Florida Gators: Receivers recruiting board

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 during the spring evaluation period. 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.

Offense is the biggest need for the Gators, so we started with the offensive line. Next we move to the receiver position, which is also a big position of need.

 

WR recruiting breakdown

 

Commits

Isaiah Johnson (6-3, 190, West Palm Beach, FL Dwyer) is a guy that should rise in the recruiting rankings after he had a solid spring this year. Johnson is on his third commitment, so the Gators will have to keep an eye on where he visits this summer, but right now Johnson is saying the right things to the Florida Gators coaching staff.

 

Rick Wells (6-0, 187, Jacksonville, FL Raines) is a guy that doesn’t wow you with his numbers, but is a guy that is just a solid playmaker that you can rely on in big situations. Wells is a possession receiver that Florida has been missing and the Jacksonville prospect is solid to 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.

 

Josh Hammond (6-0, 180, Hallandale, FL High)

Why he makes the list: Hammond’s older brother Frankie is a former Gators receiver and with Hammond wanting to possibly make a decision this summer the Gators look to be the team to beat. Hammond is also an early enrollee, which makes him intriguing to Florida since they need receivers quick.

Teams in the race: Ohio State and Notre Dame are the two schools that Hammond mentions the most besides Florida but Hammond has no plans to visit either this summer at this time.

 

Cavin Ridley (6-1, 190, Pompano Beach, FL Deerfield Beach)

Why he makes the list: Florida was Ridley’s favorite school growing up and the Gators are the only school he has visited thus far. Ridley is also scheduled to visit Florida again this summer and the Florida Gators will have to make a decision on whether they will take him or wait awhile.

Teams in the race: Alabama, FSU and Miami are all schools to watch. Alabama is where his older brother Calvin signed last year.

 

Binjimen Victor (6-4, 173, Coconut Creek, FL High)

Why he makes the list: Victor is one of the best receivers in the entire country and he continues to get better. Victor had a solid spring and he has visited Florida several times this spring and also has plans to get back to Gainesville this summer. Victor hasn’t named a leader yet but the Gators are a team that he likes a ton.

Teams in the race: LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee are also teams that Victor mentions as recruiting him hard. Right now Victor hasn’t said of any plans to visit other schools this summer.

 

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.

 

Sam Bruce (5-8, 185, Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas)

Why he makes the list: Bruce’s best friend is Jordan Scarlett, who signed with Florida last year. Bruce and Scarlett have lived together and Bruce’s mom is a big influence in Scarlett’s life. Bruce could visit the Gators this summer.

Teams in the mix: Bruce is committed to Miami but Florida and Florida State are still schools he’s considering. Right now Bruce is committed but looking.

 

Tyrie Cleveland (6-3, 180, Houston, TX Westfield)

Why he makes the list: Cleveland is from Jacksonville, Florida and says he will visit the Gators this summer and he likes that Florida needs receivers to play early. Cleveland also has a good relationship with receivers coach Kerry Dixon.

Teams in the mix: Houston, Texas A&M and TCU are all schools that Cleveland likes a lot. Houston has his former high school coach on staff plus Cleveland’s teammate just committed to Houston.

 

Taj Williams (6-4, 190, Council Bluffs, IA Iowa Western C.C.)

Why he makes the list: Williams liked Florida a ton out of high school and he has plans to visit the Gators this summer but right now the Florida Gators coaching staff is monitoring his academics. Florida offers early playing time for Williams as well.

Teams in the mix: TCU, Nebraska, Indiana, Auburn and Oklahoma are also schools that Williams likes. Williams has visits planned to TCU and Indiana but also has visited Nebraska already.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.