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Friday Night Lights - UPDATED With OL Caden Jones

JasonHigdon

Ring of Honor
Staff
Nov 5, 2021
36,579
104,501
113
11:35 PM Friday Night Lights News/Notes/Quotes:

This trip for me is about one reason - continuing to build the kind of relationships I need to be able to give you all the heads up on things. From that point of view this last 24-hours has been amazing. I was able to get with the exact people I needed to get with during my time in Gainesville so that is great. The fallout from this camp will last well over the next 7-10 days.

I spent a good amount of time with DJ Lagway and his family and holy cow he is put together. He told me 226 and he looked great - can't believe how big he already is. Great family great talks and they are loving every minute of time spent at UF and they will be staying tonight and tomorrow night leaving Sunday. He will get tremendous attention and already has from Billy and O'Hara.

Entire staff was all over Dijon Johson - spent a good amount of time with his father tonight and they are leaving around 2pm Saturday and the BBQ goes from 12-2pm so they will attend that function as well. I mentioned some of these kids already but want to make sure I don't miss anyone so these are kids Napier and the staff were all over tonight. Adarius Hayes, big time WR Jeremiah Smith. Michael Mitchell abused Hayes on one play and Coach Juluke was paying close attention to what MM was doing tonight so we will see if an offer follows. They were all over Devin Smith a LB From Brunswick GA 2024. One player that got as much attention as anyone tonight was 2025 QB Collin Hurley who was wearing 41 Hayes by the way was 128 and Devin Smith was 89 for those keeping track at home. Hurley is from Trinity Christian and looks like he will be special down the road.

Caden Jones OT 6-foot-7, 280-Pounds New Orleans (LA) De La Salle


I love the atmosphere. I got tons of great great energy from the event and the atmosphere. I talked to coach sale, coach Stapleton, coach Napier, and coach juluke

It was great; man, it was just surreal. It was an amazing feeling that you couldn’t explain. You would have to experience it yourself.

Florida, Florida State, Houston, Texas, Texas A&M. (Teams showing the most love)

I have one set up for Florida and Texas A&M. So far, I don’t have a specific date, but it will be sometime in December.

But for the most part, all of them should get one, and if anything changes, I will let you know.

Eugene Wilson WR 5-11/170 Tampa FL Gaither

I wasn’t at the Friday night lights event because I'm recovering from a foot ligament injury right now.

Running out of the tunnel, I expect to see my little own self watching me live it’s dream.

I’m doing rehab exercises right now, just got out of a boot few days ago


Dae’Jon Shanks WR 5-foot-9, 160-Pounds Starke (FL) Bradford 2024

My experience out there was amazing!! I had a great time, learned a lot of great tools and fundamentals from coach Doeker and Colbert that I’ll definitely put in my bag for the future. Man, being under the lights in a huge stadium that I’ve watched on tv since I was a kid is unbelievable. Seeing that I really could be able to play in that type of environment is a blessing! The emotion that I’ll have running out of the swamp tunnel, you can’t even describe. It always been a dream to play at the nevel, and to have orange and blue it would be even better!!!

Ethan Barbour TE/LB 6-foot-3, 215-Pounds Alpharetta (GA) 2025

I spoke to Coach Napier, Coach Mike Peterson, and of course my guys Coach Peagler and Coach Darlington. They have really built a great family atmosphere with a focus on academics and the comments from the panel they featured with current and former players reinforced that.

From the competitions, to the food, to the sneak peak at their new facilities, I had a blast!

One of the things that really stood out from the player panel was that even former players like Trey Burton said running out of the tunnel was something they would never forget.


Antoine Belgrave-Shorter Safety 6-foot, 175-Pounds Jacksonville (FL) Mandarin

1. The experience at the university of Florida was out of this world. I haven’t been to anything like this before and it was a very good time. I loved the coaches. They all were very welcome and seem like genuine people. Everything just fits and felt right.

2. When I think about running out of the tunnel. All I can think about is excitement and dedication. Playing College football has been a dream since a kid


Karmelo Overton LB 6-foot-2, 210-Pounds Ozark (AL) Carroll 2023

the experience was amazing, the whole coaching staff is awesome & i spoke with a little bit of everyone , the food was great & it’s nothing like being under the lights 😎

i can imagine the feeling (running out of the tunnel) i can describe it as energetic, crowd-willed, fired up & ready to go

TJ Searcy DE 6-5/250 Thomaston GA Upson Lee

I had a great experience it was very fun to see some of my future teammates and spend time with the coaches. I talked to coach Mike P the most the event was great overall.

I get chills every time I think about running out of the tunnel I am very eager and exited to experience the swamp for myself.

Aaron Gates CB 6-1/185 Sharpsburg GA Trinity Christian School

It was a great atmosphere in the swamp. Loved being with the coaches and other recruits. Just a family environment but also very competitive. When I think about running out of the tunnel I get excited to experience what it feels like to play in front of some of the best fans in America.

Devin Smith LB 6-foot-2, 215-Pounds Brunswick (GA) 2024

I Love the atmosphere in Gainesville “The Swamp” is definitely lit. Every time I come down I get a better experience. I had a great circuit I ran a 4.45 in the 40, I jumped a 38 vert, & broad jumped a 10.6. Coach Bateman is who I spoke with the most he and Coach Russ Callaway. They were impressed by my numbers. I spoke with Coach Napier also he was glad that I decided to accept his personal invitation to FNL. Coach Callaway took me to your the new indoor and man it’s nice definitely going to be one of the best in the Country if not the best. The catering man Sonny’s is always on point it was a great way to end the night.

When I step on the field in the swamp I get goosebumps, & it’s like a surge of energy that rushes through my body. Being under the lights last night I can only imagine running out of that tunnel running the “BullGator” as I exit the locker room with 95k to 100k Gator fans in the Orange and Blue. It would be crazy. Yeah overall FNL was a Great Experience Coach Bateman says that we’ll be speaking later this week.

Isaiah Nixon DE 6-5/225 St. Petersburg FL Lakewood

It was a great experience last night I talked to coach Peterson and coach billy Napier their great coaches and can’t wait for them to coach me and show me the way to greatness. FNL was a blast I seen a lot of players in action being in the stadium was breathtaking knowing that im going to be in it one day brought me into tears can’t wait to play in it.

When I play and walk through those tunnels it’s not going to feel real because I dreamed about this my whole life and knowing that this is reallly happening it brought me into tears a little bit and I’m excited to play in a stadium where all the greats played in it’s truly an honor.

Julien Davis ILB 6-foot-3, 215-Pounds McDonough GA Union Grove 23

Talking with the coaches they all had a demeanor or a purpose about them they all are trying to get to the same goal and it made me want to mature more and be in that vision. I talked a lot to coach bateman but the event overall was good I was the good nervous just waiting to see what we were going to do I had to be open to learn and take criticism being under the lights is something different just made you want to be great running out the tunnel the only emotion I would feel is excited


Armondo Blount DL 6-foot-3, 240-Pounds Fort Lauderdale (FL) Dillard 2025

My experience there was good the coach’s had a lot of energy and made me feel welcomed quick, I was mostly around coach reid but I also spoke to coach billy Napier. My impression on moving to the swamp after the indoor was surprising.

A thought of excitement comes to my mind when thinking about coming out tunnel and seeing all of the fans

Antwann Hill Jr QB 6-foot-4, 205-Pounds Warner Robins (GA) Houston

I was told about this kid back in December, he is a big time talent...I will have a full story on him shortly.

His Thoughts on the Camp: FYI Trey Hill is his older uncle used to be the center for Georgia now plays for the Bengals and he has relations with some of the coaches from years past so that is how Antwann knows them

my experience was great tonight being just my 2nd time in the swamp those coaches i’ve already been building relationships with since i was like 9 and 10 years old and just for us to keep growing and see them at different places now and to start recruiting me is a big opportunity.

emotions really just being so excited knowing you have a great and supportive fan base behind you and depending on the type of style offense they run the gators can be a top priority for me.

Markell Davis ILB 6-foot-2, 200-Pounds Ocala (FL) Vanguard 2024

Tonight with the coaches was great and I had a great time with them, I got a chance to speak to coach Chaney and he was very cool and helpful, everything was outstanding and I had a great time. Think about it, it’s more adrenaline than emotions buh if I had to say I would say satisfaction and anticipation.

Kendall Jackson DE 6-foot-4, 250-Pounds Gainesville (FL) Buchholz 2024

FNL was great tonight! Unfortunately I didn't participate but I saw a lot of great competition from the players. To ve under the lights at the swamp is crazy! It gives you the feels of what it's like to play on a Saturday night. I talked to Coach Napier, Coach Spencer, Coach Barteman, Coach Peterman, Coach James, Coach Rem, Coach Cheston and Coach VB.

As an elite player it's a huge dream to run out of an college tunnel and with the Gators being one of the most liveliest stadiums in CFB I can only imagine the adrenaline that passes through your body before the game to make you perform at your best.

Tyler Jackson CB 5-foot-11, 170-Pounds Jacksonville FL Trinity Christian Academy 2024

I loved the way felt under the lights and making plays, it felt like home and I could play there on Saturdays for sure. Running out the tunnel comes with pride I feel Trinity has some greats that went their and to follow in their footsteps would push me more.

Marcus Stokes QB 6-foot-1, 175-Pounds Ponte Vedra (FL) Nease

Tonight was awesome man. it was fun playing under the lights in the swamp and getting to meet all of the recruits.

When I get to think abt it, I think about my family because I’m not only doin it for myself, I do it for them and I wanna make them proud.

Tarvos Alford LB 6-foot-2, 200-Pounds Fort Pierce (FL) John Carroll 2025

My experience was definitely coaches gave me some tips to help my game which I definitely love. I mainly spoke to my position coach (Coach Bateman & Coach Chaney). The event was definitely worth it even tho the stadium wasn’t full like on Saturday night you just get chills stepping on that field. The indoor looks fantastic I was told they will be moving in there in 2 weeks. Being under the lights just felt unreal the atmosphere is so different.

The emotions that pop in my head are definitely that’s an feeling unimaginable. You can’t really express you just gotta be there to feel it.

Fred Gaskin S 5-10/180 Ocala FL Vanguard 2024

The experience of being at UF for Friday Night Lights today was great I got to talk and work with Coach Toney and had conversations with Coach Kyle. Being under the lights tonight brought a crazy adrenaline rush. The overall camp and experience with the coaches was great today.

Thinking about running out the tunnel gives me excitement everytime I think about it.

Carey CJ Allen ILB 5-foot-11, 200-Pounds Jacksonville (FL) Sandalwood 2024

my experience today at the swamp was great got to learn from a great group of coaches definitely hands on got to make each rep better after talking with Coach kruchten it was completely an experience I would love to repeat over and over again and would love to come back and work with coach Bateman and the other coaches

The emotions that would come out would be the same before any game like mixed emotions happy start to shed a tear for the love of the game but to run out the same tunnel multiple nfl legends and nfl starts ran out of would jus be a different feeling.

Adarius Hayes LB 6-foot-4, 210-Pounds Largo (FL) 2024

The environment at UF was lit and I got a chance to talk with Coach Napier and Coach Chaney and Coach Bateman they are great Coaches and I’m looking for Florida Gators to be successful this year!! Another thing is I pictured me running out of the tunnel and I was just thinking to myself am I dreaming 🤯

It's just a blessing for me to be at my dream school. There is plenty more to come!! Go Gators.

Myles Graham S 6-foot, 205-Pounds College Park (GA) Woodward Academy 2024

I loved the vibe tonight being around the coaches and watching them coach. They are all coaches that know what they are doing on and off the field. The emotions that come into my head are excitement, family love, and joy.

Gavin Hill DE 6-4/260 Gainesville FL Buchholz

It was a lot of fun. I talked with Coach Napier, Spence and Coach Reid. Being under the lights in the swamp was fun, a lot of good energy

Things that pop up in my head are like “Alright G6 it’s time” (G6 is my nickname btw) and also it’s just like I have to dominate I got my family and all my brothers that I grew up with in the stands counting on me and I can’t let them down!






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Everything below this point was the live running thread/update throughout the day during Friday Night Lights.

There will be around 100 select kids UF targeted to attend this event this evening but many more will be on the field working out tonight. I will post in this thread throughout the day/evening. Other than commit stories which will have their own thread but will link into this thread as well........

We will have many kids arrive prior to this announcement but WR Aidan Mizell still plans to announce at 2:30 PM you can catch him on his IG account he told me which is https://www.instagram.com/aidan_mizell/

A few of the main things I am watching will be Aidan Mizell, Jordan Castell, Andy Jean, and Dijon Johnson -- also, I forgot to change this but Kaveion Keys will not be making an OV to UF this weekend as we all were told that is not allowed so not sure where the communication breakdown was on that deal.

All in all they will have over 200 recruits at FNL tonight

Aaron Gates is heading to the stadium with his dad now 12:16pm

DJ Lagway told me he lands around 3PM today

OL Caden Jones has arrived with his family 12:30PM

CB Dijon Johnson arrives around 3PM today and Coach Raymond will be waiting for him. He and his father will get the red carpet treatment, second visit in about a week. Good sign.



Kendall Jackson told me he will arrive around 6PM today

DT Kayden McDonald tells me he lands tonight at 11:30 PM and Will Norman confirms with Rivals he will be here later today as well.

DJ Lagway 3:25 tells me he just landed

DJ Johnson Update - 3:38 PM he is pulling up now and the first place he will go will be Coach Raymonds office...

5pm WR Jeremiah Smith is in town

5:20 PM update Just got a message from Tarvos Alford (LB) told me he just arrived at The Swamp

5:20 PM DJ Johnson note - he is in town and will stay the night and will not leave Gainesville until around 2pm tomorrow so not sure how he is able to visit Miami fyi...but we will see what happens

5:25 PM Just caught up with DT Kamran James who told me he is on the way.

5:35 PM UPDATE Just heard from Fred Gaskin he has arrived in Gainesville

6:10 PM UPDATE - Tyler Jackson, Markell Davis, Devin Smith, Rodney Hill, and AJ Belgrave - Shorter have all arrived at the Swamp as well as Carey CJ Allen....and Treyaun Webb tells me he will arrive around 7 PM

6:15 PM UF has all the stations set up inside the IPF right now for them to get times, record measurables and all that stuff.....

6:20 PM Update Kamari McClellan QB from Alabama has arrived and a 2025 DT named Tarrell Greene is in the building.

6:25 PM Kelby Collins told me he arrives around 8 PM and Jordan Castell should be walking in now....

6:28 PM Right now they are running the 40 and doing broad jump etc.

6:30 Kendall Jackson just arrived in The Swamp

6:55 PM Right now they are doing a lot of things in the IPF that lasts until close to PM and they will transition over to the Swamp for one on one drills that start roughly around 9:20ish or so and the camp will end around 10 PM after Coach Napier talks to the entire group of campers.....

7:00 PM RB Michael Mitchell 6-foot, 195-pounds tells me he is in the building

7:10 PM Marcus Stokes/Creed Whittemore hanging out with each other - two future Gators....

7:30 PM Just spent about 15 minutes with Dijon Johnson SR nice dude. Coach Napier is spending a lot of one on one time with Dijon Johnson JR at the IPF right now

7:45 - Going to head over to the stadium......see you there! but recruits should not find their way into the Swamp until a little before 9 PM

8:35 PM UPDATE they are winding down in the IPF but wanted to give you all some kids that Napier is spending special attention with: TJ Alford, RJ Jones, Collin Hurley, Tarrell Greene, Adarius Haynes. TJ is a 25 LB, RJ a 25 DB, Collin a 25 QB, Greene a 25 DL and Hayes is a 24 LB. Anyone who does not hold an offer yet will by the time this camp is over from that group I am sure. Coach Raymond was spending a lot of one on one time with Dijon Johnson

9:05 PM The recruits are lining up from the IPF to head over to the Swamp so they will be under the lights shortly.....

9:46 PM UPDATE - Camp winding down - one thing is for certain. There are about 200 kids on the field working out lol hard to really follow how fast all the reps go and this is a HUGE advantage for the QB and WR - This thing is more about the under class kids like Jeremiah Smith and Adarrius Hayes who the entire staff is ALL OVER. They are also spending a ton of time with 25 kids if you can believe that. Camp should end around 10PM and Napier will speak to the group before they dismiss and then the real recruiting begins. I will have updates over the next couple of hours and to make things easy when I catch up with a kid I will add it in this thread in the OP so it is easy to find...I will keep adding new updates at the bottom after the last entry like I have been doing all day. It will take me about 30 minutes to get back to the hotel and get all set up and then we will get to work....
 
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