Florida Gators: Recruiting Mailbag November 5th

The Florida Gators had a big win last week against the Georgia Bulldogs but will that game be the turning point for the Gators recruiting effort?

That’s the main topic in this week’s Gator Country recruiting mailbag as our members want to know how the Florida Gators will finish in recruiting and what does Will Muschamp need to do in order to return as the Gators head coach.

Here’s this week’s recruiting mailbag:

 

Mdmcgarry: Assuming we win the remaining games except FSU and Muschamp is our coach next year, who do you see in our upcoming class?

AS: That’s honestly tough to say right now because that’s a lot of if’s and it also depends on how the offense plays and how competitive the Gators are against FSU. I think if Muschamp is back then the Gators will have a solid class though.

 

Taxman22: Do you really think we can land some quality offensive playmakers with the current staff in place? This assumes we win out and lose to the Noles, this also assumes our offense sputters around like it has the past 4 years. I fear that the young guys are just bored with our offensive brand.

AS: I think that Kurt Roper’s offense is finally starting to come along with Treon Harris at quarterback and that’s something that prospects will be watching closely. Florida has to be able to sell recruits that the Gators have a quarterback for the future. Prospects also know that there is a lot of early playing time at Florida and that’s something that receivers love.

 

Happygator: What’s up with CeCe Jefferson getting his phone stolen on a recent visit to FSU?

AS: I haven’t heard about that. Are you talking about when he supposedly committed and said he was hacked? If so than that’s just his teammates or classmates mess around with him.

 

Dfalco2: AS- What’s the linebacker board look like? Do we get Jerome Baker back if we win out? If we win out and the staff is in place next year do you think we will land those elite offensive players? If so who is out there that wants to play for the gators?

AS: I think Jerome Baker is gone because it will be tough to get him back from the home state team. Right now Florida is staying on Adonis Thomas and Roquan Smith and are also keeping Derrick Graham in the mix despite his commitment to Arkansas. As far as offensive players go, they will be watching Treon Harris closely but Roper and company have to show the ability to throw the ball.

 

Wilbur11: In the event Muschamp stays or goes, which assistant coaches are the most crucial to keeping this class together?

AS: Travaris Robinson, Mike Summers and Brad Lawing are the coaches that prospects are drawn too. T-Rob is someone that has a ton of connections in the South Florida area and Lawing has guys like CeCe Jefferson and Byron Cowart wanting to play for him.

 

Gatorjb11: Realistically, do you see any new commitments happening before the end of the season?

AS: I don’t and I don’t blame kids for wanting to see how things play out with Coach Muschamp and also with the offense led by Treon Harris.

 

Gatorjb11:  Who is our best recruiter currently on staff?

AS: Travaris Robinson has shown that he’s the guy that most prospects talk about and have the best relationship with.

 

Kdm: I know this is getting a little ahead of myself, but it seems like the South Carolina game will probably determine whether Muschamp stays or goes. The noon start time probably doesn’t help, but do you anticipate that being a big weekend and do you have an idea who will be coming in for that weekend? Any guys you think might commit that weekend if we get a win?

AS: South Carolina is going to be a huge weekend and the noon kickoff is actually helping the Gators because they are expecting a lot of official visitors. Right now I don’t have a full list of unofficial visitors but Tim Irvin, Carlton Davis, Mike Hughes, Jamal Danley and possibly Van Jefferson are expected to take official visits to Florida.

 

MrB-Gator: how do we look on the OL and DL?

AS: Right now the offensive line is looking good with George Brown, Mike Horton, Tyler Jordan and Brandon Sanifer. The Gators need tackles and right now Florida is in good shape with Martez Ivey and Fredrick Johnson at tackle. The Gators will also host JUCO offensive tackle Jamal Danley next weekend.

 

Jyork: How many do we get out of Holland, Ivey, Cowart and Jefferson.
How worried should we be about the linebacker position

AS: I think the Florida Gators can get all four of those guys because they love the Gators and right now the linebacker position is a huge concern due to losing Tevon Coney, Adonis Thomas and Jerome Baker in the last few weeks. The Gators could still get back in with Coney and Thomas but things are definitely a little negative here.

 

Swamplizard: How confident are you feeling about CeCe and Cowart still being Gators on NSD?

AS: I still feel very confident in those guys as they continue to visit the Gators and continue to say they love school not just the coaching staff.

 

Ol2ange: Not necessarily a 2015 recruiting class question, but any news on some of the guys we signed in 2014? How are some of the lesser known names doing? (D. Porter, K. Clark, some of our OL, Justus Reed, J.C. Jackson, etc?).

AS: JC Jackson is returning from a shoulder injury but should be good to go in the spring. Porter just needed to gain weight and Khari Clark needs to get in better shape. The key with Justus Reed is getting stronger in order to play the BUCK and defensive end in the SEC.

 

Gatordon: Is it too late to salvage this class?

AS: Absolutely not because the Gators still have a lot of guys visiting them but December and January will be very important to this class.

 

Gatordon: What are the coaches telling recruits at this point?

AS: To be patient and let the season play out and to believe in the coaching staff. The offensive staff is selling that Treon Harris is the answer to the offense and that they need more playmakers.

 

Gatordon: Do you see any positive surprises among the uncommitted?

AS: The main thing for me is that guys are still visiting Florida and continue to talk up the Gators and that’s a win right now in my mind.

 

FrankGator: Thoughts on the RB board?

I’d think a game like the Georgia game would help but I haven’t heard anything about any of the RBs.

AS: Running backs love the way the Georgia game went but they also know that Florida’s needs a passing game. In my mind the running back position will take care of itself once the coaching staff is situated.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

1 COMMENT

  1. I’m surprised that Graham didn’t wait. It may be a case of UF not actually offering him because of the bigger fish they thought they would get. No one likes to be someone’s Plan B. It’s just extremely difficult right now because no one knows if this staff will be retained, and that probably includes Foley. If UF had lost to Georgia, we’d know, but now , you’d need a soothsayer. If UF loses to one of the bad teams it plays before FSU, we’ll know that this staff is gone. If UF wins them, will FSU determine their fate. It’d be kind of unfair to Muschamp to base a decision on the FSU game. If FSU is still unbeaten, and UF loses, it’s nothing to be ashamed about since they will not have lost since the last time UF visited Tallahassee. Only one thing is sure, the decision to retain this staff, or seek another, must be made quickly. It must be announced within a couple of days, that is the only way to salvage a good class by the present staff or give time to the new staff to put something together.