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:
Tonto-86: From your perspective, in what way’s do you see Mullen and the staff approaching recruiting differently for this class compared to last year’s? How has the overall response of recruits differed this year compared to last year’s?
AS: The biggest thing is that the product on the field has helped the Gators out so the response has been better. Another thing is the staff is putting a lot more focus on instate guys this year and that has a lot to do because of the amount of talent instate in 2020.
Floridafan1992: Is the staff looking at taking another quarterback in the 2020 class with the departure of Jalon Jones or are they comfortable with just taking Richardson and getting someone else to go along with DelRio for the 21 class? If so who are the names we are targeting in the 21 class?
AS: Right now it looks like they will take two in the 2021 class to go so one more to go with Carlos Del Rio. That could change if someone that Mullen likes appears on the board for 2020.
Youngace: Any commitments coming before the season starts? Also what is the maximum number of players we can sign?
AS: 27 is the number I keep hearing as far as how many will be in the class this year and I believe Florida won’t pick up another 2020 commitment before the season starts though. It’s possible but right now doubtful.
Gatorfantone247: Chances with Avantae Williams, Aaryn Parks, Jaquez Robinson?
AS: Florida is very much in the mix with Williams and Robinson right now and they just need to continue to get them on campus. Parks needs to visit Gainesville before the Gators can become a serious threat.
Lammygator69: Has Mullen formally replaced Chuck Cantor? If so, who is his replacement? If not, why hasn’t he found someone yet?
AS: Nobody has officially taken Cantor’s title but Chase Clark has worked in Cantor’s old role before so he’s someone that can handle being in charge of the recruiting department.
Macbgator: Who are our safety targets?? Will there be some new names added along the way to signing day??
AS: Henry Gray and Avantae Williams are the guys who have visited Florida lately that the Gators have the best chance with. Mordecai McDaniel visited Florida in the past but right now the Gators have work to do to get him. If things go south with Gray or Williams then I would expect the board to expand for sure.
Gatordon: Will there be any flips?
Will we do a better job of recruiting elite O-Linemen?
AS: There’s always flips for and against Florida and Florida is in the mix for several guys committed elsewhere so I would expect that to continue to this year.
Florida is the mix for Marcus Dumervil and Issiah Walker and both of those guys are highly ranked offensive linemen so yes, I think offensive line recruiting is improving.
Clay_77: What’s the deal with running back recruiting, are we just not pushing for other top guys? Seems like once the one good one we are after is gone we start recruiting lower tier guys instead of other top recruits.
AS: Florida has swung and missed on a few top guys at the running back position but they still have some big targets on the board and they aren’t giving up on the guys committed elsewhere either. The biggest thing is that a lot of guys see the depth at the position and don’t like that so that makes it tougher for Florida.
Camtheman: How do you see the receiver position finishing out? Who realistically do we have a chance at ?
AS: Xzavier Henderson is the Gators top target at the position and he will announce his decision at the All-American game. Florida is battling Clemson here. Arian Smith and Kentron Poitier are also big targets for the Gators. I think Florida gets two more guys to finish out the receiver position.
UFGator402: Based on what you know today, where would you project we finish in the rankings on NSD?
AS: Right around the 7-10 range is where I expect them to be at. Depending on how some guys move in the rankings that could change a little.
Juggernautz: Are we recruiting any punters and/or PK’s this cycle?
AS: No, Florida isn’t recruiting either position right now but I’m sure they will have some guys walking on for the 2020 class.