Gators to Hire Ron Roberts as LB Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator ?

[Jeff from Jax]

Alabama's coaching staff extends offer to Florida commit 2023 DB Sharif Denson​

Alabama already has four defensive back commits in the 2023 recruiting class. The class is headlined by defensive backs Jahlil Hurley, Caleb Downs, Tony Mitchell and Brayson Hubbard.

It will be interesting to see how the Tide decides to pursue Denson. ...Ideally, Alabama will sign five or six defensive backs in the 2023 class.

https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/l...-to-florida-commit-and-2023-db-sharif-denson/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

4-star DL Kelby Collins sets commitment date​

Many of the best in the 2023 class made decisions this summer, and Kelby Collins is now ready to add his name to that list.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman out of Gardendale (Ala.) is the No. 60 prospect in the On3 Consensus, and he will commit to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, or South Carolina on Aug. 13.

https://www.on3.com/news/4-star-dl-kelby-collins-sets-commitment-date/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Predictions for DL Will Norman & Kamran James

On3’s RPM gives the Gators a 63.3% chance to land Will Norman, a 6-4, 276 lb Camden, New Jersey, native who plays his high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Meanwhile, Kamran James has skyrocketed to the top of On3’s recruiting rankings; he is the No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 23 overall player in the 2023 class.

On3’s RPM gives the Gators a 96.2% chance to land the 6-5, 265 lb Olympia High School (Orlando) lineman.

https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...l-norman-kamran-james-on3-prediction-machine/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

ON3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons on Kelby Collins

“Based on what I’m hearing, Alabama and Florida are battling this one out,” Simmons said. Collins is expected to commit Aug 13th.

Collins was scheduled to visit the Crimson Tide twice last week before heading to Florida over the weekend for an unofficial visit. But he never made either trip to Tuscaloosa and did end up in Gainesville. The Gators have been pushing hard for him in recent months, now getting him on campus twice since June.

https://www.on3.com/news/simmons-scoop-two-team-race-for-4-star-dl-kelby-collins/

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

We're right there or the choice for all 3 - need 2 if we're honest. DL/OL and LB to finish the class strong.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

We're right there or the choice for all 3 - need 2 if we're honest. DL/OL and LB to finish the class strong.

GBO,

Norman - DT & Collins - SDE would work for me & then see what else comes our way.
a LB & an OT - Caden Jones ?

 

[Jeff from Jax]

OT Caden Jones Updates Recruitment - 2nd Gator Visit​

Offensive tackle Caden Jones discusses what's next in his recruitment following his second visit with the Florida Gators.

Jones made his way back to Gainesville this past weekend for UF's Friday Night Lights camp, his second visit with the Gators this year, and noticed significant progress as the Gators put the finishing touches on their new Heavener Football Training Center, which is scheduled to officially open on August 14.

Napier, as well as running backs coach Jabbar Juluke, have grown close with Jones in particular. Juluke especially, as he is from New Orleans as well and coached prep ball in the area, allowing him to develop a personal bond with Jones and other Boot State prospects that many other coaches aren't quite as capable of.

"That really goes a long way because [Juluke] can kind of relate better to me than people can from other places," Jones stated. "Because not everybody is from New Orleans or Louisiana, so it goes a long way."

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...recruiting-update-caden-jones-visit-interview

 

[Jeff from Jax]

4* DL Kayden McDonald - Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett - stopped in for the recruiting cookout on Saturday, his third visit to the Swamp this summer.

However, the 6-foot-3-inch, 310-pound lineman has a tough decision ahead. Florida is not the only school in pursuit. The Clemson Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans are also heavily in the mix. Predictably, he plans to take his time before announcing his choice.

“I’ll make a decision in October. I’m waiting until October because when I find a home my recruitment will be 100% locked down with no visiting other schools. My mom is coordinating with my big brother’s game schedule.”
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...recruiting-kayden-mcdonald-decision-timeline/

 

[gatordad3]

Would be nice to clone Corey Raymond to recruit linebackers and defensive linemen.

 

[PacoGator19]

Would be nice to clone Corey Raymond to recruit linebackers and defensive linemen.

Our Dline coach Sean Spencer is a very good recruiter. Oline and LBer a different story.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Our Dline coach Sean Spencer is a very good recruiter. Oline and LBer a different story.

Paco,

Hopefully, our Oline coaches good at teaching & developing; but no real evidence for that as yet.

Neither one has shown much in the way of recruiting skills. While not as bad as John Hevesy, neither Sale nor Stapleton has recruited at the SEC level before.

But, I have to ask you, Paco, how much of that is their inability, & how much is NIL $$$ & the stature of the targets they went after; such as 5* OT Francis Mauigoa ?

Let's me be honest if I had that sort of athletic talent & was part of today's NIL environment, & had today's opportunity to cash in on it, I know I would go for the money - what about you ?

 

[PacoGator19]

Paco,

Hopefully, our Oline coaches good at teaching & developing; but no real evidence for that as yet.

Neither one has shown much in the way of recruiting skills. While not as bad as John Hevesy, neither Sale nor Stapleton has recruited at the SEC level before.

But, I have to ask you, Paco, how much of that is their inability, & how much is NIL $$$ & the stature of the targets they went after; such as 5* OT Francis Mauigoa ?

Let's me be honest if I had that sort of athletic talent & was part of today's NIL environment, & had today's opportunity to cash in on it, I know I would go for the money - what about you ?

I don’t know how good of recruiters they are. It is still early on. Sale is a very good oline coach and a good developer. He’s developed some good olineman while he was at Louisiana with Napier and mainly credited with the development of O’Cyrus Torrance.

 

[instaGATOR]

Sale joined the Gators after serving as the New York Giants' offensive line coach in 2021.

A 14-year collegiate coaching veteran, Sale spent three seasons at Louisiana (2018-20) as the Ragin' Cajuns offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Napier.
Sale's unit produced three NFL Draft picks out of Louisiana, including Robert Hunt and Kevin Dotson in 2020, and Max Mitchell in 2022.
Easy enough for anyone to go to his bio and read it's entirety for yourselves....
https://floridagators.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/rob-sale/1469


Darnell Stapleton enters his first season with the Gators after being hired as Florida’s assistant coach/offensive line. Stapleton joined the Gators staff after spending the 2021 season with Napier at Louisiana, where he helped the Ragin' Cajuns to a Sun Belt Conference championship.

Stapleton's unit blocked for 2021 Sun Belt Conference Championship Game MVP Levi Lewis, who compiled 2,646 yards of passing, the second-best in the league, threw the third-most touchdowns in the conference (19) and ranked fifth with 203.5 passing yards per game through 13 games.

On the ground, Louisiana's offensive line helped the Ragin' Cajuns to 31 rushing touchdowns and 2,496 rushing yards, ranking 14th and 24th respectively in the nation, while placing second and third in the conference in 13 games.

Prior to Louisiana, Stapleton spent four seasons at Sam Houston State, where he was the offensive line coach and the run game coordinator from 2017-20. In 2019, the Bearkat offensive line produced a pair of All-Southland Conference selections in first teamer Colby Thomas and third teamer Tyler Edwards, who helped running back Donovan Williams finish second in the Southland in rushing with 925 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Darnell Stapleton - Football Coach - Florida Gators

Darnell Stapleton enters his second season as Florida’s offensive line coach. During his first year as Florida's offensive line coach, Stapleton worked alongside

floridagators.com

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Cedric Baxter, a former Florida State commit, revealed to On3’s Chad Simmons that he will announce his commitment on August 10.

The Orlando, Florida, native is down to four schools: Florida, Texas, Miami and Texas A&M.
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...all-recruiting-cedric-baxter-commitment-date/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

FWIW - Gators offensive tackle target Caden Jones officially released his list of top five schools on Saturday, including UF alongside Texas A&M, Texas, FSU and Houston.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ng-offensive-tackle-caden-jones-top-five-2023

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

GBO,

Norman - DT & Collins - SDE would work for me & then see what else comes our way.
a LB & an OT - Caden Jones ?

From reports - Caden Jones really struggled at the last G-ville event. That mentioned Oline recruiting may just be a struggle this year.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

4-star RB Cedric Baxter is "so ready" to announce his commitment​

Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater four-star running back Cedric Baxter Jr. is revealing his college destination on the night of Aug. 10. He is deciding between Florida, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M, but has known his top school for the last few weeks. As Baxter Jr. put in, he is “so ready” to announce his commitment.

“Over the last three or four months, I have had three different schools on top of my list,” Baxter Jr. told On3. “Since late June, early July though, it has been one school. I feel confident in this school and I am ready to announce it.”

Only two of Baxter Jr.’s finalists — Florida and Texas — have a running back prospect committed in the 2023 class.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas has a commanding lead to land Baxter Jr.’s commitment at 75.9%. He has visited the Longhorns twice, including on June 10 for an official visit.

https://www.on3.com/news/4-star-rb-cedric-baxter-is-so-ready-to-announce-his-commitment/

EDIT
FWIW - Baxter to Texas

 

[Jeff from Jax]

McDonald calls the Florida Gators one of his top schools​

Clemson and Georgia have been talked about a lot in McDonald’s recruitment so far and the defensive lineman says the Gators are also up there and he hopes to make a commitment this fall.

“Florida is one of my top schools,” McDonald said. “I’m planning to make a decision in October.”

https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/mcdonald-calls-the-florida-gators-one-of-his-top-schools/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Top247 DL Tomarrion Parker decommits from Penn State​

Don't think we are in on him, but who knows ?

https://247sports.com/college/flori...n-Parker-decommits-from-Penn-State-191187974/

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

Top247 DL Tomarrion Parker decommits from Penn State​

Don't think we are in on him, but who knows ?

https://247sports.com/college/flori...n-Parker-decommits-from-Penn-State-191187974/

Reports out there on the intraweb haha - that we are pushing hard. Not sure that means we're in the mix but we're giving it a go.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Cedric baxter duw to announce at 7pm EST on CBS Sports
Link Below-
Most predicts I've seen say Texas.

EDIT
Confirmed - Baxter to Texas

https://www.cbssports.com/live/?ftag=SHQ-16-10aaa0a

 

[Nicktheslick]

Cedric baxter duw to announce at 7pm EST on CBS Sports
Link Below-
Most predicts I've seen say Texas.

https://www.cbssports.com/live/?ftag=SHQ-16-10aaa0a

Thanks for keeping us informed Jeff.

 

[Gator Fever]

We had a 4 star South Carolina LB commit switch to us today I heard.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

We had a 4 star South Carolina LB commit switch to us today I heard.

Commitment Breakdown: Florida flips in-state four-star OLB Jaden Robinson

What are the Gators getting in four-star 2023 OLB Jaden Robinson.

n.rivals.com

 

[Jeff from Jax]

NIL not going our way, but Napier working hard at recruiting - Jaden Robinson, the latest to join Marcus Stokes in switching to UF.

Napier's focus on athletes from the State of Florida is paying off.

As several posters on this board have noted, TAMU's success at winning a legal (?) recruiting championship last year has generated many imitators - Miami, Texas, USC, Tenn, & others (ND ?) seem to be taking that same road.

UF & Napier, perhaps due to our administration, have not gone out of bounds throwing NIL$ around as a recruiting tool. And, of course there is only 1 NC per year, so perhaps that urge to throw money away will subside shortly.

Doubt we get a Top-10 recruiting class - too much money being thrown around - but, IMO, a Top-15 (where we currently stand in Rivals) is possible.

Next few weeks - DL class - very important.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

4* DL Kayden McDonald 6-3, 310 from across the border at Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett.

McDonald holds a crystal ball prediction with 247Sports for Clemson and On3’s recruiting prediction machine also sees a Death Valley destination, giving the Tigers a 62.5% chance of signing him. The Gators are third at 2% after the Wolverines, who are in second place with a 29.4% chance of landing him.

https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...recruiting-kayden-mcdonald-decision-timeline/

 

[Gator Fever]

NIL not going our way, but Napier working hard at recruiting - Jaden Robinson, the latest to join Marcus Stokes in switching to UF.

Napier's focus on athletes from the State of Florida is paying off.

As several posters on this board have noted, TAMU's success at winning a legal (?) recruiting championship last year has generated many imitators - Miami, Texas, USC, Tenn, & others (ND ?) seem to be taking that same road.

UF & Napier, perhaps due to our administration, have not gone out of bounds throwing NIL$ around as a recruiting tool. And, of course there is only 1 NC, so perhaps that urge to throw money away will subside shortly.

Doubt we get a Top-10 recruiting class - too much money being thrown around - but, IMO, a Top-15 (where we currently stand in Rivals) is possible.

Next few weeks - DL class - very important.

Just eyeballing what is left and who teams are targeting I would say we end up from #9 to #12. Not too bad considering most at the top are using NIL to get the very top ranked recruits

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

Just eyeballing what is left and who teams are targeting I would say we end up from #9 to #12. Not too bad considering most at the top are using NIL to get the very top ranked recruits

That feels right to me as well. If we flip the right 5-star towards the end that could push us up. This weekend is cricital though - we get 2-3 DLs by Sunday and we're REALLY bringing in a good group regardless.

 

[Countygator1]

That feels right to me as well. If we flip the right 5-star towards the end that could push us up. This weekend is cricital though - we get 2-3 DLs by Sunday and we're REALLY bringing in a good group regardless.

With NIL my guess is there will be a lot of signing day flipping...

 

[Gator Fever]

With NIL my guess is there will be a lot of signing day flipping...

You think some of those teams playing that game will be pulling that on early signing day? It does seem a lot of teams are trying to lock in recruits prior to the season starting this year - even more than they normally do.

 

[ocalaman]

 

[instaGATOR]

The current 8-13-22 Fall QB Depth Chart:
1. AR-15
2. Miller
3. Kitna
4. Brown
==========

Gator QB-dt's, now, and looking into the future:

Florida Gators 2022 Depth Chart Projection: Quarterbacks - Sports Illustrated Florida Gators News, Analysis and More

Analyzing the Florida Gators depth chart at each position heading into the 2022 season.

www.si.com

Anthony Richardson 6-4 238 4.4/40 So **** - Gainesville, FL (on the freaks list)
Has potential as a dark-horse Heisman,,, IF he plays up to it and he stays healthy.

2022 - Max Brown 6-2 200 Fr *** - Tulsa, OK - OK Dist 3 3A MVP
2021 - P 167 of 235 71.1%, 2,750 Yds, 16.5 yds/comp 41 TD's, 4 Ints, QBR 142.6
14 Gms - R- 173 for 1,343 yds, 7.8 ypc, 20 TD's, 1 LPF's 😲
That's 4,000+ Yds, with 61 TD's, to 5 Turnovers.
A late under-rated 3-star Cen-Mich flip, choosing UF over Wash.

2023 - Marcus Stokes 6-2 190 **** - Ponte Vedra Bch, FL - Hard (100%) Verbal
2021: Had a breakout Jr season as a 1st year starter, leading Nease to the regional finals in Florida’s 2nd-highest classification. Went 9-4 leading the team in both passing and rushing.
P-196 of 333 58.9%, 2,672 yds, 13.6 yds/comp, 22 TD's, 9 Ints, QBR 95.3
13 Gms - R- 92 for 496 yds, 5.4 ypc, 6 TD's, 2 LPF's. -- Chose UF over PSU.

2024 - DJ Lagway - 6-3 225 *****- Willis, TX - A Commutable Offer with a UF lean.
Also plays baseball and basketball. Hopes to play baseball in college as well.
Averaged 4.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 1.6 bpg for varsity B-Ball as a HS Fr in 2020-21.
2021: Starting QB as a Soph. Went 6-6 and a Texas 6A D-II 2nd-round playoff.
P- 137 of 247 55.5%, 1,579 Yds, 17TD's, 2 Ints -- R- 127 for 715 Yds, 5.6 ypc, 6 TD's.
2020: Played safety on varsity as Fr, 18 Tkl's (1 TFL). Also got limited snaps at QB.
>>> aTm is looking to buy him.....

Gator recruiting is going from 3-star Dan,,, to Billy 4-star.... 😉
2023 -- #13 UF - 17 - 0 5-stars, 15 4-stars, 2 3-stars...

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Kelby Collins Commits to GATORS !!

Class: 2023

Position: Defensive lineman

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 265 pounds

Location/School: Gardendale (Ala.) High

Committed to: Florida Gators

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 60 player overall | No. 7 defensive lineman | No. 8 prospect in Alabama

EDIT

Collins' pledge comes three days after Florida flipped linebacker Jaden Robinson from South Carolina. He's the tenth prospect to commit to UF since the beginning of July.

Collins will likely serve as a three-technique for Florida at the next level, where he can utilize his rare mixture of explosive athleticism as a pass rusher and size to fill gaps in the middle against the run. As a junior, he accounted for 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

I expect DL coach Sean Spencer & the entire gator's coaching staff to be tweeting, texting, calling, & riding by Kamran James' house blowing their horns, to emphasize he won't be alone in Gators' DL class !
https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-gators/news/iynside-the-film-room-dissecting-the-skill-set-of-gators-commit-kelby-collins/

 

[PacoGator19]

Collins is a huge pickup!

 

[Jeff from Jax]

FWIW

Kamran James - Teams of Interest​

Florida Gators

OFFERED​

PREDICTION​

97.2%​

https://www.on3.com/db/kamran-james-151073/recruiting/

 

[PacoGator19]

Blue Chip Billy

 

[Jeff from Jax]

2 - DEs; now we need a DT

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

Sounds like we get James committed tomorrow - let's go!

 

[Jeff from Jax]

2023 Recruiting Class Rankings

Gators Up to #12 in Rivals

Recruiting class ranking, as I have mentioned, are not the end-all to be-all.

But no matter how good your coaching staff is, you need quality players.

Looking for continued success this weekend !

https://florida.rivals.com/commitments/football/2023

FWIW
TAMU #41; of course after last year's class they need to digest for a year. LOL

 

[gatordad3]

2023 Recruiting Class Rankings

Gators Up to #12 in Rivals

Recruiting class ranking, as I have mentioned, are not the end-all to be-all.

But no matter how good your coaching staff is, you need quality players.

Looking for continued success this weekend !

https://florida.rivals.com/commitments/football/2023

FWIW
TAMU #41; of course after last year's class they need to digest for a year. LOL

We appreciate the thread editing for updates. At least I do.