The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been going strong over the last month, as the Gators will take that momentum into the 2019 season.
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:
Gators1992: Mullen has a track record for doing wonders with QBs so why has he struggled to land a 5 star QB as a HC?…at MSU that was probably not going to happen but at Florida you would think he could attract that level of QB.
AS: Honestly this is a question that puzzles me at times as well. Quarterbacks have to see what Mullen is able to do with guys so I’m not sure what the reasoning behind that is.
Macbgator: Will we sign more LB??
AS: Right now I don’t see another linebacker in the class.
Macbgator: What is the number of recruits we can sign for 2020???
AS: Florida could go as high as 27-28 but they will only take guys that make sense for Florida. They won’t take numbers just to take numbers.
UFMBA14: When can we expect the first mock class from you?
AS: First of December is usually when I release my first mock.
UFMBA14: We keep hearing that Mullen sees the improvements to recruiting that need to be made. Can you shed any light on what these things are and a possible timeframe for them to happen?
AS: He has fixed the off the field staff and that was a big area that needed to be fix, the facilities are coming along as well. He also understands that they have to push a little harder to get guys to pop and that’s something that he’s working on.
Emaness: Where do you think Knighton ends up?
Is Avantae Williams getting less and less likely as time goes by?
AS: I really like Florida’s chances with Jaylan Knighton heading into this weekend. There’s a chance Williams visits Florida this weekend and I still think Florida has a decent shot at landing him.
Gator_nica: What recruits from this 2020 class are immediate impact players?
AS: Out of the commits, Jaquavion Fraziars and Leonard Manuel can play early on offense. On defense, Gervon Dexter is the big one. Out of the targets, Tim Smith on defense and Xzavier Henderson on offense.
Jetboyoverbroadway: Wondering where the Gators stand with a couple of in state players, Jaylen Harrell and Arian Smith? Any chance with either of them or have those ships sailed? Thanks!
AS: Florida hasn’t really recruiting Harrell much and Smith is leaning towards Clemson/Georgia at this time. Florida hasn’t given up on Smith but the chances are slim.
Ufuvandugatcu: As recruiting starts it’s final stretch to ESP, can you project what recruits the staff will focus their time and effort? Do you anticipate a few players to leave the class to make room for better players?
AS: Right now, the staff is still talking to all of their top targets as they’re trying to get them on campus again for the FSU game. After the FSU game the staff will have a better idea of where they stand with a lot of guys heading into in-home visits. Right now I don’t think anyone leaves the class but that can always change.
Gatorboy08: With the recent news of Bleich leaving the team, does that open up another OL spot for this coming class? It seems like Dumervil is the only guy left on the board. However, if we were to go after another lineman, who would some targets be?
AS: Florida is going to have to expand the board at the position as Dumervil is the only real target right now. I do expect them to go after another lineman now that Bleich has left the team though.
Gator_Frank: If Knighton wants to commit this weekend will Mullen accept his commitment?
AS: Yes, Knighton is a guy that Florida wants in this class and would be a good fit for what Dan Mullen does on offense.
Demosthenes: TE Darnell Washington – what’s the latest including possible behavior issues and rumors UGA may have backed off some?
AS: Georgia has backed off some but it’s still a UF/UGA battle here with UGA slightly ahead.
IAmBornAGator: Who is likely to be the highest rated player in this class and will Mullen finally get the haven’t signed a 5 star rated prospect monkey off his back?
AS: I don’t see Florida getting a five star this year but I think Gervon Dexter will be the highest rated commit. Dexter has a chance to be a five star but it’s unlikely he will get the needed push.
I think this article highlights a very big issue, I am not going to say Dan Mullen is not a good recruiter and he was certainly put quite a bit behind the eight ball by the staff preceding him. However with the positions this team needs desperate help with and the opportunity for exceptional players to step onto the field and have extensive playing time it stands to reason this staff should be able to sign some of those five star players especially on the atrocious offensive line. It causes concern when you don’t see that happening especially when you see them going to places like Georgia and being willing to ride the bench rather than stepping into a starting position.