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We are pushing very hard for him.

With Lagway, we need to be able to go 5 wide at times with 5 top caliber WR.

Cook, Sturdivant, Tre Wilson, VB3 and Dallas Wilson would give you that.

5 WR with serious NFL futures.

Mizell, Hawkins and Abrams will all be right there in the rotation as well with their blazing speed.

Then the new OC will have everything he needs to score 70 every game when you add in our RB room. Spread those WR out and the D will have to play only 5 men in the box. The RB will have huge lanes to make huge gains.

2025 season can't get here fast enough!!

Per ZA, but he’s no longer a candidate. My guess is he wanted to bring in his people, and UF isn’t willing to part with Harris & Chatman. Muschamp as DC would have been very very interesting, likely grand slam.

GM JOB UPDATE

I was told that Billy is trying to hire the general manager job as soon as possible. We have heard a couple of names that have started to circulate (David Caldwell/Jaguars GM and Matt Lindsay/Mississippi GM). One in particular is the name I'm watching, Nick Polk.

He spent 17 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons as the director of football operations. Nick wore many hats and was responsible for salary cap management, contract proposals, draft negotiations, player contracts, trades, trade value analysis, compliance, and football budgets. You name it—he handled it. I was with the Falcons for three years and have talked with a few people in the building I used to work with, all saying Polk would be a home run hire. This is not to say that any other guys that Billy has interviewed would also be home-run hires. I know people connected with Nick who speak highly of him. I can't imagine this search going on much longer, and then we can focus on some coaching vacancies.


EDIT/UPDATE (1/4/25)
The athletic director has also been in the meetings and interviews for the general manager position which have gone on this past week. Everyone in the Athletics Department reports to the athletic director and from what I understand, this new GM position will work both with the athletic director and the head football coach. Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

🤣🤣😂

We play the #1 team in the country tomorrow at home. They’re undefeated. What an amazing opportunity!

I am feeling great about the game tomorrow. Where’s all the chatter? Come on, we are better than this!! This is a big freaking deal.

When was the last time we beat the number one team in the country at home?

KC

In another thread I saw that @SRGators said he should be getting some more info on the coaching changes soon and would post what he could. Just wondering if that is still happening?

I really appreciate all the info given by the insiders. That's the reason I'm on this site.

Just throwing a couple names out there that would be great OC hires IMO....

1A - Ryan Grubb - he is available and his passing game concepts combined with Napier's rushing schemes would be a great combination - hopefully, we have reached out to him since he is available

1B - Andy Koltenicki - i know he is employed at Penn State but he could really make a big jump in his coaching future by crushing it with DJ Lagway and our talented RB/WRs - has to be an intriguing option for him to consider - hopefully, we reach out b/c I think he would seriously consider it - Drew Allar, no WRs, may lose 1 or both stud RBs to the NFL and losing their best playmaker in TE - Warren

Just throwing it out there...hopefully, we don't run it back with Napier calling plays but would not be shocked at all

Commit List: (2025)
QB Tramell Jones
QB Deshawn Purdie
RB Waltez Clark
RB Chad Gasper
RB Byron Louis
WR Vernell Brown III
WR Naeshaun Montgomery
WR Muizz Tounkara
TE Micah Jones
TE Cameron Kossmann
OL Tavaris Dice
OL Daniel Pierre Louis
OL Jahari Medlock
DE Jalen Wiggins
DE Jayden Woods
DE Kofi Asare
DT Jeramiah McCloud
DL Stephon Shivers
DT Joseph Mbatchou
LB Myles Johnson
CB Ben Hanks Jr
S Hylton Stubbs
S Lagonza Hayward
OLB Ty Jackson
P Hayden Craig
LS Mack Mulhern
K Evan Noel

RedZone Members:


Commit List (2026)
QB Will Griffin
CB Jaelen Waters
DB Devin Jackson

Quarterback:
Login to view embedded media Colton Gumino UCLA Verbal
Bryce Baker North Carolina Verbal
Dan Mahan Duke Verbal
Keelon Russell Alabama Verbal
Bryce Underwood LSU Verbal
Carter Smith Michigan Verbal
Akili Smith Jr Oregon Verbal
Tavien St. Clair Ohio State Verbal
George Mcintyre Tennessee Verbal
Julian Lewis USC Verbal
Ryan Montgomery Georgia Verbal
Antwann Hill Memphis Verbal

Running Back:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Kwasie Kwaku Jr
Raphael Ekechi (JUCO)
Byron Louis Florida State Verbal
Tomir Bransford Georgia State Verbal
Jordon Davison Oregon Verbal
Ousmane Kromah Georgia Verbal
Michael Turner Jr Baylor Verbal
Shekai Mills Knight Ole Miss Verbal
Cedric Wyche Illinois Verbal
Donovan Johnson Michigan Verbal
Iverson Howard Maryland Verbal
James Simon Texas Verbal
Bo Jackson Ohio State Verbal
Deandre Desinor West Virginia Verbal
Marquise Davis Kentucky Verbal
Girard Pringle Miami Verbal
Alvin Henderson Penn State Verbal
Antwan Raymond Rutgers Verbal
Akylin Dear Ole Miss Verbal
Zion Johnson Cincinnati Verbal
Deondrae Riden Texas A&M Verbal
Harry Dalton III USC Verbal
Harlem Berry LSU Verbal
Justin Baker Tennessee Verbal
Anthony Rogers Alabama Verbal
Taevion Swint UCF Verbal
Justin Thurman Notre Dame Verbal


Wide Receiver:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Edward Coleman
Dylan Vickerson
Winston Watkins Jr
Caleb Cunningham Ole Miss Verbal
Donovan Olugbode Missouri Verbal
Shamarius Peterkin Virginia Tech Verbal
Dylan McCutcheon Texas Verbal
Taz Williams Jr Baylor Verbal
Phillip Bell Ohio State Verbal
Jaime Ffrench Texas Verbal
Chris Lawson Washington Verbal
Kelshaun Johnson Texas A&M Verbal
Tanook Hines Southern California Verbal
Josiah Abdullah Virginia Verbal
Koby Howard Penn State Verbal
Cortez Mills Oklahoma Verbal
Jayvan Boggs UCF Verbal
Quincy Porter Ohio State Verbal
Marcus Harris Oklahoma Verbal
Tyler Williams Georgia Verbal
Dallas Wilson Oregon Verbal
Kamare Williams Arkansas Verbal
Samuel Turner Georgia Tech Verbal
Thomas Blackshear Georgia Verbal
Ashton Ansley Louisiana Tech Verbal
Santonyo Isaac UCF Verbal
DeZie Jones Ohio State Verbal
Raiden Vines Bright Washington Verbal
Dakorien Moore LSU Verbal
Waden Charles Miami Verbal
Ryan Williams Alabama Verbal


Tight End:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Andrew Olesh Michigan Verbal
Hollis Davidson Auburn Verbal
DaSaahn Brame Oregon Verbal
Linkon Cure Kansas State
Chase Loftin Florida State
Kiotti Armstrong Texas A&M Verbal
Jayden Savoury Michigan State Verbal
Aaron Ia Arizona State Verbal
Jack VanDorselaer Tennessee Verbal
Nate Roberts Ohio State Verbal
Emaree Winston Texas Verbal
Caden Piening UCF Verbal
Gus Ritchey NCST Verbal
Logan Brooking Clemson Verbal
Ryan Ghea Auburn Verbal
John David LaFleur LSU Verbal
Ethan Barbour Georgia Verbal
Elyiss Williams Georgia Verbal
Brock Schott Miami Verbal
Luka Gilbert Miami Verbal


Offensive Line:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Laderion Williams
Warren Nolen
Peter Langi
Alai Kalaniuvalu BYU Verbal
Lamont Rogers Missouri Verbal
Andrew Babalola Michigan Verbal
Cortez Smith Georgia Verbal
Malachi Goodman Penn State Verbal
Juan Gaston Jr Georgia Verbal
Jaylen Gilchrist Maryland Verbal
Nicolai Brooks Texas Verbal
Michael Fasusi Oklahoma Verbal
Josh Petty Georgia Tech Verbal
David Sanders Jr Tennessee Verbal
Austin Pay BYU Verbal
SJ Alofaituli Miami Verbal
Jackson Llyod Alabama Verbal
Losipini Tupou Arizona Verbal
Demetri Manning Oregon Verbal
Champ Taulealea Washington Verbal
John Mills Texas Verbal
Kaden Strayhorn Michigan Verbal
Chauncey Gooden Colorado Verbal
Micah Debose Alabama Verbal
Mal Waldrep Alabama Verbal
Gavin Crawford West Virginia Verbal
Jaelyne Matthews Rutgers Verbal
Rowan Byrne Clemson Verbal
Taren Hendrick Ole Miss Verbal
Ziyare Addison Oregon Verbal
Marcus Garcia Texas A&M Verbal
Jake Flores Washington Verbal
Justin Hasenhuetl Georgia Tech Verbal
Brayden Jacobs Clemson Verbal
Carter Lowe Ohio State Verbal
Cater Stallard Virginia Tech Verbal
Tyler Miller LSU Verbal
Solomon Thomas Florida State Verbal
Mason Short Alabama Verbal
Carde Smith Auburn Verbal
Tavaris Dice Auburn Verbal
Matty Augustine Notre Dame Verbal
Owen Strebig Notre Dame Verbal


Defensive Tackle:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Laderion Williams
Jarquez Carter Ohio State Verbal
Elijah Griffin Georgia Verbal
Sterling Sanders Boston College Verbal
Dilan Battle LSU Verbal
Xavier Ukponu Wisconsin Verbal
Floyd Boucard Southern California Verbal
Andrew Maddox Ole Miss Verbal
Amir Leonard Jean Charles West Virginia Verbal
Charles House Tennessee Verbal
Kole Briehler Stanford Verbal
Christian Garrett Georgia Verbal
Brandon Brown Texas Verbal
Davion Dixon Nore Dame Verbal
Antonio Coleman Alabama Verbal
Jourdin Crawford Auburn Verbal
Malik Autry Auburn Verbal
Amare Adams Clemson Verbal
Christopher Isaiah Campbell Clemson Verbal


Strongside Defensive End:
Login to view embedded media Justus Terry
Javion Hilson
Richard Scott FIU Verbal
Randy Adirika Penn State Verbal
Smith Orogbo Texas Verbal
Myron Charles Texas Verbal
Julian Marks Kansas Verbal
Michael Riles Oklahoma State Verbal
Romando Johnson West Virginia Verbal
Isaiah Gibson Georgia Verbal
Caleb Williams South Carolina Verbal
London Merritt Ohio State Verbal
Ethan Utley Tennessee Verbal
Gus Ritchey North Carolina State Verbal


Weakside Defensive End:
Login to view embedded media Tylon Lee Ole Miss Verbal
Damien Shanklin LSU Verbal
Bryce Davis Duke Verbal
Kamauryn Morgan Baylor Verbal
Jared Smith Auburn Verbal
Javeon Campbell Kentucky Verbal
Derry Norris Georgia Tech Verbal
Cedric Works Kentucky Verbal
Cortez Harris Penn State Verbal
Jayden Woods Penn State Verbal
Zion Grady Ohio State Verbal
Christopher Burgess Jr Notre Dame Verbal
Zahir Mathis Ohio State Verbal
Ari Watford Clemson Verbal


Outside Linebacker:
Login to view embedded media Talanoa Ili
Christian Gass Tennessee Verbal
Justin Hill Alabama Verbal
Rodney Colton South Carolina Verbal
Nasir Wyatt Oregon Verbal
Zayden Walker Georgia Verbal
Abduall Sanders Alabama Verbal
Jakaleb Faulk Auburn Verbal
Jadon Perlotte Georgia Verbal
Anthony Williams Texas Verbal
Elijah Barnes Texas Verbal


Inside Linebacker:
Login to view embedded media Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
Dylan Worthen
Riley Pettijohn Ohio State Verbal
Noah Mikhail Texas A&M Verbal
Gavin Nix Maimi Verbal
Kaleb Burns Texas Tech Verbal
Tavion Wallace Arkansas Verbal
Malakhi Boone UCF Verbal
Robert Lee FAU Verbal
Tarvos Alford Ohio State
Keylan Moses LSU Verbal
Ethan Pritchard Florida State Verbal
AJ Rice Mississippi State Verbal
Mantrez Walker Michigan Verbal
Elijah Melendez Miami Verbal
Kelvion Riggins Texas A&M Verbal
Carlton Smith Maryland Verbal


Cornerback:
Login to view embedded media Major Preston Ole Miss Verbal
Jaylan Morgan Georgia Verbal
Dijon Lee Jr Alabama Verbal
Chris Ewald Jr Miami Verbal
Mason Alexander Pittsburgh Verbal
Cobey Sellers Texas A&M Verbal
Jaylen Bell Indiana Verbal
Adonyss Currie Texas A&M Verbal
Chuck McDonald III Alabama Verbal
Trey Poteat Tennessee Verbal
Mark Zackery Notre Dame Verbal
Dallas Golden Notre Dame Verbal
Chris McCorkle Indiana Verbal
Ivan Taylor Notre Dame Verbal
Jett White Maryland Verbal
Devin Williams Auburn Verbal
Na'eem Offord Ohio State Verbal
Darrell Johnson Alabama Verbal
Onis Konabanny Tennessee Verbal


Safety:
Login to view embedded media Kaylib Singleton Syracuse Verbal
DJ Pickett LSU Verbal
Anquon Fegans Auburn Verbal
Omarion Robinson Oklahoma Verbal
Jordan Young Clemson Verbal
Kendall Daniels South Carolina Verbal
Jontae Gilbert Georgia Verbal
Onis Konanbanny Tennessee Verbal
Ladarian Clardy Ole Miss Verbal
Eric Winters Auburn Verbal
Antonio Branch Penn State Verbal
Amari Wallace Miami Verbal
Kainoa Winston Michigan Verbal
Benjamin Alefaio Arizona State Verbal
Faheem Delane Ohio State Verbal
Jarcoby Hopson Ole Miss Verbal
Keon Young Ole Miss Verbal
Kendarius Reddick UCF Verbal
Jaboree Antoine LSU Verbal
Jaedon Harmon Alabama Verbal
Lagonza Hayward Tennessee Verbal
Bryce Fitzgerald Miami Verbal


Athlete:
David Rodriguez
Jade Card FAU Verbal
Jordan Allen Louisville Verbal
Lance Jackson Texas Verbal

Specialists:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media
DECEMBER 2 UPDATE - FIVE STAR Safety Drake Stubbs has made his way onto the Commit List. Gators slowly marching towards that top 10. Florida has one more safety spot and I believe that honor will go to Lagonza Hayward - many feel he ends up with the Bulldogs but he is on our list for a reason and will remain unless I am told otherwise.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 - UPDATE: Right now this is a group of players I am tracking very closely. as you can see by now Joseph WAS on this list and now he is on the commit list.

FAB FIVE November 30, 2024 - UPDATE - I am expecting to see Dice make the move today, but you know how these things go. I have also added another player to track - Dominic Kelly: EDIT - Dice Announced so down to four on the Watch List.

November 29 - UPDATE - Hey guys/gals I decided to spend the entire day, ten hours shopping with the wife and daughter and you all know what happens when I leave the house we get commits LOL. In all honesty, that is on me sorry about that. A few kids that I am close to adding to the RZ or worst case scenario are on big time flip watch in my mind include the following five players just so you all know to keep an eye on them moving forward..these are not the only guys but the ones I feel are hot and heavy right now...

November 26 - UPDATE - RedZone is on fire right now! We have now moved RB Byron Louis from the RZ to the Commit list that is four new commitments in the last 24-hours, three from our RedZone.

November 23, 2024 - Muizz Tounkara has been added to the RedZone list

November 20 - UPDATE: New RedZone Member makes the list with RB Byron Louis as long as he makes it in for the OV this weekend vs Ole Miss. Addition by Subtraction - check the Wide Open Wednesday for today/Whispers in the Hall

November 19 - UPDATE: Billy Napier and the Gators landed three players in the last 48-hours, QB Tramell Jones, OL Daniel Pierre-Louis, and Defensive Tackle Stephon Shivers. On Friday another recruit will visit the Gators, and it is time he enters our RedZone as well. Jahari Medlock. Medlock made an OV to Florida for the Kentucky game - Recap of that trip:

"That game was something I've never expected from just a football game. The whole environment is mesmerizing. My host was Trey Mcguagher, and he was amazing. The facilities were massive and very interesting. They stand pretty high for me, and I took my dad, uncle, and little cousin along with me."

Medlock will return to Gainesville as the Gators host the Rebels at Noon on Saturday. He will bring his mother, father, little sister, and grandma.

Also, Florida fans must pay close attention to Myron Charles and Solomon Thomas. These are not guys I am not ready to move into our RedZone, but things are heating up quickly. I would have told you there was no chance a few weeks ago, but that is how quickly things change on the recruiting trail.

Smart man said you can't deal in absolutes when discussion recruiting.

November 19 - UPDATE - RedZone Back in Action, Trarmell Jones/Stephon Shivers the latest RedZone Members to move into the Commit list and we will have one more do the same today (I believe) when Daniel Pierre Louis makes the same decision.

August 16- UPDATE - Gators At it Again as Moments ago Ben Hanks (RZ Member) announces for the Gators.

August 12 - 2024 - UPDATE - Basketball Standout Cornelius Ingram II picks the Golden & Gators

August 2 - UPDATE - I am adding in 2026 players who have announced for the Gators - We may start adding a few players here and there (26) that we feel UF leads for.

August 1 - UPDATE - We have moved DT Tavorise Brown out of the RZ and into the Commit list - GREAT WORK BY ALL ON THIS ONE

July 31 - UPDATE - Two more from our RedZone have been added to our commit list with Josephy Mbatchou and Demetres Samuel - FYI, we expect to see Samule be part of the class of 2025. The Gators are VERY close to adding another one. This is why we created the RZ in the first place. To "try" and keep you ahead of the game knowing what is going to happen. It is very tough to predict the when so we try and stick with the who. DJ surprised a lot of us not knowing he was going this early but I love the addition to the 2026 class for the Gators...

July 29 - UPDATE - We are adding two new RedZone Members today, both monster DL in the 6-foot-6 & 6-foot-7 range with Josephy and Tavorise. Keep an eye on both of these guys to visit The Swamp again, real real soon. We have also added LB Ty Jackson, maybe it is the meds talking not sure but he is on our list......

July 28 - UPDATE - We are moving forward with another RedZone member - this time Defensive Back Demetres Samuel who should be back in Gainesville very soon.

JULY 21 - UPDATE - RedZone Strikes Again, thanks to all that help with those decision. Great Day to be a Gator as they pick up a HUGE WR in VBIII

JULY 17 - UPDATE - Sometimes when the president has to have medical procedures, they temporarily invoke the 25th amendment to hand off powers of the office to their VP, while unavailable to do so. @Heisman Gator 1 has provided us with an update to our RedZone with Jason's blessing. Vernell Brown will announce his intentions on Sunday the 21st, Billy Napier's birthday, and fellow legacy Ben Hanks Jr. has been added as well.

JULY 5 - UPDATE - Nothing earth shattering, but I did want to go through the RZ & MLL and get all the players updated who have announced so far.

June 29 - UPDATE - Gelsey has been moved up onto the Commit List

June 26 - UPDATE - WR Joshua Moore is off the board as he is a Gator.

JUNE 25 - UPDATE - I am removing Jarquez Carter from the RedZone and I am going with the Canes for him with his July 18th announcement

JUNE 23 - UPDATE - I know the Gators do not have a ton of quantity right now for the class of 2025, but I like the quality of the players who have been announced and the ones we believe are close to announcing. If all goes well, UF should get a couple of more players to go public this month.

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Let's be honest. This is professional football. DJ Lagway is a professional athlete. Florida's success...at least in the immediate and even intermediate future...is tied directly to him. Having said that he has some leverage whether he uses it or not.

Does he have a say in the OC hire? Does he even WANT an OC? How much weight does his opinion carry? Has he many any statements regarding the OC hire?

Any info would be appreciated.

.

ZA on the high top POD hinting at HUGE coaching news coming for the gators. Dude is talking blockbuster. I trust the insiders here more, but man, he’s steadfast in his comments…. @Heisman Gator 1 @bblake08 @JasonHigdon @SRGators @kcflagator talk to us haha.

I realize I don't post as often as I used to, but one little secret about me is I tend to post less when I'm not happy with the program or the leadership of the program. I realize the program is climbing a mountain as a metaphor and I refuse to be the guy who just keeps repeating that we are not yet at the top of the mountain. So, where that often leaves me is making a comment here and there on someone else's thread without fully going all in with my own thread of criticisms. This intro may make more sense later on after you read the rest of the post.

I'll give my thoughts on UF's performance on each of the components of Roster Management, but before I do so I want to lay out on how I view the landscape as we approach the 2025 season. Hoping this provides context for my comments because they will be based on this lens.

Those who have read my comments in the past know I have been ALL IN with Lagway since Day 1 and even advocated for him to start ahead of Mertz. I felt it was Napier's only chance to save his job. Whether it was by choice or not, he did eventually hand it over to Lagway and the season turned around to save Napier for at least 1 more season. Lagway has the potential to be a special QB and may already be that. I'm not sure people realize what an advantage that is for UF. It seems to me College Football is WAY down. I was trying to find the tweet, but couldn't find it but it had some type of analytic team score and the NCAA champion dating back to 2017 or so was WEAKER than the previous year and that trend continued through the 2023 season. I expect that trend to continue. These tams in the Playoffs are extremely flawed. WE ARE NOT AS FAR AWAY AS MANY THINK, not so much do our progress but the top tier has receded probably due to the Portal which makes it hard to keep talented players waiting to play on the bench, thus making them vulnerable to injuries and less competition for starting roles. So, here we are with a strong finish to the 2024 season and we likely have just 2 more seasons with our likely Special QB that will be nearly impossible to replace.


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If I haven't sold you yet on focusing on the short term, let's also factor in that the late season surge to finish to 8-5 does not at all remove the pressure to win in 2025. He was given another year because we could not absorb a $26M buyout and the the late season surge just makes that decision to allow him to return more digestible. WE STILL NEED TO WIN IN 2025, preferably more than 8 wins we won in 2024. OK , so focusing on the 2 year window due to Lagway is also consistent with the needing to win in 2025 to continue to save Napier's regime.


So, how do you maximize the 2 year window?

• Retain your best and experienced players
• Create room by getting rid of non-performers and highly ranked players who have not performed to level of pay
• Prioritize Portal over HS. 2025 HS kids will only have a small impact on the 2025 season

How did we do on each of these 3?

Retain your best and experienced players:
Overall they did a fantastic job with this. Keeping Slaughter, Barber and George on the OL. Getting Banks to return. Holding onto Baugh and Jakobi. They also kept the guys who appear close to breaking through: Dijon, Mizell, Kam James, LJ McCray, Gates, Jayden Robinson, Chiles, Graham, D'Antre, Boireau, etc. Also, this may seem obvious but lets give them kudus for Lagway too. In this environment you should not assume your starting QB will return and they did what they have to at least get 1 more season from him (fingers crossed for 2 more). Yes lost a couple of guys to the Portal who would have helped in 2025, but that is to be expected and it could be argued that they fell into one of two categories: played a position where we have depth or did not perform up to previous pay range. Grade: A-

Create room by getting rid of non-performers and highly ranked players who have not performed to level of pay
As many do I had my own list of players I'd like to see leave to create room. In the past I have said things like we need to see the Rated R Napier and the not PG-13 version and this was one part I have seen that transformation. I had a list of 12-15 guys and realistically hoped half to 2/3 would be moved on, but I have to review it but I swear just about EVERY name on the list was moved on. There's even one who I believe his Mother works at UF and he too left. Grade: A



Prioritize Portal over HS. 2025 HS kids will only have a small impact on the 2025 season:
Ok, by my count with the portal attrition, NFL early entrants and those out eligibility we have cleared room for 33. That leaves plenty of room to sign a reasonably sized class and to portal reasonably hard. In early November I'm told they want to limit signees to 18 because they are aware of the need to win in 2025 (portal).

The table is cleared. Time to get to work.


UF signs 23 on Early Signing Day (12/4). More than originally planned but I'm told as many as 3 signees may be on NIL only, so I'm hopeful but losing a little bit of confidence that they execute the original plan. Portal opens on Monday December 2, UF offers a bunch of kids and sets up more than half dozen official visits. Most of those offers and visit announcements happened in the beginning of the week, than as the week progressed (and ESD transpired) the amount of portal focus (offers, visits set-up) starts waning. Several of those visits canceled (Sowell, Virgil, R.Perry) and we are out-bid for Silver and Poyser. It's fair to point out that ESD brought in more quality than I expected and that bodes well for UF in future years, but if 2025 doesn't go well, Napier is absolutely not promised 2026 and many of these signees will depart if a coaching change made after 2025 or 2026. It's unlikely the fanbase cuts Napier any slack in 2025 performance due to the strong finish to the 2025 class.

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I had hoped we would trim from the class some that we had added earlier with the expectation we would not finish as strong as we did. Unfortunately, that did not happen, instead we saw things like 3 RB's signed which defies any logic. We then added 2 more signees: 5 star Dallas Wilson (you NEVER say No to someone with this much talent) and a TE previously committed to Penn. That would be a 6th TE if you include Caleb Rillos of which only Rillos will be Senior in 2025. About to take a 26th HS recruit in Onis. We need a GM.



We pickup 4 from the Portal. Purdie was as good as we could expect to pickup to backup Lagway with his athletic ability and some experience. Sturdivant was a nice pickup and has shown enough over his 3 years that it's possible he could break-out like Badger and Dike did. I like the idea of taking a veteran punter so we are not totally reliant on a Freshman punter. Can't say Doman is or is not the right one to take but this is the type of contingency planning you make to improve your changes for playoff contention. I'm a little underwhelmed with Asare's UMass production but should be a nice depth piece. I'm a little concerned we have not added enough to the defense and are too reliant on the returnees and the high schools kids to make-up for what we have lost on that side of the ball: Cam Jackson, Jason Marshall, Jack Pyburn, Shemar James, Trikweze Bridges, TJ Searcy, Dez Watson, Joey Slackman, Ja'keem Jackson, DJ Douglas, Asa Turner, and Wingo. I realize quite a few of these kids made little to no impact but presumably they were better options than the ones behind them which makes me concerned on the reliance on these others. So far, this has not been the approach of someone trying to maximize their playoff run. I currently have our count at 83, with 47 of the 83 being from either the 2024 or 2025 classes. If you include the 2023 class (going into their 3rd season) the number jumps to 64. Typically contending teams either focus on supreme talent or supreme experience (22-24 year olds) or mixture of both with a strong QB to contend. Had been hopeful we would be a little more advanced in that matrix to this point.

Preliminary grade: C (there is still time to add a few impactful pieces)

What happened to the Original Plan (small class, large portal)?
I don't have the answers, just lots of questions.
Was the Original Plan what they viewed as optimal or was it just an acknowledgement that recruiting wasn't going well so they would focus on Portal to fill the roster?
Did the larger ESD count and presumably more $ spent of HS than originally planned change the portal approach?
Did player retention end up costing more than expected thus forcing an adjustment away from portal (costs more but more immediate results)?
Did the strong late season surge encourage Napier to focus more on the long term since he no longer views his seat as being HOT in the short term?
Media portrayed that the buyout money (never existed) would be repurposed for new players when Napier brought back, should UF admin clarified that the money didn't exist and we would need new funds to portal hard? They seem to enjoy the validation of their decision ignoring it was false (no buyout money to reappropriate) and expressed to fanbase more money was not needed.
Are there really 3 signees who will be NIL only, which would mean 80 instead of 83? Doesn't feel like it.
Was a decision made to prioritize the 2026 run when the schedule is presumably more favorable?

Why did I post this?
My initial thought was to keep quiet and see how things shake out, we have 3ish weeks to get players to enroll for Spring Semester. I the last day or so I've been second-guessing this approach and given the high profile of some members of this site (a testament to the site Higdon has built) I'm hoping we can encourage some late stage changes and for all of us to acknowledge we have a unique situation here with Lagway and we may want to make decisions that are appropriate to this reality that we would not make otherwise.