The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going strong over the last month, as the Gators will take the momentum of the season into recruiting.
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:
MrB-Gator: Are we done at QB now that Franks is leaving?
AS: Yes, I haven’t heard anything to make me believe that Florida will go after a second quarterback in the class.
Juggernautz: Do you anticipate any surprises on ESD, next week?
AS: At this time no, I think you guys know about everyone that the Gators could potentially sign on early signing day.
Baileyboy1223: Heard Tim Smith is solid to bama but still let us have an in home visit is he still visiting this weekend?
AS: Smith is still expected on campus this weekend and why he says he’s solid to Bama, he continues to talk Florida and say the right things to the Gators coaching staff.
IamBornAGator: Henderson is leaving how does affect his brother WR Xzavier?
AS: I don’t think it plays that big of a factor as most knew CJ was going to the NFL after this year.
Shade45: What’s the latest on RB and WR recruiting?
AS: Florida will host Jalen White, Henry Parrish and Jahmyr Gibbs in January and the Gators should be land to at least one of those guys. Also EJ Smith may not sign until February so the Gators will continue to push for him. At receiver, the Gators are still after Xzavier Henderson, Elijah Canion, Kentron Poitier and Malik Heath. Right now the Gators aren’t leading for any of those guys though.
Irgator12: How can we benefit from the coaching carousel at Clemson and Georgia and not so Smart throwing his players under the bus. So far Braun is listening, is there anyone else we can go after?
AS: I don’t think you will see as much of a change in the 2020 class as you will in 2021 and going forward. Georgia losing Sam Pittman will hurt them in recruiting linemen for sure. Clemson losing Scott will hurt them in the state of Florida some as well as Scott was the biggest recruiter for Clemson in the state.
TebowNut6: I don’t remember hearing… has Dan found someone (hopefully a proven rockstar) to lead his recruiting dept. yet? And in that same vein, how many more off-the-field recruiting folks do you think we need to hire to start really competing with the likes of Bama, UGA, LSU, etc for these elite players? Has this (the #’s) been one of our biggest Achilles heels from a “closing” standpoint (vs. our position coaches), or do we just not have the quality other schools have in this capacity?
AS: Mullen has everyone as equals in the room working together instead of having just one head of recruiting. He thinks that process works better for him so that’s what he’s going with. I do expect Florida to add some more guys though.
Thedynasty11: What’s going on with Donnell Harris? I remember you saying if we wanted him we can get him, now it sounds like we are interested but you think he sticks with AM.
AS: Florida has a ton of momentum heading into his official visit to Texas A&M this weekend. The Gators and Aggies are right there and it will come down to the wire here but the Gators have momentum.
Chicagogator94: What guys would UF “make room” for if we were at max signees but theses guys wanted in at the last minute.
AS: Avantae Williams, Tim Smith, EJ Smith and Xzavier Henderson are all guys that fit that statement but I don’t see room being an issue for the Gators.
Akgator2003: In your opinion what is it about this staff exactly that they don’t match up with the UGA, Bama, Clemson, LSU coaches on the trail? Don’t relate well to the prospects? Not aggressive enough?
AS: Florida has to get more aggressive here and they have to push for early commitments more but the more on the field success the better this should get. The off the field recruiting staff is helping the coaching staff a lot.
Kdm: Any news on where we stand with the 2021 Miami Palmetto guys (Marshall, Taylor and Collins)? Also, safety seems like a big need for 2021 and we don’t seem to be getting interest from most of the top guys. Who are our primary realistic targets at S that are showing interest for 2021?
AS: Florida is in a really good spot for the Palmetto kids in 2021 and they continue to visit Florida. I think Florida lands a couple of those guys this spring. For safety in 2021, James Williams, Ahmari Harvey, Terrion Arnold and Dakota Mitchell are all realistic targets so far.
1shawngibson1: Chances with Avantae Williams, Arian smith and XH
AS: Florida isn’t in the mix for Smith right now. Florida is right there for Xzavier Henderson and this is going to come down to the wire. Avantae doesn’t sign until February so January official visits are huge.
Tjgators: Who is in danger of not qualifying that is committed?
AS: Leonard Manuel is the main concern right now and he will be one to watch until the summer as it will come down to the wire.
SwampRise: What are the odds that Mullen makes moves at one or more of the coaching positions if we whiff on Smith, Braun, RBs, and other remaining targets on the board? Part 2 – are we still a Top 10 class if we completely whiff on all these guys?
AS: Right now it doesn’t look like any coaching changes are going to be made but you also see movement after signing day so that could change for sure. And yes, I think Florida still lands a top 10 class.
Gators1992: Which offensive recruit do you believe has the talent to be All-SEC type player?
AS: Joquavion Fraziars is a guy that I think has that potential for sure. Fraziars has a chance to get on the field and make an impact as a freshman as well.