The Florida Gators sit with 15 verbal commitments in the Class of 2014 and will look to sign close to 25 prospects this year.
That gives the Gators around ten scholarships left with more than ten players remaining on their recruiting board.
One thing’s for sure, Florida wants to add another receiver to this class and a couple more linemen before February’s National Signing Day.
With all of that being said, Gator Country is going to give you our ten most important recruits left on the recruiting board for Will Muschamp and his staff.
**This is our opinion, not a reflection of the coaching staff’s actual recruiting board.
1) Jacksonville (Fla.) Providence OL David Sharpe
Florida has four offensive linemen committed in the Class but the Gators are looking to add a top rated tackle. At 6-8, 275-pounds Sharpe is the perfect candidate for the tackle position.
[symple_box color=”green” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 75% CHANCE – There have been several rumors swirling saying that Sharpe wants to decide soon. While I believe it will be later in the fall, I still believe the Gators are in good shape. Sharpe may take official visits to Alabama and Georgia but I like the Gators chances because he wants to stay close to home.[/symple_box]
2) Norcross (Ga.) High defensive end Lorenzo Carter
Signing an elite pass rusher like Carter would be huge for Will Muschamp and his staff. The Gators don’t have an elite pass rusher in this class currently and that’s what Carter brings to the table. Carter has been told he would play the BUCK position at Florida.
[symple_box color=”yellow” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 55% CHANCE – Carter has stuck to saying that Florida is his leader since being at The Opening in July. While I believe Carter, and I know he had great visit to Florida, Georgia and Alabama are still in the mix and will put up a huge fight for his talents. Getting Carter and his family back on campus is big for Florida.[/symple_box]
3) Gallatin (Tn.) Station Camp receiver Josh Malone
At 6-foot-3, 187-pounds Malone would fit in great with Florida receiver commit Ermon Lane in the Florida offense. Malone and Lane paired with Ahmad Fulwood and Demarcus Robinson would give the Gators four top notch receivers in their offense for the next three years.
[symple_box color=”gray” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 35% CHANCE – Florida is fighting a battle right now for Malone with Georgia and Tennessee. Vanderbilt is also another school that shouldn’t be ruled out. Malone and his mother had a great visit to Gainesville in July and that has helped Florida’s chances. Malone’s mom likes Florida’s academics and that could help the Gators land Malone.[/symple_box]
4) Friendship Academy cornerback Jalen Tabor
With Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy both having a chance to leave early for the NFL, the Gators need cornerbacks in the class. Florida already has four committed defensive backs in this class, but Tabor is a guy that could play from day one.
[symple_box color=”yellow” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 40% CHANCE – At one time, Florida was Tabor’s leader but now Maryland and Alabama are believed to be ahead of the Gators. Maryland looks to be the top team, as the Terps are selling Tabor on staying at home and being ‘the guy’. In the end, it could depend on if Maryland’s coaching staff makes it through the year or not.[/symple_box]
5) Gardena (Ca.) Junipero Serra cornerback Adoree Jackson
Much like Tabor, Jackson is a guy that is high on Florida’s board because of the need for cornerbacks. Unlike Tabor, Jackson can also play receiver as he’s an incredible athlete. The Gators would start Jackson on defense but could use him like Purifoy and let him play some offense as well if needed.
[symple_box color=”green” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 60% CHANCE – Jackson loves Florida’s track program. While Jackson has yet to name a leader, Florida appears to be his top school and the Gators got a big boost following his visit to Florida in July. Jackson is likely to take his recruitment into February but Florida could see one or two more visits from Jackson before then.[/symple_box]
6) Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County linebacker Raekwon McMillan
Florida doesn’t have a linebacker committed in the Class of 2014 but it isn’t a vital position of high need. McMillan is one of Florida’s top targets at the position and at 6-3, 235-pounds is a perfect fit for an inside linebacker in the SEC.
[symple_box color=”yellow” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 45% CHANCE – Alabama and Ohio State are the perceived leaders for McMillan but the Gators are gaining ground. McMillan visited Florida multiple times this summer and will visit several more times before announcing his decision.[/symple_box]
7) Derby (KS.) High tight end Deandre Goolsby
The need for two tight ends in the class is huge and the Gators already have one committed, but C’yontai Lewis is more of a catching tight end. At 6-foot-4, 225-pounds, Goolsby is a tight end who blocks and catches well and would be a huge pickup for Brent Pease’s offense.
[symple_box color=”yellow” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 50% CHANCE – Oklahoma and Florida are the top two contenders for Goolsby. Goolsby liked his visit to Florida and talked about how it would be nice to live in the Sunshine State. Goolsby plans to visit Florida again and that visit will be huge for the Gators chances.[/symple_box]
8) Lewisville (Tx.) Hebron safety Jamal Adams
Safety isn’t a huge position of need, but Florida could use a guy like Adams badly on their defense. Florida is very young at the position and adding another prospect would help the team in the next few years.
[symple_box color=”green” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 70% CHANCE – Joker Phillips is Adams’ godfather and that will help, plus Adams loved his visit to Florida. While Adams won’t decide until later this fall, the Gators are in good shape with Texas being the biggest threat.[/symple_box]
9) Homewood (Al.) High OL Jordan Sims
Sims is a big offensive lineman who can play inside in the SEC and could even potentially play tackle if needed. Sims is a guy that is a lot like Max Garcia and Tyler Moore. Sims does need to lose some bad weight but that shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
[symple_box color=”gray” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS 20%: CHANCE – The first step is getting Sims on campus soon. Sims told Gator Country that he will visit for a game this fall. Alabama has lost ground on Sims and it now appears Auburn and Ole Miss are the top contenders for Sims.[/symple_box]
10) West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman receiver Travis Rudolph
The Gators need a second receiver in the class and if Florida misses on Malone, the need for Rudolph greatly increases. Rudolph is a guy with sure hands and good route running. The only downside to Rudolph is his height.
[symple_box color=”yellow” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]ODDS: 45% CHANCE – Florida was the leader for Rudolph but he has recently backed off of that by saying he is open. Auburn, Alabama and Georgia are all contenders for Rudolph. Florida and Joker Phillips have a great relationship with Rudolph and that could be the key for the talented wideout.[/symple_box]