Gainesville this spring.

Alabama commit Xavier McKinney (6-1, 185, Roswell, GA High) was on campus at Florida this spring and walked away praising the home feeling he felt in Gainesville. McKinney says he will continue to evaluate his options down the stretch.

Deangelo Gibbs (6-2, 207, Loganville, GA Grayson) has pretty much every offer in the country at this time and he was on a lot of campuses this spring including Florida’s. Georgia, Tennessee and Florida are all battling for his signature.

Grant Delpit (6-1, 180, Houston, TX Lamar) looks to be heading to LSU right now but the Gators had him on campus for the spring game and the trip was a success. Delpit says he could announce at anytime but an early decision likely wouldn’t go in Florida’s favor.

Ken Handy-Holly (6-2, 194, Jackson, AL High) has Florida out in front at this time and the Gators are one of his favorite schools. Handy-Holly is expected to be back on campus this summer for another visit.