Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: January 12th edition

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 marching towards the end and with only one month left; there is still plenty of spots open in the 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.

 

Dman26: How well is the relationship mending between Florida and James Robinson going?

AS: The relationship is getting better and Kerry Dixon is visiting Robinson on Thursday so that process should continue to improve. I do know that Dixon and Robinson have been speaking a lot and Robinson has been the one calling since it’s the dead period. I think things will be fixed over the weekend while he’s in town for a visit.

 

MrB-Gator: Do you think we get the following:
Tedarrell Slaton
The Gaddy twins
Elijah Conliffe
Kai-Leon Herbert

AS: I think Florida has a really good shot with Slaton and Herbert heading into this month of visits. After that, I think they have a decent shot with the Gaddy twins if they’re able to get into school and the visit goes well. Conliffe is a guy that Tennessee is also hard after so that one is going to be a fight until the end.

 

Jimzgator: Are you hearing anything else about the Alex Leatherwood situation. Will Mac let it go or will our compliance dept. send something to the NCAA about it. Is there more you can add at a later time about it?

AS: I said pretty much everything that happened when I posted the story on the message boards. I doubt that anything happens with the NCAA here but I’m sure it’s something that everyone will continue to monitor.

 

BCNGator99: Is James Robinson the only receiver that Florida is going after, assuming Henry Ruggs doesn’t visit or are there some other options out there?

AS: Robinson and Ruggs are the two receivers that Florida is focusing on right now. That could change if they start to get a vibe that they will strike out on both but the 2018 class is loaded so I don’t see Florida reaching for anyone this year.

 

Anerdin: Are there any under the radar or potential surprises for the class being worked right now?

AS: I know a few guys that are plan B guys that could take an official visit but nothing has been set up yet. Right now the Gators are going all out for the guys that have already set up visits.

 

Babablkshp: Is it likely that any visitor pops this weekend and commits?

AS: I would say no but it’s January and unexpected commitments happen all the time. Most of the visitors visiting this weekend still have other visits set up so that’s why I said it’s unlikely.

 

Macbgator: Other than Ventrell Miller, James Houston, who do you feel like we end up with at linebacker??

AS: Nick Smith and Levi Jones are both guys that the Gators have a decent shot with. The Gators will get the first shot at Jones this weekend and they will go in-home with Smith on Thursday in hopes of getting an official visit.

 

Macbgator: Any possibility of another quarterback in this class??

AS: Unless it’s a grad transfer then I don’t think there’s another quarterback in this class. I do think a grad transfer is possible if the Gators are allowed to sing one.

 

Subtle_gator: Mac had to have seen how valuable a true dual-threat quarterback is…what’s the latest on James Blackmon?

AS: Blackmon hasn’t talked to Florida lately and it seems if he goes anywhere but Florida State that it will be West Virginia.

 

Dkinggator: Anyway we can finish with a top 10 class?

AS: I think it will be very difficult for Florida to finish with a top 10 class unless they just land all of their big time targets and get a few surprises. Florida shouldn’t be outside of the top 10 but I still feel as if this class has a chance to be a solid one for Mac and company.

 

G8RByte: Is Malik Zaire still in play?

AS: Yes, he is but he’s waiting to see if he can transfer to Florida. The SEC still has not made a final ruling on if the Gators can take a graduate transfer this year or not.

 

Zook: Why did we fall off with Ruggs? I read elsewhere he said he’s in contact the most with Alabama and Florida State. Is that because he’s not looking to talk to us or are we not pursuing as hard as the other two?

AS: Alabama and FSU recruited Ruggs harder for sure and the Gators were after others harder at the position. Florida has its work cut out for the if they want to get a visit from the receiver who had a big game in the Army All-American game. Florida is planning on visiting Ruggs for an in-home visit.

 

ASpeed: Which of the commits and targets will when the #WannyAward for this class?

The kid no one is excited about but plays significant snaps this year.

AS: Kyree Campbell is a guy that should get a lot of snaps at defensive tackle and Kemore Gamble is another guy that could contribute some at tight end if he gains the muscle and weight needed. I also wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see a guy like Ventrell Miller get a lot of snaps at linebacker due to the depth there.

 

Mjhurstygator: Any updates on the start of the stand-alone football facilities. The other question, did Florida ever start or complete the new updated dorms? I hope all these things are in the works cause these young recruits are getting pulled away from the program. Thanks again Andrew for all your information and hard work.

AS: Florida has done a lot of dorm work already and is continuing with more renovations that should be done this summer. Coach Mac made sure that work was started when he arrived on campus as head coach. As far as the stand-alone facility goes, the only thing that I’ve been told is that it should be started this spring sometime. I haven’t been given an exact date of when that will happen but I do feel that the process will be speeded up a lot. Boosters were not happy with the time frame that was given previously.

 

Gatorbone7: Any update on chances Adarius Lemons qualifies?

AS: I’ve been told that Lemons should qualify and he has a several more chances to get a higher test score if he needs it The biggest thing for Lemons is for him to keep his head clean now that he’s back at Clearwater.

 

Gatorbone7: What’s the fall back option at running back if he doesn’t get in?

AS: Bentavious Thompson out of Southridge is a guy that they’re recruiting and is someone that could very likely end up in the class at running back.

 

Gator_nica: Can you elaborate more about UF trying to void the graduate transfer restriction it has been placed?

AS: Florida and the SEC are in talks about getting some kind of appeal so they can allow graduate transfers this year. I’m not sure when a ruling will be handed down but I know a few guys are waiting to see if the rule gets overturned or not.

 

Juggernautz: Do you think Eddy Pineiro. will leave early? Do you think we’ll get another kicker in the 2017 or 2018 class just in case?

AS: It’s tough to say because kickers usually don’t leave early but I could see a case where Pineiro has a good 2017 season and leaves. I know that Florida is looking at a few guys in 2018 with plans to sign a kicker in 2018.

 

UFsports24_7: Where would you rank Kyree Campbell on our defensive tackle board?

AS: Campbell is a big time talent guy and is someone that was on close to the top of the board and is someone that should contribute next year. He should be in the rotation at defensive tackle.

 

SirRaj: Why did we not go hard after N’Kosi Perry?

AS: Florida had him in camp several times and the coaching staff was never sold on him as a passer so they didn’t offer him.

 

RVG: With all you know, what are your biggest areas of concern with the current class? Do you think Mac and Co will be able to draw in some “big splash” type recruits with a 9 – 3 (+/- 1) type season in 2017?

AS: The biggest concern for me is the lack of an offensive lineman who is truly ready to play from day one. Florida will still end up with a really solid offensive line class but they had the chance to get a guy that could play from day one. As you’ve seen in the past the record doesn’t guarantee big splash recruits so it’s all up to the staff to really get some of these big time players to commit. There are several of those guys in 2018 that Florida has a good chance with so I believe they can get a big splash guy in the class of 2018.

 

Dhainer24: It seems like Henderson, Edwards, Stewart, Slaton, Herbert, Robinson to name a few are all trending our way. Some of them have been trending towards us for a LONG time. If they are leaning our way for so long, why no commitments? I know it has been the dead period, but it seems other programs are getting commits. Will any of these guys commit soon? I truly believe we finish strong, and I am optimistic, but a little momentum from getting a commitment or 2 before NSD would go a long way.

AS: Those guys have all wanted to wait and take visits before announcing a decision. A decision could come in January for some of those guys but most are going to wait until signing day or right up until signing day.

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.