Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: November 3rd edition

The Florida Gators are off to a 4-4 record on the 2022 season as they head into the final month of the season with just four game remaining.

Billy Napier and the rest of the coaching staff have put together a great class already with 22 commits in the class and several top targets leaning their way.

GatorCountry brings you a new recruiting mailbag to get you caught up on things as we head into the football season.

MrB-Gator: Is the staff focusing a lot on portal guys?
And what positions are they looking for?

AS: Napier has several staff members who are focused just on portal guys and they’re already gathering info on guys in the portal or who plan to be in the portal. The staff will look at pretty much every position with the exception of running back.

Bywdqfq: Any news on linebackers. We need linebackers

AS: Nothing new at the position right now, they’re still talking to several guys but it looks like the transfer portal will be where the staff fills the holes at linebacker at.

Rileyf58: Where do we stand with Desmond Ricks? Also do we have a chance at flipping cormani?

AS: It’s a Florida, Alabama, and LSU battle for Ricks and official visits will be the key for him. The good news is that Ricks loves Corey Raymond and the Gators have been working him as if he was a 2023 guy for a long time now. As far as Cormani goes, Florida isn’t going to give up on him and they’re continuing to work him.

G8trJasonB: In your view, who is the most important recruit left on the board and do you believe he ends up a Gator?

AS: UCF defensive tackle John Walker is the guy that Florida needs, he’s a guy that plays day one next year and he’s at position of absolute need for the Gators. Florida will host him in December and the Gators are trending in the right direction.

OklahomaGator: I saw the NCAA is considering eliminating the cap on official visits, which is currently 5 per recruit. Will they increase the number of official visits a school can give?

AS: I haven’t heard of an official answer on that but I would assume they would but schools already don’t use all of their official visits so that could be a way to limit official visits without limiting kids.

TheGator: Somewhat related. Any chance we see staffing changes to address certain areas that are not doing so well in recruiting?

AS: I don’t think you see anyone leave the coaching staff unless they get a promotion for another job. I don’t think there’s been a true weak spot on the coaching staff as far as recruiting goes this year.

Ncargat1: I just posted some stuff from a UM insider. He makes it sound like Ja’Keem Jackson is taking a visit and is intrigued with playing alongside Cormani McClain. Have we heard anything from outside that Jackson is any less committed to UF than a month or two ago?

AS: From everything I’ve heard and been told is that Ja’Keem Jackson is solid with Florida, if he ends up taking a visit there then it’s something to watch but right now, he’s solid.

Ufgator84: Ricks or bust in the secondary?

AS: Right now, the answer is yes, the staff has kept in contact with Texas commit Malik Muhammad but all of the focus is on Ricks right now. The defensive back class is very good already but adding Ricks would take it to the next level.

Gatorconstructor: I’ll ask about Baxter again – is he truly looking around and really listening to other sales pitches or is he just taking free trips?

AS: Cedric Baxter is listening to Florida and Florida State but right now seems solid with his commitment to Texas. The key for both the Gators and Noles will be can they get Baxter on campus for an official visit in December.

Kchomp82: Do you think the NIL is here to stay or is some other pay for play going to work out. As far as recruiting do you think NIL deals are influencing where players are going?

AS: I don’t think the NIL is going to go anywhere but I think some adjustments need to happen and this isn’t what the NCAA wanted to happen when they allowed the NIL to start. And yes 100 percent NIL is influencing where guys are going to school and I think it’s also impacting how teams are performing on Saturday’s as guys are starting to see others make money then them and so on.

Tmanjax: What are you hearing from inside the recruiting offices regarding the total quantity and ratio of HS players versus inbound portal transfers?

AS: I think you see the staff take close to 30 guys from the high school ranks and then close to or at double digits in transfers. This team needs a lot of talent and the coaching staff will address that this offseason.

Woodman44: What are the chances Florida will sign a 5 star in this class? It’s difficult to keep watching Florida whiff on ELITE talent year after year..

AS: I don’t think they land a five-star this cycle but they land a lot of talented guys that will help this team win in the future.

Gatorbrian: Do you foresee a point where the transfer portal will equal (or surpass) HS recruiting in terms of importance to maintaining a consistently strong program?

AS: I think you could see it get close to being a 60/40 split for some schools but high school recruiting will always be important to the major programs.

Irgator12: Are we still taking one more receiver?

AS: It really depends right now, the staff may wait and try and get a transfer guy instead of taking another high school guy but they’re keeping an eye on things are evaluating guys.

Travlingator: Are Russaw and Smith a package deal and are we in the hunt for either or both of them.

AS: Yes, Qua Russaw and James Smith are a package deal and Florida is in the race but trailing Alabama right now. Florida and Georgia are also really in the mix here and both guys aren’t close to making a decision.

Trower: Who is on the DT board beyond Smith, Walker and Hall?

AS: Florida will still recruit defensive tackle Kayden McDonald who committed to Ohio State and they’re also after JUCO tackle Elijah Davis as they would love to add some experience up-front. The staff would fill their needs fi they land just one of those guys but they would like to add two of those guys.

Bigmike64: Scale of 1 to 10 how surprised were the UF coaches/recruiting staff that Cormani committed to Miami?

AS: Everyone in college football was surprised and I would say most were a 10 surprised as McClain did a great job of keeping everyone in the dark with his decision.

Juggernautz: What will be the next most important recruiting event/game left on our schedule ?

AS: Official visits in December will be the next big thing for recruiting, the staff will have several guys in town for the South Carolina game but most of the big targets will be in town in December for official visits.

Juggernautz: Will our final record have any bearing on which recruits we sign from here on out?

AS: I don’t think so, kids have said all year that they care more about the development and direction of the program then the record and that still holds true. Recruits see playing time available in Gainesville and see that Napier is building the program.

Juggernautz:  Do you think our Basketball teams play on the court could affect our FB recruiting?

AS: I don’t see it affecting things much, but it would help make a great atmosphere for recruits when they come on their official visits.

Thomadm: A little concerned about QB recruiting. What are our chances with Lagway in 24′, and if not him what are the targets for next year’s class?

AS: Florida is all in for DJ Lagway in the 2024 class and they will wait on him to give them an answer before they move on and he’s supposed to make a decision in January. Florida has also been recruiting Jake Merklinger and Davi Belfort this year since Napier arrived.

Malscott: Would you consider this class a success if our needs are met and none of our recruits are 5 star kids? I mean some of these 4 stars are pretty stout!

AS: Absolutely a success if they fill their needs in the class. If the staff can finish strong on both lines of scrimmages, then I think you met your goals for the class.