Dexter Lawrence, a monstrous 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive tackle from North Carolina, is the newest No. 1 player in the Rivals Top 100 for 2016.

The five-star interior pass rusher is nation’s 10th-best player overall according to 247Sports and has offers from seven SEC programs including Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. He is believed to be leaning toward the Gators thanks to primary recruiters Chris Rumph and Geoff Collins.

During the Will Muschamp era, Florida created quite a pipeline to the Tar Heel State, signing several high-profile players from North Carolina including quarterback Will Grier (four-star; 2014); defensive end Jonathan Bullard (five-star, 2012) and offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (five-star, 2012).

Ironically, Rivals’ top basketball player for 2016 is also from North Carolina, star guard Harry Giles from High Point Wesleyan.

Rivals’ latest 2016 Top 5

  1. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Wake Forest, N.C. (Florida target, among others)
  2. Shea Patterson, QB, Shreveport, La. (Ole Miss commit)
  3. Marlon Davidson, DE, Greenville, Ala. (Alabama target, among others)
  4. Jacob Eason, QB, Lake Stevens, Wa. (Georgia commit)
  5. Nate Craig-Myers, WR, Tampa, Fla. (Auburn target, among others)