The Florida Gators coaching staff is trying to get the season back on track after a tough loss to Kentucky, but they will host prospects on campus this weekend for the Vanderbilt game.
Despite the Gators being in the middle of the season, the coaching staff is expected to at least one more commitment in October with the possibilities of another.
GatorCountry brings you a recruiting mailbag to answer your questions on the 2022 class as well as the 2023 class.
Jcmiller910: How has the two early losses affected our relationships and standing with our current commits and targets for the 2022 class? Are we still in good standing with Stewart, Humphrey, and Gibbons? What are our chances of landing these 3 kids? Thanks Mr. Spivey! Go Gators
AS: So far, the only commit that has taken a visit elsewhere is Julian Humphrey and that was to be expected as he has planned those visits.
With Evan Stewart, the Gators are still in good shape with Texas right there with Florida. If Stewart was to pick a school today, then Florida would be my pick.
Georgia made up a lot of ground on Florida with Julian Humphrey during his official visit. This is going to be a battle down the stretch.
I like where Florida stands for Jaydon Gibson heading into his decision on the 13th. Florida has done a good job of recruiting the receiver.
Atllagator: We’ve spoken at length about our unwillingness to make the on field staffing changes that are necessary to recruit at an elite level. But what changes have we made or do we need to make OFF the field in support roles in order to help fill that gap? Is UF in upper third, middle third, or bottom third for number of off the field staff members in the SEC?
AS: Florida has improved the off the field staff a lot over the last two years and those guys are doing a great job of keeping the Gators in the race for guys and getting those guys on campus. Florida is in the top group as far as off the field coaches go. Guys like Keiwan Ratliff, Kelvin Bolden and Chase Clark have all been credited by commits as reasons they committed to Florida so things are fine with those guys. At the end of the day, the coaches have a do a better job of convincing kids to choose Florida.
Travlingator: Are there any recruits that are currently committed to other schools that might still be thinking of flipping to us.
AS: Miami commit Chris Graves plans to visit Florida this weekend and he’s looking at Florida. FSU offensive line commits Qaeshon Sapp and Aliou Bah are both still talking to the staff with Sapp visiting Florida for the Bama game and Bah saying he will visit in December. Notre Dame commit Devin Moore is another guy that still talks to the staff and visited for the Bama game.
74gator: How many are we expected to sign?
AS: 21-23 is the number that I continue to hear but with the NCAA now allowing schools to sign more in order to replace transfers so that number could rise some. I always say the numbers work themselves out.
Macbgator: Who do we sign for the trenches on DL and OL, in your opinion??
AS: On the offensive line Jalen Farmer and David Conner both are solid with the Gators. Tony Livingston is more of an athlete now so we can’t count him in the group. I like where stands with Ja’Kavion Nonar and Ramier Lewis right now and the Gators will host Matthew McCoy who’s rising up on a lot of recruiting boards.
On the defensive line Francois Nolten and Jamari Lyons are both solid with the staff. I like Florida’s chances with Isaiah Hastings and Tennessee commit Jordan Phillips right now. Quency Wiggins takes an official visit to Florida this weekend but right now Florida is trailing there.
Dhainer24: Does the lack of passing game hurt our chances with Gibson and Stewart? Are we still leading on Stewart?
AS: I don’t think, Mullen has shown his ability to throw the ball down the field in the past and that’s a selling point for the staff. If Stewart was picking today, I believe Florida would be the pick for him. I think the Gators have a great shot at landing both.
Juggernautz: Do you foresee any “good” surprises for this recruiting class?
AS: Landing Evan Stewart and Azareyah Thomas would be huge pickups for the class and right now Florida is in good shape for both. If you mean surprise as far as someone not expected in the class right now then I would say probably not unless the Gators are able to pick up real momentum with someone like Walter Nolen. Still a lot of the season to go so anything can happen.