This is the Deal…..
I have mentioned this several times during my first week here at Rivals. Numerous prospects were going to end up signing with the Gators, including Azareyeh Thomas, Jayden Gibson, Chandler Smith, Austin Ausberry, Mason Taylor, Trevor Etienne, Matthew McCoy, and plenty of others. However, the new staff does not necessarily have the same evaluations as the old staff that is clear to see, and it's ok. I know you are saying, wait a minute, Jason, are you telling me these kids were locked and loaded to sign with the old staff, but they might have a change of heart with the new staff? Yes, I am telling you that for a variety of reasons. For some, it's their choice, but 99% of the situations, it is the choice of the new Head Coach.
We see some crossover with players like David Conner, Austin Ausberry, Jalen Farmer, etc. It is hard to imagine a scenario in which a kid like Austin Ausberry was set to come to UF under the old staff but not under the new staff, especially with Corey Raymond in the room. I do not know enough about Raymond and the relationship he has or may have had with Ausberry to be able to say right now. When a new staff comes in, you also get second life – in this case, we will see what Napier/Raymond and crew can do with a kid like Earl Little JR, who Napier should see today. I know recruiting comes down to relationships most of the time. Take Tanner Bailey or Jacurri Brown. We don't know enough information even to formulate an opinion on whether or not there is something there right now.
Brown is locked and loaded for Miami and fired up about the program's direction. Coach O'Hara went to visit Tanner Bailey as well. "I think it was a great hire for Florida. Coach Napier is a great coach, and I know he will succeed at UF. I'm very interested in UF and hoping to pick up an offer in the coming weeks and get to know the staff. I talked with Coach O'Hara yesterday. He told me he wanted to get me up for a visit."
I hate the waiting game more than anyone, but that is what we are forced to do somewhat right now until we get through this first signing period. The other thing to think about is that we have only a few actual coaches out recruiting right now mixed in with many quality control guys or assistants.
We will not truly understand what the Billy Napier staff is capable of until we see the entire staff. Recruiting is the lifeline of every program in America, and no one can deny that, so the sooner we see the entire staff, the better. And by the way, I can say I think both Austin Ausberry and Jacorey Thomas were impressed with the addition of Corey Raymond to Florida.
I also think two more coaches that Napier is going to hire are equally as good as Raymond on the recruiting front, and when you stop and think about that for a moment, it's pretty scary……I have had two different NFL coaches tell me three more coaches will join Napier from the NFL. I also had another person reach out to me today to tell me a certain college programs head coach is starting to feel around because he believes he is about to need a replacement...was told if it happens would be a big big blow to that schools recruiting efforts....
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