The Florida Gators coaching staff has put together a good 2024 class on the defensive side of the ball and still has some big pieces remaining on the board.
Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong and the rest of the defensive side are now putting a lot of work in with the Class of 2025.
The Gators have positioned themselves in good shape for several prospects in the 2025 class early on and GatorCountry brings you five guys to watch heading into the fall on the defensive side of the ball.
This list isn’t a complete list of prospects that the Gators are in good shape for but just a look at five of the many.
Defensive back DJ Pickett (6-2, 170, Zephyrhills, FL. High)- Pickett is one of the best players in the entire country for 2025 and the Gators are heavily in the mix for the defensive back as he talks to the coaching staff daily. Corey Raymond has been the main contact for Pickett as Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and Oregon are all in the mix for Pickett who doesn’t have any leaders at this time.
Defensive back Hylton Stubbs (6-1, 180, Jacksonville, FL. Mandarin)- Stubbs has been to Gainesville several times already and was last on campus for the Grill in the Ville cookout event in July. Stubbs is one of the Gators’ top targets for 2025 and loves the attention he gets from the staff. Stubbs admits that being 45 minutes from home is something that intrigues him. Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Texas A&M are also highly in the mix for Stubbs.
Linebacker Riley Pettijohn (6-2, 205, McKinney, TX. High)- Pettijohn has been on campus twice with his teammate Xavier Filsaime who’s committed to Florida. Pettijohn has a lot of interest in Florida and the Gators really like his ability. Pettijohn also has a teammate committed to Texas A&M and the Aggies are pushing for the linebacker as well.
Linebacker Tarvos Alford (6-2, 210, Vero Beach, FL. High)- Alford has said in the past that he grew up a fan of the Gators and he has visited Gainesville several times and has a great relationship with the coaching staff. Florida, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee are all in the mix as well as Miami.
Defensive lineman Brandon Brown (6-2, 286, Melbourne, FL. Eau Gallie)- Brown visited Florida in June and had a great visit for Friday Night Lights. Brown is the nephew of Joe Cohen and cousin of Marcus Maye so he’s familiar with the Gators and their history. Miami, Oregon, and Texas A&M are also pushing for Brown.