Florida Gators recruiting mailbag: October 6th edition

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.

 

Vindibudd: How are we doing getting this Offensive Line recruiting dumpster fire resolved? Are we looking good? Are we getting the right guys interested? I don’t normally follow recruiting but it’s really hard to wrap my head around how Muschamp could have ignored this absolutely critical area.

AS: Florida is still working really hard on Michigan commit Kai-Leon Herbert, Alabama commit Alex Leatherwood and Miami commit Navaughn Donaldson. All of those guys have interest in the Gators.

 

Ol2ange: What are your thoughts on the overall recruiting abilities of Mac and staff? I know that you have stated that UF is behind other schools due to Mac not having relationships with these kids, but it’s a bit frustrating as a fan to see other schools who also have new coaches do better than us. Now, obviously we as fans trust Mac and his evaluations (and so far, it looks like Mac & co can coach them up), but losing top FL kids hurts.

AS: Mac and his staff are good recruiters, but they were behind on these kids because of getting in late. Tim Skipper, Kerry Dixon, Torrian Gray and Chris Rumph are all well thought of on the recruiting trail. The Gators just struggle with offensive linemen right now.

 

Ol2ange: What are your thoughts on the Adarius Lemons situation? What do you think happens with it (Does UF find a new running, do you think Lemons is still in the class, etc)?

AS: Florida is still monitoring the situation and I think they will continue to evaluate everything. It’s definitely something to monitor.

 

Jgrow: Do you think any of these visitors will pop this weekend?

AS: It’s tough to say but I would say no right now because most of the big names are waiting to decide. Someone can always change their mind though so you can never say never. The biggest question is what prospects actually show up now.

 

Dfalco2: AS what’s the receiver board looking like? With Donovan Peoples-Jones coming this week does that hurt us? I don’t think he comes back after this trip. Is this just a nice gesture on his part? I just feel he is all Michigan. We really need him but the product on the field is not helping. With that being said how is the offensive recruiting overall going? Are we losing steam due to the lack of offense we are showing?

AS: It’s a Florida/Michigan battle for Peoples-Jones but the early visit isn’t ideal. The Gators will try to get him back on campus again to help things. After Peoples-Jones, the Gators are after Henry Ruggs and Alabama commit Jerry Jeudy.

 

Juggernautz: Any new news on Kadeem Telfort?

AS: Telfort is still talking to Florida on a daily basis and saying the right things but Miami is a big threat. This one will go down to the wire from what I’ve heard but his relationship with Randy Shannon will help the Gators.

 

Juggernautz: Do you see us getting JUCO commits in this class?

AS: I think Florida will get a JUCO offensive lineman in this class but I’m just not sure who that will be.

 

Juggernautz: Will we need to get a PK this class?

AS: No, I don’t think so. Probably get one in 2017.

 

 

 

Jacobrenda: Chance C.J. Henderson commits this weekend?

AS: I think it’s very possible but now the thing is does Henderson get to visit with the weather being like it is right now.

 

Rajingator: How do you respond to rumblings our camps are disorganized and our staff hasn’t done very well bonding with HS coaches?

AS: That’s crazy, coaches really like this staff and they’ve bonded really well with the Gators staff. People will start rumors all the time but this is one is just bad.

 

Biznazn69: How is our linebacker recruiting? We seem dangerously thin after this year as from 2014-2016 we only recruited 4 linebackers. Do we have a chance with any other more highly rated recruits?

AS: Florida has two committed and are recruiting Rahyme Johnson, Levi Jones, K.J. Britt and Anthony Hines still. The Gators want one or two more in this class. David Reese and Kylan Johnson have done well, plus Vosean Joseph and Jeremiah Moon are doing well.

 

Biznazn69:What is Greg Nord’s recruiting area and what recruits has he landed for us in the past and targeting currently?

AS: He recruits Gainesville and north to Jacksonville. He was the primary recruiter for Freddie Swain and Felipe Franks. Mac and recruiting coordinator Drew Hughes was also very heavily involved in recruiting those guys.

 

Ufsports24_7: AS, what happens to our big recruiting weekend if hurricane makes us move game, big reason to worry!?!?

AS:

 

Twondiddy: Whats your take on the ’18 kid from Calabasas that named us his leader?

AS: Brendan Radley-Hiles is a top defensive back for 2018 and I think the Gators have a legit shot at him. He will be in town for the South Carolina game.

 

Hogtown: Do you get the impression that Mac is going to stick someone other than Mike Summers or Greg Nord on Leatherwood? He’s a very important recruit and we need to put our ace on him.

AS: Coach Mac has the entire staff recruiting Leatherwood including himself. Mac knows how important Leatherwood is and he will leave no stone unturned on him.

 

Ufgatordad: The ’17 DB class is intriguing to me. On one hand, we have some solid prospects already committed and are in contention for C.J. Henderson and then some top safeties. However, we are also in need of a couple elite guys that can come in and play from day 1, which we seem to be short on. What’s your take? If Henderson were the only other CB added to the class, and Stewart and Hunter came on as safeties, do you see us in big trouble at CB for next year, or could any of the 4 (Blades, Davis, Wilson, Henderson) come in and start from day 1?

AS: I think Marco Wilson and Shawn Davis could play from day one. Elijah Blades has a lot of talent as well but I think he needs to be a little more polished. There is no doubt that Florida needs to get another elite guy though. Hunter and Stewart would be a great safety class though.

 

Ufgatordad: Call me crazy, but I’ve had this sneaky suspicion about Alex Leatherwood the past couple weeks! What most see as him trolling us, I think he is subtlety just keeping the relationship alive under the radar so as not to spook Bama, but I genuinely believe he has way more interest in us then he lets on! Is that just wishful thinking on my part?

AS: I’ve told people that I have that same feeling because Leatherwood has always spoken highly of Florida. Alabama really got on him when he visited in the spring so I think your feeling has some truth to it.

 

Gators1120001: It has been noted that Alex Leatherwood has expressed his liking of Coach Mike Summers coaching style. How does this effect his recruitment if coach Summers is not retained. Does this effect any other OLINE recruits on the hook? Seems Mac is taking a personal role in this recruitment for more than one reason. Thanks Andrew!!

AS: Leatherwood would need to be able to build a relationship with the new offensive line coach for sure but there may not be time for that because he enrolls in January. Ultimately Leatherwood is going to choose Florida or not because of McElwain and Doug Nussmeier.

 

Ufsports24_7: Who are we more likely to flip, Shaun Wade or Alex Leatherwood?

AS: Tough to choose from those two because I think Florida is trying hard on both. Wade has visited this fall and I think the Gators have put themselves back in the mix for him. With Leatherwood, the Gators still need to get him on campus before they can really have any true sense on if he’s really interested or not.

 

Ufsports24_7: This thought just popped into my head, since we are going to be so young on defense next year, why isn’t the staff going after more juco guys? I know we have Javier Edwards committed, but I wouldn’t mind getting a linebacker that can play right away as well.

AS: Florida feels good on its young guys on defense so I don’t see them on going after anymore JUCO guys. Kylan Johnson and David Reese have gotten playing time this year and that will help them out. The only position that is a huge concern is cornerback because outside of Chauncey Gardner you have some concerns.

 

 

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. At this point in the recruiting cycle to have only 1 offensive line commitment underscores the Gators inability to attract top OL talent. That 3 players already committed to other schools are our best prospects exemplifies this.