5 for Friday: Insight into Florida Gators recruiting
Every Friday, Corey Bender and Keith Niebuhr of Gators Online sink their teeth into the most relevant topics regarding Florida Gators recruiting. Today’s topics include a range of subjects.
What’s the sting factor for the Florida Gators on the de-commitment this week of offensive lineman Peyton Joseph?
-COREY: Peyton Joseph is a solid prospect with a 4-star ranking; however, I’m putting his sting factor at a 4 (out of 10). It’s still early in the cycle and Florida is in the mix for several others. Then you have the transfer portal, allowing Florida to reel in immediate help rather than having a prospect who will need time to develop. The Gators should be just fine.
-KEITH: I’ll put it at a 5. Because he’s not a huge name, the public blowback was minimal. Meanwhile, it’s still pretty early in the cycle. I don’t start worrying about a class — or components of a class — until mid-June at the earliest. If Florida wins this season, recruits will take notice. And NIL money would flow, thus giving the Gators a chance to finish strong. If Florida doesn’t win, well, we will cross that bridge if we get to it. Peyton is a nice prospect with a bright future hopefully. But he’s certainly a developmental recruit who probably wouldn’t contribute early.
What’s the sting factor with QB target Ryan Montgomery picking Georgia?
-COREY: As for Ryan Montgomery, I view that miss as more significant with a sting factor of 7. It’s difficult knowing you were that high on the 4-star’s list for over a year and then came up short. Then you have the DJ Lagway effect. It’s not easy selling opportunity when you have an elite talent like that on the roster. Signing a blue-chip quarterback is difficult enough, but this one hurts more given the circumstances and how long Florida recruited Montgomery.
-KEITH: Never liked Florida’s chances. Corey can verify this. My gut just always told me it wasn’t going to happen. So there was zero shock to me when we learned Georgia would likely land him. But it still stings Florida. I’d put it at like a 6.5. After signing Lagway, many are like, “No big deal, just worry about 2026.” I can certainly see that point of view, but I just think it’s time for Florida to start stacking quarterbacks a little bit so it’s never again in the situation of having to scramble for one like the previous offseason. I really think Ryan’s a solid prospect.
Which position group are the Florida Gators poised to do the best at this cycle?
-COREY: For me, it’s safety. Florida is trending heavily for Kaylib Singleton and USC commit Hylton Stubbs is still a realistic flip target. Then you have 4-star prospect Bryce Fitzgerald, a lifelong Florida fan who has the Gators in his top three. It’s probably going to take some time, but optimism is fairly high at safety.
-KEITH: Too early for me to project. Not the answer you want to read, but the truth is when I look at Florida’s recruiting position group by position group, none have separated yet. Also, at least right now, I don’t see one position where I can say with certainty the Gators will land a bunch of 4-stars. It’s really just too early to project things out. Let’s get back to this question in a couple months.
Who’s one in-state target the Gators might be doing well with that nobody is talking about?
-COREY: Offensive tackle Taren Hedrick of Naples Community School comes to mind right away. Florida offered during a busy time in January when a countless amount of kids received the same news. For fans, that can have prospects lost in the shuffle. Hedrick is a top-45 prospect at his position who had a great visit a few weeks ago and now plans to officially visit this summer. Florida has a real shot with this high-upside target.
-KEITH: I’ll go with Floyd Boucard, the 3-star defensive lineman at Miami Central whose stock is rising. Two trips to Gainesville this spring tells me he’s serious about the Gators. He’s a native of Canada, who seems to like the vibe at Florida and he’s clicked with the staff. Long way to go, but I think the Gators could be a factor here.
Name a recruit whose stock you think will rise during the spring evaluation period, when colleges coaches can attend high school practices?
-COREY: I’m rolling with Hawthorne (Fla.) athlete Cornelius Ingram Jr. The 6-foot-5 quarterback should easily have another dozen offers or so, and with Florida recruiting him for receiver and others for quarterback, there will be plenty of opportunities for new offers to be earned. Some schools might be hesitant with Ingram being a Florida legacy, but I would still be shocked if more schools don’t offer, especially at quarterback.
-KEITH: Kaylib Singleton, the Gators 3-star safety target from the Jacksonville, Fla., area. He’s got great length (6-foot-1) and speed (he’s in the 10.5-second range the 100 meters). That’s a combination you’d like every defensive back target to have.
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