The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have gained momentum despite the tough loss last Saturday to LSU.
Prospects have started their season already so they’re in season mode but also continuing through the recruiting process.
Gator Country’s members have a lot of questions about how the 2018 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:
Ufgator84: Are there are 2-3 legit linebackers coming that are already over 210 lb. that can contribute immediately?
AS: David Reese is committed and can contribute early but the Gators right now don’t have any targets that are truly leaning towards Florida. Channing Tindall and Richard JIbunor are both guys that can contribute early but it looks like they will end up elsewhere now. The Gators are trying to expand the board more and find guys that can play early.
Ufgator84: Please tell me that Nuss, Nord, and Dixon are gonl. Do you think that hurts the 2018 class? I don’t – I think it helps.
AS: No coaching decisions have been made and it isn’t fair to those guys to speculate but I can answer your second question. McElwain has done a good job of having his entire staff recruiting and talking to recruits so that one guy leaving doesn’t hurt them a ton. McElwain just has to reassure the guys that the changes are being made for the right reasons and such.
Gator_nica: What do the recruits think of the new uniforms?!
AS: All of the recruits I’ve spoken to love them and love the gloves and cleats the most. New uniform designs are done for the players and the recruits and the Gators did a good job of making those guys happy.
Gator_nica: Are we looking into taking another quarterback in this class, besides Corral?
AS: The Gators are satisfied with just taking Matt Corral in the class of 2018. I think that’s the right decision as well because Corral is a big time guy that can play and you have some depth on the roster right now anyway.
Southcolgator: Are you hearing concern from committed recruits about the direction of the program?
AS: No, recruits have some questions about the offense but most of the guys believe they can be the difference and get things going. Recruits see things differently than most fans as they believe they’re the missing piece and such.
Mikegator10: Do some AD’s potentially keep coaches to only keep together a strong recruiting class? Or do they value getting a new head coach more and hope that the new coach can keep it together? What is your opinion on this
AS: Athletic directors care about recruiting but at the end of the day they don’t base a decision off of that. The product on the field is what they base decisions off of and also the direction of the program. And just so I’m clear Jim McElwain is not going anywhere, Florida has confidence in him.
Oklahoma Gator: We all know how things can change, but as of right now, what is your best guess on class size?
AS: 25 is the number that I believe Florida will sign this year.
LEMONHOPE: Which recruit committed already is a guy that we aren’t hearing enough about but is ready to ball day one. Heck, it could even be one of the obvious guys but which guy is gonna surprise gator nation next year when on the field?
AS: Either receiver out of Ja’Marr Chase and Jacob Copeland could have solid freshmen years next year but I’ll go with Randy Russell because the Gators still need help in the secondary. So the underrated guy that can surprise people for me is Russell.
Colin: What do recruits think about the way so many Gator fans massively overreact to losses? The quotes I saw from recruits after Saturday seemed reasonable in their view of the loss and supportive of the program moving forward, but from the fan comments on Twitter and this board, you would think Mac was forcing Gator fans to use Obamacare and undocumented Mexican doctors. Does this turn off recruits?
AS: Recruits see it but I don’t think they pay as much attention to it as some think. I mean they don’t like it but they also know that things aren’t as bad as people paint them to be. Recruits see that stuff as a sign that they can be the difference and the program changer.
Trader5jl: Will any linebackers or Tackles will any pull the trigger or is this going to NSD? immediate playing time available.
AS: I wouldn’t say NSD but it will be after the season from what they’ve said. Florida is going to have to expand the board at linebacker and offensive linemen like Gouraige and Barnes say they want to wait until after the season to make a decision.
Gators1992: Heard both Richard Gouraige and Nick Petit-Frere are trending away from the Gators – you agree? My source is very close with both players – Petit-Frere slim to no shot right now – Gouraige is now 50/50 when we were a lock with him before the season.
AS: Petit-Frere is very wide open from what people tell me but I’ve been told that he’s still listening and interested in the Gators. Gouraige on the other hand is still good with Florida and his mom still likes the Gators. I trust you and your source but just going off of what people close to him have told me as well.
RVG: Who are the biggest targets left on the board for UF and what are the chances they wear O&B?
AS: Here are the big names that Florida is chasing right now. I’m sure I’ll leave someone off but here are the big ones.
Gouragie- Gators lean,
Tindall-South Carolina lean,
Barnes-Florida/UNC battle,
Anthony Schwartz-Florida lean,
Richard Jibunor-Auburn lean,
Andrew Chatfield- Florida lean
Pat Surtain- LSU lean
Ed Montilus- Florida lean with UNC there too.
Japorter: Is Nigel Bethel in this class for football or track?
AS: Right now I would say track as the Gators haven’t really been recruiting him that hard on the football side of things.