Gator's 2024-25 Recruiting / Portal

[instaGATOR]

Still something fishy with him this past year where I feel he was protecting his red shirt. Hopefully he stays but we still gotta go get a big gun to be on his opposite side if he stays.

JMO, but Wilson stays. And as far as an addition, this one might be a clone for him, and the Gator's next Fr All SEC.
Eugene Wilson III 5-10 183 rsSo
Vernell Brown III 5-11 270 Fr
Both can play WR/RB/KR/PR,,, and prolly DB if needed....



Do they need xfer in WR's, or do they need a better OC/Game Plans/Play Calling????

 

[instaGATOR]

As far as physically LARGE receivers go, no shortage there:

WR Kahleil Jackson 6-3 215 rsJr *** - size - (injured out in 24)
WR Marcus Burke 6-3.75 197 rsJr **** - size
WR Muizz Tounkara 6-3.5 195 Fr *** - size

2024 Stats:
TE Hayden Hanson 6-8 267 rsJr *** Starter and SEC Academic HR
12-G - 13 for 189 yds, 14.5 Ave, 1 TD. With 2 35+ Yd receptions.
And 9 of his 13 receptions went for a 1st Dn.

TE Tony Livingston 6-5 254 Jr *** SEC Academic HR
Played in 8 Gms as a backup, 7 for 51 yds, 7.3 Ave, 1 TD. also ST's.

TE Arlis Boardingham 6-3 245 rsSo - Fr AA
Played in 11 Gms - 18 for 128 Yds, 7.1 Ave, 2 TD's, DNP vs FSU, now in portal.

TE Amir Jackson 6-5 228 rsFr *** - 3 Gms, redshirt. ST's
TE Micah Jones 6-5 245 Fr ***

The lack of use of the TE's as receivers needs fixing imo....
Top 3 TE's combined, 38 for 368 yds, 4 TD's

TE Kyle Pitts 2020 - 43 for 770 Yds, 17.9 Ave, 12 TD's.....

 

[Gator Fever]

Rumor is that A&M is offering more.

Yep I hope UF finds a good balance on that and uses the NIL budget wisely. Don't overpay for an individual player and hurt your overall budget just because another team is willing to. If the player is actually worth it then it's a different story.

 

[gatordad3]

Non Gator portal. Supposedly the BC QB, Castellanos, is projected to transfer to FSU. He's just a less talented version of Doug Flutie, height and all.

 

[Gator Fever]

Non Gator portal. Supposedly the BC QB, Castellanos, is projected to transfer to FSU. He's just a less talented version of Doug Flutie, height and all.

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Yep BC's QB was hit or miss but he is better than DJ Uga. Even if FSU corrects themselves some I doubt they will be better than around 7-5 even in the ACC.

 

[gatordad3]

Yep BC's QB was hit or miss but he is better than DJ Uga. Even if FSU corrects themselves some I doubt they will be better than around 7-5 even in the ACC.

I don't know, he's just as injury prone and a turnover machine like DJU. I'd take Bill O'Brien over Norvell any day.

 

[bradleygator]

My guess is $$$$$

Safe bet lol.

 

[bradleygator]

Yep I hope UF finds a good balance on that and uses the NIL budget wisely. Don't overpay for an individual player and hurt your overall budget just because another team is willing to. If the player is actually worth it then it's a different story.

I would say he’s in the “worth it” category. If you can’t spend to keep guys like him from other sec teams, what are we doing here?

 

[Gator Fever]

I would say he’s in the “worth it” category. If you can’t spend to keep guys like him from other sec teams, what are we doing here?

Depends what he is asking for. If he is asking for something that doesn't fit the NIL normal market for his abilty then you let them leave. Also even if some team is willing to overpay you need to be smart with your budget. An example is FSU paying DJ Uga that big money when he clearly wasn't worth that and with a little more they might could have beat Miami out for Cam Ward who had actually showed he was good. Same goes with your own players. It is what it is now and you have to be smart about how you handle it.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Rumor is that A&M is offering more.

$500k is the rumor and we are gonna see guys leave with the success of the last 3 games we had. I heard Shemar James is looking to get paid. I have a friend that played football at Tennessee and he said the Vols really want Baugh bad so our success might bite us in the butt if we dont pony up some money.

 

[Gator Fever]

lol... If anyone is willing to give Pyburn 500K for a year more power to them. That is definitely overpaying his talent level.

 

[ocalaman]

Remember how the Kansas City Royals used to be the farm team for the New York Yankees? Players go there, develop and then the Yankees would offer them big bucks and pluck them off as needed. I hope the Florida Gators don't allow themselves to become the farm team of all the NIL big boys of college football. We should an can be one of those big boys IF those in power just make the commitment to do it.

 

[Gator Fever]

Remember how the Kansas City Royals used to be the farm team for the New York Yankees? Players go there, develop and then the Yankees would offer them big bucks and pluck them off as needed. I hope the Florida Gators don't allow themselves to become the farm team of all the NIL big boys of college football. We should an can be one of those big boys IF those in power just make the commitment to do it.

We are already decent in NIL supposedly. Some places claim around top 10 supposedly and are bunched in the area with the teams below the top 4 when total NIL is estimated. They claim Oregon, A&M, Texas and Ohio State spent the most when all forms of NIL are added up. FL supposedly is just a little behind Georgia and Bama but they had to spend more on high school recruits with their better classes. I am all for keeping up but you can't be stupid and clearly overpay someone either. I am sure we haven't reached the peak of the craziness now that agents are involved with most of these better players.

 

[Countygator1]

I see Florida has offered a Charlotte QB, but not Max Brown? Insta?? What's this all about??

 

[ocalaman]

If this is true about Pyburn, good riddance!!

Florida Gators Edge Jack Pyburn's Reported Outlandish Demands

Florida Gators edge rusher Jack Pyburn will play his final-year of eligibility somewhere else.

www.si.com

 

[Gator Fever]

If this is true about Pyburn, good riddance!!

Florida Gators Edge Jack Pyburn's Reported Outlandish Demands

Florida Gators edge rusher Jack Pyburn will play his final-year of eligibility somewhere else.

www.si.com

These agents are probably a big part of a situation like his but it's almost comical he thinks he is worth that and can demand reps when we have Sapp and a young McCray who may break out this upcoming season. Not sure if we ever find out what someone actually gives him but I highly doubts it's near 500K.

 

[Mrs. Sadgator]

Non Gator portal. Supposedly the BC QB, Castellanos, is projected to transfer to FSU. He's just a less talented version of Doug Flutie, height and all.

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Apparently Luke tried to squeeze fsu fkr a millie but they were too poor.

 

[Mrs. Sadgator]

If this is true about Pyburn, good riddance!!

Florida Gators Edge Jack Pyburn's Reported Outlandish Demands

Florida Gators edge rusher Jack Pyburn will play his final-year of eligibility somewhere else.

www.si.com

He can leave

 

[Nicktheslick]

These agents are probably a big part of a situation like his but it's almost comical he thinks he is worth that and can demand reps when we have Sapp and a young McCray who may break out this upcoming season. Not sure if we ever find out what someone actually gives him but I highly doubts it's near 500K.

And the McCray and Sapp situation is exactly why he is bolting.

 

[bradleygator]

I like Pyburn. He was one of the guys that turned the defense savage once he took over as starter. Maybe $500k for a starting SEC outside backer is too rich. I’ll defer to the Gators staff on that, although if another SEC school is willing to pay him, it makes me wonder. But as far as the playing time stuff, I’m sure recruits ask for that stuff all the time. You just say “yeah, absolutely” and then run the team like normal. that was probably leaked to Abolverdi by someone on staff, looking to smooth over his transfer.

 

[instaGATOR]

According to Gators Illustrated's, here are the 5 positions of needs for the Gators as the NCAA Transfer Portal opens.
WR - OT - DT --- then CB - TE

The biggest deal with positions returning for 2025 or not will be on the OL imo.
Possible returners include:

C Jake Slaughter rsSr
RG Damieon George
LG Knijeah Harris
LT Austin Barber
(if Slaughter and Barber leave, then tough sledding ahead)
---
RT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson = Graduation
=====
Transfer In WR Possibilities: (2 with 1 Yr eligibility remaining, with a UF offer)

WR Reggie Virgil 6-4 190 - Apopka, FL - Miami-Ohio Xfer-out
2024 - 41 for 816 Yds, 19.9 Ave, 9 TD's his Jr season.

WR J. Michael Sturdivant 6-3 205 - Flower Mound, TX - Cal/UCLA Xfer-out
2024 - 22 for 315 Yds, 14.3 Ave, 2 TD's his Sr season.

WR Chase Sowell 6-4 195 - Humble, TX - E.Ca Xfer-out
2024 - 34 for 678 Yds, 19.9 Ave, 3 TD's his Soph season

No offer from UF, but in the portal: Looking for a plus-size WR

WR Duce Robinson 6-6 220 - Phoenix, Az - USC Xfer-out
2024 - 23 for 395 Yds, 17.2 Ave, 5 TD's his Soph season.

WR Dane Key 6-3 210 - Lexington, KY - UK Xfer-out
2024 - 23 for 396 Yds, 17.2 Ave, 5 TD's his Soph season.

WR Nic Anderson 6-4 220 - Olathe, KS - OK Xfer-out, injured out in 2024
2023 - 38 for 798 Yds, 21.0 Ave, 10 TD's his Fr season.
After the OK starting QB hit the portal, Nic did also.

 

[instaGATOR]

I see Florida has offered a Charlotte QB, but not Max Brown? Insta?? What's this all about??

It's about the same thing as is usual for you. Another weak troll, and an as always, another bore-hole post....

 

[Gator Fever]

I like Pyburn. He was one of the guys that turned the defense savage once he took over as starter. Maybe $500k for a starting SEC outside backer is too rich. I’ll defer to the Gators staff on that, although if another SEC school is willing to pay him, it makes me wonder. But as far as the playing time stuff, I’m sure recruits ask for that stuff all the time. You just say “yeah, absolutely” and then run the team like normal. that was probably leaked to Abolverdi by someone on staff, looking to smooth over his transfer.

He is good against the run for that position but I think his overall talent isn't close to being top end SEC talent. The wanting snaps guaranteed was the biggest joke if true considering who we have on our roster but maybe he didn't specifically demand that as is being reported. They asked Napier about it and he refused to address it and just did the standard he wished the best for Pyburn etc.

 

[instaGATOR]

I wish he'd stayed, but I wouldn't have given him all that $$$ and his DEMANDED guarantees.
In this case, AMF works for me....

 

[Gator Fever]

lol... Well good luck to him. Sounds like he will probably end up at A&M as I doubt he would stay now after how this stuff blew up. Hopefully we can deliver him a loss in 2025.

 

[instaGATOR]

TE Portal Departures...

Arlis Boardingham 6-3 245 rsSo
Gavin Hill 6-3 246 rsFr - WO
Dawson Johnson 6-3.5 225 Fr - WO

Portal Exit Action so far includes 17 departures with 11 of them on ships.
=====

FNG coming in: #39 TE-Y Micah Jones - Madison, MS

For 2025, he will be joining:
Hayden Hanson 6-7.75 267 rsJr
Tony Livingston 6-4.75 254 Jr
Amir Jackson 6-4.75 228 So
Micah Jones 6-5 250 Fr
==========

Expired Eligibility: Fraziars - Badger - Dike

WR Portal Departures:
Andy Jean 6-1 184 rsSo
Brian Green Jr 6-0 194 rsSo - WO
Zak Sedaros 5-10.25 180 rsJr - WO
=====

Returning WR's for 2025:

WR Kahieil Jackson 6-3 215 rsSr - (injured out 2024)
WR Eugene Wilson III 5-10 183 rsSo - Fr All SEC - (injured out 2024)
-----
WR Aidan Mizell 6-1.5 186 rsSo
WR Tank Hawkins 5-9.5 176 So
WR TJ Abrams 5-10 197 rsFr - 4 Gms, redshirt.
-----
WR Naeshaun Montgomery 6-1 165 Fr
WR Muizz Tounkara 6-3.5 195 Fr
-----
WR DeBraun Hampton 5-10 179 rsFr - (DJ's TX teammate, WO)
(HS Sr - 57 for 926, 16.0 Ave, 13 TD's + 4 PR TD's & 1 KR TD)
Looks to me like this kid should at least get some playing time to see...
-----
WR Jackson Wade 5-11 178 rsSo - PWO
WR Jaden Edgecombe 5-8 182 rsSo - WO
WR David Schmidt 5-9 185 rsFr - WO

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Florida Gators starting junior edge Jack Pyburn, who officially entered the transfer portal on Thursday, has scheduled official visits to two SEC programs. Per Hayes Fawcett of On3, Pyburn is visiting Texas A&M on Friday and Saturday and LSU on Saturday and Sunday

 

[Countygator1]

It's about the same thing as is usual for you. Another weak troll, and an as always, another bore-hole post....

Well, if anyone knows about bore-holes, that would be you

 

[Gator Fever]

George is in the portal now.

 

[ocalaman]

George is in the portal now.

Yep - https://247sports.com/college/flori...-george-enter-ncaa-transfer-portal-242056403/

 

[ocalaman]

Florida lands Big Ten punter out of transfer portal

The first addition for Florida out of the winter transfer portal period is former Michigan punter Tommy Doman, a veteran replacement for Jeremy Crawshaw after graduation.

gatorswire.usatoday.com

 

[Gator Fever]

Florida Football's transfer portal approach striking similar tones to last year

Florida Football is set to host a number of transfer portal prospects, and very quickly, Gator fans are noticing a pattern playing out that has played out every

hailfloridahail.com

We better get moving or Ole Miss and LSU etc. will have got most of the top ones.

 

[Gator Fever]

I hope there are some playoff WRs we aren't aware of that are going to portal.

 

[gatordad3]

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I hope there are some playoff WRs we aren't aware of that are going to portal.

Maybe I'm a hater but Sowell is going to a team that averages about 13 points per game.

 

[Gator Fever]

Maybe I'm a hater but Sowell is going to a team that averages about 13 points per game.

I am just worried if we are skipping someone like him with where other WRs seem to be heading now we may be acting too slow. Hopefully more are coming that haven't officially declared yet.

 

[ocalaman]

According to Graham Hall of Swamp247, the Gators are looking to ad 2+ WR's from the portal and these are the guys they are supposedly talking to, now minus Sowell of course:
Names we're tracking: Eric Rivers (FIU), Micah Hudson (Texas Tech), CJ Daniels (LSU), Creed Whittemore (Mississippi State), Dane Key (Kentucky), Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), J. Michael Sturdivant (UCLA), Chase Sowell (ECU)

 

[ocalaman]

Apparently Damien George has changed his mind and won't enter the portal. Must have gotten a nice raise.

Florida RG Damieon George Jr. transfer decision reversed, won't enter portal

Things move quickly in the transfer portal. Florida offensive lineman Damieon George Jr. was expected to depart the program, but now he’s staying.

gatorswire.usatoday.com

 

[TEBOW TIME]

According to Graham Hall of Swamp247, the Gators are looking to ad 2+ WR's from the portal and these are the guys they are supposedly talking to, now minus Sowell of course:
Names we're tracking: Eric Rivers (FIU), Micah Hudson (Texas Tech), CJ Daniels (LSU), Creed Whittemore (Mississippi State), Dane Key (Kentucky), Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), J. Michael Sturdivant (UCLA), Chase Sowell (ECU)

Better throw the check book at Dane Key

 

[Michi_Gator]

Maybe I'm a hater but Sowell is going to a team that averages about 13 points per game.

We are a tough sell for WR as well. While DJ is great on the deep ball, our offense does not show case WR in a way that makes is super attractive either.