Florida Gators Recruiting Mailbag December 18th

The Florida Gators landed their first commitment under Jim McElwain on Tuesday but Gators fans know that Florida needs a lot more commitments to finish out this class.

This week’s recruiting mailbag focuses on the Class of 2015 as many of Gator Country’s members have questions about how this class will shape up.

 

Jmike131014: What your opinion about our facilities and if you believe it has truly hurt us in recruiting?

AS: Florida’s facilities are ok but not great. I’ve had a few parents tell me in the past that Florida’s facilities were down near the bottom in the SEC but that Florida had the best environment and that they loved how everything was close together. Getting the indoor practice facility is a step in the right direction though.

 

Oklahomagator: The usual, how big will this class be? And the breakdown offense v defense?

AS: 22-25 is the number that I keep hearing. Florida, of course, needs to find a quarterback and running back in this class and they would like 5-6 offensive linemen in this class as well. The receiver position is still a question mark of how big it will be but the Gators need to add 3 linebackers in this class.

 

Taxman22: We need a MOCK! Can you give us a MOCK??

AS: Like every year I’ll do a mock class after the all-star games once I get a better feel for how the staff will shake out and how the kids respond to these hiring’s.

 

Nickelgator: will these folks be gators, Martez Ivey, Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson?

AS: As of right now I believe that Florida has a great shot at landing all three. Cowart is the guy that concerns me more than the others.

 

Nicklegator: Do you think T-Rob stays or leaves?

AS: I was leaning towards him returning but I’m back to who knows because there is a lot of stuff going on with him behind the scenes and I don’t think anyone truly knows what he’s going to do.

 

Kurt_borglum: I was wondering, could you give us an idea of the recruiting handicap (or advantage) we have regarding grades and test scores to get into UF versus our rivals (FSU, UGA, LSU, UT). I just figure a young man who believes (realistically or not) that he is only going to school for 3 years then off to the NFL will mostly take the path of least resistance (that is easier to get into and easier to make minimum grades necessary to make it 3 years).

I thought of this when PD started a thread on how FSU keeps attracting its recruits. I know it is easier for a non-athlete student to get into FSU than UF (where you must have a crazy good GPA and test score to get in)

AS: FSU is one of the easier schools to get in to but as you say Florida is tougher to get into and the admissions department at Florida is tough on these kind of things. I think at the end of the day though if an athlete is an average student then he should be fine to get into Florida.

 

Swampie: Andrew please give me your best guess where Florida’s class will rank come signing day? How many kids? Will we reach? Will this year end up being chalked up as a transition year?

AS: I still believe a top class could happen this year with the guys still out there for Florida to land. I think 22-25 is the number they shooting for. I think there is always a transition but I don’t think it will be a big one.

 

Dopplegangerg8r: Is there a possibility of an avalanche in this year’s class or is most of the BIG FOUR (CeCe, Byron, Holland and Ivey) announcing on signing day? Could one of them pull the trigger early and affect the others?

AS: I think this could very well happen if Cowart and Ivey announce at the all-star games like they’re thinking about doing. Those two guys carry a big weight for others to join the class.

 

MrB-Gator: AS….how does our DL board look and which ones are our best chances?

AS: Right now the top guys most likely to commit to Florida are Kendrick Norton at defensive tackle, Cece Jefferson and Byron Cowart at defensive end and Jeffrey Holland may end up being another rush end once he hits the weight room.

 

Macbgator: Who are we looking at for linebacker and wh0 do you think we are in good shape to get?

AS: I still like Florida’s chances with Jeffrey Holland and after that I think Florida will still press for Roquan Smith and maybe go after Derrick Graham who is committed to Arkansas. With Geoff Collins now the DC, Florida may go after linebacker Darrian McNair who is committed to MSU.

 

Macbgator: Is there achance we get George Brown back?

AS: Florida isn’t interested in him anymore.

 

Gatordon: Do you get the sense that recruits are impressed with Coach Mac?

AS: Yes as someone told me Coach McElwain is a guy that can dominate a one-on-one conversation and he’s one of the best at talking to parents.

 

Nickelgators: Who is the OC ? Hoping for Billy Napier

AS: Right now I continue to hear Napier is a high possibility and also Doug Nussmeir. Right now I lean towards Napier though.

 

Hawthornegator: Does Jordan Griffin (Griffith) of Armwood have a commitable offer? Do you see him in the class? How does he stack up to the guys we loss? (On the field, not the Rivals site)

AS: He doesn’t have an offer at all to this point but that could change soon. He’s a very solid player but doesn’t have as much upside as someone like Adonis Thomas has but Griffin is someone that will be like Jarrad Davis. I mean that as in that he will do what he’s told to do and be in the right spot.

 

Rodanx: Do you think Collins has any sort of agreement not to recruit the same kids he was going after at MSU to UF, and if not are there any MSU recruits who we now need to put on the Gators’ board?

AS: Not that I’m aware of and Florida is going to try and get back in the mix with Mississippi State safety commit Jamal Peters.

 

Rodanx: Also, are there any existing UF recruits who Collins has also been personally recruiting to MSU, so he will be able to build on an existing relationship?

AS: A lot of Florida’s targets didn’t visit MSU so not many existing relationships.

 

Hawthornegator: Which QB do you think UF Coaches prefer? Lamar Jackson or Deondre Francois? Do you see either in the class?

AS: Francois is more polished today but Jackson has the better upside but I think Florida would be fine with either. I think Florida has the best shot with Francois though because of FSU having three quarterback commits in the class.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.