It has been a busy spring for the Florida Gators coaching staff as they hosted a lot of prospects on campus for spring practices and now, they’re on the road visiting prospects for spring practices.
Billy Napier and his staff have built good relationships with prospects and are in the process of getting official visits set up for this summer.
GatorCountry brings you a recruiting mailbag as we answer your questions on the 2025 recruiting class and beyond.
Arob2827: Who do you think are the next 3 to commit to the Gators and what would be your confidence level on each?
AS: I don’t want to say these guys are the next 3 to commit as things change quickly but here are a few guys that I’m watching closely.
Athlete/WR CJ Ingram, defensive back Kaylib Singleton, defensive Major Preston, offensive line Ziyare Addison and running back Chad Gasper.
Travlingator: NIL has been such a game changer. Do you feel that we are finally on top of it and have a full grasp on how to be a major player now.
AS: The NIL has improved a lot at Florida under Victorious but they’re still playing catch up. The Gators need more money in NIL and with a good season, I think that will happen but a lot of wait and see from NIL. Things are improving with Florida in NIL but unfortunately everyone had a head start.
Avogator: How many players on our 85 scholarship guys are 4* or 5 *.
AS: 42 of Florida’s 85 players were four or five stars coming out of high school.
Pan: The June 14 Weekend Looks to be star studded, do you think so?
AS: The May 31st weekend and June 14th weekend are both looking like big weekends and I will have some previews of those weekends coming up but Napier likes having big weekends to help create momentum and that’s happening this summer.
Johnagator: Any portal updates/expectations?
AS: Arizona State receiver Elijhah Badger will visit Florida next weekend and right now that’s the only portal target that the Gators are in on. Florida has a good shot with Badger as the Gators have really done their homework on the receiver. Getting Badger would be huge for Florida as the Gators need another receiver for next year.
Gator_nica: How exactly is Napier and Staff countering all the negative recruiting regarding the possibility of them not being here in 2025?
AS: Napier has been very open that this is the best team that he has had since he has been at Florida and he’s pushing that message to recruits. Napier believes this year’s team will win on the field and that has been the message to recruits and their families since January.
TebowNut6: Any more elite/day 1 starter types along the offensive line that we can expect to commit?
AS: Florida is the mix for FSU OL commit Solomon Thomas and he’s a guy that can contribute day one if Florida can flip him and they’re making a strong push. Right now that’s the biggest offensive line that Florida has the chance with.
Thekentuckygator: Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate last years Oline and this years and projected next years?
AS: Last year I would say the offensive line was a 5 simply because the right side of the line was in bad shape. I think this year’s line is better if Austin Barber is healthy and I also believe Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson is better at left tackle. I would say this year’s offensive line should be a 7 or 8 depending on the health and how the young guys improve. Guys like Bryce Lovett, Knijeah Harris and Roderick Kearney are all young guys who should take a step forward this year.
UFMBA14: We have 4 commits while plenty of schools are in the double digits. What do you see as the reason for our slow start and when do you expect business to pick up?
AS: The biggest issue for the slow start is the uncertainty surrounding the program as prospects hear the noise outside the building and it has caused a lot of guys to slow playthings. Guys are in a wait and see mode on Florida.
Juggernautz: Are we looking at a Top ten class after all the smoke clears??
AS: First, I want to say that being ok with a top 10 class at Florida is sad as top five should be the goal for the Gators every year. It really speaks to where things are right now as a program.
To answer your question, I think top 10 is possible as the Gators are in the mix for several top prospects but this will all depend on how the team does on the field this fall. A good year on the field and a top 10 is very likely but a bad year and I think Florida is outside the top 10.
Bulous33: Do you think we can hold onto Clark? His film looks pretty darn good.
AS: I believe Florida can hold onto running back Waltez Clark as he has a great relationship with Jabbar Juluke and he likes how the Gators use his position. Georgia is in the mix and they won’t give up but right now I like Clark being in the class.