The Florida Gators coaching staff had a great spring and they’re preparing for a big month of June of visits.
Billy Napier and the rest of the coaching staff will host visitors all month long either for visits or for camps as the staff will host camps until June 20th.
GatorCountry brings you a new recruiting mailbag to get you caught up on things as we head into the busy summer months.
Rileyf58: When should we expect some commits to start coming in?
AS: The month of June should see some guys commit after they take visits, right now the only targets with decision dates set are Jaden Rashada and Treyaun Webb.
Ufgator84: How are things looking at OL and DL? Lots of help needed at both.
AS: See below on the offensive line but on the defensive line, Sean Spencer has the Gators in the mix for a lot of guys. They are right there for guys like Derrick LeBlanc, John Walker, Will Norman, Keldrick Faulk, Tomarrion Parker, Jordan Hall, Zavion Hardy, and Kamran James. Florida will land several of those guys and Spencer is going to have a good defensive line class.
MrB-Gator: How do we stand for LaBlanc and do you think he will be a Gator?
AS: Florida is in good shape, Oklahoma is making it interesting, but I still believe the Gators land him at some point this summer.
Bhs11: All I hear is Haynes to Georgia. What chance do you give the Gators?
AS: It’s going to be a tough pull but Florida made a huge impression on him during his visit, I still think it will take a small miracle to land him but they’re making the Dawgs work.
Gatordadx2: Andrew, it looks to me that Bn is building a huge OL. We are in the mix for a few large true tackles. Who do you see us getting Kirkland is one, Lovett is another who has committed, do you see any others on the radar and what is our chances with the kid from IMG Mauiga? Also I have not been paying attention in past years and I know BN said he was going to do this, Gators seem to be loading up on PWO’s do you track these guys as to who we potentially offer. and do you see any that have potential to crack the lineup?
AS: Napier and staff are always going to put a huge focus on the offensive line as they believe and rightfully so that a great team starts in the trenches. Lovett and Knijeah Harris are both really good players and I do see Florida still getting Payton Kirkland right now. Florida is also strongly in the mix for guys like Miles McVay, Tommy Kinsler, and Roderick Kearney. Florida is battling FSU for Lucas Simmons and the lineman really likes the staff.
As far Mauiga goes, Florida is in the mix but I see him ending up back on the west coast where he’s from.
Northerngator: Any movement on getting Keon Keeley to visit?
AS: I’ve heard that he’s expected to visit at some point in June but I haven’t heard of an exact date at this time.
Wuerffel5220: One guy you most want to see at FNL?
AS: I’ll give you two guys for two different reasons. If you mean as far as the guy that I want to see show up for recruiting purposes then I would say Cedric Baxter as the Gators need to continue to get him on campus. If you mean as far as watching play then I will go with AJ Harris, he’s so smooth at his position and fun to watch.
Juggernautz: Are we losing RB Baxter to bama?
AS: I don’t think so, I still see this as a Florida, Miami, and Texas A&M battle and I think Bama picks up Richard Young which would help push Baxter to those three.
Juggernautz: If we do lose out on him, what other RB’s should we go after?
AS: Recently offered running back Christopher Johnson is the guy that would instantly become a bigger target then he already is. Johnson has picked up a lot of big offers this spring and the Gators offered after watching his spring game.
Juggernautz: When will RB Webb pop?
AS: Webb has a decision date set for June 30th and he will take official visits to Florida and South Carolina before announcing. Florida still sits in a good spot for the running back.
Johnagator: How are we looking at linebackers for ‘22 and this class?
AS: This class has a chance to land some big time players as they’re in the mix for guys like Malik Bryant, Michigan commit Raylen Wilson, Grayson Howard, and Jordan Hall. They’re also going to receive visits from JUCO LB Justin Jefferson, Jeremiah Telander, Caleb LaVallee, and Raul Aguirre. For the first time in a long time, the Gators have a lot of options at the position.
Blackbird68: How much do you believe NIL has become a major concern for recruits and , if can or will say, which players were are recruiting has it become the major factor.
AS: The NIL factor is now one of the biggest factors around as almost every school talk to you about it and you know your offers before deciding on a school. I’m not going to get into specific players, but a lot of guys have NIL as a major factor.
Allhailmeyer: If you had the power to make any current Gator WR target commit tomorrow, who would it be?
AS: For me it would be Tyler Williams, I think his ceiling is so high and he has the potential to be a star at the next level. He’s a basketball guy who’s still learning the position, but you can’t teach his size and athletic ability. Florida has made up ground here and are in the thick of it now.
Gatorcounstructor: How many 5* DBs will we get?
AS: I’ll stick with my previous prediction of two out of three. If I were picking today, I would say AJ Harris and Cormani McClain are in the class, but both have visits set up. I can’t forget about Tony Mitchell though as he’s from the sunshine state and really likes Florida. Could they sign all three? Absolutely but I just think one guy will decide he wants to be a star by himself.
Biglgator25: WR board so fluid, who are the top guys you are hearing about?
AS: Keary Colbert would love to add a top guy like Hykeem Williams, but I just don’t see him picking Florida right now. I do think they have a great shot at Daquayvious Sorey and Aidan Mizell. I also think the staff has done a great job of putting Florida right back into the mix with Tyler Williams but he’s very open in the process and is taking the process very slow.
Andy Jean is another guy that shot up the board after a great spring and Florida has a leg up in his recruitment but several other big teams are now in the mix.
Gatorboy08: How are we looking for Tomarrion Parker and Aiden Mizell?
AS: Sean Spencer has put Florida in striking distance for Parker after the last staff absolutely dropped the ball with him. This will likely come down to a Alabama/Florida battle but if the Gators are able to land Parker’s good friend AJ Harris then it could really help Florida.
I still like Florida’s chances with Mizell heading into official visits, he’s a Florida legacy and has a great relationship with the coaching staff.
Irgator12: Are we looking for another wide receiver in the portal?
AS: Napier would happily take another receiver in the portal, but it doesn’t look like they will add another one. The names still in the portal are guys that wouldn’t really make the team a better team.
Nickelgators: Do you think we sign a QB and if so who will it be>?
AS: I think they sign a quarterback in the class and right now all of the focus is on Jaden Rashada. Rashada is going to take an official visit to Gainesville before announcing his decision in June and right now I see this as a Florida/Oregon battle. Rashada is more familiar with Oregon but his family knows Napier really well.
UFMBA14: I know it’s commonly said that you should never sign a class that doesn’t have a QB in it. We even made fun of FSU a few seasons ago for doing this. Does the transfer portal change that line of thinking at all?
AS: I still think it’s critical to sign a quarterback in every class because you want to develop them and also have them around to help you recruit others to join you. Top players want to play with top players so signing a quarterback is big in a class to me. Obviously, the transfer portal helps you if you miss on an evaluation at the position but getting a top quarterback that’s ready to help you win is and always will be tough in the portal.