Key Gators target returning to campus Wednesday

Just three days after wrapping up his official visit with the Florida Gators, a key defensive recruit will be back on campus Wednesday. Jarquez Carter, a 3-star defensive lineman from nearby Newberry, Fla., will take part in a 7-on-7 camp with his teammates.

“He’s going to play a little tight end for us,” Panthers coach Ed Johnson told Gators Online. “He’s very athletic. It’s just in his character that he just wants to be on the field nonstop, whether it’s playing offensive guard, tight end or fullback. He’ll do whatever we need him to do.”

For Florida, which seems to have some momentum in Carter’s recruitment, it will be big to get him back in the football facility. He’s currently ranked as the No. 32 defensive lineman in the country.

Carter also has upcoming official visits planned to Penn State (June 7) and UCF (June 14). Additionally, he plans to unofficially visit the Ohio State Buckeyes on June 18-20 — and he said a commitment possibly will come after that this summer.

Jarquez Carter is an important recruit for UF

Carter is an important target for the Gators.

Florida’s need on the defensive line in the 2025 class is big. It’s not that the Gators haven’t signed their share of talented defensive linemen the past few recruiting cycles. They have. But when you play in the SEC you truly have to stockpile talent up front. And that means recruiting well on the line of scrimmage each and every cycle is necessary.

Carter wanted to learn more about the Gators’ defensive scheme last weekend and how he’d fit during that particular visit. It sounds like Florida provided him with info that could help with its recruitment of him.

“I have four more schools I’m going to after this so Florida is one of my top schools. I made it clear — they’re in the top six,” Carter said. “I definitely love the culture. I love (defensive line coach Gerald Chatman). When he came to the school everything changed about the school. I wasn’t really looking to Florida like that. But he came and changed my whole perspective. The D-Line now, you can see that they’re getting a little pushback in the backfield and getting off blocks, unlike last year. That’s the way I play, getting off the ball, pushing back and making plays in the backfield. He’s been changing my perspective on my position with Florida.”

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