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:
Lammygator69: Has there been a significant change in the attitude of recruits towards Florida football after witnessing Mullen’s success this year?
AS: Yes, I think guys are definitely more responsive to the staff and willing to visit campus. Things are improving for sure but it does take time to build things. I think all positions except the offensive line have picked up in recruiting.
Macbgator: we have about 7 spots open, what positions of need do we fill with those 7 openings???
AS: 1 running back, two receivers, 3 defensive linemen and a defensive back. This could change to add another offensive lineman but right now this is how I see them finishing.
Liveoak1: What would be your assessment of our offensive lineman commits ? You believe they have enough skill to be SEC level players ? With the last remaining spots getting tight you think their is a possibility that their could be some processing ? Thanks for all you do!
AS: First thing, I do think you could see some processing if other guys want in the class. As far as the current commits I think Issiah Walker has a chance to be a very good tackle but I think the rest of the commits need some time in the weight room first. This is an area that Florida has to improve.
Pan: Things appear to be gelling, what’s your perspective heading for the finish
AS: Things are much better today than they were a few months ago that’s for sure. Florida winning on the field has really helped them off the field and guys are starting to listen to them more. The class should finish very well.
Acewade1: What’s the latest you’ve heard about Florida’s pursuit of E.J. Smith and where we stand for him?
AS: Florida really wants Smith but Stanford and A&M still seem to be out ahead of Florida but I do think the Gators have gained some ground on him recently though.
Gatorboy08: Where do we stand right now with Ethan Pouncey and Avantae Williams? It seems those are the only two DBs left on the board. Do they have any Visits lined up and what are the chances of landing both of them?
AS: Florida is trailing Auburn for Pouncey right now but he plans to be on campus on Saturday and that’s big for the Gators. Williams likes UF, Oregon and Georgia but he just took his official visit to Oregon. The Gators are trying to get him on campus again for the FSU game.
BCNGator99: Do you think UF has the resources to land a Top 5 class in ‘21? Mullen will have had two 10+ win seasons by then so I’m not sure how much more winning on the field is going to be required at that point.
AS: I believe next year is the year they should compete for a top five class. They have built up a better recruiting staff off the field and the winning is helping as well. The relationships with the 2021 class are now almost three years old so that helps as well.
Proudgator1973: Andrew, Romello Brinson decommitted but I don’t believe he’s among those WRs who are visiting for the FSU game. Do you think we’ll get him on campus before signing day?
AS: Brinson is now scheduled to visit Florida on Saturday, the 2021 receiver will be on campus for the first time this fall.
Proudgator1973: Also, how do you feel the coaches rank the remaining WRs on our board (and if you disagree with their leanings I’d love to hear your personal take on how you’d like to see them ranked on our board) such as Heath, Robinson, Henderson (all of whom I believe will be at the FSU game) and how many more WRs will we likely take?
AS: Xzavier Henderson is the number one guy without a doubt, Bryan Robinson is very wanted as well as the Gators like his size. Malik Heath is wanted but they have to make sure everything is good to go for him clear admissions. I expect just two more receivers in the class.
IamBornAGator: CDM biggest recruiting day might have been on campus and involved not a single prospect. Dan met with all the draft eligible players.
Some have already spoken like Trask but…………….
Who is most likely to leave including are there any that are surprising?
Who is most likely to stay including are there any that are surprising?
AS: Most likely in my opinion is CJ Henderson. While I think there’s a chance Trevon Grimes and Marco Wilson go pro, I think both will be advised to return.
Most likely to return are Kadarius Toney, TJ Slaton and Kyree Campbell.
Originalnycgator: Will we ever get up to 85 scholarship players on the team? If not, who or what is preventing it, and can any influence be wielded to change it?
AS: I think Mullen will eventually get the numbers back up to 85, it’s not an easy fix as the counters in recruiting stops you from doing it one year. Mullen is working on the issue though.
Gatorfantone247: Mock class?
AS: We always release it a week or two before signing day. So the first week of December we will start working on our mock class.
Ugh. I was disappointed to hear that Jaylen Knighton committed to the Hurricanes. I ask rhetorically, why is it that for this recruiting cycle we cannot land a single running back. Why is it that Miami can bag the #5 and #10 overall running back recruits in the country for 2020? Why couldn’t we land Keyvone Lee? Why are we likely to lose Demarkus Bowman? Why is it, despite such strong legacy ties, we will likely not land EJ Smith?
I am still scratching my head how the #2 and #3 RBs in the state of Florida sign with Miami in the same 2020 recruiting class. Is it because these RBs will enjoy a great offensive line at Miami? Nope. Is it because Miami is winning and on a strong uptrend with back to back double digit seasons? Nope. Is it because Miami has better game day atmosphere with packed stadiums? Better facilities? Better coaching and development? A more established staff who has been in place for years, and have developed longstanding relationships? All No.
Why is it that top running backs avoid UF and Mullen’s staff like the plague? Why does this staff stumble so badly in recruiting? I hope beyond all measure that I will eat my words when Demarkus Bowman does a miracle flip to UF on signing day, but I fear that we will whiff badly in 2020.