The Gators hosted several top targets this weekend during Florida’s matchup against LSU, which resulted in a commitment from four-star quarterback Tramell Jones on Sunday afternoon. With the Gators heating back up on the recruiting trail, 2025 four-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou has given a second look at the Gators after backing off his commitment in October.
“It went really good, I think the defense was killing LSU today, I got to talk to the coaches and kind of see what I saw the first time when I committed, and I kind of saw the same things so it was a really good visit,” Mbatchou said on his visit this weekend.
The defense took Mbatchou by surprise on Saturday recording a total of seven sacks after LSU had given up just six all season coming into Saturday’s game.
“Just them getting off quicker and getting to the ball while being more violent,” Mbatchou said on Florida’s defense. “I think the defense did a good job doing that this game and it really showed because the quarterback had no place to go. Once the fourth quarter rolled around LSU just couldn’t handle them anymore, they couldn’t stop them.”
Mbatchou was flooded with offers after the conclusion of his senior season and it changed things for the four-star late in his recruiting process. With the 2025 cycle nearing an end, the Georgia native has narrowed things down heading into December.
“I think it complicated things because there was a lot more to see but it really showed me who really cared and who actually wanted me,” Mbatchou said on receiving offers late in his recruitment.
Mbatchou still plans on taking visits in the next couple weeks before he narrows down his list.
“I plan on making my final decision in December before signing day. I’m still thinking about taking visits in the next two weeks to LSU and USC.”
Before backing off his pledge in October, the four-star defensive lineman was the only interior defensive lineman committed to the Gators in a 2025 class that currently sits at 13 total commitments. The Gators currently rank 33rd in the 2025 recruiting cycle after the addition of Tramell Jones on Sunday afternoon.
With the Gators making some noise on the recruiting trail, I think it’s very possible that Mbatchou could be a Gator once again.