Florida Gators recruiting mailbag for August 17th

The Florida Gators recruiting has been nothing short of excellent since early July when things really got rolling for the Gators.

Most prospects will start preseason games this weekend or next week so football season is officially back and before long prospects will begin visiting campus again.

Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2018 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:

 

74gator: For the remaining slots, what are the numbers for each position that you think we will sign? Who are the plus ones in this class?

AS: This is my opinion based off of what I’m hearing so this could potentially change but I would say it breaks down like this. 3 offensive linemen, 2-3 defensive linemen, 1 linebacker and one defensive back. Florida could also use a spot elsewhere to sign an athlete.

 

Gator_nica: Are there any current commits that may be told to look elsewhere if more pieces fall through?

AS: Prospects are continuing to be watched throughout the year. Do I think everyone in the class now signs with Florida? Probably not.

 

Indygator: Guess I’ll ask the obvious: Can you talk about the impact credit care-gate will (and/or will not) have on our recruiting?

AS: I don’t see it having much affect on recruiting because McElwain has taken care of the matter and suspended the guys.

 

Ncgatr1: Who are the defensive tackles we have a legitimate shot at and will we possibly take more than expected?

AS: Coynis Miller, Rick Sandidge and Miami commit Nesta Silvera are the three guys that Florida has the best shot at. Dante Stills would be in the mix here if he visits Gainesville.

 

Bamagator85: Who is a player that could surprise the gators and be in the ’18 class?

AS: Right now I think all of the guys that are interested in Florida are out there. I would say a name that most don’t believe Florida signs but could is Tyson Campbell. Right now Florida has ground to make up but they have the right people recruiting him.

 

MrB-Gator: Do you think we sign most of the current commits on Dec 20th (early signing day)?

AS: Most guys say they will but I think we will have a better idea for sure when time gets closer.

 

Mdmcgarry: Who do see as likely signees on the offense line?

AS: William Barnes and Richard Gouraige are guys that I think Florida is in great shape with. Nick Petit-Frere is a guy that Florida is right in the thick of things with but he’s no where close to naming a leader.

 

LEMONHOPE: How many players from American Heritage do you expect to be in the 2018 Class?

AS: I’ll stay on the safe side and say two but I think three is very possible.

 

Singles: AS – can you give us one name that you are hearing that now has interest in the Gators that might have not been mentioned here before? Thanks as always AS! You are the best in the business!

AS: Tyson Campbell and Nesta Silvera are two names that you haven’t heard a lot about as far as interest in the Gators until recently but Florida is in the mix for both. More names could surface when visits start happening in the fall.

 

Macbgator: Who do we end up signing at linebacker??

AS: The top guy is and has been Channing Tindall. Right now I would say he heads to South Carolina but Florida has really made this a close battle. It will be interesting to see if he makes it back down before he decides in September.

 

Ufgatordad: If we had our pick of any 2 between Dante Stills, Rick Sandidge, Coynis Miller, and Nesta Silvera at defensive tackle, who do you think would be the first two we take (highest on our board)?

AS: Florida would instantly jump at the chance to sign any of those guys. I would say Florida is in good shape with all of them except Stills who just hasn’t visited yet.

 

Thumper: How impactful do you think the home schedule this year will be on the 2018 recruiting class and 2019 recruiting class? We were pulling teeth last year to convince kids to visit Gainesville to watch a game.

AS: I think you will see the schedule have a big impact on the number of guys you see visit Florida this season. The Tennessee, LSU, A&M and Florida State games should be huge visitor weekends.

 

Jonsantiago1: Do you anticipate any more commitments and how many between now and the start of the season.

AS: It wouldn’t surprise me to see a commitment before the season at all.

 

Rrtrackman: Thoughts on Jamaree Salyer? I think he wanted to follow Justin Fields, but do we have a shot now having Corral?

AS: Georgia and Clemson have been the schools standing out to Salyer and I think he ends up at one of those two schools.

 

Jackgator2: Names to watch for 2019 quarterback?

AS: Bo Nix out of Pinson, Alabama is the only quarterback with an offer that I think Florida has a legit shot at and he will be tough to pull from Auburn where his dad played. The position will really see numbers expand once the staff is able to watch kids play this fall.

 

Scooterp: would we take 2 more cornerbacks (Bookie/Campbell) if they both wanted in?

AS: I think it depends on the numbers at other positions but I could see a scenario where they take both. Campbell is a plus one kid anyway.

 

 

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.