Florida Gators recruiting mailbag for August 18th

Gator Country’s popular Florida Gators recruiting mailbag is back to its weekly spot on Thursday’s as we answer your recruiting questions.

The Gators recruiting class is off to a great start in 2017 and look to be setting their selves up for another top class.

This week members had a lot of questions on the status of the Class of 2017 and we answer your questions here.

Remember to get your questions in on Tuesday for the Florida Gators recruiting mailbag each week.

MrB-Gator- What’s the latest info on the offensive line board?

AS: Not much different with the offensive line right now. I do feel as if Florida has picked up momentum on Miami commit Navaughn Donaldson but the rest of the guys just need to visit. The key is keeping the momentum up with guys through the fall so they can close on guys in winter.

 

Jacobrenda: Where do things stand with Tyreke Johnson?

AS: I feel like the Gators are at or near the top for 2018 defensive back Tyreke Johnson. Johnson is also looking at some schools out west and is looking at Georgia. Running backs coach Tim Skipper has done a good job early on with him though.

 

Gatorfanseth: When do things stand with Adonis Thomas?

He recently enrolled in Juco, which should allow him to chose whatever school he wants to go to when he is done with that.

Would we take Thomas and one more linebacker to go with the two that we already have?

AS: I know Florida has spoken to Thomas but past that nothing else has happened. I’m sure Florida will continue to monitor his situation this fall and probably watch him in games before offering or not.

 

47gator: Anything new with Devon Hunter? Tyrone Truesdell? James Robinson?

AS: Florida will make the next round of cuts for Hunter but past that nothing is going on. Hunter will visit Florida this fall and the Gators are in good shape. We ran a story on Truesdell on Wednesday and the defensive tackle said he almost committed to Florida on Saturday during his visit. With Robinson it’s a wait and see approach with him to see how he does this year both on and off the field.

 

Macbgator: Anyone we are looking at for offensive line that has not been mentioned or listed??

AS: Honestly not really, that will probably change this fall and winter after some game film is put out on seniors.

 

Jacobrenda: Is Alex Leatherwood going to actually visit? He has canceled last couple visits. Need to get him back on campus.

AS: I think he will visit this fall but again that is just a guess because he has said that in the past. All I know is that he continues to talk to Florida and telling them that he has interest.

 

Ufgatordad: Are you still feeling good about Shawn Davis? If so, do you think he’s the last DB we add for some time?

AS: I still feel like Florida has a great shot with Davis, it’s tough to say if he will be the last one for awhile or not. Brad Stewart is a guy that could announce at any time and he’s someone that Florida is in good shape on.

 

Dfalco2: AS how do you see our defensive back and Safety board shaking out come NSD? Seems we were in the lead for a lot of top guys but we are losing momentum. As for WR how do you feel about Donovan Peoples-Jones and James Robinson. Can we get one of them??

AS: I think the defensive back board will work itself out and be just fine. I think the Gators will end up with a really good class with the guys they’re after. Devon Hunter, Brad Stewart, Marco Wilson, Elijah Blades, C.J. Henderson and Ambry Thomas are all names that Florida is after a lot. That’s a solid list.

Florida and Michigan will battle it out for Peoples-Jones and it will go down to the wire. Florida has a great shot here but the instate team will continue to put pressure on him. It’s a wait and see approach with James Robinson.

 

Ufgatordad: Can’t help but feel that Hamsah Nasirildeen’s recruitment is far from over and not just because it’s only August. USCe could he heading towards a disastrous season while we could do really well! How do you feel about him right now?

AS: He’s a kid that I think will remain loyal to his pledge so I think he signs with South Carolina. That’s what people around him are saying as well so I feel good saying that. Florida won’t stop recruiting him though.

 

Ufgators32: When can we expect to start hearing about the staff reaching out to JUCO offensive line and defensive line?

AS: Florida has the only JUCO defensive lineman they want right now, that could change for another defensive tackle but right now I doubt it. So I think they’re done with JUCO defensive linemen. As far as offensive line goes I think they will continue to look at those prospects this fall before going for one.

 

Daswamp: Anything new on Jarez Parks?

AS: Alabama, Florida and Florida State are all in play for Parks and his recruitment won’t really heat up until after the season when he takes official visits. Florida is the school that closest to home which helps the Gators.

 

BCNGator99: Do you think UF needs to sign 4 defensive tackles with Andrew Ivie and Thomas Holley taking medical DQ’s? If that is the case and Fred Hansard does not commit to UF, who are some of the possibilities for the 4th DT assuming UF lands Truesdell.

Also – On the recruiting board page when you click on a recruit and it brings up their profile page, the section where it shows what stories/post the recruit was “tagged” in are not hyperlinked. Would it be possible to get an intern to hyperlink the each of the tags to the stories/posts?

AS: I think it’s very possible that Florida signs four defensive tackles this year. After Truesdell I can’t think of anyone that Florida has really pursued at defensive tackle but that will change if Hansard goes to Rutgers. As far as the recruiting board goes, we’re in the process of updating everything on the back end and that will be fixed.

 

G8trsnapper: Looking at Auburn’s schedule, they could possibly end up 4 and 8 with a big beat down by Bama in the iron bowl. Malzahn Likely gets fired. Do we stay on Calvin Ashley, and possibly Nick Brahms? They might be available in the I pending dumpster fire coming in the plains if we continue to recruit them. Your thoughts.

AS: Calvin Ashley is still talking and listening to Florida but academics are an issue so that could hurt him either way. Florida hasn’t offered Brahms after he didn’t camp at Florida like he was asked to.

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.

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