Florida Gators Recruiting Intel from IMG Academy

On Wednesday evening, Gators Online made the trek down to Bradenton to take in the spring game at talent-loaded IMG Academy.

Once the scoreboard read all zeros, we were able to gather plenty of recruiting intel as well.

Jump inside below for the latest on a handful of Florida targets in the 2024 class.

Five-star DL David Stone

Stone’s official visit plans are all over the place right now; in fact, several schools are battling it out for the same weekends. Florida is one of those schools in the thick of Stone’s plans.

Right now, Florida and Miami are the schools pushing the hardest. UF’s staff actually contacted him shortly before tonight’s spring game, with Stone saying those relationships have really strengthened as of late. Sean Spencer, Austin Armstrong and Billy Napier are his go-to contacts in Gainesville.

Sources tell me the Gators are expecting to host Stone that first weekend in June. The Oklahoma native says he has not finalized that trip, but UF is putting on the full-court press right now and Stone is definitely noticing. You can expect UF to receive one of those multi-day visits.

No. 1 RB Jerrick Gibson

Georgia, Miami, Texas and Tennessee are all on Gibson’s official visit schedule for June. Those programs along with the Gators currently make up the top five for the former UF commit.

However, when asked if the Gators are going to receive an OV, Gibson said he’s still thinking about it. He has already been to campus three times this year and obviously grew up in UF’s backyard, so there is not much, if anything, he has not seen; however, the Gators need to somehow lock in a date. That will be necessary in order to climb back to the very top.

All in all, Gibson says the Gators are always going to have a special place in his heart. That hometown feel along with the program’s history was enough for them to land in the final five. Conversations with Billy Napier’s staff take place at least every other day.

Four-star WR Jerrae Hawkins

As of today, the West Virginia native says Florida is a top-two school in his recruitment.

Hawkins did not reveal the other school but listed Florida, Miami, West Virginia and Penn State as the schools standing out the most right now.

The culture in Gainesville is one box the Gators check for Hawkins. He is also constructing relationships with Billy Napier and Billy Gonzales and says their history with previous receivers is a major appeal to him. He can see himself flourishing in the Gators’ offensive attack.

If all goes as planned, Hawkins will be taking his official visit on June 9-11. We will be monitoring him closely that weekend as well.

Top-100 OT Jordan Seaton

Highlighting the 2024 prospect’s interest in Florida is the way Billy Napier’s staff is recruiting him.

Seaton says the Gators are making him a top priority and notices they play a lot of younger players. Their belief in him as a player has the Gators climbing his list right now.

This is a versatile prospect along the offensive front. All schools are recruiting Seaton for tackle, but Florida continues to highlight his do-it-all ability and believes he can see the field fairly early. Much of that positive encouragement is coming from Rob Sale.

Seaton said you can expect Florida and Alabama to receive official visits. He is working out those details right now. As for the school(s) he has the best relationships with, Seaton listed Maryland.

All in all though, Florida is in a “very good spot” right now. Keep an eye on this one.

Three-star DT Jayden Jackson

Not a whole lot has changed since Jackson dished out a top five of Florida, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas and Tennessee. No official visits are scheduled either, but those are expected to take place in the summer.

As for the Gators, Jackson is manufacturing a strong relationship with Sean Spencer and growing closer to DC Austin Armstrong as well. He also mentioned offensive lineman Knijeah Harris and how he continues to say nothing but great things about his time in Gainesville.

From speaking with Jackson tonight, it sounds like comfort and familiarity are factors in his recruitment. The Gators check those boxes due to Spencer and several former teammates being at the Swamp. UF is on the rise here and made a strong impression on Jackson’s parents when they visited this spring.

This recruitment is still fairly fluid; any of the top schools could come out on top. The Gators just have to keep chipping away, as proximity will be an advantage throughout the summer and fall.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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