Recruiting Insider: Florida Gators intel from the trail

What’s the latest in Florida Gators football recruiting?

Here’s some intel from insiders Corey Bender and Keith Niebuhr of Gators Online.

-It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jeramiah McCloud, the Mississippi State defensive line commitment from Havana (Fla.) Gadsden County, opens up his recruitment in the near future. After speaking with McCloud and other sources, that pledge continues to be on shaky ground and McCloud might be on the verge of backing off it.

Should that happen — and right now we’re projecting it will — Florida is one of three programs to watch with Georgia and LSU being the others. As Gators Online broke Sunday night, McCloud, the No. 40 defensive line recruit in the country for the On3 Industry Rankings, will officially visit the Gators on June 14. the Bulldogs and Tigers also will get officials. And possibly Mississippi State, too.

McCloud said Sunday evening Florida, Georgia and LSU are recruiting him the hardest — even harder than Mississippi State. He thinks that’s partly the case because MSU might feel he is slipping away.

McCloud has visited the Gators twice this year already. As of now, he plans to be in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday. — KEITH NIEBUHR

-The same weekend McCloud officially visits the Gators, one of his best friends will be in Gainesville with him. That player is Ousmane Kromah, a 4-star running back from Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County, who checks in as the No. 4 running back and No. 69 overall recruit nationally. McCloud is from Lee County and the two touted recruits have talked extensively about playing together in college. Florida has one running back committed in Tampa (Fla.) Plant’s Waltez Clark but wants to add a second to the class. Said McCloud of the 6-foot-1/2-inch, 215-pounds Kromah: “He loves Florida.” Florida State probably is the favorite as of today, with Georgia rising. But the Gators appear to be in the conversation. — KEITH NIEBUHR

Florida Gators have connection to elite linebacker target

-The Gators have top competition for Ty Jackson of Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge but hope a personal connection helps narrow the gap with On3’s No. 1-ranked linebacker. Larry Williams, a recruiting staffer at Florida, went to high school with Jackson’s father at Hialeah (Fla.) American. That relationship has been in place for years, and as expected, Williams was alongside Jackson’s family throughout Saturday’s visit. They shared laughs and clearly had a good time.Billy Napier, Austin Armstrong and Ron Roberts are others at Florida in pursuit, but it’s Williams providing the family with a home-like feel. That could be key in a crowded recruitment with programs such as Georgia and FSU in the hunt. — COREY BENDER

-While South Carolina continues to lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for 4-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery of Findlay (Ohio), we continue to feel this is an extremely tight race following his three-day unofficial visit to Florida over the weekend. The Gamecocks will host Montgomery the weekend of April 20 and then a decision should come in May. Both programs are optimistic. But meanwhile, Georgia continues to be the wildcard here. Montgomery is high on the Dawgs, but it’s not quite known where he sits on the Georgia board. Four-star Georgia target Matt Zollers committed to Missouri last week. Yet, the Dawgs still are a factor with 5-star in-state target Julian Lewis, a Southern Cal commitment. If Georgia were to push for Montgomery, it probably would have a chance. So we’re counting to track the Dawgs. This one still feels too close to call. — KEITH NIEBUHR

-Florida and Tennessee are the schools with whom 4-star linebacker Christian Gass has the best relationships. And from speaking with a source, the Gators are fairly optimistic right now after another strong presentation during Gass’ visit to Gainesville over the weekend. Several staff members are linked to his recruitment and it’s paying off. At first, the Covington (Ga.) Eastside standout only listed Florida as a top contender before mentioning Tennessee at the end. Either way though, Florida being the first school out of his mouth is notable. The Gators staff views Gass as a priority target and definitely improved its standing Saturday. — COREY BENDER

Teammate of 2024 UF signee is emerging target

-Another linebacker to monitor is Olney (Md.) Good Counsel’s Justin Thompson, a teammate of 2024 Gators linebacker signee Aaron Chiles. Like Gass, the 6-foot-2.5, 220-pound Thompson, a junior, visited Florida on Saturday and came away impressed. And … I’m told Napier also was impressed by Thompson as well and how he carried himself throughout the week. The Gators offered in January but now are more intrigued by Thompson after having spent extended time around him. And we all know how involved Napier is with evaluations, so that bodes well for the junior. The next step here? Thompson says an official visit should be scheduled soon. Additional schools involved include South Carolina, North Carolina, Baylor and Pittsburgh; however, Florida could have the momentum after Saturday. — COREY BENDER

-After 3-star receiver Dane Jones of Pearland (Texas) Ridge Point visited Florida in January, he told Gators Online the program would get an official visit. But when asked recently if that visit had been scheduled, Jones replied, “No, I haven’t been in contact with them.” Meanwhile, Jones has scheduled officials with Boston College (June 7) and TCU (June 20). The Horned Frogs are the On3 RPM Favorites. — KEITH NIEBUHR

The post Recruiting Insider: Florida Gators intel from the trail appeared first on On3.