Gators Recruiting Mailbag: 1.24.13

In this week’s edition of the Maibag, GC’s Andrew Spivey breaks down the Gators’ chances for their remaining targets in the Class of 2013 and if there might be any last-minute visitors to Florida.

Spivey also answers questions on Jalen Ramsey, the recruiting national championship and silent commitments.

Q.) How many more players do we sign? (7 scholarships available if Hearns isn’t part of this class)
A.) Between four to six more.

Q.) Who do you think will the remaining commits in this class?
A. )I feel good saying Jalen Ramsey, James Clark and Jarran Reed will be in the class.

Q.) Do still think Jalen Ramsey will be in this class?
A.) Yes, I do.

Q.) Do you still think Reed and Bostwick will be in this class? Who do you see at de will be in this class?
A.) I think Reed will be and it depends on how Bostwick’s visit goes. At defensive end right now I’m not sure, maybe Tashawn Bower.

Q.) Can u give percentages on Clark, Ramsey, Reed,Bostwick,Hearns, and RN being in this class?
A.) Clark 60 percent, Ramsey 70 percent, Reed 55 percent, Bostwick 40 percent and Hearns I think is in the class if grades are OK.

Q.) How close is the class to being complete? Would coaches take it as it stands?
A.) Yes, the coaches would take it as it stands. Florida addressed its needs at receiver and offensive line as well as the linebacker position. The Gators do need another defensive tackle, but besides that, they have addressed their needs.

Q.) Can you also give percentages on Whitfield, Green, and Bower being in this class?
A.) Whitfield 10 percent, Green 20 percent, Bower 45 percent.

Q.) Are there any other mystery recruits that may visit before NSD?
A.) Yes, there is.

Q.) Do you think the class size makes it to 33?
A.) No, I don’t think so, but if they right guys want in maybe.

Q.) What’s the latest on Adams?
A.) He just came off of a visit to Alabama and is headed to Georgia this weekend. I still think Clemson holds a lead here.

Q.) What is the % we get Nkemdiche?
A.) Less than 20 percent.

Q.) Are we still going after Alexander?
A.) Yes but if things go well with Ramsey then they will not.

Q.) Any new names that have come up this week?
A.) No and I don’t think any more new names will come out right now as the coaches know who they want.

Q.) Does Florida win the mythical recruiting championship with this class?
A.) Yes, I think so. In Florida’s eyes, they did what they needed too.

Q.) Do we take another LB in this class (if Hearns has grade concerns)?
A.) Maybe Quinton Powell and I say maybe because the decision on whether or not he will be allowed back in has not been made.

Q.) Whats the likelihood we take another DT that is not Reed and is not Bostwick?
A.) Not very likely.

Q.) How many hours per week do you estimate WM is putting in during recruiting period?
A.) Right now, I would say he puts in about 15 hours a day seven days a week.

Q.) Who are the 2 WRs we are looking at other than clark? who do we get? do we get another RB? if so who? do we take kelsey late like RA last year? if not what do they not like about a kid with 105 tackles last year in 6A?
A.) Levonte Whitfield and Ryan Timmons but both are highly unlikely to come to Florida. I say Clark is a Gator on NSD. I don’t think Florida gets another running back and no Keith Kelsey is not in this class.

Q.) Which recruit are you most excited about in terms of future interviews? In other words, who is the future quote machine that the media members are going to love?
A.) Nick Washington is a really good interview, but Kelvin Taylor is always a quote machine and is a funny guy.

Q.) Any last minute out of left field signing day surprises?
A.) No, not really.

Q.) Which of our commits for both 2013 & 2014 are doing the best job recruiting for us?
A.) Nick Washington, Jordan Sherit and Vernon Hargreaves are doing really well. Hargreaves was the main reason Robert Nkemdiche visited.

Q.) Here is one. If you feel good about sharing your opinion.
Do you have a feel for the “work ethic and acceptance of coaching” of the current class? Can a good coaching staff coach them up to play as a team at a higher level, consistantly? In a nutshell…are they coachable? Care to compare this class to other recent ones?
Thanks, Go Gators

A.) This class has a really good work ethic as that is one thing Muschamp and his staff looks at. That’s why some of the guys that Florida fans want in the class will not be included due to their attitudes. I think this class is already a close-knit group which will help a lot.

Q.) AS, what’s “your” favorite part of covering recruiting?
A.) Honestly, I just really like seeing this guys succeed and earn a scholarship and go on to succeed in college.

Q.) First off, so appreciate your hard work & tireless ethic thus far and through what I know will be a crazy few days to NSD.
That said, are we going to flip Ramsey, Reed & Bower (FSU becoming late players mystifies me; ole miss sounds like they are leaning hard on Reed; & Bower giving us an 8 outta 10 on TOS doesn’t scream flip!)
I wonder if you can comment on how surprised Champ & Co were that Daniel didn’t make the grade and after losing Walker too without an obvious 3rd option, is the staff confident in our current depth & ability to land some of the top DE of 2014?
Any chance Whitfield or Timmons change to the good guys?

A.) First off, thanks so much for being on GC. I think Florida does flip Ramsey and Reed but it’s up in the air on Bower right now. He doesn’t talk much, so it was hard to get a good vibe on him.
Muschamp and the staff really thought Elijah would make the grades and they kept telling him do good in the classroom and become a Gator. But as we know, he came up short and yes the staff loves Riles, Sherit and Ivie on the defensive line so they will be OK there.
I don’t see much chance with either of those guys. I think Whitfield sticks with FSU and Timmons goes to Ohio State.

Q.) AS I keep hearing a bunch of talk about a BIGTIME surprise, silent commit…I guess it sounds like a player on par a a Fowler except that wasn’t a well kept secret. Is this really a possibility or nonsense?
A.) Yes it is, and I think next week you will hear about this player.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.