The Florida Gators still have a lot of room to fill in the Class of 2015 and new coach Jim McElwain has created some positive buzz about the Gators for the first time since the Gators went 11-2.
A lot of Florida’s top targets are still uncommitted but the Gators and McElwain will be looking to flip some top prospects that are committed to other schools.
In this article Gator Country.com is going to look at five prospects that Florida will try to flip before National Signing Day in February.
These guys are listed aphetically but here’s what we think the Gators chances are of flipping these five guys.
Five possible flips?
FSU quarterback Deondre Francois (6-0, 191, Bradenton, FL IMG)
Notes on Francois: Francois liked Florida a lot before he committed to FSU this past spring but Francois didn’t like the uncertainty of the coaching staff or Will Muschamp’s offense. One of the first stops McElwain made two weeks ago was to see Francois and following the meeting Francois says he plans on taking an official to Florida. Florida State is trying to stop the visit so it will be something to watch heading into next month.
Chances on Francois: Florida State has three quarterback commits so if Florida can get Francois on campus then they have a great shot. The question is whether McElwain would rather have Francois or Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. Right now I lean towards Florida having the best shot at landing Francois instead of Jackson.
South Carolina OL Christian Pellage (6-6, 291, Brooksville, FL Nature Coast)
Notes on Pellage: The first visit Jim McElwain made as coach of the Florida Gators was to see Pellage as the Gators desperately need offensive linemen in the Class of 2015. Pellage is guy that can play guard or tackle as someone that had interest in Florida but the last staff didn’t have as much as interest in him. McElwain has been recruiting Pellage pretty hard so far.
Chances on Pellage: Pellage says that he may visit Florida in January and if he does I think the Gators will flip him. Pellage knows there is early playing time available and Florida is close to home.
Miami running back commit Jordan Scarlett (5-11, 205, Ft. Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas)
Notes on Scarlett: Scarlett is the best running back in the state of Florida and is the bruising type running back that Florida needs to replace Matt Jones, who’s leaving school early. Scarlett, in my opinion, is a smaller version of Trent Richardson and is someone that will be an All-American in college.
Chances on Scarlett: Scarlett plans to visit Florida in January and he says that his two favorite running backs are Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson and McElwain is using that to his advantage. When McElwain met with Scarlett two weeks ago he made sure to tell Scarlett about his past and his ability to develop top running backs. Right now I just can’t see Scarlett flipping but we’ll see how the visit goes.
FSU receiver commit Auden Tate (6-4, 199, Tampa, FL Wharton)
Notes on Tate: Tate is another prospect who had a lot of interest in Florida before committing to FSU. Tate did visit Florida for the South Carolina game and enjoyed his visit as he’s very close to Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves. Florida was recruiting Tate as a tight end but McElwain says that he wants Tate as a receiver, which helps Florida out a lot.
Chances on Tate: The Gators need to get Tate on campus again because I believe that Tate has legit interest in Florida and he’s guy that Florida could flip, as early playing time is there for any receiver next year.
South Carolina defensive end Quandeski Whitlow (6-4, 232, Opelika, AL High)
Notes on Whitlow: Whitlow just picked up a Florida offer on Saturday and he now plans to take his last official visit to Florida on January 30th just days before signing day. Whitlow is a prospect that new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins recruited at Mississippi State and once he got to Florida was the first prospect he offered. Whitlow was one of the best prospects in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game two weeks ago and many believe that Whitlow will add 30-pounds once he gets into a college weight room.
Chances on Whitlow: Whitlow was fired up about his Florida offer when I spoke to him and I like the Gators chances if he makes it onto campus likes he says.