Q.) With cornerback being a position of need this cycle, who do you believe we add to our class by National Signing Day?
A.) Jalen Tabor and Adoree’ Jackson are the top two targets and I believe Florida has a great shot with both of them. Jackson really wants to run track, and Florida has one of the best programs in the country. If Florida misses on either one of them, they will go hard after Quincy Wilson or Chris Lammons.
Q.) Are are we looking for offensive linemen? Since Rod Johnson will not be very useful this year, how hard are we looking at offensive line folks?
A.) Florida is always going to look to sign 4-5 offensive lineman in a class and that’s no different this year. Florida is looking at more interior guys this year, but will always want 1-2 tackles in each class.
Q.) Which linebackers do you see in this class?
A.) I think Trent Harris will be one of the BUCK’s in the class. I see one of either, Clifton Garrett or Raekwon McMillan in this class. I do think Florida has a decent shot at landing Christian Miller again, but Alabama will be tough to beat for him.
Q.) Who are our top 5 WR on the board, and what are our chances of landing them?
A.) The top is Ermon Lane and Florida is battling with Alabama and Miami for him. Travis Rudolph is another and Florida is battling Auburn and Georgia for his talents. Artavis Scott would be another name and Florida is competing with Clemson and Michigan there. Johnnie Dixon certainly as well and Florida is going against Miami for him. My last pick would be Josh Malone and Florida is battling Tennessee for him.
Q.) Would it be fair to say we have a good shot with Knox and Wynn? Who is higher on the board? Do you see a scenario we can get both?
A.) Wynn is a center prospect, so he and Demetrious Knox play two different positions. I think Florida has a decent shot at both but Knox needs to visit like planned.
Q.) How are we looking for Ermon Lane and David Sharpe? How did Raekwon McMillan enjoy his return visit and do you think we have made up a lot of ground with him? Anything new on Lorenzo Featherston since he visited? Gerald Willis III is one of my favorite recruits this cycle, are we still high up on his board? I know its a long shot to pull him from LSU but I’m holding out hope.
A.) Florida is in the mix for both. With Sharpe, Florida’s biggest competition is Georgia. I do think Florida made up ground on McMillan and there is a reason why he visited Gainesville two straight weeks. Nothing new on Featherston, he keeps quiet for the most part. With Willis, Florida is in his top three with LSU and Texas A&M.
Q.) Which receivers do you think will be in this class?
A.) Very tough to say right now, but I think Florida gets Travis Rudolph.
Q.) Will we take a 2nd TE and who do you think it will be?
A.) I think Florida would love a second tight end but they will be selective about it. They would love to have Deandre Goolsby and I think Florida is right in the mix for him right now.
Q.) Who’s the next commit?
A.) I honestly don’t know right now. There are several players that I think could be close to committing but to say who is first, I would just be guessing and causing rumors.
Q.) Which wide receivers is Grier actively recruiting?
A.) I know that Will Grier has reached out to Josh Malone, Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph more than once, so I would say those three guys.
Q.) Seems like we need at least four offensive linemen in this class. Do you think the staff has done a good job thus far evaluating and locating top linemen this year? Seems like we aren’t in it for most of the top guys? If only Ira were avail….
A.) I think the staff has done a great job on their evaluations. The state of Florida is not great for offensive lineman, so they have to look out of state for some. They landed a jewel in Travaris Dorsey who has a very high ceiling.
Q.) How good do you feel that Dalvin Cook will stick with his commitment?
A.) I feel good in saying that I think Cook will be a Gator on National Signing Day.
Q.) Which safety prospect do we have a good shot of landing?
A.) Jamal Adams is the guy that Florida wants and right now, the only guy that Florida is recruiting hard at the position.
Q.) Will Moten be a Gator on NSD?
A.) I think so, yes. The key for Anthony Moten is just getting him on campus where Florida can solidify his commitment even more.
Q.) Which couple of recruits that no one is talking about might be in this class?
A.) I think two guys that nobody is talking about are Demetrious Knox and Josh Malone. Malone has been in better communication with Florida than most think.
Q.) Who will be the 2nd RB in this class if it isn’t Bo?
A.) Tough to say right now. Florida really likes Royce Freeman and they are also recruiting Donte Williams from North Carolina, pretty hard to say right now.
Q.) Do you think Lambert will be in this class?
A.) Yes, I think Davonte Lambert will be in the class right now.
Q.) What are our chances with Scarborough? If Scarborough flips when would it be? FNL? All-Star game? Or Singing Day?
A.) Scarbrough is an early enrollee so it will be closer to the All-Star game, but if he flips it will be behind closed doors.
Q.) Is Rod Johnson going to square away his academics in time for camp?
A.) Yes, he will, he’s in better shape than some of the past guys who have made it in.
Q.) Any other potential academic issues on the horizon?
A.) Nope everyone else made it in.
Q.) Does the staff feel confident about their recruiting goals?
A.)Yes they do, they are continuing to evaluate prospects to make sure they are on top of it.
Q.) What would you say is the toughest state for the Gators to recruit among the most usual target states? Is it Louisiana because of LSU?
A.) Louisiana and Alabama are by far the toughest due to LSU and Alabama.
Q.) Does the constant reference to the running game being the bread and butter of our offense hurt us at all with the top WR’s?
A.) Not really but Florida needs to show they can throw the ball.
Q.) Do we expect this recruiting year to produce a lot of late decisions for our recruiting board? If so, are the coaches concerned about how things fall near the end?
A.) I think stuff will be sorted out by the All-Star games for most recruits.
Q.) Will the Aaron Hernandez mess hurt our current recruiting efforts?
A.) No, he was an Urban Meyer product, not a Will Muschamp guy.
Q.) What does the safety board look like? Seems like it is small, are we only going to take one?
A.) Jamal Adams is the top guy by far, and yes, only one safety this year.
Q.) Not a recruiting question, but I’d like to hear your opinion, will Driskel become a top flight QB this year?
A.) Yes, I think so, he will have a better supporting staff that will help him on the field. The offensive line being better is going to help a ton.