The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going strong and Dan Mullen has said he sees more prospect interested in the Gators after starting 6-2 this year.
The Gators will have the chance on Saturday to host prospects for the first time in almost a month in the Swamp.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2019 class will shake out and who are the top prospects that the Gators are still after.
We answer your questions in this week’s Florida Gators recruiting mailbag.
Well let’s dive right in to this week’s recruiting mailbag:
MrB-Gator: Do we take another quarterback in this class?
AS: Possibly a transfer if Mullen finds one he wants but I don’t see another high school quarterback in the class.
Mfpardnor2: Do you see all of our current commitments signing with the Gators or will there be suggestions of looking elsewhere if a higher rated prospect at their position should want to sign on.
AS: There are always guys who leave the class for one reason or another. While nobody is leaning that way now, I certainly wouldn’t rule it out as Mullen and his staff are still recruiting some top players on the board.
Brainstorm: Suddenly, our defensive line board is very hot. Can you make some sense of it? We are either getting strong interest or OV from players like Pickering, Handy, Eboigbe, Young and Thibodeaux. Give the 3-4, where do each of these guys play if they were to come to UF? What are our chances with each one? Do the coaches have an “order” or is it “first come, first serve”?
AS: All of those guys are high on the Gators recruiting board and guys Florida would take. While the defensive line has some depth, it’s unproven depth and Sal Sunseri is trying to add talent at the spot. Handy and Thibodeaux are guys that can put their hand in the dirty or stand-up in the defense. Pickering and Young are more true defensive ends in the 3-4 defense.
Brainstorm: How seriously do you think George Pickens is considering UF?
AS: Until he visits, I don’t think it’s seriously. I know that he has talked about potentially visiting but no visit has been set up.
IAmBornAGator: I consider recruiting to be any effort to add talent not just NSD. To that end are their transfers we might be looking at including quarterback and offensive tackle? Are their kids on the bubble about going to the NFL early Mullen and staff might encourage to stay-two that come to mind are running back Jordan Scarlet and defensive end Jachai Polite?
AS: Mullen has shown in the past that he’s not afraid to add transfers and I believe that will be true this year. Those two positions will be looked at hard as well as defensive back. Transfers see playing time in Gainesville.
Ncargat1: I know that Wardrick Wilson and William Harrod are both listed as Tackles.
Do they both project as tackles in college?
Will we try to land another potential tackle prospect given our low numbers there?
AS: Florida wants another tackle in the class and Harrod is a guy that will likely start at guard and move to tackle but he’s a tackle day one if needed. Wilson is more of a tackle prospect than anyone in the class at this time. But there’s no doubt that another tackle is needed in the class.
Emaness: Do you think the Georgia loss had a bigger positive or bigger negative impact? A loss obviously is worse than a win, but we did look competitive to those who watched.
AS: I don’t know if it had either one honestly, I do know that prospects were able to see some holes on the team while also noticing that the Gators are a team on the rise with a good coaching staff. For instance the offensive line is looking better but prospects still see that they can play early there.
Jump_pass: With Miami and FSU trending way down and UF seemingly trending up, is Mullen and staff beginning to find solid traction in the state of Florida?
AS:He’s starting to get more and more interest from guys and that’s especially true in 2020.
UFMBA14: What’s your feeling on final class rank? Can you give us best case, worst case?
AS: Best case would be solidly in the top 10, worse case would be just outside of the top 10.
Johnagator: Any change in the running back situation.
AS: No change at the position, Florida is in good shape with running back Nay’Quan Wright.
Graylon: I’ve heard news of Trey Sanders visiting other schools like LSU Alabama and Texas. I haven’t heard anything about him visiting Florida recently. I know that Florida is still recruiting him do you think or know if he will visit Florida more towards the end of his decision process or has he seen enough of Florida to make his decision????
AS: He will visit Florida again, the Gators are trying to get him on campus for the South Carolina game and then for an official visit. Sanders has interest in Florida but Alabama is the team to beat but again Florida will get him on campus again in hopes of making up ground.
FrankGator627: Do we still feel good about JD Bertrand?
AS: Florida is still in good shape but Notre Dame did a good job with him on their campus during his visit to South Bend. I still expect Bertrand to take an official visit to Florida but he’s taking his time in making a decision this time.
Coky12: How is 2020 commit Josh Griffis’ performance this year? Was he a premature take by the previous staff?
AS: IMG is loaded on the defensive line but he has had some good games this year and is a solid player for the 2020 class. I think he’s a good take for the class and helps with getting a foot into IMG.
Shep: Where do we stand with Kaiir Elam at the moment?
AS: 50/50 with Georgia right now, he’s still a long ways away from making a decision and will take official visits to both schools.