This weekend is scheduled to be one of the biggest recruiting weekends in recent history for the Florida Gators as Billy Napier and his staff host several 2023 prospects on campus.
Napier and his staff have already hosted several high-profile guys this week on campus but that will multiple on Saturday.
GatorCountry brings you a look at the prospects who are scheduled to visit Gainesville on Saturday.
The trenches are represented
Napier has made it a focus to concentrate on the trenches and this weekend several top offensive and defensive linemen will be in Gainesville.
Headlining the group will be Notre Dame defensive end commit Keon Keeley who is very interested in the Gators despite his commitment to the Irish. Keeley has been a top target for the Gators since Napier arrived.
Offensive lineman Payton Kirkland is one of the top linemen in the country and has been a top target for Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton. Kirkland likes Georgia but with Matt Luke leaving, the door is open for others and Florida will take the first crack at things this weekend.
Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa from IMG will be in town for his first visit to Gainesville. The California native is high on USC but he’s talking to offensive line coach Rob Sale a lot and that has the Gators in the mix.
Defensive linemen Derrick LeBlanc and John Walker are teammates who have both visited Gainesville since the new staff arrived. The Gators currently sit in a good spot for both prospects but neither lineman seems close to committing.
Defensive lineman Zavion Hardy picked up an offer from Florida in January and he says the Gators are one of the teams recruiting him the hardest. Georgia and Florida State are also heavily recruiting Hardy.
Offensive lineman Knijeah Harris has a connection to Florida as he’s from the same town as recruiting staff member Jamar Chaney. Harris has Florida, Miami, Florida State, and Georgia high in his recruitment.
Florida offered Georgia offensive line commit Bo Hughley this weekend and he quickly set up a visit to Gainesville. With Matt Luke leaving Georgia, Hughley is looking hard at both Florida and Auburn.
South Carolina defensive lineman Monteque Rhames scheduled a visit with Florida this week and he has a prior relationship with linebackers coach Jay Bateman from his time at North Carolina. This will be the first trip to Gainesville for Rhames.
Defensive lineman Isaiah Nixon is another guy who picked up an offer from Florida in January and will now visit Gainesville. Several schools have offered Nixon as of late including Auburn.
IMG defensive lineman Cam Lenhardt is originally from New York and is leaning towards Penn State at the moment, but the Gators are hoping to make a move for the lineman this weekend.
Defensive side of the ball well represented
While the trenches will be well represented on the defensive side of the ball, the backside of the defense will be as well.
Athlete Samuel M’Pemba is the top-rated athlete in the country and will be on campus this weekend. M’Pemba is projected to play defensive end/outside linebacker in college.
Linebacker Grayson Howard will be making his second visit to Gainesville this weekend. The Gators have been recruiting Howard hard since Napier arrived in Gainesville.
Athlete/defensive back Robert Stafford has been talking to the defensive staff a lot for Florida and the Gators like him at defensive back despite him playing both ways in high school.
Safety Javion Clark doesn’t have an offer from Florida yet, but he has been talking to the staff a lot and will meet everyone for the first time this weekend.
Safety Jalon Kilgore was another guy who picked up from Florida in February and quickly set up a visit to Gainesville. Kilgore is one of the top prospects in the state of Georgia this year.
Receiver to visit
Receiver Tyree Patterson doesn’t have an offer from Florida yet but says he has talked to several coaches in Gainesville so far and the 6-2 receiver wants to see what Florida is all about this weekend.