Gator Country’s popular Florida Gators recruiting mailbag is back to its weekly spot on Thursday’s as we answer your recruiting questions.
The Gators recruiting class is off to a great start in 2017 and look to be setting their selves up for another top class.
This week members had a lot of questions on the status of the Class of 2017 and we answer your questions here.
Remember to get your questions in on Tuesday for the Florida Gators recruiting mailbag each week.
Gatorfanseth: Been a slower couple of days, where is all the buzz?
AS: The first few weeks of the football season are usually the slowest so that’s why there isn’t much buzz. You did have visitors on campus and we had those recaps so that’s some buzz.
Gatorfanseth: Who all is early enrolling of our commits/targets
AS: Commits early enrolling are Jordon Scott, Kadarius Toney, Kemore Gamble, Shawn Davis and possible Adarius Lemons. The targets that I know who are enrolling early are Alex Leatherwood, Shaun Wade and C.J. Henderson.
Macbgator: In your opinion, who will we end up signing on the offensive line???
AS: I like Florida’s chances with Michigan offensive line commit Kai-Leon Herbert and Miami offensive line commit Navaughn Donaldson. Florida will continue to work hard on Alex Leatherwood and Calvin Ashely.
Dhainer24: I trust Zo’s input and eye for talent, and I have never heard him be more positive about a recruit than he is with Trey Knox. When he says he will be the best WR in the nation his senior year, I believe him…he already looks like a stud. And he also says Trey is all Gator. I know he’s 2 years away, but are we showing him the love? Do you think he will be a Gator? Will he commit early or wait until his senior year? I realize he’s young, but if he’s as good as Zo says (and I believe Zo), then these are the types of kids that you have to recruit early (isn’t that why Bama leads on Leatherwood right now, because they recruited him as a soph?)
AS: Knox is really good, Florida is recruiting him hard and doing everything with a kid that’s so young. I’m not sure what his schedule as far as a commitment goes and it will change, as he gets older as well.
Gators1120001: Andrew, is there and rumblings with recruits about either of our coordinators moving on? How does this affect us, as we get closer to that time of year?
AS: Florida does a good job of having multiple if not all the coaches working on kids so that one coach doesn’t hurt them. Obviously a coordinator leaving isn’t good news but it’s too early to tell if one of them will leave.
Timmyolson: Are we even targeting Trevor Lawrence ’18 quarterback or Dylan Moses ’17 linebacker at this point or would that be a waste of time and energy?
AS: They’re recruiting Lawrence hard still but right it appears it will either be Georgia or Clemson. With Moses, he isn’t coming to Florida so it’s a waste of time.
Jacobrenda: 2018 quarterback for this class? I feel good with Artur Sitowski or Lawrence.. Artur seems more like a possibility.
AS: Artur Sitkowksi talks to Florida a lot and he’s saying the right things with regards to Florida. I feel very good about the Gators chances with him.
Juggernautz: > Do y’all consult with HS coaches on potential UF recruits & if so, do you run into problems doing so?
> When is NSD 2017?
> How solid are our 2017 recruits?
AS: I talk to high school coaches a ton but I’m not sure how I could run into problems with that. Of course they always hype up their kid but besides that then they’re good.
February 3rd is signing this year and everyone seems to be solid for Florida right now. Kadarius Toney and Kadeem Telfort are still taking visits but they haven’t said several times they’re solid to Florida.
Gatormagic: AS, do you expect to see more commitments before NSD or are most of those we are after at this point waiting for February?
If you do expect more commitments before NSD, please enlighten as to who those might be.
AS: Florida will get more commits by signing day no doubt, most guys commit before signing day these days. I think you could see some guys commit before the season is over with as guys randomly just say they’re announcing.
Alligatoralley: Who do you think we end up with on the Oline? Can we flip Leatherwood, Ashley, or Donaldson? Chances of getting all three?
AS: I don’t see all three being in the class and I would rate the chances of flipping the three guys in this order. Donaldson, Leatherwood and then Ashley. You also have to include Miami commit Kai-Leon Herbert in that discussion.
Ufgatordad: What are your thoughts on Jake Allen as a QB? He is an awesome guy and loves the school, but from a talent perspective, it seems like he could easily fall down the depth chart if Del Rio is solid and stays next year, then Franks or Trask becomes the next guy in line with the high ceilings they each have, and an elite guy like Sitkowski comes in 2018! If that all plays out, and based on what I’ve seen from Allen thus far, seems like it could be tough for him to find the field. Is that a fair assessment?
AS: That’s a fair assessment for any of the quarterbacks because it’s a tough competition at Florida. Allen likely needs to redshirt to put on weight and improve his foot work so that will put some separation between him and the two freshmen at Florida now. The big key for Allen is continuing to stay healthy and getting strong and that’s something he did this offseason.
Coky12: There seems to be a talented pack of 2018 receiver/athlete recruits in the state of FL (Hightower, Copeland, Burney,X. Williams, Pope). Is there any separation in terms of who the coaches are prioritizing to fill our WR positions, or is it still too early?
AS: Florida is really recruiting Jacob Copeland, Xavier Williams, Amari Burney, Mark Pope and a few other receivers really hard right now. The Gators have been on those guys for a long time now and Florida is in the mix with all of them. Mark Pope is an absolute stud and the Gators are in his top two right now. I would say Florida continues to go after them all hard and let things playout.
Hogtown: If you could cherry pick one player that we are interested in, who would it be?
AS: Alex Leatherwood, I think he’s a huge piece to this class because he’s a guy that plays from day one at tackle. The Gators need that cornerstone on the line and Leatherwood is that guy.
Texator: With the recent losing and poor play at some school who does Florida have a chance on flipping closer to NSD and/or who you see falling off the commit list?
AS: I’m guessing you’re referencing Florida State but one game doesn’t change a kid’s mind and if it does then he wasn’t that interested in your program anyway. Honestly Florida isn’t really recruiting anyone on FSU’s commitment list at the moment.
Ufgatordad: The Shaun Wade visit was big in that it gave Florida momentum with him again, but is there really not much more to it than that, just a slow building process with him and his parents?
AS: The more Wade’s name stays out of the public the better it’s for Florida because the Gators are working this behind close doors. Florida needs to just continue to get him back on campus and continue building that relationship with his parents. It’s a good first start.