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2023 Football Recruiting Classs

instaGATOR

Bull Gator
May 29, 2001
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247 Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023 Class:

#20 Ath Aaron Gates 6-0 180 **** - Sharpsburg, GA - Committed

=====

I don't have any idea how correct the predictions are,
or when they were last updated, so it's just for some off-season fodder....


DL/DE Kamran James 6-6.5 265 NR - 100%

DL Derrick LeBlanc 6-4 270 **** - 100%

CB Cormani McClain 6-1.5 165 ***** - 100%

OT Bryce Lovett 6-5 330 *** - 100%

Ath Eugene Wilson III 5-11 165 **** - 100%

WR Bryson Rdgers 6-2 170 *** - 100%

Ath/WR/QB Creed Whittemore 5-11.5 175 *** - 100%

OT Tommy Kinsler 6-6 330 *** - 100%

CB Sharif Denson 5-11 170 **** - 100%

OT Ja'Kavion Nonar 6-7 285 *** - 100% (currently committed to Maryland)

=====

CB AJ Harris 6-1 180 ***** - 81.8%

RB TreVonte' Citizen 6-0 217 **** - 75% (currently committed to scUM)

RB Treyaun Webb 6-1 205 **** - 66.7%

OT Payton Kirkland 6-7 345 **** - 66.7%

Feel free to post any additions or corrections to the list, or make comments on those listed.
 
247 Crystal Ball Gator's (update 4-28-22):

CB Cormani McClain 6-1.5 165 ***** - 100%

WR Aidan Mizell 6-2 180 **** - 100%

IOL Knijeah Harris 6-3 335 **** - 100%

DL Derrick LeBlanc 6-4 270 **** - 100%

WR Eugene Wilson 5-11 165 **** - 100%

WR Creed Whittemore 5-11.5 175 - 100%

DB Sharif Denson 5-11 170 **** - 100%

OT Bryce Lovett 6-5 330 *** - 100%

OT Tommy Kinsler 6-6 330 *** - 100%
=====
RB Treyaun Webb 6-1 205 **** - 78% UF - 11% OU - 11% UGly

CB AJ Harris 6-1 180 ***** - 71% UF - 14% CU - 14% UGly

OT Peyton Krikland 6-6 345 **** - 67% UF - 33% scUM
=====

Just a FYI on past recruiting classes:
2018 Recruits (20) that are still on UF's 2022 Roster (6):

DB/S Trey Dean III Sr
ILB Anthony Burney Sr
OL Richard Gouraige rsJr
OLB David Reese rsJr
TE/DE Dante Zanders rsJr
TE/OL/DL Griffin McDowell rsJr

I didn't list NFL ED's or xfer-outs....
 
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247 Crystal Ball Gator's (update 4-28-22):

CB Cormani McClain 6-1.5 165 ***** - 100%

WR Aidan Mizell 6-2 180 **** - 100%

IOL Knijeah Harris 6-3 335 **** - 100%

DL Derrick LeBlanc 6-4 270 **** - 100%

WR Eugene Wilson 5-11 165 **** - 100%

WR Creed Whittemore 5-11.5 175 - 100%

DB Sharif Denson 5-11 170 **** - 100%

OT Bryce Lovett 6-5 330 *** - 100%

OT Tommy Kinsler 6-6 330 *** - 100%
=====
RB Treyaun Webb 6-1 205 **** - 78% UF - 11% OU - 11% UGly

CB AJ Harris 6-1 180 ***** - 71% UF - 14% CU - 14% UGly

OT Peyton Krikland 6-6 345 **** - 67% UF - 33% scUM
=====

Just a FYI on past recruiting classes:
2018 Recruits (20) that are still on UF's 2022 Roster (6):

DB/S Trey Dean III Sr
ILB Anthony Burney Sr
OL Richard Gouraige rsJr
OLB David Reese rsJr
TE/DE Dante Zanders rsJr
TE/OL/DL Griffin McDowell rsJr

I didn't list NFL ED's or xfer-outs....
It would be great to get those and steal a few more.
 
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It's incredible how many big time players Napier has gotten to campus and appears to have many of them interested in coming to Gainesville. We'll just have to see how many he can close the deal on by getting them to put on the blue hat on signing day.
 
Just an off-season FYI....

Top 10 Draft Picks HS Recruit Rankings, stars, position/overall:

1. DE ***** 3/22

2. DE **** 6/112

3. CB ***** 1/3

4. CB *** 0/1672

5. DE ***** 2/2

6. OG *** 36/612

7. OT ***** 1/7

8. WR **** 35/247

9. OT ***** 5/27

10. WR ***** 2/20

6 ***** - 2 **** - 2 ***
=====

2022 NFL Drafted Gators
1/22 CB Elam - Buffalo
(56 Gators have been taken in the 1st Rnd, for #6 NCAA All Time)

3/95 DE Carter - Cincy
4/107 RB Pierce - Houston
 
Just an off-season FYI....

Top 10 Draft Picks HS Recruit Rankings, stars, position/overall:

1. DE ***** 3/22

2. DE **** 6/112

3. CB ***** 1/3

4. CB *** 0/1672

5. DE ***** 2/2

6. OG *** 36/612

7. OT ***** 1/7

8. WR **** 35/247

9. OT ***** 5/27

10. WR ***** 2/20

6 ***** - 2 **** - 2 ***
=====

2022 NFL Drafted Gators
1/22 CB Elam - Buffalo
(56 Gators have been taken in the 1st Rnd, for #6 NCAA All Time)

3/95 DE Carter - Cincy
4/107 RB Pierce - Houston

Maybe Moon will get drafted to give us a 4th guy.
 
NFL Draft:

1/23 Kaiir Elam -- Buffalo
3/95 Carter -- Bengals
4/107 Pierce -- Texans
=====

Free Agent Signings:

RB Malik Davis -- Cowboys
OT Jean Delance -- Bears
OLB/DE Jeremiah Moon -- Ravens
DT Antonio Valentino -- Giants
DT Tyrone Tuesdell -- Giants
=====

Still Looking:

LB Lacedrick Burnson
K Jace Christmann
DL Daquan Newkirk
OL Stewart Reese
DB Nicolas Sutton
WR Rick Wells
 
Georgia had 15 players selected in the NFL draft, including 5 defensive players in the 1st round - both draft records. Shows how wide the talent gap has gotten between Florida & Georgia. Napier has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?
 
Georgia had 15 players selected in the NFL draft, including 5 defensive players in the 1st round - both draft records. Shows how wide the talent gap has gotten between Florida & Georgia. Napier has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?
Yep. Which makes 2020 win impressive
 
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The Florida Gators have been looking at the Junior College ranks for some late members to their 2022 recruiting class. The Gators added a full ride commitment on Tuesday evening from Hutch C.C. offensive tackle Jordan Herman. The Gators had assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton out in the area of Kansas on Monday of this week, where it's likely that Stapleton got to see Herman work out live while he was there to watch the 6-foot-8, 370-pounder. He announced his decision through his twitter account to team up with the Orange and Blue.


 
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2023 Recruiting Class - 5-7-22

#18 IOL Knijeah Harris 6-3 327 **** - Port St Lucie, FL - IMG

#19 Ath Aaron Gates 6-0 180 **** - Sharpsburg, GA (CB/WR)

#33 WR Creed Whittemore 5-11.5 175 *** - Gainesville, FL (10.90 100M)

#80 WR Tyree Patterson 6-2 175 *** - Eustis, FL (way under-rated)
 
2023 Recruiting Class - 5-16-22

#18 IOL Knijeah Harris 6-3 327 **** - Port St Lucie, FL - IMG

#19 Ath Aaron Gates 6-0 180 **** - Sharpsburg, GA (CB/WR)

#33 WR Creed Whittemore 5-11.5 175 *** - Gainesville, FL (10.90 100M)

#61 OT Bryce Lovett 6-5 330 *** - Rockledge, FL

#80 WR Tyree Patterson 6-2 175 *** - Eustis, FL (way under-rated)
 
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With 90 ships, needing to drop 5 by the start of Fall practice, instead ole Nappy brings in what will be the way lowest rated WR on the roster....

2022 #151 WR Ricky Pearsall 6-1 200 *** Jr - (AzSt xfer 2019)
(well, maybe he'll be an under-rated 'hidden-gem' recruit)
 
With 90 ships, needing to drop 5 by the start of Fall practice, instead ole Nappy brings in what will be the way lowest rated WR on the roster....

2022 #151 WR Ricky Pearsall 6-1 200 *** Jr - (AzSt xfer 2019)
(well, maybe he'll be an under-rated 'hidden-gem' recruit)
Lowest rated transfer WR? Guy had almost 600 yards at ASU
 
If Pearsall is that bad, what does that say about the wide receivers already on our roster? He's going to jump ahead of most of them right away and, barring injury, will be one of the starting 4 with Shorter, Whittemore & Henderson. High school rankings mean nothing by the time a guy has already played a couple of years at a P5 school.
 
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Pearsall will likely be one of the top 3-4 WRs on the team as soon as he steps foot on campus.
 
I'm not sure how the dozen+ receivers already on the roster will take to these SI comments:

" First off, standing at 6-1 200 pounds, #151 WR Pearsall has a developed frame that will allow him to make tough contested catches over the middle of the field and absorb contact."

#113 WR Jordan Pouncey 6-1 210 rsSr - Tx xfer (#68 WR by Scout)
An all-purpose player who played at WR, RB, and on defense in HS.
>>> Named a Florida Class 8A first-team All-State utility player.
https://floridagators.com/sports/football/roster/jordan-pouncey/15228

And he's yet to break into the starting lineup at UF....

"While Florida has plenty of size and straight-line speed in the receiver room, the Gators lack someone that can separate through their routes and that has wiggle after the catch to make defenders miss and Pearsall brings that."

He's had wiggle and speed vs LAC-12 defenses, but he's now coming into the SEC...
In his 3 LAC-12 seasons (30 Gms), he's accumulated 61 for 794 yds and 5 TD's. (Ho-Hum)
AzSt has gone 18-12 over his 3 seasons there.


I have nothing against Pearsall and I hope he does well at UF, but I'll be pleasantly surprised if he makes any kind of a real impact in 2022.

If you happen to read this Ricky, I hope that you use it as incentive to prove me incorrect in a big way....
😉


PS -- The HS rankings don't mean squat now, but a scouting report by the same kinds of people are now solid gold, right?
😏
 
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Not sure what his numbers will be but he should get quite a bit of playing time. I think Napier ran a lot of 2 TE sets at his last job so the receivers may not be used quite as much as we even did last year though.
 
In Nappy's 12 with 2 TE's, there are only 2 WR's.

So, who is Pearsall going to beat out for starter, or just for 'quite a bit' of playing time?

Ricky Pearsall 6-1 200 Jr *** - 2021 starter
30 Gms - 61 for 794, Ave 13.0, 5 TD's, L-29 (spd & wiggle?)

Justin Shorter 6-5 228 rsJr Grad ***** SEC-HR - starter
25 Gms - 66 for 818, 12.4 Ave, 6 TD's, L-52

Xzavier Hernderson 6-3 193 So **** - backup
24 Gms - 35 for 425, 12.1 Ave, 3 TD's, L-43

Trent Whittemore 6-4 210 rsSo **** SEC-HR - backup
22 Gms - 29 for 338, 11.7 Ave, 2 TD's, L-45

With a good collection of 3-4 stars behind them. 2-3 with at least a little UF game experience.
 
Need some Oline depth. Thats a big dude.

OL Jordan Herman 6-8 370 - KS JuCo xfer

OG/OT Nicolas Flynn 6-4 310 - PWO - Lake Forest, ILL

OG/OC Jackson Crozier 6-4 275 - PWO - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

OLB Bryce Capers 6-4 219 *** - PWO - Jacksonville, FL
 
In Nappy's 12 with 2 TE's, there are only 2 WR's.

So, who is Pearsall going to beat out for starter, or just for 'quite a bit' of playing time?

Ricky Pearsall 6-1 200 Jr *** - 2021 starter
30 Gms - 61 for 794, Ave 13.0, 5 TD's, L-29 (spd & wiggle?)

Justin Shorter 6-5 228 rsJr Grad ***** SEC-HR - starter
25 Gms - 66 for 818, 12.4 Ave, 6 TD's, L-52

Xzavier Hernderson 6-3 193 So **** - backup
24 Gms - 35 for 425, 12.1 Ave, 3 TD's, L-43

Trent Whittemore 6-4 210 rsSo **** SEC-HR - backup
22 Gms - 29 for 338, 11.7 Ave, 2 TD's, L-45

With a good collection of 3-4 stars behind them. 2-3 with at least a little UF game experience.

Probably mostly competing with Whittemore for snaps when a slot receiver is in there.
 
Probably mostly competing with Whittemore for snaps when a slot receiver is in there.
If so, my money's on Whittemore, (either one of them in 2023)....

Receivers that I already like better than Pearsall:

Ja'Markis Weston 6-3 216 rsSo
Ja'Quavion Fraziars 6-3 212 So
Daejon Reynolds 6-2 208 So
Marcus Burke 6-4 183 rsFr
Kahieil Jackson 6-3 213 rsFr

Plus: - Slot

TE Nick Elksnis 6-6 232 rsFr
OR
WR/CB Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 166 So

RB Wright coming out of the backfield or in the slot.

Trying to guess where Ricky will fit in, is beyond me for the moment.... As always, we'll see....
 
If so, my money's on Whittemore, (either one of them in 2023)....

Receivers that I already like better than Pearsall:

Ja'Markis Weston 6-3 216 rsSo
Ja'Quavion Fraziars 6-3 212 So
Daejon Reynolds 6-2 208 So
Marcus Burke 6-4 183 rsFr
Kahieil Jackson 6-3 213 rsFr

Plus: - Slot

TE Nick Elksnis 6-6 232 rsFr
OR
WR/CB Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 166 So

RB Wright coming out of the backfield or in the slot.

Trying to guess where Ricky will fit in, is beyond me for the moment.... As always, we'll see....

None of them have anything on tape like Pearsall against real competition. Pearsall also will make for some crazy trick plays combined with Richardson. Whittemore might officially be the starter though we will see.
 
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Pearsall ain’t coming to UF to sit on the bench. I’m pretty sure he was ASUs leading WR last year with 48 catches and over 600 yards. AR was a factor in him coming to UF as well. Again he is immediately top 3-4 WR on the depth chart as soon as he steps foot on campus.
 
Pearsall ain’t coming to UF to sit on the bench. I’m pretty sure he was ASUs leading WR last year with 48 catches and over 600 yards. AR was a factor in him coming to UF as well. Again he is immediately top 3-4 WR on the depth chart as soon as he steps foot on campus.
based on production he's top 2.
 
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Pearsall ain’t coming to UF to sit on the bench. I’m pretty sure he was ASUs leading WR last year with 48 catches and over 600 yards. AR was a factor in him coming to UF as well. Again he is immediately top 3-4 WR on the depth chart as soon as he steps foot on campus.

Going into Fall practice, the top 3 Gator WR's in the iG's opinion:

Justin Shorter ------- 6-5 228 rsJr Grad
Trent Whittemore -- 6-4 210 rsSo
Xzavier Hernderson 6-3 193 So

Top 4-7 in the Gator WR room in 2022:

Ja'Markis Weston -- 6-3 216 rsSo
Personally, I'm looking for Ja'Markcus to have a break out season in 22.
In HS, he played both ways, rarely coming off the field.


Ja'Quavion Fraziars 6-3 212 So - will battle Weston for the #4 spot.
Daejon Reynolds --- 6-2 208 So
Fenley Graham Jr -- 5-9 166 So

Where these 2 will fit in the coming rotation is yet to be seen. but I don't think any of them are 'a sure thing' until Fall practice is over and then they've been in a couple of SEC games....
Jordan Pouncey ---- 6-1 210 rsSr
Ricky Pearsall ------- 6-1 200 Jr
Pardon me if I'm not all that impressed with the top *** receiver, on an average team, in the worst P-5 LAC-12 league.... And just wait until little Ricky has to contend with SEC level secondaries, then we'll see how good he is,,, or he isn't....

I'm not saying that he can't get it done, I'm just saying that I'm a bit skeptical, and I'm not willing to throw all of the other Gator roster WR's under the bus, for an unproven (SEC) AzSt xfer.

PS
QB Miller was also supposed to be better than sliced bread, coming from tOSU's bench, and how's that worked out so far??? (both EJ and CDR-W were/are better imo)
 
Going into Fall practice, the top 3 Gator WR's in the iG's opinion:

Justin Shorter ------- 6-5 228 rsJr Grad
Trent Whittemore -- 6-4 210 rsSo
Xzavier Hernderson 6-3 193 So

Top 4-7 in the Gator WR room in 2022:

Ja'Markis Weston -- 6-3 216 rsSo
Personally, I'm looking for Ja'Markcus to have a break out season in 22.
In HS, he played both ways, rarely coming off the field.


Ja'Quavion Fraziars 6-3 212 So - will battle Weston for the #4 spot.
Daejon Reynolds --- 6-2 208 So
Fenley Graham Jr -- 5-9 166 So

Where these 2 will fit in the coming rotation is yet to be seen. but I don't think any of them are 'a sure thing' until Fall practice is over and then they've been in a couple of SEC games....
Jordan Pouncey ---- 6-1 210 rsSr
Ricky Pearsall ------- 6-1 200 Jr
Pardon me if I'm not all that impressed with the top *** receiver, on an average team, in the worst P-5 LAC-12 league.... And just wait until little Ricky has to contend with SEC level secondaries, then we'll see how good he is,,, or he isn't....

I'm not saying that he can't get it done, I'm just saying that I'm a bit skeptical, and I'm not willing to throw all of the other Gator roster WR's under the bus, for an unproven (SEC) AzSt xfer.

PS
QB Miller was also supposed to be better than sliced bread, coming from tOSU's bench, and how's that worked out so far??? (both EJ and CDR-W were/are better imo)
For one nobody said Jack Miller was better than sliced bread! Who said that? He was brought in to basically be a backup. If CDR was better than how come he didn’t beat him out in the spring and ended up transferring? Miller is pretty average but he’s likely better than both Emory Jones and CDR.

And yes Arizona St is a pretty average team but they finished with an 8-5 record last year which was certainly better than us. In addition to that out WR group IMO is pretty average and probably one of the weaker position groups on the team.
 
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WR is a position of need. 3 star in high school that has outperformed his rating. ASU is a power 5 school and this guy was their leading receiver. I feel confident the comp he faced in the Pac 12 was much greater than he faced in high school. He will be our 2nd or 3rd best receiver. None of those other guys have put up those types of numbers in college. High school stats don't matter once a guy shows he can get it done at a major D1 school...
 
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#151 WR Ricky Pearsall ***, in his own transfer words....

“I saw what coach Napier did with several players in the past and what they continue to do in the NFL,” Pearsall said. “That was a big thing for me. I’m not trying to be the type of guy to get to the NFL and just be average. I want to go and do what I do. A lot of his receivers have done that and he’s a winner wherever he goes. He’s going to do what he needs to do to win games and he said he needs me to be a part of that.”

“I told myself when I entered the portal that I wanted to go SEC, you can’t get no better than that,” he said. “That was a big driving force.

“I think that was something that definitely was a big difference. One is Pac-12 and one is SEC. I just think it looks better on my part if I showed that I can play in the SEC instead of solidifying that I can play in the Pac-12. I’m excited to work for it.”


“Florida’s consistency stood out to me a lot,” he said. “They were always talking to me and telling me all the things that could happen for me in the future at that school. I think coach Napier did a tremendous job recruiting me individually. He consistently texted me, he consistently texted my family and it was about football mostly but there were times he was just checking up on me and seeing how I was doing and making sure I was comfortable in the decision I was making. I think that was the biggest part.”

“I know I can do great things at a high level,” Pearsall said. “I think the biggest thing I took away from last year was learning myself. I learned what confidence is and learned what my strengths are and focusing on my weaknesses in the offseason so I can be bulletproof.” (he left out immortal and invulnerable)
😉

“I think what’s next for me is I’m going to go to the SEC and ball out and do what I do and show that I can play against anybody in the nation,” Pearsall said. “That’s what’s next for me. I’m excited to get out there and play ball and go show the world what I can really do. I’ve only shown a glimpse.” (AT THE LEAST, I LIKE HIS MOUTHY SWAG ATTITUDE)

https://247sports.com/college/florida/Article/Florida-football-transfer-Ricky-Pearsall-Billy-Napier-recruiting-NIL-Keary-Colbert-Gators-roster-wide-receiver-187970977/

PS

"For one nobody said Jack Miller was better than sliced bread! Who said that? He was brought in to basically be a backup."

Yeah, and he was placed in front of 3 roster Gator QB's from the get-go, and he was coddled all Spring, (better than sliced bread was not a quote, but apparent by his treatment, but you knew that...) forcing 2 to QB's to xfer out. I still think that Kitna has a better arm, and incoming Max Brown will be #2 behind AR, or the backup 'fix is in' for 2022... -- As always, JMOHO's...

QB xfer Ratings by 247

Jack Miller *** ----- 0.8600 (T) -- (HS) **** 0.8951 (7 of 14 for 50%)
Emory Jones *** - 0.8500 (T) -- (HS) **** 0.9587

So apparently Pearshall's LAC-12 WR production matters,,,,
while EJ's SEC QB production doesn't.... Yep, seems totally fair to me....

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (T) not listed -- (HS) **** 0.9357

Opinions vary, none are wrong (yet), which is fine with me...


 
Looks like WR Pearshall 6-1 200 *** Jr get's some xfer competition for the #4 WR spot....

Just committed to UF and was signed:
WR Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman 6-2 190 Fr *** - Minneapolis, MN. - #1 JuCo WR
Other Xfer Offers: Miss, Neb, PSU, WashSt, U-Mass, FAU, USF, Army.

"They need a guy with my skill set to come do big things, even play special teams," he said. "They plan to move me around between slot and outside. They like my releases, separation at the top of the route, he said he can tell I have good ball skills, I look seasoned and I work hard."

Chiaokhiao-Bowman says he has five years to play four.
 
Looks like WR Pearshall 6-1 200 *** Jr get's some xfer competition for the #4 WR spot....

Just committed to UF and was signed:
WR Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman 6-2 190 Fr *** - Minneapolis, MN. - #1 JuCo WR
Other Xfer Offers: Miss, Neb, PSU, WashSt, U-Mass, FAU, USF, Army.

"They need a guy with my skill set to come do big things, even play special teams," he said. "They plan to move me around between slot and outside. They like my releases, separation at the top of the route, he said he can tell I have good ball skills, I look seasoned and I work hard."

Chiaokhiao-Bowman says he has five years to play four.
Good pickup. We need depth and special teams guys. Big step up for him in comp so may need a year to develop. Like his size and attitude.
 
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