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

Jeff from Jax said:
Fever,

saw the online post but didn't recognize the name.

I have always felt that WR was the easiest position for a true Fr to come in & excel at
BUT
a lot of that depends of the QB throwing the ball !

We seem to share the same reservations about our QBs, but who knows - Maybe the horse will learn to sing between now & the Utah game - Sept 2nd.
Click to expand...

I doubt too many True Freshman produce like that guy in a power 5 conference anyway. I just remember him burning Michigan real bad. Combining him with that 6'7" WR FSU has is going to cause headaches for defenses.

I hope our money people are just waiting for 2024 and we start hitting portal needs a little harder.
 
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2024 WR Recruits to Know​

Wide receiver recruits to know for the Florida Gators football program in the 2024 cycle.

1 commit, 5 recruits - 4 from FL; 1 from AL

The Gators did bring in a talented trio of freshmen from the 2023 recruiting cycle in Andy Jean, Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III, two of which, Jean and Mizell, were on campus in January to participate in spring practice. As a result, Florida will likely expect some production from the young guys in the upcoming campaign.

SR Ricky Pearsall will graduate, Justin Shorter NFL, Xzavier Henderson Portal. Eugene Wilson won't be on campus till May 29.

WR remains a priority in the 2024 class.
Gators hoping to add 2-3 more WRs from this group.
https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ecruiting-2024-recruits-to-know-wide-receiver

Izaiah Williams, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day School​

TJ Moore, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic​

Jeremiah Smith, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna​

Joshisa Trader, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna​

Jerrae Hawkins, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy​

NOTE
4* WR Hawkins out of Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy, has narrowed his list to three schools according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman and only two schools per Gators Online’s Corey Bender. Nonetheless, the 5-foot-9-inch, 165-pound blazing pass-catcher is down to the final countdown ahead of summer.

“As of right now, I would say (my top schools are) Penn State, Florida and Miami. Not in no order. I’d like to be able to separate them after the officials.”
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/19/florida-football-recruiting-jerrae-hawkins-top-schools/

Mario Craver, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville​

 
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Elite DL David Stone Jr. Eyeing June Official Visit​

Elite defensive line recruit David Stone Jr. and the Florida Gators are in discussion regarding a summertime official visit.

CBN has commits from 2 QBs, now. as Fever says -
we need two great DTs.
CBN has taken a personal interest in Stone's recruiting. Hoping that he, like Al McGuire, gets his man.

"Everyone has been rushing their commitment, and then they flip somewhere else. I don't want to be that guy. So I feel like once I find the right place for me, I'm locked in. I’m ready to build a [recruiting] class."

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...-stone-img-academy-eyeing-june-official-visit
 

The Big Lesson from Georgia’s rise while Florida stagnated​

The biggest story of the past dozen years in the SEC East has been the rise of Georgia and the stagnation at Florida.

It looked like the Gators had risen back to where they were in the Spurrier days under Urban Meyer, but the success proved fleeting due to Meyer’s burnout and poor program culture management.

Florida has since gone through a series of 4 coaches in 10 yrs who weren’t big enough for the job in their own various ways.

Former Florida walk on offensive lineman Andy Staples wrote the story on how UF slid into the mire for the Athletic this week.

https://theathletic.com/4474815/2023/05/15/florida-football/

He zeroed in on three main culprits:
the program being perpetually behind in facilities,
a decline in recruiting,
and NIL troubles.

As part of the recruiting section, Staples compares Billy Napier’s first full recruiting class in 2023 to Nick Saban’s first full recruiting class at Alabama in 2008. That ’08 haul was among the best ever and helped catapult the Tide into the stratosphere where it’s been ever since.

It’s also not a fair comparison for Napier’s recruiting ability. Saban was a household name from winning a national title at LSU by the time he got to Tuscaloosa. Of course he hit it big on the trail immediately, just like Meyer did at Ohio State.

Napier’s biggest resume bullet point was being the head coach at Louisiana, a program that no one watches even when it’s a top 25 team as Napier made it in his final two seasons there.

Georgia averaged exactly ten wins a year in the five seasons prior to Smart’s hire (UF: 7.8 wins per year across 2017-21). Richt was a good recruiter too, so there was no extensive rebuilding of the UGA brand with high school coaches that needed to be done.

NOTE
UGA & Kirby are also spending $2.4MM/year on recruiting - leading the SEC.

https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/the-big-lesson-from-georgias-rise-while-florida-stagnated/
 
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Jeff from Jax said:

2024 WR Recruits to Know​

Wide receiver recruits to know for the Florida Gators football program in the 2024 cycle.

1 commit, 5 recruits - 4 from FL; 1 from AL

The Gators did bring in a talented trio of freshmen from the 2023 recruiting cycle in Andy Jean, Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III, two of which, Jean and Mizell, were on campus in January to participate in spring practice. As a result, Florida will likely expect some production from the young guys in the upcoming campaign.

SR Ricky Pearsall will graduate, Justin Shorter NFL, Xzavier Henderson Portal. Eugene Wilson won't be on campus till May 29.

WR remains a priority in the 2024 class.
Gators hoping to add 2-3 more WRs from this group.
https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ecruiting-2024-recruits-to-know-wide-receiver

Izaiah Williams, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day School​

TJ Moore, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic​

Jeremiah Smith, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna​

Joshisa Trader, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna​

Jerrae Hawkins, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy​

NOTE
4* WR Hawkins out of Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy, has narrowed his list to three schools according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman and only two schools per Gators Online’s Corey Bender. Nonetheless, the 5-foot-9-inch, 165-pound blazing pass-catcher is down to the final countdown ahead of summer.

“As of right now, I would say (my top schools are) Penn State, Florida and Miami. Not in no order. I’d like to be able to separate them after the officials.”
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/19/florida-football-recruiting-jerrae-hawkins-top-schools/

Mario Craver, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville​

Click to expand...
Just my opinion but Andy Jean and Wilson are going to be really good WRs here at UF. Quite possibly as early as their true freshmen season.
 
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Jeff from Jax said:

The Big Lesson from Georgia’s rise while Florida stagnated​

The biggest story of the past dozen years in the SEC East has been the rise of Georgia and the stagnation at Florida.

It looked like the Gators had risen back to where they were in the Spurrier days under Urban Meyer, but the success proved fleeting due to Meyer’s burnout and poor program culture management.

Florida has since gone through a series of 4 coaches in 10 yrs who weren’t big enough for the job in their own various ways.

Former Florida walk on offensive lineman Andy Staples wrote the story on how UF slid into the mire for the Athletic this week.

https://theathletic.com/4474815/2023/05/15/florida-football/

He zeroed in on three main culprits:
the program being perpetually behind in facilities,
a decline in recruiting,
and NIL troubles.

As part of the recruiting section, Staples compares Billy Napier’s first full recruiting class in 2023 to Nick Saban’s first full recruiting class at Alabama in 2008. That ’08 haul was among the best ever and helped catapult the Tide into the stratosphere where it’s been ever since.

It’s also not a fair comparison for Napier’s recruiting ability. Saban was a household name from winning a national title at LSU by the time he got to Tuscaloosa. Of course he hit it big on the trail immediately, just like Meyer did at Ohio State.

Napier’s biggest resume bullet point was being the head coach at Louisiana, a program that no one watches even when it’s a top 25 team as Napier made it in his final two seasons there.

Georgia averaged exactly ten wins a year in the five seasons prior to Smart’s hire (UF: 7.8 wins per year across 2017-21). Richt was a good recruiter too, so there was no extensive rebuilding of the UGA brand with high school coaches that needed to be done.

NOTE
UGA & Kirby are also spending $2.4MM/year on recruiting - leading the SEC.

https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/the-big-lesson-from-georgias-rise-while-florida-stagnated/
Click to expand...

Just shows you what is possible if your big boosters take it to Bama's level with high school recruiting. It allowed Smart, who I dont think would be a head coach that would really elevate an average talent team, to become playoff caliber in just 2 years. Unless some team can just outscore them by passing the ball like crazy in the playoff they are going to win 3 straight championships.
 
PacoGator19 said:
Just my opinion but Andy Jean and Wilson are going to be really good WRs here at UF. Quite possibly as early as their true freshmen season.
Click to expand...
Paco,

Have said this before - IMO, WR is the easiest position for a True FR to earn PT at.

WR comes down to speed, moves, & being able to catch - many HS WRs have those basics down well enough to earn PT.

There still have a lot to learn & probably won't be good enough to be WR1, but they can be effective.

Andy Jean had the benefit of Spring Practice with Billy G, Eugene Wilson did not. Interesting to see how that plays out.
 
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PacoGator19 said:
Jean is better than Henderson. Very polished WR for just a true freshmen.
Click to expand...
Paco,

Don't know much about CBN's & Billy G's "voluntary" summer workout schedule for QBs & WRs, but I remember hearing about long summer days & intense workouts which allowed Kyle Trask to learn the WRs routes & moves.

Eugene Wilson will enroll May 29th. Shortly, he will be out with the WRs running routes & catching balls from the QBs.

Baseball season about over, so hopefully CBN, to keep from wearing out the arms of M&M, will give Max Brown some PT as well.

I'm sure that will happen this summer as well - Mertz & Miller sure to be involved & hopefully Brown as well.

Wilson & Jean will obviously benefit from fall practice as well.
Doubt that either of them be Game 1 (Utah) starters, but they will almost certainly be "next up" & get some reps.
 

Hoping Lagway still has a chance to toss a few balls to Jeremiah Smith on June 2nd​

Dabo Sweeney not the only coach who can orchestrate a huge recruiting weekend

Kirby & 2 time defending National Champion Dawgs draw a line in the sand !

A loaded 5* weekend Between the Hedges !

Smith has seen & experienced pretty much everything CFB recruiting has to offer, so don't think he will be blown away & rushed into anything.

But timing is everything - Smith still officially committed to tOSU so I don't think he will commit to Kirby this weekend - but who knows.
If dawgs have a huge NIL$$$ plan worked out - will he jump ?

Think/hope he will come to G'ville June 2 to meet with CBN & Lagway.
Then he will probably return to Columbus for another UOV.

Hoping CBN & Staff hit their marks on June 2, weekend.

Articles Below reflect UGA's POV - sorry.

I am convinced that CBN & Gators will have some Glitter to spread after our June Mega Recruiting Month.

Kirby Smart Welcomes Elite 5-Star Recruits to Athens​

Georgia’s recruiting scavenger hunt is taking place this weekend, and Kirby and his staff has fanned out across campus to participate with recruits. 5-star Buford LB Jadon Perlotte‍, 4-star Colquitt County WR Ny Carr‍, 3-star Cass ATH Sacovie White‍, 5-star Oak Ridge (TX) LB Justin Williams, 5-star Saraland (AL) WR and Alabama commit Ryan Williams‍ and others are in Athens this weekend.

https://dawgpost.com/s/5466/georgia...mart-welcomes-elite-5-star-recruits-to-athens

Georgia pledge Dylan Raiola organizes workout with top prospects​

DawgsHQ attended a Dylan Raiola-organized throwing session at Jefferson High School on Saturday morning. What we saw was an elite group of athletes getting after it and we share the details with all of our members.
https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-b...hat-we-saw-throwing-session-georgia-football/

5-star WR Ryan Williams on Raiola: 'Wouldn’t mind catching passes from him'​


https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-bulldogs/news/ryan-williams-on-raiola/

5-star WR Jeremiah Smith appears to be having great time on Georgia official visit​

Georgia is in the middle of its Scavenger Hunt weekend with multiple five-star visitors. The weekend includes a mix of top prospects who are taking unofficial visits (on their own dime) and official visits (paid for by the school under NCAA rules.) Five-star wideout Jeremiah Smith falls under the official visit umbrella.

The nation’s top wideout arrived in Athens on Friday and he’ll leave on Sunday. On Saturday, however, he got a chance to take a few photos in a Bulldog uniform and, from what it looks like (per his Instagram),


he’s having a heck of a time. (Scroll right for more photos.)

https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-b...all-official-visit-appears-having-great-time/​


5-star UGA QB commit Dylan Raiola organizes elite recruiting workout​

Recent Georgia quarterback commitment Dylan Raiola, the nation’s No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2024, is in Athens this weekend on a recruiting visit, accompanied by a group of elite prospects from around the nation.

While attending the annual scavenger hunt weekend at UGA, Raiola is utilizing his influence to attract other top talents to join him at Georgia.

Included in the throwing session was five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, an Alabama commit in the class of 2025. Williams (Saraland, AL) is ranked as the top wide receiver and the third overall player in his class.

2024 5-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Opa Locka, FL) is also in town this weekend. He’s the nation’s No. 2 ranked player and is currently committed to Ohio State.

Smith and Raiola were seen together on Instagram Live at UGA on Friday.

Dylan Raiola with Jeremiah Smith on his Official Visit


And just so we’re all on the same page about the type of talent we’re talking about, Raiola (QB) is 2024’s No. 1 ranked player, Smith (WR) is 2024’s No. 2 ranked player and Williams (WR) is 2025’s No. 3 ranked player.
Smith is a 6-foot-3, 198 pound receiver who 247Sports calls “one of the most talented wide receiver prospects to come out of South Florida in the modern recruiting era.”

According to Steve Wiltfong, the director of recruiting at 247Sports, if any school has a chance to convince Smith to change his commitment, it would be Georgia.

With Raiola’s influential recruiting skills and Georgia’s recent success as a program, experts see the Bulldogs as a compelling option for top talents around America. Could we expect some more big news to follow this weekend?

https://ugawire.usatoday.com/2023/0...an-raiola-organizes-elite-recruiting-workout/
 
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Florida in Top Two for TE Walter Matthews​

The Gators will host tight end prospect Walter Matthews, who is down to Florida and Southern California, on an official visit in June.

Florida is one of two schools standing atop Hiram (Ga.) High 2024 tight end Walter Matthews' recruitment, the talented pass-catcher told Brooks Austin of FanNation on Friday.

Southern California joins Florida among Matthews' contending programs at this time. He plans to officially visit both schools in June, first heading west to Los Angeles, Calif. from June 2-4 then south to Gainesville, Fla. for the weekend of June 9.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ng-walter-matthews-top-two-usc-official-visit
 
Countygator1 said:
Well that's good news...
Click to expand...

I am curious to see how Auburn does with their hard schedule compared to us. I think Vegas looks at us about the same as far as wins go. They were decimated player wise after that coach left but did get a few nice players in the portal. They got Michigan State's QB in the portal who isnt that good but I probably would put him just over Mertz.
 
ocalaman said:
This is why it's going to be really hard to improve our won/loss record from last year. 5th toughest schedule in the country (combined with weakness at the QB position).
247sports.com

College football's most grueling 2023 schedules, ranked

These dozen teams face extremely challenging schedules this season.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Click to expand...
Ocala,

Well written article - thanks for posting.

One problem with article - its accurate.
Our schedule a Stone Cold, Steve Austin type Bi*t*ch.

Everything hinges on QB play; I don't expect CBN to resurect the Fun 'N Gun - but I am looking for better (not great) Defense, a strong running game, & a methodical short - medium passing game.

Coach-Speak (platitudes) exist for a reason - good game management, avoiding turnovers, & cashing in (FG at least) on Red Zone opportunities (obviously) a must.
Guessing our kicker will lead the team in scoring.

But even if CBN does all that, with the schedule Gators play, 6-6 maybe 7-5, a good result.

But we will survive & 2024 will come.
 

RB Commit Chauncey Bowens Sets Official Visit to Georgia​

On Sunday, Gators running back commit Chauncey Bowens announced his intentions to officially visit the University of Georgia from June 9-11, giving Kirby Smart another face-to-face opportunity to persuade him to change allegiances between the SEC East foes.

Hoping Jabbar Juluke still has Jerrick Gibson's phone number.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...k-chauncey-bowens-official-visit-georgia-2024
 
ocalaman said:
This is why it's going to be really hard to improve our won/loss record from last year. 5th toughest schedule in the country (combined with weakness at the QB position).
247sports.com

College football's most grueling 2023 schedules, ranked

These dozen teams face extremely challenging schedules this season.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Click to expand...

What sucks for you guys is when we are decent team as well, just another game you have to go through. Add in that Tenn is now good and no longer a gimme.
 
fsu939913 said:
What sucks for you guys is when we are decent team as well, just another game you have to go through. Add in that Tenn is now good and no longer a gimme.
Click to expand...

Its definitely a tougher road now in the SEC than we had for a few years when Tennessee and KY were both down. Its going to get real crazy starting in 2024 with the extra game, every other year game rotations and divisions eliminated. And even crazier if FSU can stay a top 15 type team most years.
 
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ocalaman said:
This is why it's going to be really hard to improve our won/loss record from last year. 5th toughest schedule in the country (combined with weakness at the QB position).
247sports.com

College football's most grueling 2023 schedules, ranked

These dozen teams face extremely challenging schedules this season.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Click to expand...
Ocala,

FWIW

On3 says Gators have 3rd toughest schedule​

They don't say anything about our QB situation;
guess they figured we already knew that !

https://hailfloridahail.com/2023/05/22/florida-football-on3-gators-tough-schedule/
 
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SEC Football 2023 All-Conference Team​

Athlon Sports honors the best in the SEC for 2023.

The 2023 All-SEC Team is led by
Georgia (15) selections,
Alabama (12).
LSU, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Missouri (WTF ?) each hit double-digit picks on the Athlon pre-season All-SEC Team for '23.

We play 4 Teams with double digit picks (or more) on Athlon's All SEC Team.

Gators had 8 selection - all on Third & Fourth Team - see below.

As Ocala points out in his original post -

Lack of Talent, 3rd - 5th toughest schedule, combined with weakness at the QB position.

This is why it's going to be really hard to improve our won/loss record from last year.

Slim Pickings for Gators

Third Team
Offense
RB Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
OL Austin Barber, Florida

Defense
DL Princely Umanmielen, Florida
LB Shemar James, Florida
CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

Specialists
P Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida

Fourth Team
Offense
RB Trevor Etienne, Florida
WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Fun 'N Gun has not returned - YET
BUT
The rest of the SEC doesn't know it - yet.
We can / will run the ball, avoid turnovers, & have an effective short passing game on Offense & our Defense will be improved.

After the season is over, we will place more players on various All SEC Teams,

An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2023. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2023 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. Also, team strength does not play a role in selections. These are the best individual players at each position in the league for '23.

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/sec-football-2023-all-conference-team
 
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Napier is telling people we still plan on adding another scholarship QB even though its late in the process. That tells me he probably thinks Simmons will be here for camp. I think late registration for Summer B is the end of June so we will know for sure then I guess.
 
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Gator Fever said:
Napier is telling people we still plan on adding another scholarship QB even though its late in the process. That tells me he probably thinks Simmons will be here for camp. I think late registration for Summer B is the end of June so we will know for sure then I guess.
Click to expand...
Fever,

Not thrilled with both Simmons & Lagway showing up at basically the same time - probably fool's gold, but I'd like to have a year's separation between them & hope we can keep both of them.
BUT
Better to get Simmons than to waste a scholarship on a Portal QB now.
Of course, I'm not Simmons or his parents, so what I want really doesn't matter.
 
Jeff from Jax said:
Fever,

Not thrilled with both Simmons & Lagway showing up at basically the same time - probably fool's gold, but I'd like to have a year's separation between them & hope we can keep both of them.
BUT
Better to get Simmons than to waste a scholarship on a Portal QB now.
Of course, I'm not Simmons or his parents, so what I want really doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
They will have a year of separation more than likely. Simmons joins the team for this season and redshirts. Lagway joins the team next season and likely redshirts or if he’s so good he can start.
 
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PacoGator19 said:
They will have a year of separation more than likely. Simmons joins the team for this season and redshirts. Lagway joins the team next season and likely redshirts or if he’s so good he can start.
Click to expand...
Paco,

Has Simmons formerly reclassified or does that matter ?

Realize he was taking college credit classes this year in HS & that graduating early from HS would allow him to enroll at UF, but would he be eligible for sports ?
if so what is all the BS about reclassifying ?
 
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Jeff from Jax said:
Fever,

Not thrilled with both Simmons & Lagway showing up at basically the same time - probably fool's gold, but I'd like to have a year's separation between them & hope we can keep both of them.
BUT
Better to get Simmons than to waste a scholarship on a Portal QB now.
Of course, I'm not Simmons or his parents, so what I want really doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

I would love it if Simmons shows up for camp as that gives him a leg up on getting ready for 2024 and allows him to start the Spring already up to speed.. I know Simmons has said he welcomes the competition and I think Lagway looks at it the same way. You also cant always depend on players following through so getting Simmons here for camp would be big.
 
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Gator Fever said:
I would love it if Simmons shows up for camp as that gives him a leg up on getting ready for 2024 and allows him to start the Spring already up to speed.. I know Simmons has said he welcomes the competition and I think Lagway looks at it the same way. You also cant always depend on players following through so getting Simmons here for camp would be big.
Click to expand...
The sooner you can get big time prospects on campus the better IMO. Not sure how that is anything but a positive.
 
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