Gut Feelings: Intel & insights into Florida Gators recruiting
Here are some quick thoughts on Florida Gators recruiting to start your May off …
*Monday, I wrote about Florida’s pursuit of FSU quarterback commit Tramell Jones of Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin. And I wrote the following: “According to one trusted source, the Gators do have a very realistic chance.” Then, the section concluded with these words: “This is one we are going to track closely. I do think optimism on the Florida side is growing some.
In the past two days, I’ve heard more to believe the Gators have become a legit factor. One prominent recruit, whose name I won’t mention, said he thinks Florida has a shot. Meanwhile trusted sources told Gators Online the Gators are quite pleased with how Jones’ two recent visits to Gainesville went. After digging further, it appears the Gators’ interest is legit and strong.
What does this all mean? We’ll see. For his part, Jones continues to tell Gators Online (and others) he’s solid to the Seminoles — and he speaks highly of everyone in Tallahassee. It sounds like the ‘Noles have done a great job here in building a nice bond. But, Jones told us Sunday the trips to Gainesville have given him something to think about. The next step for Florida is to get him on campus for an official. As of right now, it’s still unclear if that will happen. If the Gators don’t get an official, you know what that probably means. If they do, then perhaps things get interesting. The bottom line: It’s certainly become an intriguing recruitment.
Florida Gators QB target does many things well — and he wins
*For my money, Jones is worth the effort. Yes, I know he’s just a 3-star and is only 6-feet tall. But I’ve now seen him in three different settings since last September and I came away more impressed each time. For starters, his arm is really strong and the ball comes off his right hand hot. Also, he’s really smart. I love his football IQ — and it always seems like he knows where everyone is supposed to be at all times. And here’s something else to like about Tramell Jones — he’s a winner. When you look at Florida’s championship and Heisman-winning quarterbacks, they all won big in high school, from Steve Spurrier and Kerwin Bell to Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. There is something to that I believe — and I’m told many on the Florida staff believe that, too.
*Speaking of quarterbacks … Florida is out and about this week checking out 2026 targets. The Gators already have seen two in-state 2026 QBs with Florida offers — Will Griffin and Noah Grubbs. Next up, they will visit two more — Dia Bell and Brady Hart in the near future. Florida co-offensive coordinator Russ Callaway watched Griffin on Tuesday — and he shot lots of video of Griffin throwing. People ask me often what the pecking order might look like on the Florida recruiting board with all these talented rising in-state junior quarterbacks. And in my honest option, I don’t believe that’s settled just yet.
Sources have indicated all that’s still taking shape. And thus, that would explain the video recordings at practice. When evaluating high school prospects, you’re not just looking at where they’re at right now, you’re trying to figure out how much they’re improving from week to week and what their ceiling is. With the quarterback position being the most important in football, Florida obviously is going to do as much research as it can before setting that board.
Now, which of these 2026 quarterbacks do I think are most likely to end up at Florida? Right now, I’d go with Griffin and Hart in no particular order.
Here are a couple running back & receiver notes and thoughts …
*Four-star recruit Ousmane Kromah of Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County is one of about five or six players the Gators are heavily pursuing to fill a second running back spot in the class to join Waltez Clark. He’s expected to officially visit Florida on June 14. And we’ve heard Florida will be at his school next week. To some, Florida State has long been seen as the favorite. But the latest intel suggests Georgia may have emerged as the team to watch. Florida has some work to do here.
*Here’s a note I think is worth passing along: The people at Tampa (Fla.) Plant’s — Clark’s school — have raved about Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke due to the way he conducts himself and treats people there. It’s always a big day when he stops by. And for what it’s worth, not only does Clark rave about the coach I’m told Clark’s family thinks highly of Juluke, too. He’s the biggest reason Clark is a Florida commit.
*Should Florida flip the aforementioned Jones, I don’t think it would hurt the Gators’ chances with 4-star receiver Vernell Brown. The two are 7-on-7 teammates and Brown has become a favorite target on a team that also includes Jones’ 5-star Mandarin teammate — Jaime Ffrench.
*Regarding another 5-star receiver, Dallas Wilson of Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.), It feels like the Gators probably sit behind Oregon (the school he’s committed to), Miami and FSU. But he definitely took note of Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall going in the first round of the NFL Draft last week and not just because of the development aspect. He really likes the way Pearsall was used in the offense. Additionally, Wilson continues to talk up his relationship with Florida receivers coach Billy Gonzales. The Gators are hanging around, but probably need to score a 10 out of 10 on Wilson’s official visit to make a move up.
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