The Florida Gators recruiting efforts will pick up this coming Saturday as the Gators take the field in the Swamp and host prospects on campus for the first time since July.
The Gators picked up a lot of momentum during the dead period and look to continue that momentum with a strong start to the season.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2019 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:
UFMBA14: How much of the class do you expect to sign early vs. in February?
AS: I expect most of the commits to sign early so I would say it would be 50% done or better after the December signing period is over with. Of course Florida will still have spots open for guys who sign on signing day but I expect most of the December commits to sign early.
VincentVega73: With a few misses on west coast kids, do you see Dan Mullen casting a smaller net or changing strategies next year?
AS: No, I think Mullen will still try and recruit the west coach kids because he wants to recruit the best prospects in the country no matter where they’re from. I do think that Mullen will be better instate next year simply because he will have had a full year to recruit and build relationship with the instate school.
Macbgator: Any new names on the offensive line board?? Who are our strong leans to be in this class??
AS: Not really any new names to the board just yet. As far as strong leans, Florida doesn’t have anyone leaning strongly its way just yet but guys like William Harrod, Kamaar Bell and LaQuinston Sharp are all talking and have a lot of interest in the Gators.
GatorFanSeth: What is going to happen at safety?
AS: Safety is one of the biggest concerns for the class from my standpoint. You have guys like Lewis Cine, Ohio State safety commit Jordan Battle and Cortez Andrews talking about visiting Florida but none of those are exactly favoring the Gators. There’s always the chance that someone like Jaydon Hill could project as a safety if he was to come to Florida.
KHC_Dad: Do you see another staff member stepping over to help with the offensive line recruiting or safety recruiting? I remember when we had Hevesy and Addazio both working the tight end/offensive line probably because Addazio was a better recruiter. Safety will look a lot better if we got Battle on board.
AS: This is a staff that recruits its position for the most part but they also help in their respective recruiting areas. Florida’s support staff is key in helping the coaching staff and you’re starting to see those guys’ work pay off down the stretch.
Ufgatordad: In one sense offensive line recruiting is a concern with the lack of targets returning interest left on the board, but in the other we have Ethan White, Riley Simonds, and Wardrick Wilson committed. If we were to add someone like William Harrod to wrap up the class, based on overall talent alone, do you see that as a good enough draw of talent for this cycle, or would we need an upgrade in talent at offensive line?
AS: If Florida was to land Harrod that would be huge because he would be another true tackle in the class. Florida needs a true tackle to pair with Wilson but in my opinion they need to add a third tackle to the class as depth at the position is low. Simonds and White are good inside guys and I think you’re fine with those guys inside.
FormerGatorGreat98: Which position players typically will get paired up as a roommate for an incoming quarterback?
AS: There’s no true science to which position rooms with the quarterback. For instance Emory Jones is rooming with his good friends Trey Dean and Jacob Copeland this year. It’s typically paired by who they’re close to and know already so that it helps with the transition into college.
Alligatoralley: Why is Tyrique Stevenson so enamored with UGA if he was once committed to us?
AS: When Mac was fired, Kirby Smart really turned up the heat on him and that has stayed true to this day. With Georgia’s recent success it has Stevenson’s attention.
Proudgator1973: AS: Do you expect any commitments (not silents but the real thing) coming after the CSU game? How about the Kentucky game?
AS: No guys are scheduled to commit after either game but it wouldn’t surprise me to see at least one commit over the next weeks from a 2019 prospect.
Gator_n_Bmore: Who is this staff’s Drew Hughes?
Thought I heard about a guy coming down from from Va Tech but haven’t heard a peep about him since and don’t remember his name. Is he the guy? And if so have you been able to get a read on how he or whomever has the job stacks up to Hughes?
AS: Chuck Cantor is his name and he has done a good job of getting things organized at Florida and getting the board set up for the coaching staff. Cantor is doing a good job and he’s known for his ability to get guys on campus.