Apparently you can't have over 10,000 characters, so I split this up into two threads... here is 6 through 10 and the just missed list...
#6 Kai-Leon Herbert (T) 6’4”, 279lbs / Plantation, FL
- REASON: Offensive tackle is arguably the most important position still left to fill for this class. If David Sharpe decides to bolt early for the NFL Draft, Florida will be very thin at tackle, and will likely have to hope Martez Ivey can improve his pass blocking ability in a hurry. The first tackle to make this list is Michigan commit Kai-Leon Herbert. While Herbert continues to gain weight, it is obvious the potential he contains at tackle. He looks very flexible, as he bends well before firing out into his defender. He is very athletic as well, showing nimble feet and a solid motor getting to any defender he isn’t lined up over. He may not be an immediate impact player, but he is a player who has NFL caliber potential a year or two into college.
- TREND: 60% Michigan, 40% Florida… While Herbert may be committed to Michigan, Florida received a recent visit from the big man. Things are heating back up for the one time Florida lean. If Herbert visits Florida again, a flip may very well be in the works. Herbert is Florida’s best shot at adding another solid tackle for the class, and they will battle Michigan until the end.
#7 Alex Leatherwood (T) 6’5”, 298lbs / Pensacola, FL
- REASON: Leatherwood would be ranked much higher if this list was based solely on talent. Big, strong, long, athletic, mean, aggressive… the list goes on when finding elite traits in Leatherwood. Freshman don’t normally come in to college ready to play at the tackle position, but I’d be willing to wager Leatherwood will see the field early and often regardless of where he goes. He already has NFL size, and is perhaps even more impressive when watching him on tape. He is aggressive getting into his blocks, with long arms and big hands. Once he gets his hands on the defender, there’s a good chance you’ll see that defender flying backwards or on the ground very quickly. He is also impressive getting out of his stance in pass blocking situation, showing excellent ability to slide his feet and set his base upon impact.
- TREND: 90% Alabama, 10% other… Leatherwood is solely on this list due to his ability, and his consistent flirting with Florida. But until he shows the initiative to get over to Gainesville, the Alabama commit is all but locked up to the Tide in my mind.
#8 Calvin Ashley (T) 6’8”, 311lbs / Washington, D.C.
- REASON: It’s hard to find a player with a more impressive frame than Ashley. At 6’8” with long arms and an athletic build, Ashley is a first off the bus type at the next level. He can also play some football, as he contains everything a team could want in an elite left tackle. He’s long, he’s quick, he’s strong, and he’s athletic. He isn’t as explosive as Leatherwood firing off the ball, but he is extremely impressive as a run blocker. He shows good bend, and a very strong lower body. The primary concern here is the amount of transfers he’s had in high school, leading one to wonder if there are any red flags following Ashley around.
- TREND: Auburn 60%, 20% Florida, 20% Maryland… Ashley likely isn’t going anywhere barring a coaching change at Auburn, but that remains a strong possibility after Auburn’s start to the season. Florida is likely tied with Maryland for second.
#9 Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR) 6’1”, 188lbs / Detroit, MI
- REASON: If this list was based on talent, Peoples-Jones would be in the top 3. The electric receiver has speed to burn, and solid size to add to it. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat to take it to the house. Peoples-Jones will be an immediate impact player not only at wide receiver, but as a returner as well. In a new era of college football where spread football has taken over, DPJ is everything a coach could dream of at the receiver position.
- TREND: 50% Michigan, 30% Ohio State, 20% other… DPJ is rather wide open at the moment, and he has legitimate interest in Florida. He plans on officially visiting. It will be hard to beat out either of the two northern schools however.
#10 Rahyme Johnson (LB) 6’4”, 196lbs / Los Angeles, CA
- REASON: Even though Florida has 5 freshman linebackers on roster, and 2 currently committed, they are still in need of another body to add depth to a 2017 roster that could have zero upperclassmen if Alex Anzalone declares. Johnson is the perfect take for UF. He is long and extremely athletic, even playing some cornerback in high school. He shows no fear coming in to hit someone, although form needs to be worked on. Johnson plays with the tenacity that Geoff Collins loves in his linebackers. Although on the lighter side currently, Johnson’s frame looks like it could support another 30 or 40 pounds quickly.
- TREND: 35% Florida, 35 % Texas A&M, 30% other… The former UCLA commit is wide open currently. Working in Florida’s favor is the commitment of good friend Elijah Blades. Texas A&M is dangerous here, and a potential Oregon offer could change things as well.
JUST MISSED: Caleb Chandler (T), Grant Delpit (S), Henry Ruggs (WR), Markaviest Bryant (DE), Ambry Thomas (CB)
#6 Kai-Leon Herbert (T) 6’4”, 279lbs / Plantation, FL
- REASON: Offensive tackle is arguably the most important position still left to fill for this class. If David Sharpe decides to bolt early for the NFL Draft, Florida will be very thin at tackle, and will likely have to hope Martez Ivey can improve his pass blocking ability in a hurry. The first tackle to make this list is Michigan commit Kai-Leon Herbert. While Herbert continues to gain weight, it is obvious the potential he contains at tackle. He looks very flexible, as he bends well before firing out into his defender. He is very athletic as well, showing nimble feet and a solid motor getting to any defender he isn’t lined up over. He may not be an immediate impact player, but he is a player who has NFL caliber potential a year or two into college.
- TREND: 60% Michigan, 40% Florida… While Herbert may be committed to Michigan, Florida received a recent visit from the big man. Things are heating back up for the one time Florida lean. If Herbert visits Florida again, a flip may very well be in the works. Herbert is Florida’s best shot at adding another solid tackle for the class, and they will battle Michigan until the end.
#7 Alex Leatherwood (T) 6’5”, 298lbs / Pensacola, FL
- REASON: Leatherwood would be ranked much higher if this list was based solely on talent. Big, strong, long, athletic, mean, aggressive… the list goes on when finding elite traits in Leatherwood. Freshman don’t normally come in to college ready to play at the tackle position, but I’d be willing to wager Leatherwood will see the field early and often regardless of where he goes. He already has NFL size, and is perhaps even more impressive when watching him on tape. He is aggressive getting into his blocks, with long arms and big hands. Once he gets his hands on the defender, there’s a good chance you’ll see that defender flying backwards or on the ground very quickly. He is also impressive getting out of his stance in pass blocking situation, showing excellent ability to slide his feet and set his base upon impact.
- TREND: 90% Alabama, 10% other… Leatherwood is solely on this list due to his ability, and his consistent flirting with Florida. But until he shows the initiative to get over to Gainesville, the Alabama commit is all but locked up to the Tide in my mind.
#8 Calvin Ashley (T) 6’8”, 311lbs / Washington, D.C.
- REASON: It’s hard to find a player with a more impressive frame than Ashley. At 6’8” with long arms and an athletic build, Ashley is a first off the bus type at the next level. He can also play some football, as he contains everything a team could want in an elite left tackle. He’s long, he’s quick, he’s strong, and he’s athletic. He isn’t as explosive as Leatherwood firing off the ball, but he is extremely impressive as a run blocker. He shows good bend, and a very strong lower body. The primary concern here is the amount of transfers he’s had in high school, leading one to wonder if there are any red flags following Ashley around.
- TREND: Auburn 60%, 20% Florida, 20% Maryland… Ashley likely isn’t going anywhere barring a coaching change at Auburn, but that remains a strong possibility after Auburn’s start to the season. Florida is likely tied with Maryland for second.
#9 Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR) 6’1”, 188lbs / Detroit, MI
- REASON: If this list was based on talent, Peoples-Jones would be in the top 3. The electric receiver has speed to burn, and solid size to add to it. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat to take it to the house. Peoples-Jones will be an immediate impact player not only at wide receiver, but as a returner as well. In a new era of college football where spread football has taken over, DPJ is everything a coach could dream of at the receiver position.
- TREND: 50% Michigan, 30% Ohio State, 20% other… DPJ is rather wide open at the moment, and he has legitimate interest in Florida. He plans on officially visiting. It will be hard to beat out either of the two northern schools however.
#10 Rahyme Johnson (LB) 6’4”, 196lbs / Los Angeles, CA
- REASON: Even though Florida has 5 freshman linebackers on roster, and 2 currently committed, they are still in need of another body to add depth to a 2017 roster that could have zero upperclassmen if Alex Anzalone declares. Johnson is the perfect take for UF. He is long and extremely athletic, even playing some cornerback in high school. He shows no fear coming in to hit someone, although form needs to be worked on. Johnson plays with the tenacity that Geoff Collins loves in his linebackers. Although on the lighter side currently, Johnson’s frame looks like it could support another 30 or 40 pounds quickly.
- TREND: 35% Florida, 35 % Texas A&M, 30% other… The former UCLA commit is wide open currently. Working in Florida’s favor is the commitment of good friend Elijah Blades. Texas A&M is dangerous here, and a potential Oregon offer could change things as well.
JUST MISSED: Caleb Chandler (T), Grant Delpit (S), Henry Ruggs (WR), Markaviest Bryant (DE), Ambry Thomas (CB)
