Gator Country’s popular Florida Gators recruiting mailbag is back to its weekly spot on Thursday’s as we answer your recruiting questions.
The Gators recruiting class is off to a great start in 2017 and look to be setting their selves up for another top class.
This week members had a lot of questions on the status of the Class of 2017 and we answer your questions here.
Remember to get your questions in on Tuesday for the Florida Gators recruiting mailbag each week.
Gatorfanseth: When does C.J. Henderson commit?
AS: He doesn’t have a decision date in mind right now, I would say he takes some more visits before making a decision just because he wants this decision to be his last one. Florida is still in good shape.
Gatorfanseth: Is the cancelled LSU game a blessing in disguise?
Meaning the rescheduled officials of some of the studs visiting later could be better especially if they are enrolling early.
AS: I think in the case of Donovan Peoples-Jones it was good to get a later visit but he also wanted to see a Gators atmosphere for the first time. It’s likely now that he doesn’t see that great atmosphere but the on the plus side he will visit closer to his decision date. With Anthony Hines, I think it was a long shot anyway with him so you wanted him to see the best atmosphere possible.
Gatorfanseth: Any needed coaching changes from a recruiting perspective in your mind?
Greg Nord, Mike Summers…?
AS: I’m not ready to say that, you need to see how they finish the 2017 class of. Right now Nord does have two really good tight ends committed. It’s also a lot about the performance on the field and that’s something we will have to watch the rest of the way.
Gatorfanseth: What all happens for recruits on official visits?
What’s the run down from arrival to departure?
AS: After the season this is the run down. Prospects arrive on Friday and taken out to dinner with the entire staff and the rest of prospects. That night, the parents are able to hang out with the coaches and their families while the prospects go out with current players. On Saturday, that’s the long day and the day starts off with academic meetings and campus tours. After that is over they get lunch and then the afternoon is spent on football talk. Prospects and parents are able to meet with the staff as well as see the facilities and learn more about the program. Saturday night the players take out the prospects again while the parents spend time with the other parents. Sunday is meet with McElwain and depart.
Ol2ange: Grade the overall recruiting job of our staff this season so far.
Is winning the only solution for better recruiting results? What else can Mac and Co. do to improve in these areas? Are they doing all that they can do to improve our recruiting?
AS: Winning is the biggest thing because lets face it Florida hasn’t done that lately until last year. Mac also had to rebuild a lot of relationships that Will Muschamp and his staff hurt so that’s taking time. Mac and his staff won’t be on even ground until the 2018 class so that’s also a big factor into things too. The biggest thing Mac and his staff needs to do is win with offense the rest of the year and beat FSU because you need to beat your rival.
Jacobrenda: Anything new on James Robinson and Henry Ruggs?
AS: Nothing new on Robinson, still in a holding pattern with most teams. With Ruggs, he was scheduled to visit Florida last weekend and now looks like he will come in for the South Carolina game most likely. Ruggs has been talking to Florida a lot behind the scenes and the Gators are definitely a team to watch.
Juggernautz: Any new news on Adarius Lemons?
AS: Lemons is still suspended from his team, there is some talk that he may be allowed back on his team but we will until that happens before we speculate on that. As far as things go with Florida, the Gators are keeping him in the class while also monitoring things. Florida knows his deal and they’re going to try and help him as much as they can.
ThePlayer: If we whiff on quality offensive line recruiting again in February,
will changes be made on our staff to address that?
AS: If they whiff on offensive linemen then you have to evaluate everything then but that is a decision you make then and not now.
Brainstorm: Most of us have great concerns about our offensive line recruiting. With 15 returning offensive line next year could you see us taking as few as two players in this class (or perhaps three) as long as they can play tackle How does our 2018 offensive line recruiting look at this point?
AS: Florida needs to sign at least three in this class and honestly they need four with three of them being tackles because the tackle depth is bad right now on campus. As far as 2018 goes the Gators are in great shape with several big time players in that class. Instate talent for 2018 is also really good which only helps things for the Gators. 2018 is the year Florida should clean up at the position.
Gator_nica: We practically lose our entire defense next year. Which commits, or possible commits, could you see starting from the get go in 2017?
AS: Current commits starting from the get go would be tough but I think Marco Wilson, Javier Edwards and potentially Shawn Davis could all play early in 2017. Maybe not start but play early. Targets that would early would be Devon Hunter, Brad Stewart, C.J. Henderson (special teams), Shaun Wade, Ambry Thomas, Lebryan Ray and Jarez Parks.
BCNGator99: Can you talk specifically more in depth about the issues surrounding Calvin Ashley (grades, character, or ability) and Tedarrell Slaton (grades, character, or ability)?
AS: Ashley has some grade concerns and some issues surrounding why he transferred to three different schools in a matter of a year. There is also some injury concerns that have surrounded him in the past. Again this is nothing that keeps you from signing him but that is something that schools are aware of.
Jmike131014: Any chance we go after Blake Barnett for quarterback and what would
Jake Allen think about us going after another quarterback?
AS: I know Florida has spoken with him but that’s about all they have done right now. Texas A&M looks to be the favorite to land Barnett right now though. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier does have a relationship with Barnett and that may get the Gators at least a visit if they want one. I’m not sure what Allen would think about it because Barnett would be a redshirt sophomore on campus but I think it’s a little early to start thinking about that.
Ufsports24_7: -Give me 3 names that are not on our commitment list as of this mailbag, that you would bet will be on by signing day.
-Who is leading for James Robinson, haven’t heard anything about him as of late.
-James Robinson’s teammate: AJ Davis, gives Florida a lot of love on twitter, would we go after him in wake of Lemons situation?
AS: C.J. Henderson, Rahyme Johnson and Kai-Leon Herbert are the three names that I feel pretty good about right now.
It’s honestly tough to say on Robinson because most teams wouldn’t take him right now. I know he’s supposedly visiting Oklahoma soon so maybe they would take him but right now many teams are waiting until after the season.
I don’t think Florida goes after Davis because he’s more of an athlete than he’s a running back so I think he goes out of state.
Hogtown: Is Florida even trying with Shaun Wade? Or has that ship sailed?
AS: Florida is working hard behind the scenes with Wade, running backs coach Tim Skipper speaks with him and his family often. I actually give the Gators a better chance at landing Wade then most people do because of Wade’s relationship with Skipper.
Gator_champs1: Will we still get an official visit from Donovan Peoples-Jones?
AS: Yes, it will be later in the season when he takes his official visit but he has said he will take one for sure. If you’re Florida then you try to get him to take it in December so that’s close to his decision time with him early enrolling.
Rajingator: Is it true Jordan Scott is up to around 360 and is this a concern?
AS: I haven’t heard that rumor at all. At last check Scott was around 345-350 range but it’s something that Florida will get control of once he enrolls in school.
Ufgator84: Just to change things up with all of the angst about the offensive line……
What’s your take on Devon Hunter, Brad Stewart, or C.J. Henderson at safety? % chances on each? Henderson seems most likely.
AS: I would say right now Florida has the best shot with Stewart and Henderson but Hunter also likes Florida a lot. The one thing on Hunter is that Virginia Tech is having a decent year this year and that helps them out a lot.
Twondiddy: Regarding our defensive tackle commit Javier Edwards, how solid is he to us would you say? He seems very quiet and doesn’t talk much or at least to the media.
AS: He says he’s very solid and I know people around him say the same thing but Arkansas is a threat because they just offered him. He’s very quiet and doesn’t do many interviews so it’s tough to get a read on him but I would expect him in this class.