What’s the story behind Ahmad Fulwood not visiting this weekend? What is the latest on Marquez North? What types of receivers are the Gators looking to sign this season? What are recruits saying about the UF football program? Who are the No. 1 prospects on Florida’s board at each position of need?
Gator Country recruiting analyst Andrew Spivey answers all of those questions and many more from members in this week’s edition of the Gators Recruiting Mailbag.
I appreciate everyone’s questions and look forward to doing it again next time.
Q.) What’s the story behind Fulwood not making it in this past weekend? Is he expected at the spring game or anytime in the near future?
A.) Fulwood told everyone that something came up as to why he could not make it to Gainesville last Saturday. At this time, I’m not sure of when Fulwood will visit Florida again.
Q.) What is the latest with Marquez North? Does DJ have much of an impact on his decision?
A.) North just enrolled at Mallard Creek this past year, so him and DJ only had one semester together. I’m told that DJ and him were not that close. For North, it looks as if it will be a two-team race between Clemson and Georgia barring a major change.
Q.) Is UF looking at JJ Green from Camden County in GA.?
A.) Yes, they are looking at him but he has a few prospects ahead of him on the board. Right now it’s safe to say Georgia is his leader.
Q.) Any idea about “types” the coaches are after at WR? I can see a couple of speedsters (Ex: Adams, Coley) and a couple of big guys (Ex: Fulwood, Burse).
A.) Florida would like to add some speed guys but a few possession receivers as well. The Gators have already added Adams and would like another speed receiver while adding at least one to two possession receivers.
Q.) Could you give us an overall consensus on what recruits are saying about the UF Football program? Do they like where it’s heading? Do they feel uneasy?
A.) Most recruits I have spoken with say they believe Will Muschamp has Florida heading in the right direction.
Q.) How worried should we be about mcmillian visiting FSU in the near future?
A.) Florida State will continue to recruit Daniel McMillian hard and with a few of his teammates at Florida State, they will be always be talked about. From what McMillian has told me, I would say right now that he is solid to the Gators.
Q.) OL recruiting, how is it going?
A.) It’s going good right now. Florida is recruiting a lot of out of state prospects who have yet to visit, so the Gators are just waiting to get them on campus right now. But I do expect Florida to pick up a commitment from offensive line prospect soon.
Q.) Do you see a difference in philosophy this year with the amount of offers out at certain positions?
A.) Absolutely. The coaching staff has offered a lot of prospects in hopes of getting them to visit, especially on the offensive line.
Q.) Is Kendall Fuller on our board and is he interested? How do things look with Joey Bosa? AS, how would you rank our WR board?
A.) Yes, Fuller is on Florida’s board, but he did not mention the Gators in his recent Top 7. It looks to be a battle between Virginia Tech, Alabama and Maryland for Fuller. With Bosa, things are OK, but the Gators still look to be trailing Alabama.
The receiver board, in my opinion, is Fulwood, Coley, North and Owusu on top followed by guys like Demarcus Robinson, Carlos Burse, Taj Williams, Reggie Davis and a few other prospects.
Q.) Out of Davis, Coley, Fulwood, Burse, Owusu and Benjamin, who do you feel we get in addition to Adams? How many people do we have to miss for Davis to get a committable offer?
A.) Right now, I think Florida has a great chance to land Fulwood and Coley and if they want Davis or Benjamin, they can get them, but right now others are ahead of them. With Burse, he likes Alabama a lot and Owusu has a lot of West Coast ties that may keep him in California.
Q.) Who r our #1’s at each position of need?
A.)That’s tough to answer. But Florida likes Cooper Bateman at quarterback, Ahmad Fulwood at receiver, Laremy Tunsil on the offensive line, Demarcus Walker at defensive end, Elijah Daniel at the buck position and Mackensie Alexander at corner.
Q.) When will we see more Offensive Commits?
A.) Florida will be very patient with taking receivers as only a few prospects with offers can call Will Muschamp up and commit. With the receiver board as deep as it is this year, they have that option to be picky. As far as offensive linemen and quarterbacks, they are just waiting on prospects to visit. After some visit, you could possible see a commitment or two.
Q.) A general question not only just for Florida … Why do schools not offer soph’s QB’s? Is it a position of development and there are too many risks?
A.) With quarterbacks, it’s to see how they develop, especially in their junior season, but more importantly, you do not see as many prospects starting as a sophomore around the country.
Q.) Any idea how high corey martinez ot c/o 2014 is on the board and do we expect him getting offered anytime soon.
A.) The 2014 board is nowhere near complete as they will wait to evaluate film on those guys. But Martinez is a very good prospect and he could earn offer if he camps at Florida this summer or visits this spring.
Q.) Do we have a legit shot at Joey Bosa?
A.) Florida has a chance with Bosa, but again, Alabama looks very good for him.