The Florida Gators coaching staff has been on vacation the last few weeks but things are about to become busy again and the staff will be returning to Gainesville this week.
We’re just a week away from Friday Night Lights, the Gators biggest recruiting event and prospects will begin visiting campus again this weekend.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2018 class will shake out and who are the top prospects that are visiting this month.
We answer your questions in this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.
Well let’s dive right in to this week’s recruiting mailbag:
LEMONHOPE: Is the staff feeling confident in getting one of Justin Fields/Matt Corral? When can we expect offensive line recruiting to pick up? With all these great in state linemen, would be ideal for one to pop sooner rather than later.
AS: I know that there’s confidence that they can land one of them yes, now the battle is still going on for those guys so nothing is anywhere near done. But a lot of work is being put into those guys.
Offensive line has a lot of targets but none of them have popped yet. Guys like William Barnes and Richard Gouraige like Florida a lot but have said they’re waiting to decide so that hurts momentum some. I still expect a good class at the position though.
Tarjf: The Fields thing is making me curious about what’s going on? How close are we to landing him? Would love as much intel as you can give
AS: Fields isn’t close to making a decision by no means. Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and even USC are all right there battling for him and it looks like the decision will head into the fall as he takes official visits. Once he reopened his commitment things became crazy and he’s looking at everything.
Gator_nica: How are we looking for defensive line in ’18? Huge need.
AS: This is the position that I think is the one that has a lot people the most concerned. But they’re in good shape with Dante Stills who plans to visit this week. Rick Sandidge is another name that Florida is in the mix for. Miami commit Nesta Silvera, Coynis Miller, Azeez Ojulari are also all guys that Florida is recruiting hard.
TwonDiddy: I know we are in the thick of ’18 recruiting, but who are we recruiting at quarterback for ’19? And Akeem Dent, where do we stand with him?
AS: Florida will have a few 2019 guys throw for them this summer and that will shape up the board for the position. Florida is recruiting Dent hard and they’re the team with a lot of momentum right now.
Jonsantiago1: How may 2018 kids could potentially commit at FNL?
AS: There’s always at least one that pops so I’ll say one will pop but 2-3 wouldn’t surprise me if guys show up like expected.
Gatoronenemyturn: Has Matt Corral indicted making a decision prior to the start of the season or is his timing to wait later in the year?
AS: Yes, all indications are that he plans to make a decision before the season starts. He told Gator Country that he wanted to take visits this month and then sit down and make a decision.
Blake_usmc: Asa Martin or Dameon Pierce? Haven’t heard much on running back lately, are either leans?
AS: Both guys are still going through the process and both say they plan to visit Florida this month. Martin is a three way battle with Auburn, Alabama and Florida. Pierce is mainly a Florida/Georgia battle. Florida is also recruiting Leddie Brown out of Delaware as well. He’s also expected to visit this month.
Iamlorde13: Overall, has the summer played out as you expected in terms of recruiting momentum and commitments? It seemed there was a ton of buzz around the program in May/June that has not been met with only 1 commitment for 2018. Do you agree or am I being impatient?
AS: Expectations were high that this summer would have a lot of momentum but so far it hasn’t picked up much. A lot of that has to do with the quarterback situation and also the Gators haven’t held their big event yet. Now if things don’t pick up over the next few weeks, then yeah you should worry a little bit.
UFGator402: Based on who we have committed, on the board, and what you know, as of today, where would you guess this class finishes?
AS: Top 10 class if Florida lands the guys that they lead for right now. Anything higher than that will depend on who the quarterback is and who he’s able to land because of his commitment.
UFGator402: Are there other “character concerns” on Corral other than the fact that he got in a fight with the Great one’s kid?
AS: Not that I’m aware of, that was the only incident that I’ve heard of with him. Florida is doing its homework to make sure that this was a one time deal.
Georgiagator478: If somehow we don’t get Justin Fields or Corral, do we circle back to Jarren Williams? Would he even consider us again since he’s back with Kentucky?
AS: They would circle back to him and North Carolina State commit Devin Leary. Williams would consider Florida but there would be some work to be done there.
Kdm: Anything new on Jamaree Sayler or Patrick Surtain, Jr. and whether either one might visit this summer? Also, anything new on Jacob Copeland?
AS: Both say that they might visit Florida this month but if I was a betting man, I would say they don’t visit. Sayler looks to be a Clemson/Georgia battle and Surtain is likely headed to LSU.
With Jacob Copeland, he’s enjoying the process but Florida and Alabama are the two teams leading the pack at this time.
MrB-Gator: How about our linebacker board…..who are the ones we look good for?
AS: The main targets are Channing Tindall, David Reese, Richard Jibunor, and Alabama commit Quay Walker. Florida is trending for Reese and are in the thick of things for the other three. Tindall visits for FNL as well.
RVG: With the similarity between the CJ Smith and James Cook decommitments, do you suspect they are coordinated by a school or Coach? Do you see them both landing at the same school?
AS: Georgia looks to be the team to beat for both of those guys. I know those guys are friends so maybe they got together on the announcement. I haven’t asked either one if that’s true or not.
Gator30339: Is Fields going to be at Cam Newton 7v7 at Lakepoint this weekend?
AS: Not that I’m aware of. He’s supposed to be visiting Auburn this weekend.
Gator_n_Bmore: Still look good for Kyle Pitts at tight end? Also did he set a new date to commit?
AS: Yes, things are still looking good for Florida at Pitts. Pitts and his mother really liked the visit and what the staff had to say during the visit. He hasn’t set a decision date at this time though.
Bigredgator78: With Fields electing to not attend FNL, is the writing on the wall for us or was that never really the plan?
AS: Fields hasn’t elected to visit anyone yet. The only visit that he’s for sure taking is to Auburn this weekend. What he does next weekend is still up in the air at this time.
Gsacco: Target or commit you are higher on than others or rankings?
AS: I’m a big fan of Corey Gammage’s game and tight end Kyle Pitts’ game. Both are rated a little lower than I would have them.
Subtle_gator: Tim Skipper was good on the trail last year, why can’t he land a highly rated LB? Is it because its his 1st yr at UF at the position?
AS: Skipper and Shannon share the position so they’re both recruiting the position. Skipper is one of the best recruiters at Florida.
Taejr7747: Is Randy Shannon out there recruiting?
AS: yes, but he mainly just recruits South Florida.
Subtle_gator: @AndrewSpivey would you consider a guest appearance on the Big3 rollup?
AS: Sure, they know how to get ahold of me if they would like me on the show.