The Florida Gators coaching staff had a great summer and they’re just over a week away from opening the 2022 football season.
Billy Napier and the rest of the coaching staff have put together a great class already with 20 commits in the class heading into the fall.
GatorCountry brings you a new recruiting mailbag to get you caught up on things as we head into the football season.
Gatorjnyc: Wondering if you ever found out anything about Kevin Carter working with Keon Keeley – and what you feel our chances are with him.
AS: Carter has been working with Keeley for years now and continues to help the defensive lineman as a mentor. Right now Alabama is the favorite for Keeley but Florida hopes to get the defensive lineman on campus this fall.
Rileyf58: What are the chances we finish with a top 5 class or 300 247 total class rating? Also, get well soon!
AS: Top five, I think is still possible because Florida has several top-rated guys still on the board but I think at worse you will see Florida in the 7-9 range which is a good year for Napier and company. The good news is this should continue to improve as Napier and his staff build relationship with guys in classes going forward.
Irgator12: Who could be the 2nd running back?
AS: I don’t see Florida taking a second running back in the class.
Gatorboy08: What are the chances Florida finishes with one of the following: Keeley, Russaw, M’Pemba, and Parker?
AS: Right now I would say slim but still a long way to go and a lot of visits to still take place. Tomarrion Parker is a guy that the staff is watching closely and if they go all in on him they can land. If they can get Keeley on campus more then they can be a real serious threat here. M’Pemba has an interest in Florida but the Gators seem to be trailing several others. It’s going to be tough to pull Russaw out of Alabama.
Gatorboy08: What’s the likelihood of flipping one of Lewis Carter, Pup Howard, or Malik Bryant?
AS: I could see one of those guys in the class come December especially if the Gators have a good showing on defense this year and can show those guys that they’re needed but also that they will be used correctly. Florida has been talking with all three guys despite their commitments.
Ufgator84: 1) Any realistic shot at any SEC-level OTs?
2) Ditto for LB?
AS: The best shot at a top-notch offensive lineman is Monroe Freeling and the Gators are trending for him but Miami, Alabama, and Georgia are also involved. Freeling wants to see how the season plays out for each of those teams before deciding and he wants to visit each school again so the Gators need to get him back on campus.
At linebacker, not many options left but they’re continuing to recruit South Carolina linebacker commit Grayson Howard, Miami commit Malik Bryant, and Oklahoma commit Lewis Carter in hopes of adding another one.
Juggernautz: Are we going after any PK’s and/or punters?
AS: Florida isn’t going after any of those guys for scholarships right now but I’m sure they will add a guy or two as walk-ons as that’s something that usually happens every year.
Gatorjack: How do you feel about Hall and other DT’s we’re recruiting?
AS: I feel the best on defensive tackle Kayden McDonald right now as both he and his family really loved their visits to Gainesville this summer and he’s planning to announce his commitment this fall. McDonald plans to visit Gainesville this fall but will also visit several other schools. With Jordan Hall, it’s going to be a battle for him with Georgia but the good news for Florida is that they have several current commits recruiting Hall to Gainesville. Hall doesn’t have a decision date in mind and plans to visit Gainesville fall.
Polkgator: Myles Graham was a nice start to 2024. Who are some guys that could commit in the near future for the 2024 class? Thanks and feel better!
AS: A few guys that I feel good about heading into the season are offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis who is the brother of Richard Gouriage. Also, defensive back Jaylen Heyward and linebacker Adarius Hayes are two guys to watch closely as well and all three of those guys are going to be on campus for the Utah game.
Docwells7: My question is when does recruiting season officially end?
AS: The question I have for you is are you Dan Mullen or Billy Napier? If you’re Mullen then it ended the day fall camp started but if you’re Billy Napier, then it never ends. The difference between recruiting great and barely recruiting.
74gator: Any interest in DL Damon Wilson? Highly rated but not talked about on these boards. Are the Gators still recruiting DL LeBlanc?
AS: I haven’t heard of any renewed interest between Wilson and Florida but it’s something I will keep an eye on this fall for sure. Yes, Florida is still recruiting Oklahoma defensive line commit Derrick LeBlanc and they will continue to do that until he signs in December. DB commit Ja’Keem Jackson is also recruiting his teammate LeBlanc to Gainesville. Oklahoma doesn’t allow their commits to visit schools but it’s something we’re watching.
Bigmike64: Are there any players who are committed to other teams today that we missed on that you feel really good about flipping back to the good guys? obviously no names but is there a good chance one or more come back around?
AS: Yes, there are a few names that the coaching staff is keeping in contact with and are trying to get them on campus this fall for a visit in hopes of making the flip happen. With respect to both parties, we will keep that quiet until they make it on campus.
Thedynasty11: If you had to choose either DJ Lagway in 24 or Colin Hurley in 25 who would you take and why?
AS: I’ll go with Lagway just because he’s a 2024 guy and he’s up next and the Gators need to add another elite guy at the position next year as the depth chart simply isn’t deep enough. Lagway is a very good athlete and still needs to polish his throwing game a little bit, but he would help recruit others. That’s not taking anything away from Hurley as the Gators like him a lot and he’s a very good player but since he’s in the 25’ class he’s a little bit away.
Pooney1313: I’m sure there are several, but is there one aspect of this staff’s recruiting prowess/process that really sticks out, especially compared to the previous regime?
AS: This coaching staff is as genuine as any coaching staff I have ever been around and that shows with the way these recruits keep coming back for visits over and over. Also, this coaching staff is great in the film room once they get prospects on visits and they’re able to show these guys just how the Gators can help them.
Cbcoakley: What’s it take these days to get in on multiple top 20 Florida guys? We look to maybe sign 1-3 this year and UM is looking at 4-6. Is it a money thing like so many on this board suggest or are there other contributors? And FWIW, I believe Napier is doing a great job.
AS: Florida is going to get their guys under Napier now and so far only 3 out of the 20 guys are from the state of Florida which is a huge improvement for this coaching staff. Florida is still in the running for several highly rated guys in the state so they will end up with more guys in that top 20 you speak of.
Cooldaddybreeze: Since Napier likes to run a lot of 2-TE sets, and we seemingly don’t have any experienced or highly ranked TE’s on the roster, are you surprised we aren’t going after at least one ready-to-play TE in this class? Tony Livingston seems to have a high ceiling but also seems like a long-term project. Do you think we hit the portal next offseason to try to find an experienced TE that can contribute right away?
AS: I’m not really surprised after they took three last year even though Livingston won’t enroll until this spring, so he technically counts for this year. A lot of what they do in the portal will be determined by how the guys develop this year. It’s a big year for guys like Nick Elknis and Jonathan Odom as how they develop will show the staff whether they need to add a guy this year or not.