The Florida Gators coaching staff has been busy with the spring evaluation period going on since the middle of April. That will come to end at the end of the month, but the coaching staff will have no time to rest.
Jim McElwain said it best during his opening press conference when he said “recruit daily or die” and he has taken that approach this recruiting cycle. With the spring evaluation period over soon the Gators will go right into summer camp where they hope to host several big time visitors.
Over the next week GatorCountry.com will break down each position and let you know who Florida has the best chance at landing heading into the summer as well as some guys to watch that Florida could gain on this summer.
Last week took a look at the offensive side of the ball so this week we move to the defensive side of the ball and started in the trenches with the defensive line but now move to the linebacker position.
LB recruiting breakdown
Commits
Linebacker Vosean Joseph (6-2, 210, Miami, FL Norland) is a solid commit to Florida and will take a lot to flip him away from the Gators. Joseph has seen his offer list grow this spring as he continues to impress coaches but his relationship with linebackers coach Randy Shannon is a big key for Florida.
Best chance heading into the summer
Below are the guys that GatorCountry.com believes Florida has the best shot with as of right now. This list is surely to change as the summer progresses and prospects visit schools.
Tyree Horton (6-1, 225, Highland, KS Highland JUCO)
Why he makes the list: Florida has a lot of confidence in their ability to land Horton due to the fact that Horton has a great relationship with linebackers coach Randy Shannon and his best friend is C.J. Worton. Horton is scheduled to visit Florida this summer despite his commitment to Florida State.
Teams in the race: Horton is committed to Florida State and will take an official visit to Florida State this weekend. Horton committed to FSU because they were the first to offer him.
Tre Lamar (6-3, 240 Roswell, GA High)
Why he makes the list: Lamar had a great visit to Florida this past spring and that made Florida a legit contender for him and Lamar family has a great relationship with the Gators coaching staff. Lamar will likely wait awhile to decide so Florida has a lot of time to continue to recruit him.
Teams in the race: Alabama, Auburn and Clemson are the serious contenders for Lamar with Auburn probably being the leader for the Georgia linebacker.
Shaquille Quarterman (6-0, 230, Orange Park, FL Oak Leaf)
Why he makes the list: Quarterman is a regular visitor on campus in Gainesville and was on campus several times this spring despite his commitment to Miami. Quarterman will visit Florida this summer as the Gators continue to try and gain ground on the linebacker.
Teams in the race: Miami is the team Quarterman is committed to and his family loves the Canes, but with the coaching staff’s future up in the air anything can happen here.
Names to remember
The following list are guys that have either said they will visit Florida this summer or have said that there is a chance they could visit this summer. These are prospects that like Florida but have yet to visit the Gators or are still a long ways away from making a decision. Stay tuned to Gator Country to see if these prospects will visit the Florida Gators this summer.
Jeffrey McCulloch (6-2, 235, Houston, TX Aldine Davis)
Why he makes the list: McCulloch visited Florida this spring and had a great trip to Gainesville and he continues to have good talks with linebackers coach Randy Shannon. McCulloch is likely to stay in state but Florida is a school under heavy consideration out of state.
Teams in the mix: Texas, Oklahoma, LSU and Houston are schools that McCulloch likes a lot. Texas is considered the team to beat at this time however.
Zach McCloud (6-2, 215, Lantana, FL Santaluces)
Why he makes the list: McCloud just recently picked up an offer from Florida and said he will visit Gainesville this summer after he has built a good relationship with linebackers coach Randy Shannon. McCloud is a prospect that is rising on a lot of people’s board.
Teams in the mix: McCloud is currently committed to Miami and says he’s solid to the Canes but will visit other schools this summer.
Emmett Rice (6-3, 195, Miami, FL Norland)
Why he makes the list: Rice is a Florida State commit but is very good friends with Florida linebacker commit Vosean Joseph and the two are scheduled to visit Florida this summer together. Randy Shannon is very high on Rice after visiting him several times this spring.
Teams in the mix: Florida State landed Rice’s commitment because they were the first to offer him and they continue to keep Rice solid with them despite new offers coming in daily.
On the Subject of Recruiting: LB is obviously a position of need. So, too, is QB. Andrew do you have any information, thoughts, opinion on prospects Dillon Sterling-Cole and Xavier Gaines. On paper at least Gaines looks very promising. First, he is from Florida while Sterling-Cole is a Texan, hardly an easy place to get top recruits. Secondly, nearly every top program in the country has extended offers to Gaines while Sterling-Cole appears to be an after thought for these same programs. Finally, Gaines is bigger, stronger and faster than the other guy. I am assuming there is something about the kid that makes UF hold back. But if the kid is good enough for OSU, Alabama et al he should be good enough for UF.