GAINESVILLE — Transition classes are historically difficult, but as the 2018 recruiting cycle ends Wednesday, Dan Mullen appears poised to make his first class at Florida an impactful one.

Mullen and his Florida program have nine slots remaining in the class, and the Gators are major players for several top national recruits as they look to close on Signing Day with a bang.

The Gators have already secured a commitment from 4-star WR Justin Watkins, the one-time FSU commit from Clermont, and the speedy playmaker is expected to sign next week.

Likewise, Florida expects to add 3-star center Griffin McDowell, who formerly committed to Mullen at Mississippi State, as well.

That leaves seven openings, with the Gators likely to sign a full transition class next week.

Here’s a longer look at eight players remaining on Florida’s wish list heading into National Signing Day, along with some predictions.

All recruiting rankings utilized below come from the 247 Composite Rankings, which accumulates an average ranking for each recruit based on all major recruiting services.

1. Nicholas Petit-Frere, 5-Star OT, No. 7 overall, Tampa

Considering: Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame

This is the biggest one, both physically and from a need standpoint, for Mullen and his staff.

Will Muschamp didn’t even leave Jim McElwain enough linemen to play a spring game, and McElwain never fully replenished the cupboard up front. If the Gators are to reassert themselves as one of the nation’s elite, that problem must be fixed, and this is the type of player that the program needs to anchor those efforts.

Saban went in home last week, and we know what usually happens then. And Urban Meyer and Ohio State received Petit-Frere’s final visit, which is often an advantage. But the nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle enjoyed his trip to Gainesville the week before, and his mother came away impressed with Florida’s academics, which was important given his interest in Notre Dame. With distance from home and academics immense factors in Petit-Frere’s recruitment, the Gators feel confident headed toward National Signing Day.

Prediction: Florida or Alabama

2. Jacob Copeland, 4-Star WR, No. 69 overall, Pensacola

Considering: Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M

Maybe the most difficult of Florida’s remaining targets to figure out. Copeland was committed to Florida under the McElwain regime, but reopened his recruitment following the coaching change. Active on social media, Copeland has sent a host of mixed signals, trolling the Florida fan base and consistently retweeting Alabama videos and players. But he’s also continued to mostly follow Florida coaches and players and saved his final visit for Mullen and the Gators.

He has a NFL frame (6-0, 192), electric speed and runs quality routes, but needs to work on catching the football more consistently. Still, on a Florida roster that lacked top-level vertical passing threats, he’s an important addition.

Many analysts think the last visit in this instance is instructive and believe Mullen will do what the prior two staffs at Florida couldn’t do: Beat Alabama for an elite player in Pensacola. And by all accounts, Florida knocked the visit out of the park. But will it be enough for Florida to win the type of recruiting battle it simply hasn’t won in the Panhandle in a while?

Prediction: Florida 

3. Richard Gouriage, No. 81 Overall, 4-star OT, Tampa

Considering: Florida, Clemson, Auburn

Another important offensive line recruit, Gouriage was at one time a firm Florida commit but reopened his recruitment following McElwain’s departure.

Gouriage, 6-5, 271, has a wonderful frame and quick feet, making him ideal for Mullen’s offense, even if there’s a reasonable chance his playing time will be limited as a freshman while he puts on weight and mass.

Clemson and Auburn pushed the hardest after Florida’s coaching change, but Florida felt confident following Gouriage’s official visit to Gainesville last weekend. The Gators don’t seem too concerned by Gouriage’s last-minute visit to Auburn this weekend, and one insider told me he’d have been far more concerned if it was another unofficial visit to Clemson, where Gouriage has longer-lasting, established relationships.

Prediction: Florida

4. Dorian Gerald, 3-Star DL, No. 1 JUCO DL, Florence, S.C.

Considering: Texas A&M, Louisville, Florida

With All-SEC defensive lineman Taven Bryan off early to the NFL, and Florida switching to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, the Gators desperately need “ready to play now” depth on the defensive line.

Enter Dorian Gerald, a quick and productive player in the junior college ranks with a great first step who can play as a stand-up hybrid or with his hand in the dirt as a traditional end. He’s also rangy enough and fast enough to help a defense that struggled with perimeter run defense a year ago.

Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M have made a huge late push for Gerald, but Florida’s staff was relentless and were able, in the final hour, to swoop-in and secure the last official visit. That is often enough.

Prediction: Florida

5. Noah Boykin, 4-Star CB, No. 34 CB, Washington, D.C.

Considering: Florida, Southern California

Despite Florida’s claim, along with LSU, to “DBU” fame, Florida’s previous staff couldn’t lock down any of the elite in-state corners available in 2018. The loss of Marcell Harris’ brother, 4-star corner Sevyn Banks, to Ohio State was particularly head-scratching. These errors left Florida’s new staff playing catch-up, and they have rallied valiantly, entering several high-profile recruiting battles late in the game.

The nation’s top-ranked corner, Patrick Surtain Jr, flirted with a late visit to Florida, but ultimately his longstanding relationships at LSU and Alabama won out. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, a 5-star, also considered a late visit, but ultimately decided on a trip to Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee.

That leaves 4-star Noah Boykin, a strong, tall and physical corner ideal for Grantham’s press coverages. Boykin lacks top-end speed and might morph into a free safety, but he would be a great depth piece in a secondary class that already includes Amari Burney.

Boykin is a bit of a late bloomer, as well, and the Gators are confident.

Prediction: Florida

6. Nesta Silvera, 4-star DT, No. 54 overall, Fort Lauderdale

Considering: Miami, Florida, Tennessee

Long committed to The U, Silvera surprised many when he elected to visit Florida two weeks ago and surprised more when he all but conceded it was a two-team race between the Gators and Canes last week. A gregarious personality, Silvera is active on social media and there is a palpable sense he’s trolling someone, with the Gators the most likely victim. Still, Florida’s confidence has grown of late.

A physical, strong tackle from a powerhouse South Florida program (American Heritage) who could play with more fire, Silvera is a guy who will grow into his game and body, although there are questions about his fit in Grantham’s 3-4 scheme.

Prediction: Miami

7. Andrew Chatfield, 4-star DE, No. 13 DE, Fort Lauderdale

Considering: Miami, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma

Silvera’s teammate at American Heritage, there was a sense after Chatfield decommitted from Ohio State that Chatfield and Silvera were a package deal. That theory changed when Florida and FSU changed coaching staffs, and the Gators and Seminoles have come on strong for the speedy but somewhat undersized pass-rusher down the stretch.

Florida had a great visit with Chatfield last weekend, and a handful of Gators players who know Chatfield, including his high school teammate Marco Wilson, believe he’ll sign with UF.

Prediction: Florida

8. Malcolm Lamar, 4-star DE, No. 9 DE, Seffner

Florida used to own recruiting at longtime Florida power Armwood, but was less successful under Jim McElwain, who clashed with the coaching staff. Mullen arrived and immediately went to work repairing that relationship, and in the process, zeroed in on Lamar, a longtime Oregon commit who reopened his recruitment when Willie Taggart left Oregon for Florida State.

A lifelong Gators fan, Lamar has prototypical NFL size and terrific feet, Lamar is a player with immense upside and a terrific motor. He needs to add strength to his frame and develop from a technique standpoint, but the sky is the limit.

Lamar knows and has a cultivated, longtime relationship with Willie Taggart, and it isn’t going to be easy to pry him from FSU on Signing Day. But Florida went in-home with Lamar and his family this weekend and has made a tremendous effort down the stretch.

Prediction: Florida State

All told, it’s an impressive group, one that lacks a genuine “reach,” and one that is a signal of intent about Mullen’s recruiting chops and willingness to fight for the nation’s best moving forward.