Recruiting 2019 NSD: 4* DE Khris Bogle and 4* CB Elam signs

[BMF]

Florida recruiting: Gators in contention for several top defensive linemen

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-2019-defensive-line-targets

Defensive line is one of Florida’s biggest needs in the 2019 class and the Gators are in contention for several elite prospects at the position.

The Gators have offered more than 50 combined ends and tackles, including 5-star DT Ishmael Sopsher (Amite, La.) and 5-star DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Westlake Village, Calif.). Both linemen are considering Florida among their out-of-state options, but in-state programs LSU and Southern Cal will be tough to beat for Sopsher and Thibodeaux, respectively.

Florida’s chances are much better with 4-star defensive tackles Tyler Davis (Apopka, Fla.) and Jaquaze Sorrells (Largo, Fla.), a former Gators commit. Sorrells reopened his recruitment on New Year’s Eve and has all options under consideration, but Florida is viewed as one of his top schools along with Alabama and Clemson. Ohio State is Florida’s biggest competition for Davis, who was offered by the Gators on Jan. 18 and recently received offers from Clemson and Georgia.

Top-100 overall recruit Nathan Pickering (Seminary, Miss.) and 4-star defender Derick Hunter (Fort Myers, Fla.) appear to be Florida’s most attainable top targets at strongside defensive end, while 4-star pass rushers Khris Bogle (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Lloyd Summerall (Auburndale, Fla.) are seemingly the best bets for the Gators at weakside defensive end.

Hunter attended Florida’s junior day last month and the Gators are one of his top teams, but UGA holds the edge in his recruitment. Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss lead the pack for Pickering, but he plans to visit Florida and has a relationship with the coaches from their time at MSU. The Gators will have to contend with Miami and Florida State for Bogle and Summerall, who will both visit Gainesville this spring.

 

[BMF]

New Florida staff looking for specific recruiting criteria to improve offense

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-improve-offense

New offensive staff talks recruiting
Florida has struggled mightily on offense for the last eight years, becoming a problem that Dan Mullen’s last two predecessors could not fix.

Will Muschamp had trouble with offensive recruiting and missed on several in-state targets during his tenure. Jim McElwain was able to land some talented offensive prospects, but a couple of key players dealt with off-the-field issues (Antonio Callaway, Jordan Scarlett) and others did not show progress (Feleipe Franks, DeAndre Goolsby).

For Mullen and Co. to improve Florida’s offense, it will take more than a few 5-star recruits or a top-5 class. Mullen wants to recruit at an elite level, but he and his assistants need players who can take to coaching and develop under their guidance — physically and mentally.

“If you can’t recruit, you can’t coach. You’re only as good as the players and the people that you surround yourself with,” Gators tight end coach Larry Scott said. “Obviously, we want to have very, very talented players here at the University of Florida. But for every really good player, I’ll show you a better person first.

“Somewhere in there is the fitness in a person for where the limits and the things you’re going to push them to and test them to. There has to be some semblance of a really good person deep down inside of them. Sometimes you just gotta pull it out of them.”

Having coached at Florida before with Mullen, wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales and offensive line coach John Hevesy both know what kind of recruits are required to win championships in the SEC.

They weren’t able to attract that same caliber of athlete during their time at Mississippi State. That put even more importance on their recruiting evaluations — and they could not afford to miss in their division.

“In the last nine years, we weren’t fortunate to always chase 5-stars. … It was hard, so you always had to evaluate,” Hevesy said. “We did a great job of evaluating obviously athletic ability outside of what the media saw and then also getting to understand who they are with their work ethic. Do they want to work? Do you they strive to be successful? That’s the biggest thing with all of them. Not, ‘Here, you are the greatest thing ever.’ It was, ‘Do you want to be great?’

“And you see obviously the athletic ability as they run through camp and you watch the film and they do those things. Then it was, find that great character. Find that work ethic. Those kids are going to build the program. Dak [Prescott] was one of the epitomes of that. He was not a highly recruited kid, but just the work ethic, the demeanor, what he wanted, that was kind of the epitome of what we always went to.”

Gonzales and Hevesy both landed top-100 overall recruits in the 2018 class with wide receiver Jacob Copeland and tackle Richard Gouraige. Gonzales called Copeland a fantastic football player, but also acknowledged that he has potential to fulfill.

“I’ve coached 5-star kids and I’ve coached zero-star kids. … It’s about development,” Gonzales said. “They’ve got to buy into the program. They’ve got to live in the weight room. They’ve got to eat right. They’ve got to train right. They have to take care of their academics. If they have a desire and willingness to have an opportunity, hopefully we’ll recruit players here that want to play at the next level.

“If they don’t want to play at the next level in the NFL, I don’t really want to coach them. I want players that have the desire and dream, because they’ll do things the right way. They understand what they want to get to and have to go through a process.”

Fixing Florida’s offense will be a process through recruiting, but the 2018 class was a promising start with the additions of Copeland, Gouraige, quarterback Emory Jones and several 4-star signees.

Getting them to campus, however, is only the first part. Without coaching and development, some of the best talent can go to waste.

“Recruiting is the lifeblood of what we do. It’s the lifeblood of building relationships,” Scott said. “If you can build those relationships the right way through recruiting, you can coach them the right way, the hard way. The way that you need to at the right times to get them to go where you need them to go to come to a place like this and be a part of winning championships.

“Because that is the Gator standard, obviously, throughout the whole university. That’s one thing, growing up in the state and being around it … [Florida] has always been synonymous with winning, and winning at an elite and high level. If you want to do that here, you’ve gotta recruit at that level.”

 

[BMF]

Jimbo loses a commit...who has a UF offer:

Talented in-state CB Bobby Wolfe decommits from Texas A&M

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tamu-football/talented-state-cb-bobby-wolfe-decommits-texas/

Houston CB Bobby Wolfe decommitted from Texas A&M late Tuesday night.

Wolfe had been committed to Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies since Junior Day on February 4. He boasts offers from several schools around the country, and most recently, Nebraska and Georgia offered. Specifically within the SEC, Wolfe holds offers from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound CB is rated a 4-star prospect and ranked as the nation’s No. 18 CB and the state of Texas’ No. 26 overall prospect for the class of 2019, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.

With Wolfe’s decommitment, Texas A&M now has seven players pledged for the class of 2019. The state of Texas is rather loaded at CB for the 2019 class.

 

[BMF]

Florida recruiting: New assistants looking to fill QB, RB spots in 2019 class

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-qb-rb-spots

Brian Johnson, Greg Knox discuss Florida recruiting
Florida’s 2019 recruiting board continues take shape as the new coaching staff sends out offers and determines its top targets.


The Gators have yet to land a quarterback and running back in the 2019 class, but have offered 11 prospects at each positions. Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson discussed what he’s looking for in a signal caller.

“No. 1, once you get to this level everybody has a certain talent. There’s a certain talent required to play at this level,” Johnson said. “I think the things that go underrated or unnoticed, the first thing you want is physicalness. You need a guy that can be the face of your program and be able to handle success, be able to handle adversity. I think those are two aspects that is kind of a starting point for us.

“We want someone that’s tough, that can be a leader, that can process information and make decisions and has some ‘it’ factor. I think we kind of start to dive into the intangible stuff that you can’t necessarily measure that makes great quarterbacks. There’s a ton of guys throughout America that can run, than can throw, and then look good in shorts and at combines. We all know the game isn’t played that way. We try to just dive into personality and fit.”

Johnson landed top-100 quarterback Emory Jones in the 2018 class. Of the 11 quarterbacks who have been offered for 2019, the Gators appear to have a good shot with 4-star prospect Taisun Phommachanh (Bridgeport, Conn.) and 3-star QBs David Baldwin (Bradenton, Fla.) and Jalon Jones (Baltimore). All three plan to visit Florida this spring.

“I truly believe there is no better place in America to play quarterback than the University of Florida,” Johnson said. “You walk right outside that stadium and you see three Heisman Trophy winner statues out there. That excites me as a position coach. Coach [Dan] Mullen always talks about the Gator standard. To me, that’s what the Gator standard is. We have some huge shoes to fill in that room. We’re definitely up for the challenge.”

The Gators have signed an elite running back four straight years and new position coach Greg Knox will look to extend that streak in the 2019 class. He is pursuing 5-star RBs Noah Cain and Trey Sanders from IMG Academy and 4-star RB Austin Jones, a top-100 recruit from Oakland, Calif., who received an offer from Florida on Feb. 7.


“I look for a guy that’s dynamic. A guy that can make guys miss in space,” Knox said. “People and kids ask me that all the time: ‘Coach, what do you look for in a running back?’ Can you make the first guy miss? Are you always moving forward? How good are your hands out of the backfield?

“I don’t only want to hand it off to you. I want to be able to throw you the ball, get you out in space and let you operate 1 on 1. So I’m looking for a dynamic player. A guy that can make guys miss, create the big play out in space and hit what we call the home run.”

 

[BMF]

This kid's recruitment is picking up:

LSU offers elite dual-threat QB Taisun Phommachanh

https://www.seccountry.com/lsu/lsu-offers-elite-dual-threat-qb-taisun-phommachanh

LSU has been patient as it looks to add a quarterback to its 2019 recruiting class. On Wednesday evening, the staff made a very notable move.

The Tigers extended an offer to 4-star mobile quarterback Taisun Phommachanh, the No. 3-ranked dual-threat prospect in the country and top overall prospect in Connecticut according to 247Sports.

Phommachanh, who measures up to 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, already holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina, TCU and Penn State, as well as several others. The Seminoles are considered the early favorite for the talented prospect from the Northeast.

As a junior at Avon Gold Farms (Conn.) High School, Phommachanh completed better than 70 percent of his passes for a combined 2,253 yards and 25 touchdowns compared to just 1 interception. He added another 633 yards on the ground to go along with 17 rushing scores.

LSU has been zeroed in on 4-star All-America passer Grant Gunnell during the early part of the 2019 recruiting cycle. Phommachanh became just the sixth quarterback in the class to pick up an offer from the Tigers.

 

[BMF]

Jones hearing from two schools a lot including the Florida Gators

https://www.gatorcountry.com/featur...o-schools-a-lot-including-the-florida-gators/

Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators struck gold late in the process when they landed quarterback Emory Jones but Mullen and the Gators are hoping to get a quarterback much earlier in the 2019 class.

One of the quarterbacks high on the Gators board is quarterback Jalon Jones (6-3, 180, Baltimore, MD. St Frances Academy) who was once committed to Mullen at Mississippi State but now hears a lot from Florida.

“Florida is always talking to me,” Jones said. “We have a good love with each other. I talk to Coach [Dan] Mullen, Coach Brian Johnson and Coach Sal [Sunseri] a lot.”

Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is leading the recruitment of Jones and he has a simple message for the quarterback.

“Just that he likes my game a lot,” he said on Johnson’s message to him. “He just wants to take me under his wing so he can teach and coach me.”

Jones and Johnson are in the early stages of building a relationship but so far the quarterback likes what he knows about the Florida assistant coach.

“The relationship with him is going real good right now,” Jones said on his relationship with Johnson. “I know that he played for Coach Mullen at Utah and was on the cover of NCAA. It’s just a lot of love with him.”

Head coach Dan Mullen has been recruiting Jones for over two years now and the message hasn’t changed much despite the move in schools for Mullen.

“He just tells me the same thing but says he’s at a different location now,” he said of Mullen’s message to him. “He says I’m a big part of the 2019 class and that they still need quarterbacks down there and that they need me.”

Jones is now in the process of setting up visits for the spring and he knows of one official visit he will take.

“I’m not sure yet, I’m still trying to get my schedule together,” Jones said on upcoming visits. “I’m trying to set up my official visit down there [Florida] now.”

The Gators aren’t the only school hard after Jones, as Mullen’s former boss is also after the quarterback.

“Florida and Ohio State are the schools I talk to the most,” he said. “I don’t really have any leader or anything but those are the people I talk to the most.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Mullen’s relationship with Jones is strong and goes back a few years and that is something that will keep Florida high on the quarterbacks list. The Gators now just need to get Jones on campus so he can see Gainesville for the first time.

 

[BMF]

How Florida’s regime change impacted in-state recruiting for 2019 class

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-regime-change-2019-class

A few of Florida’s in-state targets are committed elsewhere, but not a lot.

College decisions already have been made by just five of the top-30 recruits in the Sunshine State, according to the 247Sports composite. A pair of them — Georgia DE commit Nolan Smith II (Savannah, Ga.) and Missouri WR commit Shamar Nash(Memphis, Tenn.) — are out-of-state players who attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Another prospect is 5-star cornerback Akeem Dent (West Palm Beach, Fla.), who pledged to the previous Florida State staff last summer and remains “strongly”committed to the Seminoles under new coach Willie Taggart. He is the cousin of former FSU wide receiver Greg Dent (2010-12).

Miami WR commit Jeremiah Payton (Neptune Beach, Fla.) and Alabama DB commit Brendan Gant (Lakeland, Fla.) are the others in the top 30. Florida has offered a scholarship to each of those 30 in-state recruits and, again, 25 are still undecided.

So there’s no cause for concern, but the regime change did set the Gators back in the 2019 class. Even with a national brand like Florida and a well-known coach such as Dan Mullen, it takes time to form relationships and get recruits on board early in the process.

It’s no surprise that three of the five aforementioned players are committed to Alabama (Gant), Georgia (Smith) and Miami (Payton).

All of those schools boast established head coaches who are also coming off very successful seasons and have been killing it on the recruiting trail for the past year. In Alabama’s case, it’s been much longer than that.

With two trips to the SEC Championship Game and a couple years of building relationships, former Florida coach Jim McElwain and his staff landed commitments from six of the state’s top 22 recruits in the 2019 class before their junior seasons.

Mullen, unlike McElwain, was already a household name in the state and around the SEC upon taking the Florida job. Once he puts together a successful season and starts rolling in recruiting, the Gators will have no trouble securing commits early and often from the state’s top prospects.

 

[T REX]

, it takes time to form relationships

Again?

 

[BMF]

He's 100% CB'd to FSU, but at least we're making a push. I saw elsewhere that he's the #3 DT QB, so not sure where the #1 ranking is coming from unless the rankings have changed...

Six Coming Hard for Taisun Phommachanh
Gators Tracking No 1 Dual-Threat QB

https://scout.com/college/florida/Article/No-1-Dual-Threat-QB-Setting-up-Trips-115946474

Four-star signal caller Taisun Phommachanah checks in at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds from Bridgeport (CT) Avon Old Farms. The No 1 dual-threat quarterback is looking to visit seven programs.

The No 88 overall ranked player in the country is dual-threat quarterback Taisun Phommachanh. The Florida Gators, as well as numerous other programs are coming after the four-star standout.

“The feel of the UF program is definitely a great feeling,” Taisun Phommachanh said. “They are a big time program. When me and the family visits programs we want to get a good feel for the atmosphere for the people there.”

Phommachanh breaks down the strengths of his game

“Best part of my game is I am definitely pass first but if I need to run/extend the play I can do that,” Phommachanh said. “What I need to work on is getting bigger, faster and stronger.”

“Trying to visit Florida, Florida State, TCU, Ole Miss, Michigan, LSU and Clemson,” Phommachanh said. “Schools showing the most love would be Uconn, Clemson, Penn State, Ole Miss, Florida and Florida State.”

 

[BMF]

Again?

Yeah, I noticed that. It's Zach, so take w/ a grain of salt...

 

[BMF]

100% CB'd to UF...

OLB High On Gators
Tillman Getting Plenty of Attention from Around the Country

https://scout.com/college/florida/Article/Sunshine-State-OLB-Keeping-Tabs-on-Gators-115964107

Orlando (FL) Jones standout outside linebacker checks in at 6-foot-2, 220-pounds. The three-star backer holds over a dozen offers and is keeping his eye on the Gators.

“I feel great about UF,” Marcus Tillman said. “They are very high on my list. I talk to the coaches every week and hear a lot from Coach Mullen.”

Tillman is looking for a few things before he makes his final decision.

“The best academic and what degree carries more to get a job after football,” Tillman said. “Also, the coaches and how will I fit in.”

Look for the speedy linebacker to take multiple trips this Spring and Fall.

“Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and USC,” Tillman said.

Clemson, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio State and Louisville are a few schools showing the most love.

 

[BMF]

(from TOS recruiting board):


Recruiting is relentless. This staff is making efforts and I believe based on reports and direct word of mouth making great progress with 2019 recruits. So here are some reports from various sites and my synopsis at the end. Enjoy.

Jamie Robinson 5-11, 180, Cordele, GA. Crisp County) was one of those guys who got an offer and it was offer that has been waiting on him for a few weeks.

“Coach [John] Hevesy was the one who gave me the offer,” Robinson said. “He was pretty much saying that he has been trying to get in touch with me to tell me about the offer. So he just said that he was offering me.”

D.J. Turner: Last month when the Gators hosted junior day, the staff hosted defensive back DJ Turner (5-11, 170, Suwanee, GA. North Gwinnett) on campus. “I really enjoyed Florida,” Turner said of his junior day visit. “They’re one of my top schools now and I’ll definitely be back soon for another visit.”

Briton Allen: One of the top overall defensive backs in the country checks in from Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy and his name is Briton Allen. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound hard hitting safety has a bright future.

“I like UF as a whole,” Briton Allen said. “I like the staff and the school, I just haven't talked to them in a while. Me and my mom looking for somewhere i can fit in the best and feel like I'm part of the family.”

247Sports Composite National Ranking No 401 Safety Ranking No 32 Florida Ranking No 54

What about the lack of DL for the 2018 class: Look at the size of these guys and I can’t wait to see the SAVAGE effect.

Why UF was OK with the DL class this year. 4 of 5 DT’s are sophomores. However hitting on two this year is imperative.

Khairi Clark (redshirt senior): Clark, listed at 6-foot-2, 319 pounds last season, is the most experienced interior defensive lineman on the roster, starting all 11 games last season at nose tackle. He’s primarily a space eater, which is exactly what a 3-4 nose tackle needs to be. But he’ll have plenty of competition from even larger teammates.

Tedarrell Slaton (sophomore): Slaton was one of the biggest additions in the Gators’ 2017 class — both in terms of recruiting ranking and size. Listed at 6-4, 358 pounds on the official roster last season, he has the look of a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. Former coach Jim McElwain dubbed him and the other massive freshmen defensive tackles the “Bam Bam Kids.” It would not be a surprise to see him claim the starting job.

Elijah Conliffe (sophomore): Another of the aforementioned “Bam Bam Kids,” Conliffe got some experience last season as a raw but physically imposing prospect. He was officially listed at 6-4, 317 pounds. Could he be moved out to defensive end in 3-4 alignments? Sure. That’s why this is largely guesswork

Kyree Campbell (sophomore): Campbell, listed at 6-3, 305 pounds last season, is another guy who could potential slide out to end in a 3-4. He also got some experience as a rookie and is another intriguing young player up front the new staff can mold to best fit the roster.

Marlon Dunlap (redshirt sophomore): Dunlap, listed at 6-3, 328 pounds, sat out last season after transferring from North Carolina. He was a 3-star prospect in the Class of 2016.

QB? Right now it seems the top two of interest are Zeno and Jones.

Jalon Jones: One of the quarterbacks high on the Gators board is quarterback Jalon Jones (6-3, 180, Baltimore, MD. St Frances Academy) who was once committed to Mullen at Mississippi State but now hears a lot from Florida.

“Florida is always talking to me,” Jones said. “We have a good love with each other. I talk to Coach [Dan] Mullen, Coach Brian Johnson and Coach Sal [Sunseri] a lot.”

Luke Griffin: The Gators even got Georgia offensive line commit Luke Griffin (6-5, 275, Chatsworth, GA. North Murray) to visit and he learned of some good news while on campus.

“The visit went good, it was a good visit,” Griffin said of his visit to Florida for junior day. “The coaches are very nice, down to earth. It’s always good to pick up an offer, just overall it was a good visit.”


Kayvon Thibodeaux: GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is one of several college programs pursuing Kayvon Thibodeaux, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2019.

The 5-star defensive end from Oaks Christian High School (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) was offered by new Gators coach Dan Mullen shortly after he took the job. Mullen flew to California to visit Thibodeaux on Jan. 22.

“Coach Mullen is a great guy,” Thibodeaux told SEC Country. “We talk on the phone and I like what he’s doing at Florida. I know there’s a lot of potential in the program. I see a lot of great things happening, honestly.”

Thibodeaux said he speaks with multiple coaches at Florida and likes the new defensive staff. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect has already discussed his role in the Gators’ 3-4 scheme.

“They’ll have me rushing the passer,” he said. “In their defensive package, I might drop back sometimes and play a hybrid linebacker/D-end. That was great to hear. That fits my job description. That’s exactly what I am and what I’m good at.”Thibodeaux wants to take a visit Florida and has a couple possible trips in mind. He could make it to campus in the near future

DL: The Gators have offered more than 50 combined ends and tackles, including 5-star DT Ishmael Sopsher (Amite, La.) and 5-star DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Westlake Village, Calif.). Both linemen are considering Florida among their out-of-state options, but in-state programs LSU and Southern Cal will be tough to beat for Sopsher and Thibodeaux, respectively.

Florida’s chances are much better with 4-star defensive tackles Tyler Davis (Apopka, Fla.) and Jaquaze Sorrells (Largo, Fla.), a former Gators commit. Sorrells reopened his recruitment on New Year’s Eve and has all options under consideration, but Florida is viewed as one of his top schools along with Alabama and Clemson. Ohio State is Florida’s biggest competition for Davis, who was offered by the Gators on Jan. 18 and recently received offers from Clemson and Georgia.

Top-100 overall recruit Nathan Pickering (Seminary, Miss.) and 4-star defender Derick Hunter (Fort Myers, Fla.) appear to be Florida’s most attainable top targets at strongside defensive end, while 4-star pass rushers Khris Bogle (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Lloyd Summerall (Auburndale, Fla.) are seemingly the best bets for the Gators at weakside defensive end.

I have no clue which or if any of those guys sign with UF but I expect UF will get at least a couple of those guys. Let me clear that lineup for you. Hunter, Bogel, Summerall, Sorrells, Davis, Sopsher and Thibodeaux. That is as good a board as anyone.

Parting thoughts: The team is working very hard. With few exceptions it seems as if the vast majority of the team has bought in. They want to win just like the fans. It also appears that the current commits are fully bought in.

Until next time.

 

[BMF]

I'd like to get this kid back in the fold...

Former Gators commit Jaleel McRae planning to visit Florida

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-jaleel-mcrae-update

Florida still in play for Jaleel McRae
Jaleel McRae was the first recruit to join Florida’s 2019 class more than two years ago, but he’s been back on the market for the last few months.

The 4-star linebacker from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) committed to the Gators in February 2016, but decided to re-open his recruitment in late November because of the coaching changes.

“I’ve just been taking the process slow,” McRae told SEC Country. “I’m about to head into spring ball, so I’m just focused on that right now. I’ll go back home to New Smyrna Beach during the summer and have a talk with my mom and dad. We’ll figure out which schools are the best fit for me and what official visits I’m going to take in the fall.”

One of those trips will be to Florida, which was McRae’s dream school growing up. He received a visit from Gators coach Dan Mullen during the January contact period.

“That was pretty exciting to see him come fly down in the helicopter,” McRae said. “I know Dan Mullen is going to do great things at Florida. He’s a great coach and he’s getting those boys right so they can win a national championship.”

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect has been in contact with Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. McRae believes he can thrive in his 3-4 scheme.

“I talk to the defensive coordinator, Coach Grantham. I really like what he does on defense,” McRae said. “He told me that they still have me up on the top of their board. If I do end up going to Florida, I know we’ll do it big.”

McRae claims no leader at this time, but Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Texas A&M are some of his top schools. Florida State is another program he’s strongly considering.

McRae will be an early enrollee and plans to make his decision in November. He is ranked the nation’s No. 7 outside linebacker and No. 113 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite.

McRae recently visited Florida State and Georgia Tech and will return to FSU for its spring game. He also plans to take a couple trips to Florida.

“I’m probably going to get back there in the summer and really check it out,” McRae said. “I will most likely take an official visit to Florida. I just need to spend time around the new staff and get to know them on a personal level. I’m looking for coaches who can be father figures and make me feel at home.”

 

[GatorJ]

I'd like to get this kid back in the fold...

Former Gators commit Jaleel McRae planning to visit Florida

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-recruiting-jaleel-mcrae-update

Florida still in play for Jaleel McRae
Jaleel McRae was the first recruit to join Florida’s 2019 class more than two years ago, but he’s been back on the market for the last few months.

The 4-star linebacker from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) committed to the Gators in February 2016, but decided to re-open his recruitment in late November because of the coaching changes.

“I’ve just been taking the process slow,” McRae told SEC Country. “I’m about to head into spring ball, so I’m just focused on that right now. I’ll go back home to New Smyrna Beach during the summer and have a talk with my mom and dad. We’ll figure out which schools are the best fit for me and what official visits I’m going to take in the fall.”

One of those trips will be to Florida, which was McRae’s dream school growing up. He received a visit from Gators coach Dan Mullen during the January contact period.

“That was pretty exciting to see him come fly down in the helicopter,” McRae said. “I know Dan Mullen is going to do great things at Florida. He’s a great coach and he’s getting those boys right so they can win a national championship.”

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect has been in contact with Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. McRae believes he can thrive in his 3-4 scheme.

“I talk to the defensive coordinator, Coach Grantham. I really like what he does on defense,” McRae said. “He told me that they still have me up on the top of their board. If I do end up going to Florida, I know we’ll do it big.”

McRae claims no leader at this time, but Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Texas A&M are some of his top schools. Florida State is another program he’s strongly considering.

McRae will be an early enrollee and plans to make his decision in November. He is ranked the nation’s No. 7 outside linebacker and No. 113 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite.

McRae recently visited Florida State and Georgia Tech and will return to FSU for its spring game. He also plans to take a couple trips to Florida.

“I’m probably going to get back there in the summer and really check it out,” McRae said. “I will most likely take an official visit to Florida. I just need to spend time around the new staff and get to know them on a personal level. I’m looking for coaches who can be father figures and make me feel at home.”

We lost some really talented kids with the coaching change. I’d like to see about half of them back in the fold. Starting with this kid.

 

[T REX]

We lost some really talented kids with the coaching change. I’d like to see about half of them back in the fold. Starting with this kid.

But Mac wasn't recruiting. LOL. It's weird how the narrative changes so quickly. Gotta have those built in excuses for Mullen. Lock and load.

 

[GatorJ]

But Mac wasn't recruiting. LOL. It's weird how the narrative changes so quickly. Gotta have those built in excuses for Mullen. Lock and load.

Are you taking a dig at me? Are you saying that I’ve built in an excuse for Mullen?

 

[T REX]

Are you taking a dig at me? Are you saying that I’ve built in an excuse for Mullen?

Absolutely not. We actually did have some talent committed for 2019 which is opposite of "mac not doing his job". Just like Meyer broke the program for Muschamp and Muschamp ruined the program for Mac...we gotta have one for Mullen.

 

[GatorJ]

Absolutely not. We actually did have some talent committed for 2019 which is opposite of "mac not doing his job". Just like Meyer broke the program for Muschamp and Muschamp ruined the program for Mac...we gotta have one for Mullen.

For sure. Mullen needs to get these kids back on the train. No excuse. They committed to Mac for Pete’s sake.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

We actually did have some talent committed for 2019 which is opposite of "mac not doing his job".

22 three star kids and a handful of real players.

It's sad to see you now trying to pump Butters.

It's also real easy to get kids from three years out to commit when they have no other commitable offers. Keeping them is much harder, which of course Butterteeth never did.

 

[T REX]

22 three star kids and a handful of real players.

It's sad to see you now trying to pump Butters.

It's also real easy to get kids from three years out to commit when they have no other commitable offers. Keeping them is much harder, which of course Butterteeth never did.

Ha...pump butters. Hell no. Mullen needs a huge haul next year. No excuses.