Gator Country’s popular Florida Gators recruiting mailbag is back to its weekly spot on Thursday’s as we answer your recruiting questions.
The Gators recruiting class is off to a great start in 2017 and look to be setting their selves up for another top class.
This week members had a lot of questions on the status of the Class of 2017 and we answer your questions here.
Remember to get your questions in on Tuesday for the Florida Gators recruiting mailbag each week.
Jgrow: Think any EE guys pop before December?
AS: No, I think you will see that happen in December when they take official visits. I don’t see anyone committing in November.
Gatorwats: Any chance we land a quarterback transfer?
AS: I don’t think so because they believe in the two freshmen quarterbacks but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking around. Blake Barnett is a guy that I know they’re talking too but it’s unlikely he comes to Florida.
JacobRenda: You got that feeling with Alex Leatherwood?
AS: If Leatherwood comes back in December for an official like he says then I think Florida has a legit shot at him. Leatherwood likes Florida a lot and knows he an play early.
Jjthejetplane: Any decent chance at landing Devon Hunter or Shaun Wade?
AS: I think Florida has a shot with both of them but right now they’re still making up ground. Wade likely visits in December before early enrolling and Hunter visits in January.
MrB-Gator: Linebacker board and how many do we take?
AS: Anthony Hines, Levi Jones, and Rahyme Johnson are the top guys on the board. I think Florida takes one of the three of those guys to pair with Ventrell Miller and Jes Houston.
CoGatorman: Can you give us a rundown of where the official visitors and other 2017 visitors from last weekend appear in the process of committing (soon, after later officials, NSD, etc.) and where Florida stands for the same?
AS: Javier Edwards is committed to Florida and I expect that to stay the same. James Houston is also committed and I expect him to stick. Donovan Peoples-Jones likely goes to Michigan or Ohio State with Florida in third. Navuaghn Donaldson is committed to Miami and the Gators and Florida State are in second for him. The other top guys on campus were Alex Leatherwood and Florida is still in the thick of things with him. LaBryan Ray likely goes to Alabama but the Gators are probably second for him.
Lurkingator1: Feeling on where the class will finish, top 5? Top 10, ? outside of the top 10?
AS: I would say a top 10 class unless a bunch of the top undecided commits all fall to Florida.
Brainstorm: It seems James Robinson was a no-show this weekend. Does this mean he is unlikely to be in this class?
AS: Robinson doesn’t take many visits so I wouldn’t read too much into that at all. If Florida pushed for Robinson then the Gators can land him.
Mjhurstygator: What other running back do you see the staff going after and has Jake Allen’s play this year made the staff want to look at another quarterback for this class?
AS: Bentavious Thompson out of Southridge is a name I’ve heard a lot but I think the staff is still evaluating things at the position. Florida has been looking at several different 2017 quarterbacks to add with Allen in the class. A lot of that has to do with Luke Del Rio not being able to stay healthy.
Ufgatordad: What does the 2018 receiver board look like and can you mention where we stand with our top targets (i.e. leading, top 2, etc.)? Thanks?
AS: Jacob Copeland is at the top of the board and it’s a battle between Florida and Clemson on him. Xavier Williams and Warren Thompson also both mention Florida a lot as instate prospects. Mark Pope is one of the hottest names on the board out of Southridge and it’s likely to be a Florida/Alabama battle for him.
ASpeed: Crystal Ball: Which of our recruits have the potential to come in and be Jawaan Taylor type player (undervalued star count) but contribute year 1? Which would you expect to be a Jabari Zuniga type player (great after a redshirt) in year 2? I am have been pleased with and excited about the players brought in (last two classes) as many of them are starting to contribute. It seems like the guys brought in with lower ratings have as much potential as the higher rated guys. That’s a compliment to the staff’s evaluation efforts.
AS: The guys that could play from day one could be Elijah Blades or Ventrell Miller. Both of these guys have great film and the ability to play as freshmen. Maybe not start but play.
As far as needing a year in the weight like Zuniga, I would say Zech Byrd and Fred Hansard are the two that could do that. Both need the weight room.
77gators: If there is a common theme in this year’s recruiting it is the mentions of Chris Rumph…please tell me he is locked in for at least next year.
AS: Yes, I expect Rumph to be back at Florida next year as he has said he would like to settle down at one spot.
Bamagator85: Who did Florida gain the most ground on this weekend?
AS: Auburn commit Tray Bishop is the guy that pick up the most momentum with. Bishop really likes Florida and the Gators have the best chance of flipping him right now.
Juggernautz: Do potential recruits actually access this site to get a feel for how we feel about them?
AS: Not really but they follow everyone closely on social media.
Juggernautz: Could you break down what state(s) each of our coaches handles?
AS: Most of the coaches just recruit their position out of state but coaches do have a state in the south. Geoff Collins has some of Georgia, Chris Rumph has some of Georgia and Mike Summers/Greg Nord have the south part of Georgia. Tim Skipper has Mobile all the way to New Orleans. Collins also recruits the northern part of Alabama. Rumph recruits the Carolina’s. Nord has Tennesse/Kentucky with Summers. Torrian Gray has Virginia. Randy Shannon has Texas with Kerry Dixon.
Juggernautz: I know this redundant but what’s the % of Mr. Adarius Lemons coming back to us?
AS: Very small unless he finds a way to stay clean from things and keeps his head on straight.
GatorGolfer10: In your opinion what is our biggest weakness in recruiting? Facilities, on-field product, new relationships with the coaches etc…
Also curious to your thoughts on our biggest strengths as well.
AS: Facilities is a major weakness for Florida, on field play on offense has also hurt. Florida I think needs to maybe start putting more heat on kids to commit instead of taking the laid back approach. As far as strengths go the Gators coaching staff has built good relationships with coaches and have some solid recruiters on staff.
Jimzgator: With today’s news that LSU contacted Jimbo the clown, can we look into the crystal ball and see who we could flip from them if he leaves. As far as LSU goes, were going after Grant Delpit and Brad Stewart hoping to land one of them. So I wouldn’t think on that end many changes. Any thoughts on this ?
AS: The main guy Florida is after from FSU is defensive tackle Cory Durden and they’re starting to gain momentum on him. Florida is still pushing hard for Delpit and Stewart and that won’t change. The biggest key for Delpit is whether Corey Raymond stays as defensive backs coach.
Apkgator: AS, with Florida looking at maybe taking another running back, and Jordan Pouncey really having a strong season as a running back…..any chance they renew interest in each other?
AS: Florida only wants Pouncey at defensive back so I don’t see them offering him at running back. He didn’t show up last weekend for his visit to Florida either. It seems like Pouncey is sticking with Notre Dame.
Lenny2: Brad Stewart. He’s my guy. Do we really have a shot here or is this Kristian Fulton 2.0? I’m worried what happens when LSU names a new coach. Are we pushing for a commit?
AS: Yes, Florida is pushing for him and Florida has a great shot with him. As long as Corey Raymond is the defensive backs coach at LSU then Stewart isn’t going there. Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Alabama are all pushing for him.
HawthorneGator: What are you hearing on Adonis Thomas? Is he an EE ? Which coach is recruiting him and which schools have a legit shot at signing him?
AS: He’s not an early enrollee and honestly there isn’t much being said about Thomas. Thomas is supposed to be setting up his official visits soon so that will tell us a lot.