My oh my how the recruiting landscape changes day by day and that’s particularly true for the Florida Gators. With Florida’s recent struggles, prospects have been saying the right things but now it looks like some of the struggles have begun to show in the recruiting world.
The coaching staff has started to offer prospects that were down on the board which means they no longer feel as good about higher rated targets.
In this recruiting insider I’m going to get everyone up to date on the new offers that have been handed out and where the Gators stand with some of their targets.
Receiver: 1 committed (Ermon Lane 6-2, 172, Homestead, FL), 1-2 more needed
I feel like it’s safe to say you can cross Josh Malone (6-3, 195, Gallatin, TN Station Camp) off of the board and right now I almost lean towards crossing Travis Rudolph (6-0, 189, West Palm Beach, FL Cardinal Newman) off of the board as well after talking to several people.
Rudolph in my opinion is headed to Florida State unless something major happens.
The new name on the board is Ryan Sousa (6-0, 180, Orlando, FL Lake Nona) who picked up an offer on Friday. Right now Sousa is a Nole commit but I feel like he will be a Gator on National Signing Day if the Gators truly want him in the class. Sousa has made no bones about being a huge Florida fan and wanting an offer from Florida.
Tight End: 1 committed (C’yontai Lewis 6-5, 215, Alabaster, AL Kingwood Christian), 1-2 more needed
Sunday afternoon news broke that DeAndre Goolsby (6-4, 225, Derby, KS) was set to announce his decision this coming week. What looked to be a good thing for Florida a few weeks ago may not be a sure thing now. Sources have told me that Arkansas and Oklahoma are the teams to beat for Goolsby with the Sooners having the edge.
Goolsby has cut off talking to the media so in reality nobody has a clear answer as to where Goolsby will land but right now it doesn’t look the Gators will land this talented prospect.
With Goolsby likely heading elsewhere, Derek Lewis offered tight end Moral Stephens (6-3, 205, Perry, FL Taylor County) last week. Stephens plays receiver in high school but most including Florida project that he will be a flex tight end in college. Florida is Stephens’ best offer right now and the Gators are in good position to land him if that’s the path they decide to go.
One other name to keep an eye on is tight end Jordan Franks (6-4, 203, Crawfordville, FL Wakulla) who has kept in touch with Coach Lewis this fall. Franks, much like Stephens, plays receiver in high school but projects as a tight end in college. If Florida was to offer, the Gators would be the leader.
Offensive line: 3 committed (Dontae Angus 6-6, 330, Philadelphia, PA M. L. King, Travaris Dorsey 6-3, 314, Jacksonville, FL Raines, Nolan Kelleher 6-6, 285, Mt. Pleasant, SC Wando), 1-2 more needed
Jordan Sims (6-4, 340, Homewood, AL) told me on Saturday that he will be taking an official visit to Florida for the Florida State game. Sims went on to tell me that Florida is recruiting him the hardest and that whenever he feels like he has found his home he will commit. Right now I would say Florida is in good shape.
Another hot name on the board right now is Damian Prince (6-5, 292, Forestville, MD Bishop McNamara) who I’m told will visit Florida for its banquet weekend. The Gators are selling Prince hard on the fact that he can play early and that’s something other teams are not able to sell.
With things still up in the air with regards to David Sharpe (6-8, 275, Jacksonville, FL Providence) look for Florida to try and sign one JUCO offensive tackle. Right now I’m still looking into who that might prospct might be but I feel as one JUCO offensive lineman is necessary.
Cornerback: 4 committed (Duke Dawson 5-11, 195, Cross City, FL Dixie County, JC Jackson 5-10, 175, Immokalee, FL, Chris Lammons 5-9, 168, Plantation, FL, Quincy Wilson 6-2, 195, Fort Lauderdale, FL University), 1 more needed
There have been a lot of reports that JC Jackson is wavering from his commitment to Florida but I can confirm that’s not true. I talked to his father Chris at length on Sunday who assured me that Jackson was solid to Florida and that he speaks to Travaris Robinson weekly. Jackson’s father did say that JC is looking forward to playing cornerback at Florida but also feels as if he can help the team out in the return game.
Another name on the board is cornerback Jalen Tabor (6-1, 186 Washington D.C., Friendship) who I’m told will likely visit Florida for the banquet weekend with Damian Prince. This visit is not finalized yet but that’s the word I’m hearing.
FIVE TRENDING UP:
Jamal Adams
Jordan Sims
Ryan Sousa
Adoree Jackson
Damian Prince