Florida Gators gearing up to host dozens of visitors ahead of the dead period
With the Gators’ Grill in the Ville event just roughly 24 hours away, it’s time to dissect the visitors list and share the latest notes ahead of the event.
Also, with the dead period starting on Tuesday, Billy Napier’s staff is not only hosting prospects on Saturday either, as Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1-ranked prospect overall, is returning to the Swamp on Monday.
Here is the latest at Gators Online…
While Smith will not be in attendance for Grill in the Ville, getting him on campus just prior to the dead period will be a major plus for the program. On top of that, quarterback commit DJ Lagway is now extending this weekend’s visit in order to spend time with the elite pass catcher. Those two have constructed a strong relationship in recent months, with that being one of the primary reasons why Florida continues to get the Ohio State commit on campus. Flipping him, however, is going to be very difficult for any program. The Seminoles will host Smith on Saturday.
Priority defensive back target Jamari Howard is now scheduled to visit Florida State today. That is a major development we are keeping close tabs on. The Miami Central star previously confirmed his attendance for Saturday’s Grill in the Ville, but there is always the chance he scratches those plans and decides to stay in Tallahassee for an extra day. That would be a major stinger for the Gators, but Howard is currently still on our visitors list.
As we noted yesterday, 2025 top-100 prospect Tarvos Alford is not returning to campus tomorrow as initially planned. Now, the Vero Beach (Fla.) linebacker is heading to FSU instead. That is definitely not ideal, but I still like Florida as the leader here with Ohio State being a close second. Florida State could really make its move this weekend though.
Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland DB Zay Mincey is heading to Coral Gables this weekend. He was someone GO was tracking heavily in recent days, but nothing has changed there. Florida and Alabama are likely in the best shape right now though, while the Hurricanes and Seminoles are near the top as well. There is no doubt Florida is the school he is most familiar with though.
DJ Pickett, the No. 1-ranked safety in the 2025 class, has been slated to visit to Florida on Saturday. His mother told GO that a few weeks ago and said that was the plan as of 48 hours ago; however, Georgia and Michigan are linked to their visit plans too. Pickett’s mother said they have some sorting out to do regarding the family’s plans for Saturday, so he is still on our visitors list, for now…
Returning to the Swamp on Friday is 2025 On300 wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon. The top-100 prospect made his first trip to campus last month and is eager to strengthen his relationship with the staff. He also visited Texas on Thursday and will be at Florida State on Saturday.
Most of UF’s current commits are attending the cookout
***2024
-5-star QB DJ Lagway, Willis (Texas): FLORIDA COMMIT
-5-star S Xavier Filsaime, McKinney (Texas): FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star LB Aaron Chiles, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel: FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star LB Myles Graham, TBD : FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star WR Jerrae Hawkins, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy: FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star LB Adarius Hayes, Largo (Fla.): FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star CB Jamari Howard, Miami (Fla.) Central: UF, FSU, Miami, Mich. State, UCF.
-4-star TE Amir Jackson, Portal (Ga.): FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star Edge Kendall Jackson, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz: FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star CB Wardell Mack, Marrero (La.) John Ehret: Texas-LSU-UF.
-4-star LB Jamonta Waller, Picayune Memorial (Miss.) FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star OT Fletcher Westphal, Leesburg (Va.): FLORIDA COMMIT
-4-star Edge Amaris Williams, Clinton (N.C.): FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star DL Michai Boireau, Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside: FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star S Josiah Davis: Nashville (Ga.) Berrien: FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star CB Teddy Foster, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney: FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star OL Marcus Mascoll, Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett: FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star OL Noel Portnjagin, Schwäbisch Hall (Germany) FLORIDA COMMIT
-3-star OL Mike Williams, Baltimore (Md.) Charles Herbert Flowers: FLORIDA COMMIT
Several elite underclassmen will also be in attendance
***2025s
-5-star S DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills (Fla.): No. 8 player in the country.
-4-star RB Waltez Clark, Tampa (Fla.) P.lant: One of UF’s top targets for 2025.
-4-star WR Koby Howard, Pensacola (Fla.) No. 44 player in Florida.
-4-star LB Riley Pettijohn, McKinney (Texas): No. 9 junior in Texas.
-4-star OT Owen Strebig, Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial: Top-100 national recruit.
-4-star S Hylton Stubbs, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin: Top-100 national recruit.
-4-star DL Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards: Has visited UF multiple times this year.
-3-star CB Chris McCorkle, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney: Florida leads; teammates with Teddy Foster
-UR WR Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa (Fla.): Florida, Ohio State and Penn State are out front.
***2026s
-DL James Morrow, Buford (Ga.): Gators offered in June.
-ATH/DB Jermaine Bishop Jr., Willis (Texas): Teammate of DJ Lagway.
-QB Logan Rogers, Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.): Earned Florida offer at Friday Night Lights.
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