We’re closing in on the mid way point of the football season, which means schools have had chances to host prospects for several games this fall.
The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going kind of slow, due to the lack of a big home game, but behind the scenes things are still going full force.
Right now the Gators sit at 16 current commits in the class and now looks like the Gators will be able to get close to 25 in the class of 2017.
In the next two stories, Gator Country.com will break down five prospects on each side of the ball that the Gators are focusing in on in hopes to finish the class on a high note.
Note: This is just GatorCountry’s opinion and they’re in no order but listed alphabetically.
First up is the offensive side of the ball.
Miami offensive line commit Navaughn Donaldson (6-6, 341, Miami, FL. Central)
Reason he makes the list: Donaldson a road grader style lineman who will overpower you with his power and that has shown this year. The Miami commit can play guard or tackle at the next level and that makes him even more valuable to teams around the country.
Chances: The Gators had some momentum here when Donaldson visited for Friday Night Lights but he hasn’t visited since then. Donaldson is supposed to early enroll so the Gators need to get him back on campus again soon. Linebackers coach and South Florida native Randy Shannon is working on Donaldson hard.
Michigan offensive line commit Kai-Leon Herbert (6-4, 279, Plantation, FL. American Heritage)
Reason he makes the list: Herbert is an offensive lineman that is a tackle and that alone would get him on this list. The Michigan commit has had a solid senior year at tackle and he’s still getting better as he gains weight. Herbert has a high ceiling at tackle and while he may not start from year one, he should be a multiple year starter in college.
Chances: Herbert made an unexpected trip to Gainesville for the UMass game and ever since then, he has been talking to Florida. The lineman knows that the Gators need tackles and the though of staying close to home is helping Florida. Herbert is also very close with Gators quarterback commit Jake Allen.
Alabama offensive line commit Alex Leatherwood (6-5, 298, Pensacola, FL. Washington)
Reason he makes the list: Leatherwood is one of those few can’t miss prospects in the country for 2017. Leatherwood is a guy that steps foot on most college campuses and is instantly one of their best five linemen and that includes Florida. The lineman has the tools to play left or right tackle in college but likely projects as an elite left tackle.
Chances: Leatherwood has been committed to Alabama for somewhat seems like forever but he continues to leave the door open for other schools. The lineman has went on the record as saying the Gators are the team behind Alabama but Leatherwood hasn’t been on the Gainesville campus since last spring. The Gators will get an official visit before he enrolls in January. I still feel like the Gators are a team to watch because of the playing time they have available for him.
Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (6-1, 188, Detroit, MI. Cass Tech)
Reason he makes the list: I think this answer is pretty easy as Peoples-Jones is one of the top rated receivers in the country for 2017. He runs a 4.42 and dominated the Opening event two straight years in Oregon. Peoples-Jones has had a solid senior year and can play anywhere you put him on the field with his speed and athletic ability.
Chances: Peoples-Jones remains very quiet in regards to his recruitment but most people around him believe this is a Florida/Michigan battle. Peoples-Jones grew up rooting for the Gators but the home state Wolverines aren’t going away easy. The Gators will get the receiver on campus for an official visit but it will be something to watch when that happens because Peoples-Jones plans to early enroll.
Receiver Henry Ruggs (6-0, 171, Montgomery, AL. Lee)
Reason he makes the list: Ruggs is most of the most underrated receivers in the country and is having a monster senior year. Ruggs has close to 700 total yards through 6 games this year and has accounted for 12 touchdowns for his team. The Gators are still looking to add more playmakers and that’s exactly what Ruggs brings to the table. Ruggs is a guy that can play any of the three receiver positions and help out in special teams.
Chances: For sometime it looked like Ruggs was all Alabama but when the Crimson Tide landed Jerry Jeudy, Ruggs started looking around a little. Ruggs has been in constant communications with the Gators coaching staff and the receiver talks with current Gators safety Jeawon Taylor. Ruggs was scheduled to visit for the LSU but will reschedule that visit for down the road. The receiver did visit over the summer so this won’t be the first visit. Still a long time to go but the Gators are much more in the mix here than many think.