Florida Gators recruiting mailbag the January 21st edition

Florida Gators recruiting is doing well and this week’s recruiting mailbag had a lot of great questions about the Gators recruiting class heading into the stretch run of the class of 2016.
Here’s the written version of this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag:
Note: There is no audio version for this week’s mailbag but that will be back next Thursday.

Gators1992:Is Kerry Dixon considered a good recruiter? We landed some good receivers but there are a bunch of top receivers leaving the state especially when we have such a need at the position.
AS: Florida can only sign so many receivers in this class so they can’t have everyone. Florida got three good early enrollees in this class in Dre Massey, Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond. Hammond dominated the Under Armour week, Swain had a great showing at the Opening and Massey is an explosive playmaker.

G8torjeff: Anyone expected to commit before National Signing day?
AS: In my opinion Florida will have to wait until National Signing Day to get a commit unless someone pops up and wants to get it over with earlier than expected.

Mrgator: I am all for Mac closing strong but I can’t get past the feeling that all of his recruiting mojo is on hold right now. What is the biggest reason you see the recruits going elsewhere right now: limited spots remaining, 3 game losing streak or fear at QB position? How much of this gut feeling do you believe is in my head?
AS: Limited spots remaining, plus Florida has filled up a lot of holes already in this class. Remember Florida has 26 commits in this class and, while yes, they would like to still close on a few more kids, they did a good job early on. Florida can’t have a great spring of loading up on commits and then have a monster signing day of loading up on kids. This is a good class already.

Juggernautz: How many slots do we have open & whom do you think will fill them?
Any guess on whom will replace Callahan?
Is GC going to provide NSD texts for its subscribers this year?
AS: Florida can take up to six more but I don’t think they fill all of those spots. Right now I think Florida gets another offensive lineman, a tight end, a linebacker, a cornerback and one more guy.
I honestly don’t have a guess because there are so many people looking at this job that it’s hard to pick one. I think Coach McElwain will get a good one though.
Yes sir we will have our text like the past years.

Ol2ange: Any possibility of a mock class?
What’s our WR board looking like? With prospects closing things down (Stove, Victor), and players fading (NCM), are we looking for some back up plans?
AS: Mock class is coming out on Monday at noon and that’s a promise to everyone.
I honestly don’t believe Florida will take another receiver unless Nate Craig-Myers or Tyrie Cleveland wants in this class.

Gatoralum12: Who would be someone that might come as a surprise commit, that we might not expect? Are there any names you might could think of that could surprisingly pick the Gators on NSD? Thanks.
AS: I think Florida has a good shot with Malcolm Pridgeon and John Simpson heading down the stretch and I think Florida fans would be surprised and happy about them. I’ve heard a few names thrown around as guys that Florida could bring in behind the scenes, but nothing has happened yet. When it does, I’ll let you guys know.

Lurkingator1: When will you post your mock Class? What day can we sign up of the signing day central text alerts?
AS: Monday at noon is my mock class and I’m not sure of the exact day for text alerts but it will be the week of signing day. I’ll ask Ray about them and let you guys know.

Ufgatordad: What’s your assessment of our receiver class, and whom do you see in the class when the dust settles?
What are the chances we don’t land any more receivers that are high up on our board?
Do you think the staff ideally wants 1 or 2 more, and who would those be?
AS: I think the receiver class is done right now and I like the class. I would like to have one bigger receiver to go in the class but it doesn’t look like that will happen.
Florida would love to have Nate Craig-Myers or Tyrie Cleveland in this class as a big play receiver but I just don’t feel like they get them.

TheGator: What is going on behind the scenes? A few weeks ago, it was full speed ahead until NSD with several top recruits. We fire Kirk Callahan and it now seems we blew out a tire on the last turn before the finish line.
AS: Florida filled its class up early on and is just looking for a few missing pieces in this class. I did think that they would have a little more success with a few guys but they didn’t. The firing of Kirk Callahan didn’t play an impact on things right now. Remember though that Florida has done a good job by keeping guys solid in the class like Lamical Perine, Vosean Joseph and Jeremiah Moon.

Mdmcgarry: What commitments, if any, are we at a reasonably degree of losing?
Where do you think we end up with in terms of offensive line, linebackers and receivers?
AS: Aaron Robinson is shaky at this point and so is Jachai Polite. I think Florida keeps both but they’re looking. Robinson is looking hard at Alabama and Polite is looking hard at USC because of his former coach is out there.
AS: I think Florida adds one more lineman and one more linebacker to the class to go with what they have.

Kinggator12: Anything on Burns and Eubanks? Will Nixon visit Florida and can Florida sign him? Have the coaches visit Cleveland?
AS: Both Brian Burns and Nick Eubanks will visit Florida this weekend and both received visits from Florida on Tuesday. I think the Florida Gators have a great shot at Nick Eubanks and they have a shot at Burns, but need a good visit. Florida will not receive a visit from Nixon. Florida hasn’t visit Tyrie Cleveland yet but they are scheduled too.

Gatordon: Are offensive recruits still concerned about the state of the Gators’ offense?
How is Urbs [Urban Meyer] doing so well?
AS: Recruits are worried about the quarterback play but that’s understandable until it’s fixed in Gainesville.
Urban is simply a great recruiter and always has been a great recruiter.

Atlg8rfan: looking ahead to ’17, which positions (like receiver this year) appear to have the most talent in Florida, the south, and nationally?
AS: Receiver is once again loaded for next year, as is the offensive line unit. Running back is also very good in the state of Florida for next year. The Florida Gators recruiting board should be loaded with top prospects in the southeast. Florida may not have to leave the southeast for a prospect next year.

Jjgator55: If the coaches don’t get the players they want to finish out this class would there be an advantage to just holding those scholarships until next season, or do we give them to backup plans?
AS: Coach McElwain isn’t going to just a sign a player to sign someone. He has filled the needs for this class so he doesn’t need just anyone in this class.

Amgator17: So with Nixon not visiting now we really need Cleveland. Is there any other receiver on the board for us to get now? I feel like are options are thinning
AS: First off nice to see you on the board Mrs Aimee. Right now I don’t think Florida gets another receiver but Tyrie Cleveland is still out there.

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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