The Florida Gators coaching staff has shifted its focus from recruiting to the 2021 football season as the Gators will kick off the season in less than a month.
Despite the Gators being in the middle of fall camp, the coaches have picked up two commitments this past week and look to be in good shape for several other top targets heading into the season.
GatorCountry brings you a recruiting mailbag to answer your questions on the 2022 class as well as the 2023 class.
Juggernautz: Any new news on Nolen or Stewart?
AS: Nothing really new for Walter Nolen or Evan Stewart except Florida expects to get both on campus this fall. Stewart has been rumored to be close to making a decision but nothing has been set up as far as when he will make one. Florida is in good shape for him. As far as Nolen goes, Tennessee has the momentum right now.
Juggernautz: What’s the inside scoop on Glover?
AS: His parent and Jalon himself went with Utah because they were the school that had been recruiting him the longest.
Thedynasty11: What’s the latest on Kamari Wilson? Are we still making up ground on Georgia?
AS: Still making up ground for Wilson at this time and the Gators need to get him back on campus again this fall.
Atllagator: Who are our top targets for 2023 at QB? Are there any that you feel like are more likely than others?
AS: Dylan Longergan is the guy that’s very high on Florida’s board but the Gators are really just now building their board for the 2023 class at the quarterback position. Look for this position to expand more of the coming months.
Jcmiller910: How many kids do you see in this class? What is our chances at Etienne or Pettaway? If not either of them then are we taking another RB? If so who could that be?
AS: Florida’s chances with Trever Etienne are better than with George Pettaway currently. I currently believe that LSU is leading for Etienne. If Florida doesn’t land either of them then I don’t expect Florida to go after a second back in the class.
MrB-Gator: With the new transfer rule do you think we will start seeing more of them in each class going forward? What impact will this have?
AS: You will see schools leaving a few scholarships open every year to use in the transfer portal. Teams are going to use the portal to fill holes and it’s going to be interesting to see if that affects recruiting at all.
Ufgator84: Latest OL board, especially OT?
I see Nonar is being recruited. Who else?
AS: Ja’Kavion Nonar is the most likely at this time, but he still wants to take visits and he’s starting to pick up some big offers as Ole Miss recently offered and Florida State and Miami are close to offering. Jalen Farmer recently picked up an offer from the staff and he’s someone to watch as well. After those guys, the board is pretty empty as most others have either committed elsewhere or eliminated Florida.
Liveoak1: What’s it look like for defensive lineman N. Kelly, Marvin Jones, Kenyatta Jackson ? The staff still feel good on Francois Nolton. Sam McCall still listening to the staff?
AS: I would pencil Nyjalik Kelly to Miami and Jones to FSU at this time. Jackson is leaning more towards Ohio State at this time. The staff still feels good on Nolton and they’re working with him about gaining weight and getting him ready for college. McCall still talks with Keiwan Ratliff but right now that’s about it. McCall is still solid with Florida State.
Gatorboy08: Can you see Quency Wiggins or Chris McClellan in the class right now?
AS: Right now, Florida is trailing for both guys but McClellan continues to mention that he wants to get back to Gainesville for a game. McClellan has a good relationship with David Turner and Garrick McGee so if he does visit Gainesville then the Gators would have a decent shot with him. Ohio State is currently the team to beat for him.
Gatorboy08: With the commitment of Lightsey, are we done at LB, or do we push for a 3rd and target a guy like Bissainthe, Willis, or Lathan?
AS: Jaron Willis could play linebacker or safety and the Gators are in the mix for him and he will take an official visit to Florida. Wesley Bissainthe and Trey Lathan are guys that Florida hasn’t turned up the heat on yet. Harold Perkins and Jaishawn Barham are two guys that plan to visit this fall and they are really the only guys that Florida continues to recruit at the position. Perkins is more of an outside linebacker/rush end.
Gatorboy08: Do we have a good chance with Austin Ausberry right now at CB? If not, who are some other guys we are targeting that are takes right now at the position?
AS: LSU is the team to beat for Ausberry at this time, but he does have interest in the Gators. If Ausberry decides to go out of state, then Auburn and Florida will be two teams to watch. Azareyeh Thomas is the main guy to watch right now as the Gators battle Georgia Tech and LSU for him. Thomas wants to announce before his season starts so everyone should have an answer on him soon.
Pan: Are we going to push to get Ja’Kavion Nonar’s commitment
AS: Florida is pushing for Nonar’s commitment, and they want him but he’s expected to take a few visits before making a decision. Late fall or early winter is when I expect Nonar to have a commitment. Nonar may visit Florida for the FAU game.
Juggernautz: Do you think Isaiah Bond sticks?
AS: I think he does, Alabama has been involved but they have picked up other commitments so they aren’t pushing as hard as for Bond as they once were.
OklahomaGator: Is the NCAA allowing teams to go over the 85-man limit with players who are taking advantage of the extra COVID year of eligibility?
AS: The NCAA allowed all returning seniors to return to school without counting against the 85-man limit. So, for an example, Jeremiah Moon was able to return to school without counting against the 85-man scholarship count for Florida.
TheGator: Will this be a top 5 class?
AS: At this time, I think 7-10 is more of the range for this class but a few breaks and they could be on the verge of a top five class.
NYGator96: Andrew- Do we have a particularly large number of offensive linemen on scholarship that are not SEC caliber compared to recent years? Do you think they enter the portal for an opportunity to play after this season and then get replaced with other guys from the portal?
AS: I don’t think it’s fair to say they aren’t SEC caliber, do they have some work to do in order to be ready to compete on Saturday’s? Yes, they do but they have improved over the last year. I think you always have to watch for guys to enter the transfer portal now that you’re able to transfer and play the following year. And yes Florida will always be interested in guys from the portal.
Pan: Please give us the current story on Tony Livingston and your prediction on how his recruitment ends up
AS: The biggest thing for him is to dedicate himself fully to being an offensive lineman. Livingston needs to gain some weight in order to play tackle at the next level.
Pan: I’ve got another one for you- Are we in it for Jacksonville DB- Singletary
AS: Florida will likely get an official visit from Jaheim Singletary but they have some ground to make up in order to land him. Both Georgia and Miami are ahead for him at this time.