Florida signs “really unique players” along defensive line

Going into the 2022 football season, the defensive line position was a major position of need for the Florida Gators. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much that ever worked for Florida this year as the continued struggles on the defensive line seemingly got worse. This staff has worked endlessly to try and revive that consistent violent culture Florida defensive lines were known for back in the day. With this incoming defensive line class, including a specific transfer out of Louisville, Napier and this staff are getting closer towards reaching that goal. 

Kelby Collins

The Florida Gators struck gold when swooping Kelby Collins right from underneath Alabama’s feet. Back in July of this year, things started heating up heavily for the Gators after the highly touted prospect out of Gardendale, Alabama took a visit during one of Florida’s big annual recruiting events. Once Collins ended up committing just a month later, Alabama still made their push, but it was never enough flip the 4-star prospect.

Collins, who is the 60th overall prospect in the 2023 class held 29 total offers out of high school from teams like Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina.

“Some really unique players when you look at this group. Kelby being, I think one of the — you just turn the tape on, one of the more polished, ready to play players in the country. Just fundamentally advanced, 6’4″, 260 pounds, and really a violent player, plays with effort,” Napier said on Collins. “He comes from an unbelievable family, just his mom and dad, their character, they’re competitors. He’s been a leader in this class, and certainly he’s going to be here in January and certainly a guy I believe is in prime position to be a difference maker. So he’s got some leadership traits. He’s a hard worker and a guy that I think is, it’s a big deal for him to be a Gator.”

Developing the foundation of a true relationship early on was a top priority for this staff when it came to the recruitment of Collins which played a big factor for the 6-5, 280-pound lineman in the end.

“We’ve got a handful of staff members that are from there. There was a connection early, just within that area. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t think it was an uphill battle the entire time. We just kept coming back, and there was a sincere, it’s like okay. We’ve got a grading scale we use. Kelby Collins is a phenomenal player,” Napier said on Collins. “It worked, and I think again it’s another one of those situations where they come here, they connect with all the people, there’s common ground there, and it just worked. I think Kelby sees opportunity, and he’s a guy that’s willing to be different. I think that’s what it takes sometimes.”

In his career, Collins averaged 7.7 tackles a game while recording 239 total tackles and 158 solo. 101 of those tackles came from his senior season alone, which later earned Collins the WBRC Sideline Player of The Year award. With many departures on the defensive front following the 2022 football season, I expect Collins to have a large role early on in his career.

T.J. Searcy

For a while it seemed as if Searcy may have been trending towards Clemson or Tennessee when it came to who had the best shot of landing the highly recruited defensive line product out of Thomaston, Georgia.

With South Carolina also in the mix, it was a close race all around. T.J. Searcy is a 4-star recruit who currently stands at roughly 6-5, 250 pounds and is a top-30 defensive lineman in the 2023 class.

“T.J. Searcy is someone I did not mention earlier, but probably one of the freakier dudes in the group. 6’5-1/4″, 250 pounds-plus, probably 260 now. This guy played tight end, outside linebacker as a junior, played more of a 4-3 end as a senior. Unique movements for this size now and a very disruptive player,” Napier said on Searcy. “His mom’s an incredible lady. His brothers are — just made some great memories with his family visiting them. This is a really great kid and one we’re excited about him enrolling early.”

Searcy finished his high school career with 152 total tackles, 91 solo and seven sacks. Searcy will also be on campus in January.

Will Norman

Norman once attended IMG academy before moving and transferring back home for his senior year to Camden, New Jersey where he attended Eastside High School. Norman currently stands at 6-3, 300 pounds and is top-30 defensive lineman in the country.

“Will Norman is one heck of an athlete for 6’3-1/2″, 300 pounds. Former basketball player, turned football. Was at IMG, went back home for his senior year,” Napier said on Norman. “This guy could play on the edge for his size, really unique traits. I think his best football is in front of him. Lights up the room when he walks in. He’s got a great personality about him. His mom is a great lady. You know, really excited about that group. Obviously, we’ve got others that will join them, but it’s a good group of defensive linemen. If you’re going to be good, it starts up front.”

Penn State was believed to be the landing spot for Norman throughout most of his recruitment as he was a Penn State commit for quite some time.

That was until Treyaun Webb shocked everyone and committed to Florida over Penn State starting a wave of recruiting momentum for the Gators with the help of Webb as a class leader.

Norman is listed as a 4-star prospect and has registered 13 total tackles in his career.

Kamran James

The Orlando native out of Olympia High School is one of the more well-rounded defensive lineman in the class, as he just might have the highest potential out of the six new additions on the defensive line. James is a top-20 defensive lineman in the country and currently sits as the 164th ranked prospect as a 4-star.

“I do think Kamran James is one of the more impressive athletes in the class, 6’5-1/2″, 260 pounds, and a former basketball player turned football. I think he has a high ceiling and really can’t compliment that family enough,” Napier said on James. “Their approach to recruiting, just about all the right things. Just really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Excited about Kamran being midyear. I just think his upside is tremendous.”

Kamran James has a total of 28 offers with some of those top schools being Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Florida State. The Gators however seemed to be the team to beat for James throughout his entire recruitment with Georgia not too far behind.

James has 30 total career tackles while only playing in nine total football games in high school. The former basketball player stands at 6-5, 260 and already looks as if he’s been playing football for years.

Gavin Hill

A big reason the Gainesville native from Buchholz High School is even a Gator is because of his former teammate and former Florida commit Creed Whittemore, who is now a Mississippi State Bulldog carrying on the legacy of Mike Leach.

Hill was someone who caught the attention of many coaches on staff when going to visit Whittemore and immediately kept a close eye on Gavin Hill. Napier admires what Hill brings to the table and the things he can do at his size.

‘I’m excited about that group. Gavin Hill is a local player, 6’3″. He’s up to 275 pounds,” Napier said on Hill. “Unique in that he played some tight end in the past. I thought his senior tape was special. He played with a hurt shoulder, tough as nails. Obviously, Coach Whittemore runs a great program over there. They made a great run in the playoff. He’s a Gator through and through. There’s just a different level of passion that he’s going to bring.”

Hill held 18 total offers from schools such as Arizona, Miami and Auburn. The Gators were always at the top of his recruitment ever since Napier and the staff offered and it was never really close between any other schools.

While also scoring two touchdowns, Gavin Hill recorded 60 total tackles in his career while accounting for 21 solo with seven career sacks.

Caleb Banks

The transfer out of Louisville was the first big player the Gators landed out of the portal to close out the 2022 season. The now 4-star prospect recorded two total career tackles during his freshman year at Louisville and stands at 6-6, 225 pounds. 

Banks was a 3-star prospect coming out of Southfield High School in Michigan where he held 31 total offers from teams like Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan.