re: 2024 Recruiting Class

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He chose Colorado.

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Deon doing work!

Myles Graham says we should be expecting some commits soon


LINK

"They have still been in touch a lot," Smith said. "I talk with Coach KC [Keary Colbert] the receivers coach, Coach [Benedick] Hyppolite, Coach [David] Doeker, and [Billy] Napier. I have a great relationship with the guys on the offensive side of the ball. They want me to come up and check them out. They tell me they have a quarterback in their class that is a great player. They just tell me I can be a big game changer for them. I will probably come up there in March, but I run track too, so I got to see. I don't know any days when yet."

Florida had already been heavily recruiting the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder before that commitment to the Buckeyes. Since that decision to pull the trigger elsewhere, Smith has noticed UF's staff has recruited him even harder.

"They really picked it up even more," he said. "As soon as I committed, the coaches all told me they aren't backing down. Their approach didn't change, they are still going after me hard. They just want me to be a Gator really and they are telling me how they have a quarterback coming in my class. They said things can fall into place here with a quarterback. I like their offense. When I went last year for the LSU game, I thought the offense looked great. I feel like Florida is a place I am going to take an official visit for sure."


we could get a flip in the coming months


if you don't remember this kid, he was at FNL last year and told Lagway "let me know where you're going..."

Twitter Video

here's another throw...


LINK

Florida Gators Class of 2024 Big Board: Tight End
Donavon Keiser

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As the Florida Gators begin their class of 2024 pursuits, tight end is a position of need during this recruiting cycle. As the cycle goes on, Florida will evaluate all options at the position.

Early on, the Gators sit at the No. 4 spot in the 2024 On3 Consensus Team Rankings, with each of their four commitments coming from an On300 prospect.

Here’s where Florida’s current tight end board stands, sorted by On3 Consensus ranking. Check out Gators Online’s other breakdowns on the running backs and wide receivers.

Five-star Landen Thomas (Georgia commit)
Despite an early commitment to Georgia, the Gators are still pushing Thomas hard. Earlier this spring, the Gators stopped by his school.

Florida remains behind in the race, hoping to do enough to secure one of five of Thomas’ officials.

As of now, no return to Gainesville is scheduled, and the Thomas is unsure about taking an official to UF.

Four-star Walter Matthews
Florida continues to push all the right buttons with the 6-foot-7, 245-pound behemoth out of Georgia. Matthews, whose interest in Florida goes back quite some time, continues to feel the love from the Florida staff. William Peagler and Billy Napier continue to make Matthews feel like a priority.

“The way Peagler recruits me, I like him,” Matthews told GO. “I just like his personality and how he’s outgoing. We talk every day. “(The message is), ‘We need you here and this is the place to be.’”

Coming up after the dead period, Matthews with complete a trifecta of Florida visits, including a stop in Gainesville, Tallahassee and Coral Gables. Family ties also link Matthews to Vanderbilt, as his uncle was an All-American tight end for the ‘Dores.

Four-star Kylan Fox
The No. 8 tight end in the 2024 class is taking things slow. Fox isn’t worried about committing in the foreseeable future. Recently, Fox put out a top 15 in which Florida was included. Fox stopped by Gainesville in January as well.

Outside of Florida, Fox is also considering Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Stanford and Tennessee.

Four-star Caleb Odom
After visiting Gainesville in January, Odom left campus with a new understanding of the Florida program. Odom continued to strengthen his bond with multiple Florida coaches, most notably Peagler. Now, the Gators are near the top of his list, within his top five.

“I felt like the day was all about relationships,” Odom told GO after his January visit. “I’ve built a great relationship with coach Peagler and having my grandma here, it was great that she was able to see what was going on. They kept mentioning education was very important. It is great to have a school where they value education.”

Odom continues to narrow his list down, but Florida remains in the thick of things and should receive an official visit from Odom. Other schools hanging around include LSU, Georgia Tech, Colorado, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Amir Jackson
During the last weekend of January, Jackson made the trip to Gainesville and landed an offer from the Gators during his short stay. Right away, the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder was blown away by the staff’s attentiveness and how they cared to make him feel at home.

“Man, it was awesome. They sat and ate lunch with me, had good conversations, and they weren’t all about football; that won me over,” Jackson told GO last month. “I spent a decent amount of time with all the coaches except coach Napier because it was time to go. Overall, it was fun and entertaining.”

Jackson’s offer list will continue to grow as the spring goes on, but Florida boosted itself into Jackson’s top five after offering. As the months go by, Jackson wants to take trips to his top contenders and sort out what he wants from his future college choice. Other schools in play for Jackson include Kentucky, Indiana, Connecticut, Georgia Southern and Troy.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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Five-star WR Jeremiah Smith locks in return visit with the Gators
Corey Bender • 03/22/23

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One of the nation’s elite prospects regardless of position is returning to Gainesville on Thursday.

Jeremiah Smith, a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked wide receiver, tells Gators Online he will be at Florida tomorrow. The Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna star is a strong commit to Ohio State but still making his rounds and expected to take several official visits. UGA recently played host as well.
When recently speaking with GO at UA Camp Orlando, Smith said he was taking a wait-and-see approach with the Gators due to Keary Colbert’s departure. That relationship was very strong. In fact, he doubted that he would visit the Gators sometime this spring.

However, with Billy Gonzales now on campus and calling shots for the third time, Smith is ready to construct a relationship and take another look at the SEC program.

“He called me actually saying he took the job with the Denver Broncos. He told me, ‘You will be great wherever you go. Just keep your head down, keep working and you are going to be in the draft one day.’ He was telling me if I ever need anything to just call him or text him,” Smith said of his last interaction with Colbert.

All in all, when looking at the whole picture, flipping Smith away from the Buckeyes seems very unlikely.

Anything can happen in recruiting, especially with NIL front and center, but the All-American is locked in with the Ohio State. Much of that can be credited to the resume of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.

On3 Biography on Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith is the cousin of NFL quarterback Geno Smith, who starred at West Virginia in his college career.

Smith is a talent on the field, but Damien Jones, his high school coach compliments him for his work ethic in every aspect of life.

“What makes him special is he’s a humble kid,” Jones said. “What I mean by that is some kids will become prima donnas, where a kid will get mad and sit out practice. But Jeremiah is constantly working and constantly trying to get better and trying to improve. You can’t say that about everybody, man. He loves to ball. He’s competitive. He wants to be the best.”

Smith plans on majoring in business management in college. Away from football, Smith enjoys bowling, working out and playing video games. His favorite meal is chicken and rice. His parents are Lativia Newberry and Christopher Smith.

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3* safety commits to us

Josiah Davis

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3* safety commits to us

Josiah Davis

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@GettinSwamped

Top100 DB Zavier Mincey recaps latest trip to Florida
By BLAKE ALDERMAN
14 hours ago

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The Florida Gators had one of their top targets in the defensive secondary on campus for the second time this year on Tuesday. Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland Top100 defensive back Zavier Mincey was back in the Swamp to check out the University of Florida again. He last was in town back in January for a Junior Day, and was able to see much of the campus. However, there were some sights that were left unseen due to his time to meet with coaches running in between parts of his tour on January's visit.

This time around, he got to see some of those amenities around campus that are available for student athletes.

"It was good," Mincey said. "Last time I was there, I didn't get to see things like the Hawkins Center, so I got to see it this time. I got to see the dorms for the freshmen this time. They were all dope. Everything they have that I saw today is like futuristic. It's all new and really cool. Just seeing all the technology and resources they have there."

One highlight for the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder was getting to see the Gators hit the field to take part in their first scrimmage of spring camp. He shadowed secondary coach Corey Raymond during his time observing, and also kept close watch on the defensive back group.

"I watched some of it and got to hang out with Coach Raymond while they were doing the scrimmage. I got to see some of the drills. It was cool watching. Even before they started scrimmaging they started off with hitting drills just to get the energy and to fire everyone up. It was cool seeing them feed everyone and having guys making plays. It was good to see. I saw some guys Jah [Jakeem Jackson] getting some pass breakups. I watched No. 3 too, he looked really good."

Coach Raymond has been running point for the Gators on the trail for Mincey. The two have a close bond that has been formed, and while Raymond is usually very laid back, Mincey got to see him a bit more fired up in a game-like setting.

"I got to see the teaching side from him, like telling guys what they did wrong and what they did right, or even what they could have done better. I also got to see the stern, yelling side. I got to see both sides of him in action, which was good to see. They use the position exactly like where I am at right now. They do split coverages, where they have like three on one side and two on the other. They run quarters, man, cover 3. Basically all the stuff Io am doing right now."

Before the Gators took to the field, Mincey got to hang out in the offices with Raymond. The Gator assistant has long told Mincey he is a priority target this cycle, and continues to let it be known whenever they meet.

"They were just telling me pretty much they want me, and that I am one of their top guys. Coach Raymond was telling me you can go to a lot of places, but if you want to get developed by the best, then Florida can do that."

Mincey has now visited both Florida and Forfeit State University this spring. He is planning to fit more trips into his schedule going forward as the spring months continue.

"I think I am supposed to go to Miami on the 8th, but I just have to check and make sure I don't have a track meet and if I can make it. Supposed to be at Alabama I am pretty sure. Alabama, Tennessee, LSU. There are a few places I want to see."

Mincey has long noted Florida as one of his top schools, and that remains the case after getting back yet again.

"They are definitely one of the top ones for me," he said of the Gators. "I have been there a bunch of times, and everyone is always nice and welcoming. It's just a good vibe around everyone."

The Gators do not have an official visit set up with Mincey for the future. That's because he doesn't have any set at this time. There were discussion between Mincey and the Gators staff on how he plans to split up his trips over the course of the year.

"They mostly were asking me if I had set up most of my visits yet. I told them no, but I know when I want to do them. Two in the summer, one on our BYE week, and then two after the season. I am not trying to make a decision any time soon. I was thinking like right after my season ends when I take those last two visits. Probably closer to December. At least I am thinking right now."

Mincey has not named any official leaderboard in his recruitment at this point. It's been tough for him to do that because he's been fielding offer after offer these last few months. Some of the programs who have offered, he's not visited before either. He doesn't envision himself making a decision until much later in the process, but knows two programs that will likely stick with him throughout his recruitment.

"Definitely Florida and Florida State. I definitely talk to them the most. They have shown they want what is best for me. I have visited both of them the most."

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