Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: October 3rd edition

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:

 

Gatorfantone247: Issiah Walker commit watch this weekend?

AS: Any time Walker visits Florida, he’s on commit watch so this weekend is no different. He has scheduled an official visit to Florida State so that makes me think he could wait but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ended it this weekend.

 

Macbgator: Why are we having a hard time getting a top notch running back??

AS: Florida will still have Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis, Iverson Clement and Nay’quan Wright on campus so that scares some guys off but still the facts are that Florida is struggling recruiting the position. They went all in on Bowman but that didn’t work and they were a little late getting on other guys.

 

Camtheman: What is your opinion on the recruiting staff at this point? I think Dan publicly said he didn’t like how it was set up when he first started and there’s been a lot of turnover there. Where do you think we are now and how would you compare our full recruiting staff (including assistant coaches, internal people) against other top programs?

AS: The staff has improved a ton from last year and much more organized than it was. The biggest thing this staff has going for them is that they have a lot of connections but they have some young guys as far as experience goes right now. As these guys get their feet wet, you should see more success.

 

BCNGator99: What percentage of the staff’s focus has moved on to the ’21 class versus finishing up the ’20 class?

AS: With the recruiting staff as big as it’s now, they’re able to work both classes equally as hard but they’re focusing a lot on the 2021 class as the board is all but set for 2020.

 

Shonsnow: If Dumervil ends up at LSU, do you think we take a 5th OL? (assuming I Walker commits to us soonish)

AS: They need another tackle in the class so I would yes but they would have to gain some momentum with someone because they aren’t leading for anyone besides Walker. I wouldn’t rule out a JUCO guy either.

 

Shonsnow: Do you think it’s weird we couldn’t get Parrish on campus this weekend for our biggest home game?

AS: It sounds like Henry Parrish is upset that the offer came so late if that’s true then I don’t think Parrish even visits Florida. South Carolina is a team trending up for him at this point.

 

Shonsnow: How would you rank the remaining WR’s on the board on likeliness to be in the class assuming we take 2 more?

AS: Florida is still after guys like Xzavier Henderson, Kentron Poiter, Bryan Robinson and Auburn receiver commit Elijah Canion. I like Florida’s chances with Henderson the longer this goes and after that I think Florida is in the best shape with Poiter. Robinson seems to be leaning towards FSU more than Florida right now.

 

Shonsnow: Why is Francois not a take at this time? Staff waiting on answers from Tae Williams and Mordecai McDaniel first?

AS: They still want to see more from Francois at safety but yes, they’re waiting on Williams but they will keep a spot open for him until the end. They just need to see more film on Francois from what I’m told.

 

Shonsnow: Do we currently have any backup plans for Tim Smith at the DT position? Jayson Jones is visiting this weekend but chances of flipping him from Bama are slim to none. Any other names you think we should keep an eye at the position?

AS: Jeffery M’Ba is a name to remember if he can get his academics in order and he’s teammates with Lamar Goods. Also North Carolina commit Clyde Pinder from Armwood who doesn’t have an offer yet says he still hears from the staff so he’s one to watch. The staff has made it known that we would like another tackle in the class.

 

Shonsnow: Do you see us being done at the cornerback position with Helm, Rogers and Graham? According to reports we have had limited to no communication lately with Dennis and JRob.

AS: Yes, I believe Florida is done at cornerback right now. The staff is happy with the guys they have committed now and have backed off from talking to others. They’re focused on getting another safety or two.

 

Gatordon: Andrew, why do you think the Gators have struggled in the past to recruit elite offensive linemen? It seems like we have talked about this difficulty for years

AS: The offense hasn’t been that good so linemen have iffy about coming to Florida but still has landed some big name guys but they just haven’t landed that one elite guy that steps on campus and starts from day one. That’s something Hevesy and the staff must change because they need someone in this class to step up and be ready to compete next year.

 

NapaGator: Short of winning a national or SEC championship this year, what’s the single biggest thing our program can do to get the 2021 class in the top 5.

AS: I don’t know if there’s one single thing that can make that happen but doing a better job in state would be close to the top. Instate in 2021 is loaded and Florida needs to clean up especially in Gator friendly areas.

 

Gatorbeave: Andrew have you heard anything about 2019 recruits Deyavie Hammond, Wardrick Wilson, and Diwun Black?
Where is Wardrick Wilson? Is he home, is he in Gainesville? What’s going on?

AS: Hammond and Black have to spend three semesters at JUCO so they could be 2021 prospects.

Wilson was back in the states meeting with his lawyers at last check a few weeks ago. The last update I was given was that it was likely Wilson would enroll in January.

 

Dkinggator: Are we still talking to Bowman or has that ship sailed?

AS: Yes, Florida is still talking to Demarkcus Bowman but right now I don’t see him going anywhere but Clemson honestly. There’s always a chance but it’s very slim right now.

 

 

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.