Gator's 2024-25 Recruiting / Portal

[instaGATOR]

Seems like the time to open a new page with the regular season over, early signing day approaching, with the portal opening shortly after that.
Here's a pretty good start for this thread imo....

Florida Flips Five-Star Safety from Miami​

Jacksonville's Hylton Stubbs 6-2 195 joins the Gators' high-rising 2025 recruiting class in a sudden move. As for the on-field production for Stubbs, he looks to be someone who can defend the pass and stop the run, according to 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins.

With Mandarin this season, Stubbs has recorded 54 total tackles (39 solo), eight tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles. Stubbs' high school highlights can be viewed here.

Florida Flips Five-Star Safety from Miami

Jacksonville's Hylton Stubbs joins the Gators' high-rising 2025 recruiting class in a sudden move.

www.si.com

 

[instaGATOR]

Departures -- *Denotes walk-on:​

• S Ahman Covington*
• WR Andy Jean
• EDGE Justus Boone
• EDGE Quincy Ivory
• EDGE Bryce Capers*
• OL Mike Williams
• DB Ja'Keem Jackson

Additions​

Florida has not made any additions via the portal. The portal does not open until Dec. 9, five days after Early National Signing Day.

 

[ocalaman]

Some have wondered whether Jake Slaughter might consider entering the NFL draft since he's had back-to-back solid seasons. If so, here's a possibility for his replacement:

 

[NorthJerseyGator]

From what I've been reading we are going to be quite content with our recruiting class.

 

[gatordad3]

From what I've been reading we are going to be quite content with our recruiting class.

If Napier can flip Ffrench and Solomon Thomas, I'd be more than content.

 

[ocalaman]

If Napier can flip Ffrench and Solomon Thomas, I'd be more than content.

Agree. But we'll still need to add some key experienced players from the portal, IMO. It's pretty impressive that our recruiiting ranking gone from something like #60 to #11 over the last few weeks. Shows what winning does for a program. Although the ranking is back up with the big boys in the SEC, there are still 7 SEC schools ahead of us. Hopefully, we can jump up a few slots, especially getting quality players at positions where we have a need.

 

[ocalaman]

Florida recruiting class of 2025 early signing period tracker

Follow along on early signing day as Florida commits put pen to paper and make their college decisions official. Flip targets included.

gatorswire.usatoday.com

 

[gatordad3]

As Napier's staff made a late push for QB Ryan Montgomery, he ultimately signed with the Dwags. If it's any consolation, Jaden Rashada will definitely never see the field. 🤣

 

[Gator Fever]

https://247sports.com/college/florida/article/florida-football-defensive-lineman-kelby-collins-ncaa-transfer-portal-gators-240990169/

Probably best for him. He might be better at end.

 

[NorthJerseyGator]

If Napier can flip Ffrench and Solomon Thomas, I'd be more than content.

We're getting better than Ffrench, a la Dallas Wilson.

 

[gatordad3]

We're getting better than Ffrench, a la Dallas Wilson.

He decided to sign with Oregon. Thomas most likely to LSU.

 

[NorthJerseyGator]

He decided to sign with Oregon. Thomas most likely to LSU.

Yeah, I had my hopes up for a hot minute, haha. Wilson may have played us for some more moolah, ugh.

 

[Countygator1]

We definitely need some portal help along the lines of scrimmage. Running back we are solid, I think we will be OK at WR depending on a couple of folks.

 

[46885]

What a shock, whiffing on all 5 stars

 

[Gator Fever]

If we can end up the # 10 class I will be happy after the disaster it was a few weeks back. Hopefully we hit decent in the portal so we can contend this coming season for a playoff spot.

 

[ocalaman]

4-star safety Lagonza Hayward, a long time commit to Tennesse, flipped and signed with Florida just a little while ago. He's as close to a 5-star safety as you can get, with a 247sports composite rating of .9585, making him the 2nd highest rated player in the class so far, just behind Vernell Brown III. Gators signing class has moved past Tennessee into 10th overall, with a few more signings expected.

 

[ocalaman]

What a shock, whiffing on all 5 stars

Vernell Brown III is a 247Sports composite 5 star, with a rating of .9843.

 

[Countygator1]

Awesome new for Insta!! Maybe we can bring him back...

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-news-rumors-florida-transfer-portal-quarterbacks-max-brown

 

[Nicktheslick]

What a shock, whiffing on all 5 stars

By all accounts Stubbs is a five star and the recent Tennessee flip too.

 

[46885]

Vernell Brown III is a 247Sports composite 5 star, with a rating of .9843.

Vernell and Hanks were both gonna sign no matter who our coach was.. UF needs a WR1, a big body a legit 1st and last option to get the ball too when the games on the line. How kids from Tampa will choose teams in Cali over UF is unbelievable.. These kids don't wanna play in this offense, there's nothing else it can be.. Because we will never have a QB like this again, and still can't even land the big fish for him. I get that everyone is trying to be positive for the sake of it the last month, but today was not good. They better have something big in the portal

 

[Michi_Gator]

Decent class, should finish 10-12.

BUT still will be 8th in the SEC. That is not good.

A couple of nice flips, I believe we have the third highest rated safety duo in this years class. Missed on an elite WR so I assume that will be a portal focus.

 

[Michi_Gator]

Vernell and Hanks were both gonna sign no matter who our coach was.. UF needs a WR1, a big body a legit 1st and last option to get the ball too when the games on the line. How kids from Tampa will choose teams in Cali over UF is unbelievable.. These kids don't wanna play in this offense, there's nothing else it can be.. Because we will never have a QB like this again, and still can't even land the big fish for him. I get that everyone is trying to be positive for the sake of it the last month, but today was not good. They better have something big in the portal

It’s Billy’s MO. Start bad and then have everyone drool when you are average🤣

And yes, I am sure it is the offense that makes it hard to grab WR. Michigan has had that problem forever. If your offense doesn’t showcase WR it is hard to het them to come.

 

[instaGATOR]

Awesome new for Insta!! Maybe we can bring him back...

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-news-rumors-florida-transfer-portal-quarterbacks-max-brown

Naw bore-hole, with this kind of a Napier Mertz 2.0 backup QB for DJ, who would want to bother with getting any other QB in the room????

QB Aidan Warner - QBR 68.3, 21/50 42.0%, 226 yds, 10.8 Yds/Comp, 0 TD to 3 Int, L-39

😂 🤣 😂

 

[46885]

It’s Billy’s MO. Start bad and then have everyone drool when you are average🤣

And yes, I am sure it is the offense that makes it hard to grab WR. Michigan has had that problem forever. If your offense doesn’t showcase WR it is hard to het them to come.

I know these high school coaches, like I said everyone knows notoriously that Billy's offense is bleh.. If he doesn't ever get someone to call plays for him we will never be in shape to compete the way we should.. Lagway should be doing every bit of what you saw from Cam Ward this year even in the SEC, and you can't do that lining up in pistol and giving away at least a quarter of your downs a game just to run it on first down with zero creativity. We already only throw it 25 times a game, and the route concepts are awful. We have good TE's and don't even use them and when we have with Lagway you can see they're wide open. It's gonna be harder to replace Dike and Badger than people think, those are two excellent route runners. Dike is wide open the majority of every game this year if you watch the A22 film

 

[instaGATOR]

It’s Billy’s MO. Start bad and then have everyone drool when you are average🤣

And yes, I am sure it is the offense that makes it hard to grab WR. Michigan has had that problem forever. If your offense doesn’t showcase WR it is hard to het them to come.

Current Gator Roster WR's for 2025: (note - Wt/Ht & Class are from 2024 roster)
>> Fraziars - Badger - Dike are Sr gonzo's....

Kahleil Jackson 6-3 215 rsJr - size - (injured out)

Marcus Burke 6-3.75 197 rsJr - size

Taylor Spierto 6-0 207 rsJr

Alex Gonzalez 5-10.75 196 rsSo

Zak Sedaros 5-10.25 180 rsSo

Eugene Wilson III 5-10 183 So - speed - Fr All SEC & Academic HR

#11 WR Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsFr **** - speed+

Jackson Wade 5-11 178 rsFr

Brian Green Jr 6-0 194 rsFr

Jaden Edgecombe 5-8 182 rsFr

#24 WR Tank Hawkins 5-9.5 176 Fr **** - speed+ (6 Gms)

#28 WR TJ Adams 5-10 197 Fr **** - speed (4 Gms, redshirt)

DeBraun Hampton 5-10 179 Fr

David Schmidt 5-9 185 Fr
------
Imcoming 2025 Recruits:

#6 WR Vernell Brown III 5-11 170 ***** - speed

#22 WR Naeshaun Montgomery 6-1 175 4.4/40 **** speed

#71 WR Muizz Tounkara 6-3.5 195 *** - size​

==========

Size and speed are covered imo, as is a quality WR coach.
Now you just need an OC with a suitable system and game day play calling, to take advantage of the QB/WR's.

 

[46885]

if there was gonna be an incoming OC we would have already known about it

 

[instaGATOR]

if there was gonna be an incoming OC we would have already known about it

So maybe Napier learns how to be an SEC OC in this coming off season???

And if not, it's eventually a self-clearing problem....

 

[Michi_Gator]

if there was gonna be an incoming OC we would have already known about it

I worry about the whole OC thing because so few coaches are willing to hire someone who is philosophically different. Saban did it with Lane and it worked great. But most coaches “forced” to take an OC just go get a clone of themselves and nothing really changes. One of Billy’s problems is that offense is so simplistic and basic with middle school level route concepts.

 

[ocalaman]

Very nice class, especially considering where we stood 3-4 weeks ago. Now he just needs to fill some gaps for immediate need by getting some quality portal players. Missed out on the 5-star OL Solomon Thomasa from Jax Raines, who de-committed from FSU, but chose LSU over us.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Kentucky sees leading receiver announce plans to enter transfer portal

Kentucky top receiver set to play elsewhere in 2025.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

This kid beat Ole Miss damn near by himself. DJ needs to get on the phone to this kid.

 

[Countygator1]

Kentucky sees leading receiver announce plans to enter transfer portal

Kentucky top receiver set to play elsewhere in 2025.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

This kid beat Ole Miss damn near by himself. DJ needs to get on the phone to this kid.

He's a solid receiver for sure.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

He's a solid receiver for sure.

Also just saw where DJ is trying to get the Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith to come to Florida

 

[Michi_Gator]

Also just saw where DJ is trying to get the Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith to come to Florida

Smith is a different level, could be a top 15 pick right now. Problem is the entire NFL is dominated by tOSU WR and Hartline is the best WR coach in the country. Oh, and that offense is much better suited for a WR to help their draft position. But glad DJ is trying.

 

[Michi_Gator]

Very nice class, especially considering where we stood 3-4 weeks ago. Now he just needs to fill some gaps for immediate need by getting some quality portal players. Missed out on the 5-star OL Solomon Thomasa from Jax Raines, who de-committed from FSU, but chose LSU over us.

A lot of these kids today won’t play many minutes with DJ, a few will. We need to hit the portal hard to provide DJ talent. And we came a long ways, but still finished 8th in the SEC. Still a huge uphill battle to be back.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Since Nov. 17, here are all the commitments that Florida landed:

• 3-star OL Daniel Pierre Louis
• 3-star OL Jahari Medlock
• 3-star WR Muizz Tounkara
• 3-star DL Stephon Shivers
• 3-star RB Byron Louis
• 3-star QB Tramell Jones Jr.
• 4-star DL Joseph Mbatchou
• 4-star LB Ty Jackson
• 4-star OL Tavaris Dice
• 4-star S Hylton Stubbs
• 4-star Edge Jayden Woods

And for what it’s worth, Stubbs flipped from Miami to Florida on Monday while Mbatchou was originally a Florida commit who then committed to Texas before going back to the Gators 8 days later.

As it stands, that’s 11 commitments in the past 3 weeks following the vote of confidence that Napier got that he’ll be back in 2025. Do those commitments mean that Napier will be able to keep his job beyond 2025? Not necessarily. It’s significant because it shows that there’s optimism that Napier can have a long-term future in Gainesville. Winning 3 consecutive games to close the regular season might’ve impacted that vibe.

What’s clear is that for the first time in a long time, Florida might finally have some momentum.

 

[46885]

Since Nov. 17, here are all the commitments that Florida landed:

• 3-star OL Daniel Pierre Louis
• 3-star OL Jahari Medlock
• 3-star WR Muizz Tounkara
• 3-star DL Stephon Shivers
• 3-star RB Byron Louis
• 3-star QB Tramell Jones Jr.
• 4-star DL Joseph Mbatchou
• 4-star LB Ty Jackson
• 4-star OL Tavaris Dice
• 4-star S Hylton Stubbs
• 4-star Edge Jayden Woods

And for what it’s worth, Stubbs flipped from Miami to Florida on Monday while Mbatchou was originally a Florida commit who then committed to Texas before going back to the Gators 8 days later.

As it stands, that’s 11 commitments in the past 3 weeks following the vote of confidence that Napier got that he’ll be back in 2025. Do those commitments mean that Napier will be able to keep his job beyond 2025? Not necessarily. It’s significant because it shows that there’s optimism that Napier can have a long-term future in Gainesville. Winning 3 consecutive games to close the regular season might’ve impacted that vibe.

What’s clear is that for the first time in a long time, Florida might finally have some momentum.

Need to win that bowl game.. especially if we get that Gator Bowl, it's a stand alone spot in prime time the day after the playoff games on Jan. 2 this year...

 

[ocalaman]

I give credit to Billy Napier for taking the #43 recruiting class of 3-4 weeks ago and turning it into the #11 class as of today. However, if we're ever going to be able to compete for championships again, we've got to start signing our share of the truly elite players, the 5 stars. Our top rated signee today was Vernell Brown III and he was the 39th rated player in this class. Texas signed 6 players rated higher, Georgia signed 5, LSU signed 3 Alabama signed 4. Not denigrating our class, it's just that 7 SEC teams signed higher rated classes than Florida and while some say that recruiting rankings don't matter, just look at the schools that are in the Top 5 or Top 10 recruiting classes year after year and you'll see that those teams are, also, ranked in the Top 15 after the games are played.

 

[46885]

recruiting rankings only don't matter for Texas A&M apparently

 

[gatordad3]

Yeah, I had my hopes up for a hot minute, haha. Wilson may have played us for some more moolah, ugh.

I read on another site that his mother had passed away recently and that he was about to sign with us. Oregon called him at the very last second to remind him that before she passed, UO was the last school she visited with him. If true, that's a b1tch move.

 

[Nicktheslick]

I give credit to Billy Napier for taking the #43 recruiting class of 3-4 weeks ago and turning it into the #11 class as of today. However, if we're ever going to be able to compete for championships again, we've got to start signing our share of the truly elite players, the 5 stars. Our top rated signee today was Vernell Brown III and he was the 39th rated player in this class. Texas signed 6 players rated higher, Georgia signed 5, LSU signed 3 Alabama signed 4. Not denigrating our class, it's just that 7 SEC teams signed higher rated classes than Florida and while some say that recruiting rankings don't matter, just look at the schools that are in the Top 5 or Top 10 recruiting classes year after year and you'll see that those teams are, also, ranked in the Top 15 after the games are played.

Yes I remember recently a few posters here and on other boards giving Georgia grief about their “national recruiting championships” year after year.