Let’s talk Florida Gators football recruiting!
Right now, Billy Napier’s program has five commitments and the No. 17 class ranking. Who are the top targets and where do the Gators sit with them? Which prospects are realistic flip targets and why?
In today’s all-day Florida Gators recruiting chat, Gators Online is taking all of your recruiting-related questions. You can find the complete chat HERE … but below are some of the notable questions/answers.
Q: RocketManHal said: “Is Antwann Hill the top QB target now that Ryan Montgomery got a crystal ball to UGA?
A: “I don’t believe that is entirely clear. SMU 4-star commit Keelon Russell of Duncanville (Texas) is being pursued by the Gators and he told me Monday his official visit to Gainesville still is on for June 7. He visited the Gators earlier this year and is high on the program. Russell probably is more developed than Antwann Hill at this stage. With Hill, you’re projecting on upside.
And, don’t forget about FSU quarterback commit Tramell Jones of Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin. While I do think he’s fairly solid to the Seminoles, he visited Florida last week and a return trip is possible. He told us he speaks often with Gators coach Billy Napier.
So again, I’m not sure who the top choice for the Florida staff is. But in this group mentioned, it seems as though Hill might be the most likely to end up a Gator — as of today at least.
Q: Tyler Placeres said: “Is the addition of 5-star quarterback DJ Lagway last year holding off some of these higher profile recruits knowing that he is the future of the program?”
A: Yes, absolutely. At some point though, you’d like to start stacking solid QBs on your roster.
But there is one other thing to consider here if you’re a 2025 QB. Being the “future of the program” means that if DJ Lagway ends up being really good (it’s not a given he’ll be a star; we all just seem to assume he will be), then he’d be gone after the 2026 season. So a QB in the 2025 class could redshirt in 2025 be a backup in 2026 and then potentially push for the starting job in 2027.
In other words, it’s really not that long of a wait since Lagway won’t redshirt this season.
How solid are the Florida Gators’ current commits?
Q: Copeman said: “Anyone you’re nervous about us hanging onto with OVs coming up soon?”
A: No, not really. But you asked if I was nervous — not if Florida was nervous.
To me, there’s nobody on the current commitment list the Florida Gators couldn’t live without. So I’m not nervous about the potential of losing anyone for that simple fact. Maybe that sounds harsh, but that’s how I see it. You couldn’t have DJ Lagway bolt the last cycle. He was invaluable to the class. Same with LJ McCray or Myles Graham.
Now, who am I tracking? Well, anytime someone wants to take a bunch of visits, you tend to watch them more closely. Four-star edge commit Jalen Wiggins is going to make officials to FSU and Stanford. And he lives in Tallahassee. But he really seems to love Florida.
Then you have 4-star interior offensive lineman Peyton Joseph of Georgia. In one breath he says he’s locked in with the Gators. In another he talks about taking a bunch of visits. So you have to keep an eye on that.
Q: maleko83 said: “Any insight on how the staff feels about the recruiting board? I saw a post in another thread where there’s a lack of recruiting juice amongst the fanbase because alot of 3-star targets, but how does the staff feel about their chances with dudes higher on the board?
A: About the same as always — that they’ll put together a strong class at day’s end. These are mostly smart people at Gators HQ, and they know Florida will simply have to play the long game with some recruits this cycle. The problem when you aren’t winning is, the outside noise can get into the heads of top recruits and the people in their orbit. And that I’m sure is something Florida is having to battle.
But the staff has pretty much gotten every big target on the Gators board to visit them this year — many in the spring. More than a few have made multiple trips to Gainesville. So one really can’t complain about that part.
Now, you have the spring evaluation period here. For the next six weeks, you can go on the road to recruit and evaluate. Then you have official visit season. And after last year’s OV success there is no doubt the Florida staff will go into that stretch this year with some confidence. There is a real belief at Florida that the Gators do visits about as well as any program in the country. I’m sure the Gators expect to pick up some momentum in June. Now, if that doesn’t happen, okay, perhaps it gets a little dicey in Gainesville.
But really, the bottom line is this: Fans have time to worry about rankings and all that. A college staff doesn’t.
Q: Jason Blair said: “What forecast or prediction do you suspect us landing an absolute “stud”? A “McCray”, “Lagway” or “Graham” type prospect this year? Who and what position?”
A: It’s just too soon to know. If I look at the rankings right now I don’t see Florida leading or trending for any top-50 prospects. But it’s only April. None of us can forget that.
I’ve mentioned a few times in the past four or five months that I thought this class would take more time to come together. It gets a little more difficult for a staff to sell its vision when you haven’t been winning. So while I believe this group has done a great job for the most part connecting with prospects, some top guys have mentioned to us they want to see how the season plays out a little bit. One of them is 4-star Southern California safety commit Hylton Stubbs, who for months was thought to be a Gators lean.
Q: SchintziesMullet said: “Foreign players seem to be a trend, especially on the O-Line. Is there an effort to scout foreign players? This seems an untapped resource of big guys, or anyone other than punters and kickers, who travel from far.”
A: That hasn’t been made clear to me, however we did just see Florida land German offensive lineman Noel Portnjagin in the 2024 class. And the staff thinks he has great potential. I’m sure Florida will continue to search for guys in other regions of the world. However, more than ever you must win now. And lots of staffs probably would rather go find someone in the portal than spend three years developing a guy. I’m not sure this era will help the foreign-born players much. Coaches are looking for players who can help them the fastest for the most part.
Kickers are different. Those guys can come in from Australia and be ready to go right away. I’ve already seen that a bunch.
Q: GatorMade2008 said: “Who is the highest-ranked prospect you think we have a legitimate shot at?”
A: Maybe Solomon Thomas, the 4-star FSU interior offensive line commit from Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines. It feels like the Gators might be his No. 2. He has visited often and Florida will get an official visit in June.
Q: Heart said: “What is the approach this year? Seems like they are going for a lot of lower-ranked guys. I know Napier has a great eye for talent. I think that’s one of his best traits but it just seems like this class will be underwhelming based on rankings. You would hope by your fourth class you could break the top-8 just looks impossible at the moment.
A: I haven’t personally seen a huge change in strategy.
I think Florida always knew getting a top-50 type of recruit at QB would be difficult after landing DJ Lagway the previous cycle.
At running back, forget about the rankings — Waltez Clark absolutely was a top target for Florida. Possibly the No. 1 target.
At receiver the Gators continue to aim high but landing the big-name recruits there hasn’t been easy. It’s not for lack of effort.
On the offensive line, Florida seems to be looking for a good mix of guys. It’s a developmental position to begin with so you go into it knowing most of them won’t play for at least a couple years. That said the Gators are fighting for some big fish.
Florida has several quality targets at tight end.
Florida is contending or numerous defensive linemen with impressive offer lists.
Linebacker is a bit of a mystery at the moment but not many spots are needed to fill. The picture probably will become a little more clear here soon.
In the secondary Florida has balanced going after big fish and prospects they project to rise.
I guess what everyone on the fan side wants to see is more star power. But there just isn’t as much sizzle in that area as this time a year ago. Perhaps that changes in June.
I don’t know that the strategy has changed. I think the recruits have changed — they probably are just being more patient regarding Florida this cycle.
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