The Florida Gators have already landed their quarterback for the 2019 class but the coaching staff is working to load up on the skill positions to surround quarterback commit Jalon Jones.
Entering fall camp the Gators have commitments from two receivers in Dionte Marks and Jamarkis Weston but are looking to add at least one more receiver and a running back to the class. The Gators also need at least one tight end in the class.
GatorCountry brings you the top targets at this time to finish off the class at their respected positions.
Running back
The Gators have one of the most loaded running back rooms in the country and signing just one running back in the 2019 class has been the plan because only Jordan Scarlett is likely to leave after the 2018 football season. The coaching staff could also opt to save the scholarship if they don’t sign one of their top targets at the position.
Right now the Gators are recruiting two guys hard at the running back position in hopes of landing of one of them.
Running back Trey Sanders has been a top target for the Gators since Dan Mullen arrived on staff and that showed even more when the staff took his brother Umstead Sanders as a walk-on linebacker. Right now Alabama has the edge over the Gators but one would expect Sanders to be on campus in Gainesville several times this year to watch his brother.
Running back Nay’Quan Wright visited the Gators for Friday Night Lights and is high on the Gators as the staff continued to recruit him despite him missing his junior year due to an injury. Wright says he will be back on campus to visit the Gators. Miami is the Gators biggest completion.
Wide Receiver
While the Gators have talent at the position, the Gators still need to add at least three receivers to the class in 2019. Florida already has Dionte Marks and Ja’Markis Weston committed but would like to add a big receiver to the mix.
The board at receiver isn’t very deep but the Gators have three options that are high on Florida heading into the season.
Receiver Elijah Higgins visited Florida this summer and instantly put the Gators high on his list after the visit. Higgins has family from the state of Florida so that helps the Gators but the receiver also has very high interest in Stanford. Right now Higgins is awaiting word on admission from Stanford and that could end up being the deciding factor for the receiver.
Receiver Trey Knox is one of the most talked about receivers on the Gators board and someone who has had high interest in the Gators since his freshman year. Knox made his first trip to see Dan Mullen on the Saturday after Friday Night Lights and enjoyed the trip. Knox plans to announce in October and it will likely come down to Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee.
Receiver TJ Jones visited Florida several times this spring and summer including a trip to Gainesville for Friday Night Lights. The Gators aren’t pushing extremely hard for Jones at this time but the receiver does have a lot of interest in Florida. Miami is also another team that is showing interest and has Jones’ attention.
Tight end
The tight end room has been a little down in the past but with the addition of Kyle Pitts, Dante Lang and JUCO tight end Lucas Krull, the room is now better than before. With the late addition of Krull the Gators just need to sign one tight end in the 2019 class and they have a top target.
Tight end Keon Zipperer is the perfect for Dan Mullen’s offense as a h-back/tight end and that’s the role the Gators are selling him on. Zipperer visited Florida for Friday Night Lights and was attached to the staff and Mullen most of the night. This battle likely goes the distance and comes down to Florida and Miami. Fall visits and officials will be key here.
Indiana tight end commit Gary Cooper is a name to watch if things go south with Zipperer as Cooper has visited and worked out for the staff already. Cooper is another guy who can fill that h-back position in Mullen’s offense. Senior film will also be big for Cooper and the Gators.