The Florida Gators will host their annual Friday Night Lights event on Friday and then follow that up with a cook-out on Saturday.
This will be the first time for head coach Billy Napier to host the events and he’s expected to have several of his top targets on campus this weekend for the events.
GatorCountry brings you a Florida Gators recruiting visitors list preview for this weekend’s big recruiting events.
Top defensive linemen to visit
The need for defensive linemen this year is huge, and the Gators are expected to host several of their top targets this weekend on campus.
Defensive tackle James Smith is one of the top players in the country and the Alabama native will be in town for his first visit to Gainesville. Alabama and Georgia are the favorites for Smith heading into the visit.
Joining Smith this weekend will be his teammate defensive lineman Qua Russaw who has been on campus before, but this will be the first time under Billy Napier. Alabama and Georgia are also the favorites for Russaw but the Gators are hoping to get in the mix this weekend.
IMG defensive lineman/athlete Sam M’Pemba has been on campus a lot this spring and he will once again be on campus this weekend. Miami and Notre Dame are the favorites for M’Pemba but the Gators are in the mix here and he’s close with Florida commit Knijeah Harris.
Defensive lineman Kamran James is one of Sean Spencer’s top targets and James is very underrated. James took an official visit to Gainesville in June and the Gators are the favorites heading into the visit and James is someone to watch this weekend.
M’Pemba’s teammate defensive lineman Will Norman is very close with defensive line coach Sean Spencer and he will be back on campus this weekend. Norman has been on campus a lot and Florida is the favorite for the defensive lineman heading into the weekend.
Defensive lineman Kelby Collins was on campus earlier this spring for the first time and following that visit he quickly set up this visit to Gainesville so he can be around everyone again. Alabama is the favorite, but Collins is very open to leaving the state of Alabama for college.
Defensive backs and linebackers to visit
Probably the biggest name on the visitors list this weekend is defensive back Cormani McClain who’s scheduled to be in town with his family this weekend. McClain is one of the Gators’ top remaining targets and Florida hopes to keep the momentum in their favor over Alabama and Miami.
Safety Bryce Thornton is a prospect that the Gators have gained some momentum for as of late and he’s expected on campus on Saturday. The Gators have a lot of competition for the defensive back heading into fall visits.
Defensive back Jordan Castell is expected to announce his decision on Saturday, and he’s expected on campus in Gainesville this weekend. Florida is the favorite heading into his decision as Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee are also in the mix.
Defensive back Ja’Keem Jackson will announce his decision on Thursday evening, and he’s expected to visit Gainesville this weekend. Florida is the favorite for Jackson heading into his decision.
Linebacker Karmelo Overton will make the trip over from Alabama this weekend for his first visit to Gainesville. Florida hasn’t offered Overton yet but that could change this weekend.
Linebacker Desirrio Riles doesn’t have an offer from Florida at this time but he’s visiting this weekend in hopes of picking up one.
Linebacker Kaveion Keys plans to make the trek down from Virginia this weekend for his first visit to Gainesville. Keys picked up an offer from Florida this spring and quickly said he wanted to visit the Gators.
Talented offensive guys to visit
Receiver Andy Jean is one of the Gators’ top remaining targets at receiver and the Gators are hoping to seal the deal with the Miami native this weekend. Georgia, Miami, and Texas A&M are in the running for the receiver, but the Gators seem to be the team to beat for Jean right now.
Utah running back commit Michael Mitchell doesn’t have an offer from the Gators yet and he has been under the radar for much of his recruitment due to some academic concerns, but those concerns have been put to rest and teams are starting to notice Mitchell’s game a lot. The Gators could extend an offer this weekend.
Athlete Daquayvious Sorey plans to be on campus this weekend and plans to announce his college decision on Saturday after he pushed it back from July 4th. Sorey likes the Gators a lot, but Miami is in the mix as Florida likes Sorey at both receiver and safety.
Offensive lineman Tyree Adams plans to be on campus on Saturday and Sunday and the Louisiana native also plans to return in September for his official visit to Florida. Adams has been on campus twice already and the Gators have built a good relationship with the lineman.
Joining Adams from Louisiana this weekend will be offensive lineman Caden Jones who will be on campus for the first time this weekend. The Gators offered Jones in June and the lineman is starting to pick up a lot of interest from top schools around the country.
Commits coming to town
The Gators’ coaching staff will have a lot of help in recruiting the top targets this weekend as several of Florida’s commits will be in town this weekend.
Running back Treyaun Webb and defensive back Shariff Denson will be in town before the events and stay through the weekend as they spend as much time as they can with the coaching staff.
Receivers Eugene Wilson and Creed Whittemore also plan to be on campus this weekend they will be joined by receiver commit Tyree Patterson who just visited UCF.
Offensive line commits Knijeah Harris and Bryce Lovett are both solid with Florida and are big recruiters for the staff and they plan to be on campus this weekend.
Defensive line commits Gavin Hill and TJ Searcy also plan to be on campus for the first time since they committed this weekend.
Defensive back Aaron Gates has visited several other schools recently but he plans to visit Florida this weekend as the Gators look to turn the momentum back to them this weekend.
Underclassmen to visit UF
2024 prospects
Quarterback DJ Lagway
Running back Chauncey Bowens
Running back Jerrick Gibson
Receiver Ric’Darious Farmer
Receiver James Randle
Defensive lineman Kendall Jackson
Defensive lineman David Stone
Linebacker Myles Graham
Defensive back Desmond Ricks
Athlete Fred Gaskin
Defensive back Kensley Faustin
Defensive back Jaylen Heyward
Defensive back Brayshon Williams
2025 prospects
Quarterback Antwaan Hill
Quarterback Colin Hurley
Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr
Athlete Vernell Brown III