The Florida Gators recruiting has been nothing short of excellent since early July when things really got rolling for the Gators.
Most prospects will start preseason games this weekend or next week so football season is officially back and before long prospects will begin visiting campus again.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2018 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:
MrB-Gator: Do you think William Barnes and Richard Gouraige are in this class?
AS: At this time, I say yes because Florida has done a great job recruiting both of those guys. Both don’t seem ready to decide though so getting that back on campus is a huge key.
Johnl: Who are we more likely to get at defensive tackle, Nesta Silvera or Coynis Miller? What’s the chances we get at least one of those?
AS: I feel pretty good in saying that Florida gets at least one of those guys in February. However it will not be easy as Auburn and Alabama are the competition for Miller and Miami already has a commitment from Silvera.
GatorFanSeth: Things gonna heat back up with Malcolm Lamar?
AS: If he has a solid start to the season, I could easily see them getting back in on him and pushing hard for him. Lamar liked Florida a lot early on.
Juggernautz: Who do you think will be the next to commit?
AS: Guys like Andrew Chatfield, William Barnes, Richard Gouraige and Anthony Schwartz are on commit watch anytime they visit Florida. With possible visits coming up for those guys to campus, any one of those four could be next. It also wouldn’t surprise me for those to wait awhile for making a decision either.
Juggernautz: Any chance of losing any of our 2018 commits?
AS: Always a chance and especially when you’re battling top teams for guys. Florida will still have to recruit the heck out of these guys down the stretch.
Juggernautz: Do you see a change in our philosophy as far as recruiting is concerned this recruiting cycle?
AS: Not really, Florida has always wanted to get a lot of the recruiting class committed by the start of the season but it just hasn’t happened until this year. Having the new coaches combined with the good ones already on staff has helped make that a reality.
Ncgatr1: How many will we sign and what is the breakdown on numbers with respect to positions on the remaining recruits?
AS: 25 is the likely number in this class. 2-3 offensive linemen, 1-2 defensive linemen, 1 linebacker, 1-2 defensive backs. I could see a number dropping at one of these positions to add another athlete or something.
LEMONHOPE: If Anthony Schwartz hops on board, does that wrap up receiver for UF? Do some of the receivers committed right now start looking more elsewhere due to a Schwartz commitment? Tyquan Thornton is one I really hope Florida keeps but seems like he’s still a signing day battle w Miami.
As always appreciate all you do AS. Truly the GOAT.
AS: Yes, that would most likely wrap the class. Thornton is someone that will be one to watch down the stretch but he’s close to the Gators staff.
Gator_nica: Looks like we really need linebackers, and ones who can play right away. Who is in play for linebacker for 2018?
AS: The numbers at linebacker are pretty good actually so that position isn’t really one of exact need. You return Vosean Joseph, Kylan Johnson and David Reese next year, plus the guys you signed last year. Channing Tindall is the big target for this class and someone they’re all in on.
Macbgator: Are we taking a kicker in this class or will it be a walk on???
AS: I would say at this point it’s likely the kicker is a preferred walk-on unless Florida has a scholarship available to offer a kicker one.
74gator: Are Tyson Campbell and Pat Surtain still talking with Florida?
AS: Yes, both are still talking to Florida. Again Florida has a better shot with Campbell but they need to get him on campus. The same could be said for Surtain as the Gators haven’t hosted him in quite some time.
UFsports24_7: Do you think we keep Tyquan Thornton in the class?
AS: Right now, I say yes but Miami is coming on quickly and are trying for the flip. Thornton likes the Gators coaching staff a lot and Matt Corral talks to him daily.
UFsports24_7: Is Richard Gouraige, William Barnes, Curtis Dunlap, and Nick Petit-Frere a realistic offensive line class?
AS: Absolutely, Florida is in excellent shape with Gouraige and Barnes right now and are in the thick of things with Petit-Frere. Petit-Frere is still taking his process slow so official visits are going to be key for him. I don’t see Dunlap wavering on his commitment.
UFsports24_7: Coynis Miller and Nesta Silvera our 2 main defensive tackle targets?
AS: Right now, those are the two main targets but I could see those options expanding throughout the season.
Mjhurstygator: From the recruiting part, we have heard about a lot of negative recruiting from other coaches. In your opinion Andrew, now that was are getting some of the top notch facilities, new coaches and top rated quarterback coming, is there really anything to hold us back from getting these top notch players every year? Thanks again for all you do in providing Gator fans with great information.
AS: Now that Florida has a quarterback, I don’t see any reason why they can’t load up on players year in and year out. McElwain has a staff that can help Drew Hughes recruit and that’s already showing in less than a year.
IAM4UFG8ORS: How are things looking for Anthony Schwartz? Also is he just looking at WR? From the film posted from his first game it looked like he is playing safety or corner and got a great interception.
AS: Florida is in good shape for Schwartz, the question is whether or not he wants to run track full time or do both. Right now, Schwartz is only being recruited as a receiver.
Jackgator2: I don’t think we are recruiting Nik Bonito. Do you think that changes?
AS: I don’t think Florida does much here. Andrew Chatfield is a guy that is similar to him.