re: "Recruiting Season" 2023 Class

2024 running back Chauncey Bowens has committed to the Florida Gators after visiting Gainesville on Saturday night for the USF game.

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I wouldn't literally say it like that, but I'd heavily suggest it.

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Im sure they see it on the field with many of Napier's kids already out there

Recruits dont always come to a school based on Ws and Ls, the relationship with asst coaches and other school resources can make a recruit decide on school B rather than school A. These kids play high school football and can lose games....remember that.

Three and Out: Another 2023 RB; Cormani McClain; predicting UF's next commit
Corey Bender • about 5 hours
Will the Gators reel in another 2023 running back? Also, what is the latest regarding No. 1-ranked cornerback Cormani McClain?

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In the latest feature at Gators Online, Three and Out, we dissect three topics as they pertain to UF football recruiting.

As of today, Billy Napier’s staff checks in with No. 10-ranked recruiting class with 20 prospect already in the fold. However, over a handful of priority targets are still on the board and have the Gators near the very top, including No. 1-ranked cornerback Cormani McClain and elite defensive lineman Jordan Hall.

With that said, GO breaks down the likelihood of Florida reeling in another senior running back, the latest regarding the aforementioned McClain, and also predict the next addition to the Gators’ recruiting class.

All eyes are on Cedric Baxter Jr.

In recent months, UF running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has inquired about a flurry of prospects in the 2023 class.

Four-star Treyaun Webb is still being recruited by other schools, but it would be a major shock if he did not sign with the Gators. He attended Florida’s first three home games and is one of the top recruiters in the class

However, the plan has always been to sign multiple running backs this cycle.

Texas commit Cedric Baxter Jr., a five-star prospect from Orlando, is the program’s top option; there is no doubt about that. Christopher Johnson of Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Arkansas commit Isaiah Augustave have piqued Juluke’s interest as well, but as of now, those prospects are not realistic in terms of possible additions.

That leaves Baxter, On3’s No. 1 running back, as the major priority moving forward. If the Gators do not change his mind, I don’t expect them to sign another running back this cycle.

Although his commitment to the Longhorns is rock solid, I believe UF would be the choice if Baxter did change his mind. Texas A&M and Miami were additional finalists over the summer, but the Gators received the most visits and Baxter has a strong level of appreciation for Juluke and the rest of the staff.

There is a chance Baxter returns for another UF game and possibly takes an official visit; however, all signs point to him staying put with Texas. It would have to take a whole lot to change his mind.

The Gators or Crimson Tide for Cormani McClain?

This recruitment is as close as it gets, and as of now, McClain plans to make a decision in December.

Florida, Alabama and Miami are considered the front runners for the Lakeland (Fla.) standout, but there is no doubt the Gators and Crimson Tide are generating the most buzz. That has been the case for a number of months, although the Hurricanes did receive an official visit over the summer and could receive a game visit or two before it’s all said and done.

With Florida, that is the school McClain is most familiar with. He has visited the in-state program a countless amount of times, including for the season opener, you have the Corey Raymond effect, and Lakeland is known for sending its top playmakers to the Swamp. Plenty of familiar faces from Polk County are on the roster as well.

So, the SEC program in Gainesville checks off a number of boxes here. The Gators are not going to have as much success as Alabama this year, but I don’t think many prospects expected them to, especially during the first year of a coaching transition. Either way, the comfort level in Gainesville is extremely high.

With Alabama, the proof is in pudding. They are playing for a national championship year in and year out and consistently manufacturing NFL talent in the secondary. There is a lot of certainity when you strap up the pads for the Crimson Tide.

As of today, I’m hearing more buzz with the Gators though. It’s the program trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine as well. Corey Raymond is doing an outstanding job of connecting with McClain’s family and there is a major home-like feel at UF.

However, I believe McClain’s upcoming official visit in Tuscaloosa could have the biggest impact on his decision. That trip is taking place during the weekend of the Texas A&M game on Oct. 8. If that trip goes extremely well, there is a good chance Florida will be playing catch up down the stretch.

The Gators will receive an official visit at some point as well, but there is still no date. McClain is also planning to return for another game, with the LSU game on Oct. 15 being a strong possibility.

I’m leaning toward Florida right now, but this one will likely go back and forth until after the season.

Predicting the Gators’ next commitment from the 2023 class

As we noted at the beginning, plenty of Florida targets are still on the board as we gear up for a busy month of October.

Those names include Keon Keeley, Cormani McClain, James Smith, Qua Russaw and Dijon Johnson. Then you have prospects the Gators are actively trying to flip, including Florida State University commit Roderick Kearney and Texas commit Cedric Baxter Jr.

However, when sorting through the list, I believe four-star safety Bryce Thornton will be the next commit.

Representing Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton, Thornton says he is making his decision on Oct. 13. He has been planning to pull himself off the market next month, but now there is a date in place.

Florida and Alabama are the finalists in Thornton’s recruitment; however, all signs are pointing to the Gators winning out. I submitted a pick weeks ago and the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favors Florida with odds of nearly 91 percent.

“Florida’s always been high for me. They’re still up there for me,” Thornton recently told Gators Online. “The coaching staff, I feel like they’re a big family. That’s just real big on me.”

Thornton is certainly well thought of in Tuscaloosa. He also had a strong camp session over the summer. Alabama, however, already holds commitments from three safeties, including five-star prospects Caleb Downs and Tony Mitchell.

Thornton is likely next in line if any of those prospects change their mind. He still plans to officially visit later this month as well but is a plan B right now.

As for his Gators official visit, itinerary is on the calendar for Oct. 21, which is Florida’s bye week. It would not surprise me though if the Gators rebook that trip for the LSU game seven days prior.

So, unless there is a last-minute change in Tuscaloosa, Thornton is expected to pick Florida roughly three weeks from now.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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So it's about early to talk about this, but which positions do you want this staff to focus on when hitting the portal hard?

We have some good players coming in, but we need some guys with experience to fill the gaps and cleanse this roster, particularly on the defense.

Florida is doing a 'great job' of recruiting No. 2-ranked 2024 quarterback
Corey Bender • about 16 hours

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When dissecting the Gators’ quarterback board for the 2024 class, two names immediately come to mind: DJ Lagway and Davi Belfort. Both prospects have visited Florida multiple times in recent months and are near the top of the program’s wish list for next cycle.

Lagway, a native of Texas, is an elite talent who is strongly considering the likes of Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma. As for Belfort, who attends Miami Gulliver Prep, previously reclassified from the 2025 class and is keeping tabs on UF, Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami and Penn State among others.

However, it was back in June when additional signal callers surfaced on the radar and received UF offers as well. One of them was Jake Merklinger, who received the green light following an eye-opening camp session. He hails from Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School and is On3’s No. 2-ranked quarterback and No. 15 player regardless of position.

According to On3’s Chad Simmons, the Gators are doing a “great job” of recruiting him. Billy Napier and offensive analyst Ryan O’Hara are the coaches in pursuit and made another strong impression when Merklinger returned to campus for the season opener vs. Utah.

“There’s a vibe around the campus, an energy that’s really, really good,” Merklinger said of UF when speaking with Simmons. “The coaches are super nice to me. It is in the SEC. I’m from the South, so that’s really cool and it’s only about two hours away from my house. It’s a really easy trip.”

Priority Gators target has a plan in place
Auburn, Michigan State and Virginia Tech have also played host this fall, while Clemson and Tennessee have dates secured for later in the year. Merklinger does not plan to make a commitment for quite some time, but next April will be a major point in his recruitment process.

“I’d like to take my officials around that time,” Merklinger told Simmons. “Hopefully, I can make a decision during the spring. If something does permit where I have to back it up, I said I probably won’t commit early, but if I just feel like it’s the right time, I might do it earlier. But I imagine it’ll be during the spring.”

According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Michigan State is trending with odds of 36 percent. Florida, however, checks in with odds of nearly 24 percent, which is good for second.

Inside the Film Room
Accurate, mobile passer with a strong feel for the game early on in his high school career. Among the more accurate top quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle, completing over 70 percent of his passes as a sophomore.

Comfortable navigating the pocket. Sees the field well, finding open receivers while under pressure. Shows the ability to quickly react and escape from pass rushers. Functional mobility both in and out of the pocket is among the best among top 2024 quarterbacks at this juncture. Can pick up chunks of yards with his legs on designed runs and scrambles.

Has shown a good arm to this point but can continue improving his velocity as he gets stronger, in addition to tightening his release. A multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse. — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

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ain't no way cormani is gonna survive if he dishes out hits like this in the SEC

LINK

lagway coming back to g-ville this weekend.

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When is he announcing and what are people on 247 saying?

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it's expected that it's us...