The Florida Gators just finished spring practice and will now turn their attention to recruiting, as they will host guys on virtual visits until the dead period is lifted.
The dead period is expected to be lifted in June and the Gators have already loaded up the first weekend of the month with several official visitors.
GatorCountry brings you a recruiting mailbag to answer your questions on the 2022 class as well as the 2023 class.
Check out the mailbag here to get all the answers to your questions.
Juggernautz: Do you anticipate that we’ll crack the Top Ten in recruiting for 2022?
AS: I think so at this time, Florida is in good shape for a lot of highly ranked guys and they should continue to have a good season next fall and that will help in recruiting. Finishing in the top ten however shouldn’t be the goal, finishing in the top five should be the goal at a school like Florida.
Juggernautz: Will we get anymore commits for 2022 prior to the FB season starting this year?
AS: I expect Florida to be two-thirds done with the class or more by the time the season starts. Dan Mullen like most coaches like to have a majority of the class in place by the time the season starts and having official visits this summer will only help that cause.
Juggernautz: Considering the recruits we have now, what’s our biggest need going forward?
AS: Offensive line is the biggest need this year without a doubt; Florida needs tackles in the class in a bad way. Finding two tackles for this class is a must, outside of that, linebacker is a big key for this class as they need someone who can make an impact at the position.
Travlingator: It seems that our biggest misses in recruiting the last few years have been O-Line. Do you see that changing this year. Is the staff really focusing on O-Line studs and who are they.
AS: They’re putting a big focus on the offensive line and these guys are the top targets right now. Tyler Booker, Addison Nichols, Julian Armella, Penn State commit Drew Shelton, Malik Agbo and Qaeshon Sapp. As always that will expand throughout the summer.
Kurt_borglum: Will the fact that players can sell their image starting July 1 in Fla be an advantage to Florida schools?
AS: It should be an advantage and Florida is putting things in place to take advantage of it, they’ve started a new program with someone in charge of it to help promote this to guys. More prospects are taking notice of this as well.
Gator_n_Bmore: After Brewster who’s the best recruiter on staff at the moment? How are the new secondary coaches being received on the trail?
AS: Christian Robinson is probably the next best recruiter with David Turner and Wesley McGriff right there with them. McGriff is a really good recruiter and has guys interested in the Gators early on, Jules Monitar is still getting adjusted to Gainesville but kids are speaking highly of him.
Gatorjack: I’m just getting into ‘22 recruiting. I would appreciate a run-down of our top targets
AS: A lot of big targets on the board so here is some of the top ones.
RB: Terrance Gibbs, Damari Alston
WR: Evan Stewart, Gentry Williams, and Isaiah Horton
TE: Jaleel Skinner, Oscar Delp
OL: Mentioned above
DL J’Mond Tapp, Jamari Lyons, Daniel Lyons, Kenyatta Jackson, and Jihaad Campbell, Christen Miller, Chris McClellan
LB: Shemar James, and EJ Lightsey
DB: Jacoby Matthews, Earl Little, Kamari Wilson, Tre Donaldson, and Devin Moore
Graylon: Besides Hevesy, who else helps with offensive line recruiting?
AS: Tim Brewster has helped Hevesy with the offensive line but it’s also more of a team effort for all positions as each coach recruits his area, plus his position but it all ultimately goes back to the position coach as recruits choose a school for that reason a lot of time.
Dhainer24: Hearing that we will probably take 2 RBs this cycle and Gibbs is trending hard towards us. Who do you think will be the 2nd? Is Ohio St. leading for both Payne and Alston? Could 1 of them choose us if the other commits to OSU? How are we looking for Felix?
AS: Terrance Gibbs is the most likely running back in the class right now but like you said, Florida wants two in the class. Damari Alston was very high on Florida and still likes the Gators but right now Georgia Tech and Ohio State are ahead for him. Gi’Bran Payne is likely Ohio State so Florida will most likely have to look elsewhere for a second back. Jamie Felix is a guy that likes Florida but he appears to be down the board a little. I expect the Gators to continue to expand the board here for a second back.
Dhainer24: If we are able to land a 5* safety, who is more likely, Jacoby Matthews or Kamari Wilson?
AS: Right now I lean towards Jacoby Matthews even though he’s from Louisiana. Matthews wants to leave the state of Louisiana and the Gators are the team ahead right now and he will take an official visit to Gainesville in June. Florida is trending lately for Wilson but right now I don’t expect him to pick the Gators in April when he decides.