10 things to know about the Florida Gators’ recruiting class
By Corey Long
Published:
New head coach Dan Mullen continues to put his touches on the Gators’ first recruiting class under his leadership. Here’s how things look going into Wednesday’s early signing period:
1. What’s the big news from this past week?
Well it started with 4-star quarterback Matt Corral making a flip to Ole Miss. This was not a total shock as Corral didn’t seem to have much of a relationship with Mullen and Mullen never made him a priority.
Tyquan Thornton, a 4-star wide receiver, also left, flipping to Baylor.
But there was good news as 3-star safety John Huggins, a former FSU commit, visited Florida over the weekend and committed with plans to sign this week.
1000% Committed?! Signing Dec.20th. #GoGators ? pic.twitter.com/S9F6nbEWNu
— John Huggins (@jhuggins_23) December 17, 2017
Florida’s class is ranked 32nd in the 247sports.com composite rankings. The Gators have 12 verbal commitments.
2. With Corral gone, what are the Gators going to do about the quarterback position?
Emory Jones, a 4-star dual-threat QB, visited Florida this week. He is committed to Ohio State but seems to be open to the idea of playing for Mullen. Jones also visited FSU for the rest of the weekend after visiting Florida. It’s expected he’ll sign with Ohio State, Florida or FSU this week.
3. Do the Gators have any chance at Jones?
Yes, if the reports are that Jones, from Franklin, Ga., wants to be closer to home, then Florida should have a good chance of a flip. The Gators probably represent the best chance of immediate playing time between the three programs as well.
Right now the 247sports.com crystal ball has Ohio State the favorite with 47 percent, but five recruitniks changed their prediction to Florida over the weekend.
4. If Jones doesn’t come, what’s next at QB?
Florida needs a quarterback in this class and probably two. Mullen probably can’t sign off on this class without at least one arm. Three-star quarterback Jalen Mayden committed to Mississippi State while Mullen was there but has remained solid to the Bulldogs and may have reaffirmed his commitment to the new staff there. Don’t be surprised if Mullen dips into the junior colleges to fill some immediate holes, especially if he needs a quick stopgap at quarterback.
5. Will Florida be active for junior college signing period?
Absolutely. The early signing period for high school prospects has dominated the recruiting news cycle, but the junior college players will be signing this week as well. Mullen should have plenty of familiarity with the JuCo prospects who played in Mississippi. He’ll be looking for immediate help at quarterback and along the lines. Four-star defensive lineman Teair Tart-Spencer from East Mississippi College would be the sort of signing week splash JuCo signing that Mullen would like to make.
6. How many prospects are expected to sign with Florida during the early signing period?
According to Gatorsports.com, 10 commits are expected to sign. Obviously that doesn’t include a potential flip like Jones.
The prospects Gatorsports.com says are expected to sign this week: 4-star tight end Kyle Pitts, 4-star safety Amari Burney, 4-star running back Dameon Pierce, 4-star athlete Iverson Clement, 4-star linebacker David Reese, 3-star safety Randy Russell, 3-star safety John Huggins, 3-star offensive tackle Chris Bleich, 3-star defensive end Dante Lang and 3-star kicker Evan McPherson.
7. Any potential surprises, good or bad, on that list?
Well Russell, from Miami, Fla., visited USF in the past week and took an official to Louisville over the weekend. If any of the 10 players aren’t going to sign with Florida this week, Russell would be the one to flip.
8. Why isn’t 4-star offensive lineman Richard Gouraige on the list of early signings?
Gouraige, from Tampa, Fla., is the highest-rated player in the Gators’ class and seems to be pretty strong in his commitment. He did receive an in-home visit from Auburn earlier this month, but he also took a trip to Gainesville last weekend. Even if he doesn’t sign this weekend, Gouraige seems pretty solid despite Auburn’s overtures.
9. Once early signing period is over, who will the Gators target?
Some of the bigger names are 5-star offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere, 5-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr., 4-star wide receiver Warren Thompson, 4-star defensive lineman Malcolm Lamar and 4-star offensive lineman William Barnes are some of the targets who should be taking official visits to Florida in January.
10. When it’s all said and done where will Florida’s class be ranked?
Mullen will have the opportunity to close strong. If the Gators can flip Jones this week it will give them a lot of momentum for the homestretch. With the prospects Florida is in serious play for, the Gators should get into the top 15 and possibly the top 10 after all the signatures are in.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
