re: 2024 Recruiting Class

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Although the Early Signing Period is roughly six months away, it’s not too early to stick your neck out and dish out class predictions. The majority of the 2024 prospects have already taken most, if not all, of their official visits as well.

According to the Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings, Florida has the No. 3-ranked recruiting class for the 2024 cycle. Seventeen prospects make up the class, with only 12 percent of them hailing from the Sunshine State. All but five of those rising seniors boast a four-star ranking.

The highest-ranked prospect in the group is safety Xavier Filsaime, as the All-American checks in as the No. 2 safety and No. 26 prospect overall in the On3 Industry Ranking.


We still have a long way to go, but this is how Gators Online sees UF’s class filling out.

Remember, this does not include transfers either. These are strictly high school and JUCO prospects.

Offensive Commits

Quarterback: Derek Lagway (Willis (Texas) High)

Running Back: Kahhen Daniels (West Point (Miss.) High)

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Wide Receiver

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: Izaiah Williams (Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day), Jerrae Hawkins (Brandeton (Fla.) IMG Academy), Hardley Gilmore (Pahokee (Fla.) High)

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Tight End

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: Amir Jackson (Portal (Ga.) High)


Offensive Line: Jordan Seaton (Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy), Mike Williams (Baltimore (Md.) Charles Herbert Flowers), Noel Portnjagin (Schwäbisch Hall, Germany), Marcus Mascoll (Atlanta (Ga.) South Gwinnett), Favour Edwin (McDonough (Ga.) Eagle’s Landing Christian)

Defensive Commits

Defensive Line: LJ McCray (Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland), Nasir Johnson (Dublin (Ga.) High), Michai Boireau (Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside), Amaris Williams (Clinton (N.C.) High)

EDGE: Jamonta Waller (Picayune (Miss.) Picayune Memoral), Kendall Jackson (Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz)

Linebacker: Aaron Chiles (Olney (Md.) Good Counsel), Myles Graham (Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy), Adarius Hayes (Largo (Fla.) High)

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Cornerback

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: Zay Mincey (Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland), Teddy Foster (Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney)

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Safety

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: Xavier Filsaime (McKinney (Texas) High), Josiah Davis (Nashville (Ga.) Berrien)

Gators Online Analysis

Starting on the offensive side of the ball, I don’t see any changes at quarterback or running back, at least for now, and I’m referring to running back when saying at least for now.

That’s because the Gators had planned to sign multiple running backs this cycle. Right now, I don’t see any realistic additions from the prep level, so the Gators could pursue a ball carrier with college experience to pair with Kahnen Daniels.

As for DJ Lagway, barring any major surprises like a coaching change, I see him staying put with the Gators. That commitment is rock solid and he continues to be fully entrenched with everything UF.

I don’t see anything changing with four-star wide receivers Izaiah Williams and Jerrae Hawkins either.

Both playmakers are locked in with the Gators. I know many are surprised I put Hardley Gilmore in the class, especially after he moved up a graduating class. I currently have an RPM prediction for UK. That is who I believe wins out in the near future, but I know Florida likes him and could circle back later in the cycle. I can see him being a late addition to the class depending on the numbers.

As GO reported yesterday, the Gators are only planning to sign one tight end this cycle and that is Amir Jackson. There is the possibility they pursue another down the line, but signing one tight end from the 2024 class is the plan right now.

While 6-foot-8, 290-pound Favour Edwin is not announcing until later this year, I still like where the Gators stand. They treat him as a priority and have been recruiting longer than most schools. He is attending the Grill at the Ville cookout as well, so we will be keeping close tabs.

Then you have the big fish on the list in IMG Academy offensive lineman Jordan Seaton.

Florida is expected to receive an official visit later this year and that is huge. Alabama is another school very high on his list, but the Crimson Tide has already received an official visit.

Seaton was all smiles when discussing UF in the spring and could find himself on campus multiple times in the fall due to being at IMG Academy. That is the game changer for me. The official visit alone is massive from a timing standpoint, but UF will be doing all it can to receive multiple visits from Seaton.

The Gators are expected to finish strong defensively

Switching over defense, I envision UF landing a handful of prospects who are still on the market.

Remember, much can change over the next six months. These are early projections, but there is no doubt the Gators are trending up on the national level.

Mainland teammates Zay Mincey and LJ McCray have been to Florida more than anywhere else. I believe that famarility and comfort will carry UF through the finish line. It’s VERY close with McCray though, as Florida State, Miami, Auburn and Georgia are involved too. Having his teammate on board should help.

We have talked about Teddy Foster a whole lot in recent weeks. Has anything changed? Not at all.

All in all, I would be very surprised if Foster is not in the class by the end of the month.

With a commitment date set for July 20, EDGE target Kendall Jackson is expected to choose from the hometown Gators, Miami and Kentucky. Each finalist received an official visit in June and took full advantage of the opportunity at hand.

However, Florida checks too many boxes here. It’s the hometown school, his mother and uncle graduated from UF, and a former teammate is on the roster as well. I definitely like where UF stands here.

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