Five storylines heading into Florida Gators’ first official visit weekend of June
With 17 prospects expected in town, the Gators are gearing up for a massive official visit weekend. And with a turnout like that, there are plenty of storylines heading into the event as well.
Below, Gators Online dishes out five situations we are tracking ahead of one of Florida’s more jam-packed recruiting weekends in recent memory.
Five-Star Central in Gainesville
In addition to quarterback commit DJ Lagway, the Gators will be hosting additional five-star prospects in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, an Ohio State commit, and defensive lineman David Stone.
We all know it’s going to be difficult to change Smith’s mind. As long as Brian Hartline is in Columbus, the Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna star will likely stay put with the Buckeyes; however, this is the recruiting process we are talking about. And we are in the NIL era. It’s unpredictable as it gets.
Right now, I’m hearing Florida is likely the No. 2 option behind Ohio State. Georgia, Miami and Florida State are additional programs in the picture, but the Gators have a massive opportunity this weekend. DJ Lagway will be in town for an official visit as well. Those two connect multiple times a week, with Lagway continuing to sell Smith on the culture under Napier and UF’s pro-style attack.
I’m very interested in hearing what Smith has to say about his multi-day visit. This is one of the best wide receiver prospects over the last decade. He is that good.
As for the aforementioned Stone, Oklahoma is positioned best right now. The IMG Academy product actually hails from the Sooner State, so that offer has been notable from the start. Michigan State has been very consistent as well. Those programs likely make up his top two right now.
But don’t sleep on the Sunshine State programs just yet. Florida is relentless in its pursuit, and the same can be said about Miami. Both programs are heavily in the mix, and like UF, the Hurricanes are expected to receive an official visit as well.
There is a lot of confidence in the Sooners right now, but this weekend could shake things up. The Gators will be rolling out the red carpet from start to finish.
Will this be the weekend for local product Kendall Jackson?
According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Gators are trending with odds of 93.4 percent.
Jackson is a Gainesville native who has visited Florida over a dozen times as a recruit, while his mother and late uncle Aubrey Hill attended UF as well. I submitted a prediction last summer after Jackson reeled in his scholarship offer following a camp session.
Additional official visits are scheduled with Miami and Kentucky, but could this finally be the weekend Jackson teams up with the Gators?
It’s definitely possible. Jackson has never labeled Florida his leader and is vocal about exploring his options, so I believe his commitment would take place without any notice. He has already seen everything the university has to offer, and with several commits expected in town, that camaraderie could rub off on him. The big board is going to start shrinking as well, as more prospects continue to lock in their spot.
Even if Jackson takes additional visits, I don’t think it will be enough to edge out the Gators. He is one of the top EDGE targets and will be treated as such this weekend. That could result in another addition to UF’s top-five class.
Who is most likely to commit to the Gators this weekend?
Although Dealyn Evans is committed to the Aggies, the Gators are arguably the hotter program in his recruitment right now. It’s also worth noting that Evans took everything TAMU out of his Twitter bio and changed his picture to him donning the UF uniform.
Evans, a product of Longview (Texas) Pine Tree, is fairly well reserved when discussing his recruitment, especially as of late. After his first visit to Gainesville, however, he said the Gators and Aggies were nearly tied. He also said the Gators are “maybe a little better.”
The On300 prospect has a strong liking for UF’s family-like feel and Mike Peterson’s experience as a coach and player. He believes that experience would benefit him greatly. It’s the University of Florida as a whole that has Evans’ commitment somewhat shaky though.
Also, following that trip to the Swamp, Evans then returned to College Station to meet with the Aggies. That was an opportunity for Jimbo Fisher’s staff to quiet the nose, but it was weeks later when Evans told me both programs are “neck and neck.” That timing is significant.
The Gators are most definitely trending up with the 6-foot-4.5, 259-pound defensive lineman.
The Gators are trending toward a stellar linebacker class
Don’t get it twisted; Kris Jones is a prospect who could shut it down this weekend as well.
The reason why I went with Evans is because Jones has an official visit booked with Georgia for June 16. Florida and Georgia are very close at the top of his list, so I would be surprised if he did not go through with taking that trip. A commitment this weekend is possible though.
Right now, Florida is the school Jones has the best relationship with. A handful of staff members are linked to his recruitment, but inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman is the one carrying the load. He has been outstanding this cycle and already holds commitments from two of the best linebackers in Myles Graham and Adarius Hayes. But if UF lands Jones as well? That would be a statement, especially over Georgia.
I believe the Gators are leading as of today. I’m cautious due to the upcoming trip to Athens, but this one could be over after this weekend if Billy Napier’s staff knocks it out of the park.
We will be monitoring Jones closely this weekend.
How serious is Jordan Ross about Florida?
If it wasn’t for Ross’ first visit to Gainesville in April, Florida would likely not be on his radar right now. That was an eye-opening trip for both the EDGE target and his mother.
Also, not long before that trip, the Alabama native told me he was not communicating with Florida. Well, not only did that change, but the Gators took it a step further and are now recruiting him like he is at the top of their big board. And for Ross, the interest on his end is really picking up as well.
According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida has the third-best odds at 14.1 percent. Only Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, are positioned higher than the Gators. Those could very well be Ross’ top schools right now, while Texas, Auburn, Oregon and Alabama are ones to monitor as well.
Below is what the Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills standout told GO’s Keith Niebuhr earlier this week at the On3 NIL Elite Series presented by Mizuno.
“Florida is kind of deep in there, I won’t lie to you,” Ross said. “Deep in there. They showed a lot of love the first time I came down there. … And I was talking to most of the coaches and they love me because I went there on a weekday. So the whole campus was busy. They kept telling me about the academics and they made room for me.”
Florida catapulted up Ross’ list following a mid-week visit in April. What do you think could happen after hosting him multiple days for an official visit?
Ross is definitely one to take serious for the Gators.
Florida Official Visitors for June 2-4
Five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State commit
Five-star defensive lineman David Stone
Five-star quarterback DJ Lagway – Florida commit
No. 2-ranked safety Xavier Filsaime – Florida commit
Top-five EDGE Jordan Ross
On300 linebacker Adarius Hayes – Florida commit
On300 tight end Jonathan Echols – Tennessee commit
On300 offensive tackle Ethan Calloway
On300 linebacker Kris Jones
On300 defensive lineman LJ McCray
On300 wide receiver Izaiah Williams – Florida commit
On300 defensive lineman Dealyn Evans – Texas A&M commit
Four-star cornerback Jalyn Crawford
Four-star EDGE Kendall Jackson
Four-star defensive lineman D’antre Robinson
Three-star offensive tackle Ory Williams
Three-star defensive lineman Jayden Jackson
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