Best recent under-the-radar Florida Gators recruits
Florida had the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2007, a Who’s Who collection that included five five-star and 13 four-star prospects.
It also included a three-star recruit who worked his way into the NFL.
Mike Pouncey made the Pro Bowl for the third time in 2015, but he isn’t the only under-the-radar prospect to shine. Here’s a look at several recent recruits graded three stars or fewer, according to 247Sports.com’s composite rankings.
Caleb Sturgis, K, 2008
Sturgis didn’t receive a recruiting grade when he signed with the Gators in 2008. He made 70 field goals, most in Florida history and seventh in SEC history.
Miami selected Sturgis in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Josh Evans, FS, 2009
Evans was a three-star safety who had five interceptions as a Gator.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Evans in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he has developed into a reliable starter in their secondary.
Trey Burton, TE, 2010
Burton was a versatile commodity for the Gators. He played quarterback and running back in high school, but Gators coach Urban Meyer quickly moved him to tight end in an effort to get him on the field.
He ran for 16 touchdowns, caught four touchdown passes and completed 11 passes during his Gators career.
An undrafted free agent, Burton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and has become a special teams standout.
Trip Thurman, OL, 2011
A three-star signee, Thurman was ranked the No. 304 player in the country, according to 247Sports.com’s composite.
He worked his way up the depth chart, developed into a starter and became a valuable returner in 2015, playing through injury to do so.
Alex McCalister, DE, 2012
McCalister was 6-7, 210 yet still somehow overlooked as the No. 509 ranked player in the class.
He developed into one of the Gators’ best pass rushers, recording 6.5 sacks in 2015.
He was suspended late in the season and decided to leave school early for the NFL Draft.
Bryan Cox Jr., DE, 2012
Cox was ranked lower than McCalister, coming in at No. 553 overall despite playing for South Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.
His father, of course, is the former NFL linebacker of the same name.
Cox emerged as a surprising force in 2015, registering 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Jarrad Davis, OLB, 2013
The Gators uncovered another gem in Davis, ranked No. 494 in the class.
Last season, he finished 14th in the SEC with 98 tackles, including 11.0 for a loss.
He considered entering the 2016 NFL Draft but decided to return for his senior season.
Antonio Callaway, WR, 2015
Callaway was much less heralded than five-star classmates Calvin Ridley (Alabama) and Christian Kirk (Texas A&M), but quickly emerged as a receiving and returning threat.
He caught 35 passes — four for touchdowns — and led the Gators with 678 receiving yards. His 19.4 yards-per-catch average led the SEC and was well ahead of Ridley (11.74) and Kirk (12.61).
Callaway has been suspended and isn’t practicing this spring, leaving his status for 2016 in doubt.
Florida hasn’t revealed a reason — or a timetable for his return — but that hasn’t stopped speculation.
Hearing Florida sophomore WR Antonio Callaway's suspension stems from an incident during Florida's recruitment party of QB Jacob Eason
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) March 24, 2016