Factored into the rankings are: Talent, Interest in Florida, Position of Need, Immediate Impact as an Underclassmen, and a few other things...
(Again, had to split threads due to character limit. 6 though 10 is in another thread)
#1 Shaun Wade (CB) 6’2”, 179lbs / Jacksonville, FL
- REASON: Despite being committed to Ohio State, and also having Alabama to compete for a flip with, Wade tops the list because of one major reason, he is an immediate impact player at a position Florida could be extremely thin at next season. The likely departure of Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson as early entrants in the NFL Draft seems eminent, leaving the Gators with no proven outside corners heading into the 2017 season. While Florida has landed 3 very good CB prospects, non are currently on the level of Wade, who is arguably the best CB in the nation.
- TREND: 55% OSU, 25% Alabama, 20% Florida… Wade has strong interest in Florida, despite being a little higher on arguably the top two programs in the country at the moment. If Wade and his parents continue to visit Gainesville, this could be a potential late flip for Florida.
#2 Jarez Parks(DE) 6’5”, 255lbs / Sebastian, FL
- REASON: Defense wins championships, and a dominant defensive line is the foundation for a good defense. Parks is far and away the top defensive line prospect the Gators currently have on their board; a board surprisingly thin on defensive ends. With Zachary Carter potentially growing into a 3-technique down the line, it is crucial the Gators get a true end this class. Parks not only fits the bill, but he and his family grew up fans of the Gators. While Parks wasn’t very active in camps, it’s easy to put on the highlight tape and see the potential he brings. Extremely athletic for his frame, Parks has a lot of potential as a pass rusher. He also is impressive in the open field, where he flips his hips very well, and covers ground quick.
- TREND: 50% Alabama, 25% Florida, 25% Florida State… Despite being a fan of Florida, Parks seems to keep finding ways to make it to Alabama, while not being able to make it to a school much closer to him. Alabama also reportedly feels confident. Florida needs to find a way to swing things in their favor once Parks takes his recruitment more seriously.
#3 James Robinson (WR) 6’3”, 198lbs / Lakeland, FL
- REASON: While Robinson reportedly has off the field issues that allegedly is scaring off bigger schools, he also has the skillset that should keep them around. Robinson has an impressive size and speed combination, at 6’3” and blistering quick. He has impressive open field abilities for a larger receiver as well, showing off elite agility for a possession sized receiver. It is no secret Florida has been lacking playmakers over the past 6 or so years, and the 2016 class was a nice start on an overhaul at a position Florida has struggled at. Robinson is arguably better than any receiver the Gators landed that class, potentially leading to him being an immediate impact type his freshman season if he were to commit to the Orange and Blue.
- TREND: 70% Florida, 20% Alabama, 10% other… While it may not be publicized, I feel Robinson is extremely close to lock status to be in the Gators class. He comes from a major pipeline in Lakeland High School, and the Gators staff is after him hard. Whatever he has going on behind the scenes that allegedly has schools backing off, it hasn’t stopped UF from recruiting him.
#4 Brad Stewart (S) 6’0”, 194lbs / New Orleans, LA
- REASON: If Florida wants to keep the run of elite safeties they’ve had, they need to sign some big time players at the position this cycle. While it’s possible, and perhaps likely, that a current cornerback on the roster makes the switch to safety, Florida is only slated to have 4 safeties on scholarship as things stand right now. Securing at least one elite safety this class will go a long way in securing the back end of the defense in years to come. Brad Stewart looks to be exactly that. Stewart plays a lot of corner in high school, but his game transitions to safety at the next level. The most impressive thing about Stewart is his willingness to come in and hit the opposing player. He is a fluid athlete, with solid size, and the frame to fill out even more.
- TREND: 50% Florida, 40% LSU, 10% other … It’s hard to pick a kid from Louisiana to go to Florida, and it seems every year there is one or two Louisiana natives who either commit, or almost commit to Florida, and wind up at LSU. Stewart may very well be that player this cycle. Florida looks to be out front, as he seems to be offended by LSU offering so late relative to other schools.
#5 Devon Hunter (S) 6’1”, 204lbs / Chesapeake, VA
- REASON: {Enter everything just posted about the need for safety in the Brad Stewart explanation}. Devon Hunter is a big time safety prospect, he looks like a linebacker on the field, but has exceptional athleticism that puts no doubt into the fact his future position lies at safety. While Hunter is a bigger safety who can lay the wood, his coverage ability might be his best trait currently. Showing fluid hips and a knack to be around the ball, Hunter will line up all over the field at the next level, and Gator fans know how much Geoff Collins and company enjoy that capability in their safeties. He is an immediate impact player in the defensive backfield, and on special teams.
TREND: 45% Virginia Tech, 40% Florida, 15% UNC… If you look back at all successful teams at Florida, there is always a starter or two from the mid-Atlantic region. Hunter looks to be their best shot this cycle at landing a DMV prospect. Virginia Tech has long been the front-runner, but Florida has come on strong.
(Again, had to split threads due to character limit. 6 though 10 is in another thread)
#1 Shaun Wade (CB) 6’2”, 179lbs / Jacksonville, FL
- REASON: Despite being committed to Ohio State, and also having Alabama to compete for a flip with, Wade tops the list because of one major reason, he is an immediate impact player at a position Florida could be extremely thin at next season. The likely departure of Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson as early entrants in the NFL Draft seems eminent, leaving the Gators with no proven outside corners heading into the 2017 season. While Florida has landed 3 very good CB prospects, non are currently on the level of Wade, who is arguably the best CB in the nation.
- TREND: 55% OSU, 25% Alabama, 20% Florida… Wade has strong interest in Florida, despite being a little higher on arguably the top two programs in the country at the moment. If Wade and his parents continue to visit Gainesville, this could be a potential late flip for Florida.
#2 Jarez Parks(DE) 6’5”, 255lbs / Sebastian, FL
- REASON: Defense wins championships, and a dominant defensive line is the foundation for a good defense. Parks is far and away the top defensive line prospect the Gators currently have on their board; a board surprisingly thin on defensive ends. With Zachary Carter potentially growing into a 3-technique down the line, it is crucial the Gators get a true end this class. Parks not only fits the bill, but he and his family grew up fans of the Gators. While Parks wasn’t very active in camps, it’s easy to put on the highlight tape and see the potential he brings. Extremely athletic for his frame, Parks has a lot of potential as a pass rusher. He also is impressive in the open field, where he flips his hips very well, and covers ground quick.
- TREND: 50% Alabama, 25% Florida, 25% Florida State… Despite being a fan of Florida, Parks seems to keep finding ways to make it to Alabama, while not being able to make it to a school much closer to him. Alabama also reportedly feels confident. Florida needs to find a way to swing things in their favor once Parks takes his recruitment more seriously.
#3 James Robinson (WR) 6’3”, 198lbs / Lakeland, FL
- REASON: While Robinson reportedly has off the field issues that allegedly is scaring off bigger schools, he also has the skillset that should keep them around. Robinson has an impressive size and speed combination, at 6’3” and blistering quick. He has impressive open field abilities for a larger receiver as well, showing off elite agility for a possession sized receiver. It is no secret Florida has been lacking playmakers over the past 6 or so years, and the 2016 class was a nice start on an overhaul at a position Florida has struggled at. Robinson is arguably better than any receiver the Gators landed that class, potentially leading to him being an immediate impact type his freshman season if he were to commit to the Orange and Blue.
- TREND: 70% Florida, 20% Alabama, 10% other… While it may not be publicized, I feel Robinson is extremely close to lock status to be in the Gators class. He comes from a major pipeline in Lakeland High School, and the Gators staff is after him hard. Whatever he has going on behind the scenes that allegedly has schools backing off, it hasn’t stopped UF from recruiting him.
#4 Brad Stewart (S) 6’0”, 194lbs / New Orleans, LA
- REASON: If Florida wants to keep the run of elite safeties they’ve had, they need to sign some big time players at the position this cycle. While it’s possible, and perhaps likely, that a current cornerback on the roster makes the switch to safety, Florida is only slated to have 4 safeties on scholarship as things stand right now. Securing at least one elite safety this class will go a long way in securing the back end of the defense in years to come. Brad Stewart looks to be exactly that. Stewart plays a lot of corner in high school, but his game transitions to safety at the next level. The most impressive thing about Stewart is his willingness to come in and hit the opposing player. He is a fluid athlete, with solid size, and the frame to fill out even more.
- TREND: 50% Florida, 40% LSU, 10% other … It’s hard to pick a kid from Louisiana to go to Florida, and it seems every year there is one or two Louisiana natives who either commit, or almost commit to Florida, and wind up at LSU. Stewart may very well be that player this cycle. Florida looks to be out front, as he seems to be offended by LSU offering so late relative to other schools.
#5 Devon Hunter (S) 6’1”, 204lbs / Chesapeake, VA
- REASON: {Enter everything just posted about the need for safety in the Brad Stewart explanation}. Devon Hunter is a big time safety prospect, he looks like a linebacker on the field, but has exceptional athleticism that puts no doubt into the fact his future position lies at safety. While Hunter is a bigger safety who can lay the wood, his coverage ability might be his best trait currently. Showing fluid hips and a knack to be around the ball, Hunter will line up all over the field at the next level, and Gator fans know how much Geoff Collins and company enjoy that capability in their safeties. He is an immediate impact player in the defensive backfield, and on special teams.
TREND: 45% Virginia Tech, 40% Florida, 15% UNC… If you look back at all successful teams at Florida, there is always a starter or two from the mid-Atlantic region. Hunter looks to be their best shot this cycle at landing a DMV prospect. Virginia Tech has long been the front-runner, but Florida has come on strong.
