The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going strong over the last month, as the Gators will take that momentum into the final two games of 2019.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2020 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: Are we still on track for Wardrick Wilson to enroll in January?
AS: I’m told that’s still the plan but I haven’t heard an update in a few weeks but I hope to get more on this soon.
Macbgator: What specifically can the coaches do to get OL Dumervil to Fla, can they not get other recruits involved?? Can the whole coaching staff visit him in a effort to get his verbal????
AS: I don’t think there’s one thing they can do here, it just looks like LSU has won the battle, the staff will continue to visit him and his teammate Derek Wingo will continue to recruit him but it will be tough to beat LSU.
Macbgator: We still lead for Tim Smith, he is a must get!!!
AS: I still believe that Florida is in the best shape to land Smith and he still has an official visit left to Gainesville which is big for the Gators.
Johnagator: Is there a pecking order to the remaining wide receivers? Or is the first to commit the one? How many more wr’s do we take in this class?
AS: They would like to take two more receivers in the class and really only Xzavier Henderson is a plus one right now. They have a pecking order but out of Bryan Robinson, Malik Heath and Marcus Fleming the staff would be happy to land one of those guys with Henderson.
Metgator: Have been completely in the dark regarding recruiting to date; honest assessment please ? And rankings if helpful, TIA…
AS: Florida is struggling in some spots but doing well in others, the class will probably be inside the top 10 but outside of the top five when everything is said and done. I think they have to get better with recruiting on the offensive line and start winning some of the instate battles against the outstate teams for big name instate prospects. Things are improving though.
Juggernautz: Do you think we may get a commit or 3 this weekend?
AS: I’m guessing you mean the FSU weekend and it wouldn’t shock me to see an underclassmen or two pop during the weekend. I don’t really see any 2020 guys popping but an underclassmen is possible.
rajinGator: There’s some buzz Henderson is leaning pretty heavily toward Clemson, do you still believe UF is in good shape for him?
AS: Clemson is no doubt in the mix but Florida is still my pick for him today. Alabama is also still in the mix heading into official visits
Wilbur11: Is FSU still active on the trail? What are they saying to recruits?
AS: The remaining FSU staff is just trying to tell guys to be patient and remember that FSU is FSU. That’s what all staffs do when they lose their head coach and it’s tough but they’re still being paid to do a job so they try and do it to the best of their abilities but the truth is that it doesn’t matter until you have a head coach.
Wilbur11: In a related matter, what is going on in Miami with all their decommits?
Is UF going to be able to capitalize?
AS: It seems to happen every year where they lose guys but Florida isn’t really after any of their guys except for Marcus Fleming. The Gators would like to get Fleming on campus to get a better feel for him but besides him, the Gators haven’t really went after many of the recent Miami decommits.
Ryanhowell5: What’s the deal with Avantae Williams? And what other Corners/Safeties are we looking to add
AS: Right now Williams is the guy that they’re focused on at safety and they’re still talking with Ethan Pouncey at corner but besides him they’re done at corner. Florida is still squarely in the mix for Williams with Oregon and Georgia also right there. The Gators just need to get Williams back on campus.
Irgator12: What is the quickest and best way to fix this offensive line? Go after portal transfers? JUCO? We need depth to create some competition. Anyone in particular besides Dumervil that they should go after? At least go after an ill tempered offensive lineman that will bring some nastiness to the offensive line.
AS: I think they need to hit the transfer portal and then look to sign a JUCO tackle but right now they aren’t looking at any JUCO tackles. Dumervil is the guy that they’ve been focused on the most right now but I do expect the board to expand some in the coming weeks and I expect them to hit the transfer portal hard looking for quality options.
Gatordon: Also, with the number of WR’s leaving do you anticipate a lot of early playing time for incoming freshmen? Are the staff emphasizing that opportunity to recruits?
AS: This has been a big recruiting pitch to the receivers. Gonzales and Mullen have both explained that there will be plenty of snaps available to freshmen.
Graylon: What chances do we have with Malik Heath?
AS: If he shows up then Florida has a shot but he has said several times he’s going to visit and hasn’t made it on campus. Heath is very close with Billy Gonzales and Dan Mullen so Florida will have a decent shot here.
Rajingator: A little OT but it does relate to our WR class. Chances of Grimes returning next year?
AS: I believe right now he will be advised to return to school. Mullen advises guys that aren’t locks to be a first or second round pick to return to school. I don’t think Grimes has done enough to be one of those guys right now.
Dhainer24: Is Leonard Manuel doing enough in the classroom that he has a better than average shot at qualifying? Do we take an extra WR as a back up plan?
AS: Manuel is improving in the classroom yes but still some work to do there during the second semester of school. Florida will try to take two more receivers in the class just in case Manuel doesn’t qualify.
Gatorfantone247: Where is Jaylen Knighton leaning at this time?
AS: Florida is in really good shape for Knighton after his visit to Gainesville. Miami is still involved as well but the Gators made a big impression on him during the visit.
Baileyboy1223: How much of our class signs early in your opinion
AS: Florida will push to get most of the class to sign early and most of the commits are expected to sign early. Florida will have a few scholarships open for the February signing period but most of the class will be in the bag after early signing day.