The Florida Gators recruiting efforts will take a huge step forward this weekend as the coaching staff is expected to welcome a lot of big name players on campus.
Florida will host its first two official visitors this weekend and those are huge visits, but there will also be some big unofficial visitors in Gainesville for Saturday’s game.
All of these visits are huge for the Gators recruiting efforts but Gator Country picked out five visits that are very important for the 2017 class.
This is just our opinion and it certainly doesn’t mean the other visits aren’t important but we just singled these out. We only chose from the 2017 class because there is still a lot of time left for the 2018 and 2018 classes.
So here we go, here are the five important visits for the Florida Gators recruiting efforts for this weekend.
Five important visits
Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (6-1, 190, Detroit, MI. Cass Tech)
Why he makes the list: The Gators are looking to add another explosive receiver to the class to pair with Daquon Green and Peoples-Jones is one of the top targets. Peoples-Jones has visited Gainesville twice before and liked both trips but this will be his first game in the Swamp. The Gators need to show a good offense and have a good visit to get momentum going in their direction.
Chances for the Gators: Many peoples close to Peoples-Jones continue to say it’s split between Florida and the home state Michigan Wolverines. Peoples-Jones grew up pulling for the Florida Gators and that has helped the Gators out. This battle will go until he signs the dotted line.
Michigan offensive line commit Kai-Leon Herbert (6-5, 275, Plantation, FL. American Heritage)
Why he makes the list: The Gators need offensive linemen in a bad way and Herbert is one of the top guys on the board. Herbert is also an instate lineman and someone the Gators need to flip. It’s also big because this is the second visit to Gainesville in a month which means Herbert does have interest in the Gators.
Chances for the Gators: The Gators picked up some momentum after Herbert’s last visit to Gainesville. Right now the Gators seem to have a legit shot at flipping Herbert who is also good friends with quarterback commit Jake Allen.
Defensive back C.J. Henderson (6-0, 175, Miami, FL. Columbus)
Why he makes the list: Speed, speed and more speed, that’s what Henderson brings to the table. Henderson is arguably one of the fastest guys in the state if not the entire 2017 class and the Gators need speed. Henderson is being recruited to play defensive back and that’s also a position of need in 2017 so he checks two boxes. Henderson also would help on special teams.
Chances for the Gators: Henderson has long been favoring the Gators and on Monday he decomitted from Miami, a team he has been committed to for some time now. The Gators are in great shape with Henderson who has two friends already committed to Florida, in Kemore Gamble and Shawn Davis.
Auburn athlete commit Tray Bishop (6-3, 185, Dawson, GA. Terrell County)
Why he makes the list: Bishop is another really good athlete who likely ends up at safety at the next level. Bishop is committed to play quarterback at Auburn but Bishop has said that he’s still undecided on where he wants to play in college. Bishop’s height and length is something that defensive backs coach Torrian Gray likes. It’s big for Florida to get him on campus now and then an official visit later because that means Bishop is leaving the door open for Florida.
Chances for the Gators: A month ago I would’ve said the chances were very slim but Bishop has been showing Florida a lot of interest lately and the question marks at Auburn are helping that. Florida will just need to continue showing Bishop love and getting him back on campus and the Gators will likely be in this until the end. Georgia is another team to watch.
Receiver Henry Ruggs (6-0, 175, Montgomery, AL. Robert E. Lee)
Why he makes the list: Much like what we said about Peoples-Jones can be said about Ruggs here. Ruggs is an explosive athlete at the receiver position and the Gators need more playmakers there. Ruggs has good speed and has thrown, run and caught touchdowns this season for his team. Ruggs would certainly help the receiver position upgrade if he was to choose Florida.
Chances for the Gators: Alabama has long been the team to beat for Ruggs but the receiver has been showing a lot of interest in the Gators lately. Alabama has two receivers already committed, which has played a part in Ruggs looking hard at Florida. The Gators will need to get Ruggs back on campus again to have a legit shot to knock off Alabama here.