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

Recruiting is going good but it’s not going to be a great class. It will be a good class with lots of blue chip players and the roster will be upgraded. We have a good NIL but not a great NIL. We are kind of in that 2nd tier of schools at the moment. Unfortunately like 4-5 SEC schools are in that 1st tier which is our direct competition.
 
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2024 safety Jaylen Heyward - UF in Top 6

https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/jaylen-heyward-265483

Rockledge (Fla.) High 2024 safety Jaylen Heyward named Florida among his top six schools on Friday, cutting his list of 12 programs in half with over a year to go until he is required to make his college decision if he does not do so sooner.

Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan and Alabama can also be found in Heyward's top six.

Heyward is the high school teammate of Gators' 2023 offensive tackle Bryce Lovett.

Napier continues to focus on instate talent !
 

Florida Football: Highest bidder wins​


We highlighted earlier this week that Florida football was about to have a top-five class and didn’t need the money from Miami Hurricanes mega booster John Ruiz to do it.

We might have jumped the gun a little bit on that one.

Much like missing out on Jaden Rashada, if you believe the rumblings the Gators missed out on McClain, not because of anything Napier and crew did wrong. They missed out because Ruiz simply bid more money.

We have said this multiple times, college athletes deserve the right to get paid and if Miami put up a number that McClain couldn’t refuse then the frustration shouldn’t lie with McClain.

We have also said that there is danger in putting a team together who are only at your school because of money (see Texas A&M and Miami).

Players for the Gators are getting paid, don’t get it twisted. Anthony Richardson has a deal with Fanatics. Justin Shorter just signed a deal with Outback Steakhouse. The entire offensive line has a deal with Sonny’s BBQ.

But Florida hasn’t been willing to write the blank check needed to secure the top-tier recruits as others have. That doesn’t mean Florida will end the 2023 recruiting cycle with a weak class. Even with the whiff on McClain, Florida football is still sitting in 9th and is still in the running for several others.

And if Billy Napier can keep building team culture and tighten up his defensive schemes, Florida is going to be just fine with the guys he’s getting going forward.

Can we trade Cormani McClain for John Walker ?

https://hailfloridahail.com/2022/10/28/florida-football-whiff-cormani-mcclain/
 
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Jeff from Jax said:

Florida Football: Highest bidder wins​


We highlighted earlier this week that Florida football was about to have a top-five class and didn’t need the money from Miami Hurricanes mega booster John Ruiz to do it.

We might have jumped the gun a little bit on that one.

Much like missing out on Jaden Rashada, if you believe the rumblings the Gators missed out on McClain, not because of anything Napier and crew did wrong. They missed out because Ruiz simply bid more money.

We have said this multiple times, college athletes deserve the right to get paid and if Miami put up a number that McClain couldn’t refuse then the frustration shouldn’t lie with McClain.

We have also said that there is danger in putting a team together who are only at your school because of money (see Texas A&M and Miami).

Players for the Gators are getting paid, don’t get it twisted. Anthony Richardson has a deal with Fanatics. Justin Shorter just signed a deal with Outback Steakhouse. The entire offensive line has a deal with Sonny’s BBQ.

But Florida hasn’t been willing to write the blank check needed to secure the top-tier recruits as others have. That doesn’t mean Florida will end the 2023 recruiting cycle with a weak class. Even with the whiff on McClain, Florida football is still sitting in 9th and is still in the running for several others.

And if Billy Napier can keep building team culture and tighten up his defensive schemes, Florida is going to be just fine with the guys he’s getting going forward.

Can we trade Cormani McClain for John Walker ?

https://hailfloridahail.com/2022/10/28/florida-football-whiff-cormani-mcclain/
Click to expand...

The truth is A&M will start being a test case in 2023 for buying unproven high school players. You can't judge that at all until they are at least 2nd year players so Miami it won't be until 2024 we see how it is starting out. Texas next season is another test case with this.
 
Gator Fever said:
The truth is A&M will start being a test case in 2023 for buying unproven high school players. You can't judge that at all until they are at least 2nd year players so Miami it won't be until 2024 we see how it is starting out. Texas next season is another test case with this.
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A&M may already be imploding if the rumors are true.
 
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Billy Napier is having guys commit that want to be Gators​

A good read

https://hailfloridahail.com/2022/08/01/napier-commit-want-florida/

You may have read the headline “Billy Napier is having guys commit that want to be Gators” and thought to yourself “What kind of clickbait garbage is this? Of course guys committing to Florida want to be Gators.”

Well yes, but actually no.

Florida found itself more often than before as one of the hats on the table of top recruits, but weren’t getting its hat chosen.

Recruit after recruit would talk about how they really loved the relationship Napier had formed with them, but if we read between the lines those recruits went elsewhere because they were offered more NIL money than what Florida offered.

Now that Florida is on roll with recruiting, it’s clear Napier is signing guys that are coming to Gainesville for reasons beyond Florida being the highest bidder.

Can't blame players jumping for NIL $$$- I would do the same !
 
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Gator Fever said:
I think right now our selling point is showing them the NIL deals you can get once you are playing through the collective and other ways. A&M and to a lesser extent other schools are outright buying unproven high school players. We will have to see if they back off some next season with many not panning out possibly. I see A&M is getting the very top players again just fewer this year after their big haul this past class and we know OSU, Bama, TX and Georgia will always have boosters willing to buy some players. Hopefully we at least buy some real good positional players of need in the portal this year - like a DT and a good WR that can stretch a defense with his speed.
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Agree, OSU, Bama, UGa and Texas will always have boosters willing to buy players, but if they are forced to spend three times as much money to get half as many players, I can live with that.
 
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Scoop: Five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks locks in Gators official visit​

Desmond Ricks, who recently reclassified and is now the No. 2-ranked cornerback, has scheduled his official visit to the University of Florida. That multi-day visit in Gainesville is scheduled for Dec. 2, his mother told Gators Online on Sunday afternoon.

The IMG Academy star was a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the 2024 class, and now, he is the second-ranked cornerback behind McClain and remains a five-star prospect despite moving up a class. He is also the No. 23 prospect overall in the 2023 On300.

https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...desmond-ricks-locks-in-gators-official-visit/
 
Jeff from Jax said:

Scoop: Five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks locks in Gators official visit​

Desmond Ricks, who recently reclassified and is now the No. 2-ranked cornerback, has scheduled his official visit to the University of Florida. That multi-day visit in Gainesville is scheduled for Dec. 2, his mother told Gators Online on Sunday afternoon.

The IMG Academy star was a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the 2024 class, and now, he is the second-ranked cornerback behind McClain and remains a five-star prospect despite moving up a class. He is also the No. 23 prospect overall in the 2023 On300.

https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...desmond-ricks-locks-in-gators-official-visit/
Click to expand...
Ruiz will get him too
 
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Wonder why Ruiz waits until after the UF official visit to bring out his bucks ?

Do we quote realworld NIL $$$ & tell them how the system works & then all Ruiz has to do is go 30% higher to make a sale ?

Wonder if Ruiz has a source on Billy's staff to tell him our top dollar amount beforehand ?

Little difference between NIL & an old fashion bribe; money is money !
 
Jeff from Jax said:
Wonder why Ruiz waits until after the UF official visit to bring out his bucks ?

Do we quote realworld NIL $$$ & tell them how the system works & then all Ruiz has to do is go 30% higher to make a sale ?

Wonder if Ruiz has a source on Billy's staff to tell him our top dollar amount beforehand ?

Little difference between NIL & an old fashion bribe; money is money !
Click to expand...
Ruiz might have the same thinking that Scared Money Dont Make Money cause he is shelling it out.
 

Decision Day: 4-star DT Kayden McDonald to reveal decision on Halloween​

IMO, down to 3 teams - Ohio State, Clemson, & Florida.

EDIT
Probably down to two teams - tOSU & Clemson.

McDonald, a master of recruitspeak, speaks positively about whatever campus he is visiting; but after Ryan Day made a recent in school visit Kayden seemed to respond to that strongly.

The recruiting finish line is in sight for Kayden McDonald, as the Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett senior is revealing his decision later today. An announcement is expected to take place at roughly 6:00 p.m. EST.

A priority Gators target at defensive tackle, the 6-foot-2, 325-pound McDonald will be choosing from Florida, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, are trending with odds of 56.4 percent, while the Buckeyes check in at No. 2 with a percentage of 34 percent. Each finalist has received at least two visits from McDonald.

As for the Gators, they have received four visits in 2022 alone, including an official over the summer. The blue-chip defender was also in attendance for UF’s homecoming game vs. Missouri earlier this month.

https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...den-mcdonald-to-reveal-decision-on-halloween/
 
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Don't think we get him. Hall from Westside High is headed to Georgia. Kirby rolling in on the helicopter seemed to seal the deal.
 
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Countygator1 said:
Don't think we get him. Hall from Westside High is headed to Georgia. Kirby rolling in on the helicopter seemed to seal the deal.
Click to expand...
Country,

Agree; IMO Ohio State will get the call.

A good player; also played RB in goal line & short yardage - 6 TDs.
LOL - a load to try to stop !

John Walker may join us; if so we are good.
 
So far I have not seen a commitment announcement for Kayden McDonald.

I am too poor to join any of the premium sites which may have posted this info.

EDIT
Don't see him as a Gator; tOSU or Clemson my guess.

Perhaps he is deep into negotations with Ruiz of Miami !

A good player; where ever he ends up.
 
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Tebow,

Thanks for the info !

Knew he wasn't going to be a Gator.

Clemson had all the Crystal Ball predictions, but after reading his thoughts on what it meant to him to have Ryan Day fly down to vist him at his school, I felt that tOSU was were he would end up.

Sadly, I was right.

Hoping DT John Walker decides to join us !

EDIT

John Walker Gator OV - Dec 9th

"...According to a report from Swamp247’s Blake Alderman, Walker has locked in an official visit with the Gators for Dec. 9. Florida’s regular season will be over by then, but it’s still a chance for Walker to get an official visit in before the early signing period officially kicks off. That means that a flip from UCF to UF is still very much in play."
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/31/florida-football-recruiting-john-walker-official-visit/

IF Walker takes the OV; flip possible; but nothing in recruiting is guaranteed !

We need another great DT !
 
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PacoGator19 said:
He’s a DB at the college level.
Click to expand...
Paco,

why wouldn't Napier give Jackson a shot at WR first; we need help there as well.

Realize that 1 highlite play doesn't tell us everything about his skills as a WR - BUT
he did create separation from McClain, make the catch, & outrun him to the endzone.

Always wondered how McClain @ 165 lbs would do at stopping a 200 lb SEC RB !

Guess Ruiz & Canes will get to find out; Gators start a home & home series with canes shortly.

Also a mild chance the two of them could match up in the gator Bowl; Gators need to get bowl eligable 1st, of course.
 
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Read on another board that WR Andy Jean from Miami Northwestern may flip to Miami. Just passing along what I read.
 
ocalaman said:
Read on another board that WR Andy Jean from Miami Northwestern may flip to Miami. Just passing along what I read.
Click to expand...
Ocala,

Some recruits flip away from us; some flip to us - Walker we hope !

As we all know, until they sign Letter of Intent; they are fair game.

Maybe we will be lucky & Ruiz will get tired of pissing money away on untested recruits & Cristobal as a game day coach.
 
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Jeff from Jax said:
Ocala,

Some recruits flip away from us; some flip to us - Walker we hope !

As we all know, until they sign Letter of Intent; they are fair game.

Maybe we will be lucky & Ruiz will get tired of pissing money away on untested recruits & Cristobal as a game day coach.
Click to expand...
I don’t know Jeff. Right now I’m enjoying him pissing away money.
 
Who is on the DT board beyond James Smith, John Walker and Jordan Hall?

https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/elijah-davis-285230

Andrew Spivey: Florida will still recruit defensive tackle Kayden McDonald who committed to Ohio State and they’re also after JUCO tackle Elijah Davis as they would love to add some experience up-front. The staff would fill their needs fi they land just one of those guys but they would like to add two of those guys.

Are Russaw and Smith a package deal and are we in the hunt for either or both of them.

AS: Yes, Qua Russaw and James Smith are a package deal and Florida is in the race but trailing Alabama right now. Florida and Georgia are also really in the mix here and both guys aren’t close to making a decision.


https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-gators-recruiting-mailbag-november-3rd-edition-3/
 
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What will be the next most important recruiting event/game left on our schedule ?

AS: Official visits in December will be the next big thing for recruiting, the staff will have several guys in town for the South Carolina game but most of the big targets will be in town in December for official visits.

EDIT
USCe is our last home game & is an official sell out. Hoping it creates some recruiting magic !

Class of 2023 Important Recruiting Dates

SportInitial Signing DateFinal Signing Date
D1 Basketball (early period)November 9, 2022November 16, 2022
D1 Basketball (regular period)April 12, 2023May 17, 2023
D1 Football (early period)December 21, 2022December 23, 2022
D1 and D2 Football (mid-year JC transfer)December 21, 2022January 15, 2023
D1 and D2 Football
(regular period)		February 1, 2023D1: April 1, 2023
D2: August 1, 2023
https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting/managing-recruiting-process/national-signing-day
 
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Billy Napier bracing for more roster attrition as portal window nears​

The day after the CPF field is revealed, football players will be allowed to enter the portal for 45 days in a new designated window by the NCAA.

Portal Entry Periods
Dec 5 to Jan 18
May 1 to May 15.

Back on Aug. 31, the NCAA Division I board of directors voted to approve 60 days throughout the calendar year during which student-athletes can enter the transfer portal, a change that went into effect for the 2022-23 season.

After the 2021 regular season ended, the Gators had six players enter the transfer portal from Nov. 29 to Jan. 24. Three additional scholarship players entered the portal during Napier’s first spring and three more left the program in the summer, totaling 12 departures.

UF also landed five transfers in January, including star offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence and starting running back Montrell Johnson, and added two wide receivers during the spring in Ricky Pearsall and Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman.

https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...more-roster-attrition-as-portal-window-nears/
 
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Gators still in mix for this 5* OT Samson Okunlola​

Another Hat left on the Table ?

https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...ting-samson-okunlola-recruiting-update-visit/

Back in June, five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola named the Florida Gators to his top nine. Since then, programs like Alabama, Miami and Michigan State have taken center stage in the elite Thayer Academy (Brockton, Massachusetts) recruit’s process, but that doesn’t mean the Gators are out of the race entirely.

The Gators are still actively pursuing Okunlola, according to a report from 247Sports. The team sent assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke to stop by his school during the bye week, and they pushed the idea of early playing time in the Swamp. Stapleton and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Rob Sale are his main contacts at UF and they’ve kept in touch with him over the past few months.
 
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