The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going strong over the last month, as the Gators will take some big momentum into the 2019 season.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2020 class will shake out and who are the top prospects that the Gators are still after.
We answer your questions in this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.
Well let’s dive right in to this week’s recruiting mailbag:
Jump_pass: Who are we most likely to land at RB?
AS: These are the guys Florida is talking to at the position, EJ Smith, Demarkcus Bowman, Keyvone Lee, Don Chaney Jr, Lawrance Toafili and Mecose Todd. Right now I like Florida’s chances with Lee and Toafili but the Gators have work to do with both of those guys.
Youngace: What positions we looking to take for our final 7 spots?
AS: 1-2 running backs, 1 receiver, two offensive linemen, one defensive lineman and two defensive backs. As always those numbers can change if someone transfers in or out.
Trickster: How many OL recruits do we have and how many more so you expect we’ll have for the 2020 class?
AS: Florida has Gerald Mincey, Richie Leonard and Jovens Janvier committed right now and they would love two tackles to finish the class off. Issiah Walker and Marcus Dumervill are the top two targets for those spots right now and the Gators are keeping tabs on Aaryn Parks out of Maryland as well.
Graylon: Is our staff in contact with Don Chaney jr.?
AS: Yes, the staff still talks to Chaney but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of momentum for Florida right now with Chaney. Georgia has been the team most talked about besides Miami with him.
Blake_usmc: Is Kamar Wilcoxson here to stay? If a decommit were to happen again what does Dan Mullen do?
AS: Wilcoxson says he’s shutting down his process and from everything I’ve been told, that seems to be the truth. Florida didn’t want him to commit again if he was going to decommit but after Friday Night Lights Wilcoxson was ready to shut it down.
Irgator12: What does the receiver board look like? Who is our priority?
AS: The receiver board is the biggest mystery for the 2020 class right now. Guys like Xzavier Henderson, Arian Smith and Kentron Poitier are guys that Florida is talking to but I expect that the board will expand some. Henderson and Smith are definitely guys that the staff is pushing hard for at this time but neither are naming a leader or close to making a decision.
Gator_n_Bmore: Any big time thumpers we’re in the mix for at ILB?
AS: Right now, Florida isn’t a threat to land any big inside linebacker but I could still see Derek Wingo being that guy. Wingo says the staff has told him that if it doesn’t work out with him at the BUCK spot then he would to inside linebacker.
Gatorfantone247: Update on Tim Smith please! How of a threat are we to Bama? How serious is he with his bama commitment?
AS: Florida is a big threat to Alabama and that was shown when not only did Smith show up last Friday but he participated in the camp. Florida isn’t going to give up here and as long as Smith keeps talking to the Gators, Florida has life.
Gatorfantone247: Chances that we land both Issiah Walker and Marcus Dumervile? Which one do you feel we have the chance with?
AS: I think Florida has a better than 50% chance with both guys after their visits to Gainesville last weekend. Dumerville is very close to Derek Wingo and even Jonathan Odom and that helps the Gators out a lot. With Walker, FSU and Miami are still very much in the mix and Walker isn’t close to making a decision but his relationship with the coaches is something that helps Florida out.
Pan: How is the organization chart structure of the recruiting department shaping up as we head into the season and home stretch.
AS: Things are much better and much more organized than they were a year ago. Instead of not having enough hands to do the necessary job, Florida now has caught up some and have added some quality guys to the staff to help in recruiting.
Gatorfantone247: Did Jahquez Robinson ever make it to F.NL? If not, I why so?
AS: He didn’t make it in, Robinson was on a family vacation and he said that if he made it back in time he would visit but he didn’t make it back in time to get down to Gainesville. Robinson should be a frequent visitor this fall for the Gators though.
Baileyboy1223: Any word on Goods teammate Mba?
AS: There hasn’t been much contact between Florida and Mba as of late.
Ufgatordad: Where do things stand with Zykevious Walker? Seems recently we were leading and could possibly get a commitment.
AS: Georgia and Florida have both got positive impressions from Walker but it still seems like it will be a little bit before he makes a commitment. Right now I lean towards Georgia being the favorite right now.
Ufgatordad: With UGA loading up on OTs, could things open back up with Josh Braun, or does he or the staff no longer have interest?
AS: I haven’t heard much about Florida talking to Braun since his commitment and from what I’ve heard Braun is very solid with his commitment. Braun and his family have said from the start that they only wanted to make one commitment.
Ufgatordad: I don’t remember hearing much on Avante Williams following FNL compared to the other recruits. Did he make it in, and what’s your thought on where things stand, UGA leading with us squarely in the mix?
AS: Williams doesn’t do interviews so that’s why but he had a really good trip and things are very close between Florida and Georgia here. This is going to be one that comes down to the end of his recruitment before we really know which way he will go.
Gator-n-buck: What will be the strength of our team this year in your opinion? Offense or defense?
AS: For me personally, I think offense will be a strength because of the skill positions. When you look at the guys who will play at receiver, running back and tight end, you have a lot of playmakers, plus Feleipe Franks should improve as well. That’s no slight on the defense but the offense should be able to score points.
Acewade1: Will the staff put the full court press on E.J. Smith?!
AS: I keep thinking they will but then you talk to Smith and he says it’s just one or two coaches talking to him but I definitely things will heat up for him as it gets closer to his official visit for the Auburn game.
UFMBA14: What are we lacking (and is there a plan to fix it) to break back in to that tier of consistently bringing in top 5 classes?
AS: There’s not one exact thing that can be changed or happen to land a top five class but Dan Mullen is working on several things to get there. The first thing is he’s fixing his support staff and that’s a huge help and secondly the produce on the field will be better this year. Those two things alone will help things.
MrB-Gator: Is our new coordinator Clark in place and talking to recruits?
AS: yes, he was in town for Friday Night Lights and is recruiting and talking to prospects already. The first few weeks will be getting to know everyone including recruits.