Coach Hee Haw hasn't done all that bad on the recruiting trail.
This year's Top Ten ranking is impressive, albeit being bolstered by some
recruits with very heavy baggage. Now in year 3 of the McElwain Experiment,
we shall see if Bucky is capable of doing anything with the guys he now has in the fold.
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RECAP OF FLORIDA'S 2017 RECRUITING CLASS:
Quarterback
3-Star
Jake Allen
Florida only took one quarterback, but it was a quality get at a needed position. Jake Allen lost a star, but that means at some point, they saw four-star potential in him. Still, another talented kid with a good body at a needed position for UF on campus.
Grade: C+
Running backs
3-Star
Adarius Lemons
3-Star
Malik Davis (Four-star on Rivals)
This is a loaded class at running back and you can’t tell me otherwise. Both kids were three stars (Malik Davis and Adarius Lemons), but if you check the film, they both play like studs. The Gators only needed one quality back in this cycle with their already loaded backfield, but ended up taking two.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers
4-Star
Daquon Green
4-Star
James Robinson
Another position like running back that didn’t have any real needs, just luxury players. Luxury is what the Gators got with two four-star wideouts in Daquon Green and James Robinson. Both are beyond talented and will have great careers in Gainesville. (Of course, Robinson's future hinges in his ability to keep his nose clean after his misstep on his Ohio recruiting visit.)
Grade: A
Tight Ends
4-Star
Kemore Gamble
3-Star
Zech Byrd
Byrd isn’t official yet as he still hasn’t signed and faxed his LOI, likely for academic reasons. Gamble, on the other hand, is already on campus and looks to be a stud. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gamble were to have the starting job by conference play come this season.
Grade: B+
Offensive line
4-Star
Kadeem Telfort
4-Star
T.J. Moore
Grade: B
This is probably the position Florida missed the most at. They lost Kai Leon-Herbert to Miami, Alex Leatherwood to Alabama, and Navaughn Donaldson to Maimi. Regardless, the offensive line class was really solid to pair up with another one from last season. Telfort and Moore are both quality players.
Defensive Line
4-Star
Zachary Carter
4-Star
Elijah Conliffe
4-Star
T.J. Slaton (Five star on Scout)
3-Star
Kyree Campbell
Grade: B
This is a position with something left to be desired, but the Gators still finished strong in the defensive trenches. From a DT board that was as scrambled and bad as possible a month ago, it filled out nicely on signing day. Florida probably could have used another defensive tackle, but it is what it is. Everyone here will see immediate playing time, especially Campbell, who is already on campus.
Linebackers
3-Star
Nick Smith
3-Star
Ventrell Miller
3-Star
James Houston
2-Star
Lacedrick Brunson
Grade: C+
On paper, easily the weakest position, but linebacker depth was needed more than day one-staters this cycle. When evaluating linebackers, we also have to keep in mind the Gators have Randy Shannon evaluating them. If Randy Shannon likes a kid, he’s most likely better than what he appears to be on the surface. I’m content with the four linebackers taken. I would have liked to see Levi Jones or Rahyme Johnson in the class, but it didn’t turn out like that.
Defensive Backs
4-Star
Brad Stewart
4-Star
Marco Wilson
4-Star
Christopher Henderson
3-Star
Brian Edwards (Four-star on Rivals)
3-Star
Shawn Davis
3-Star Donovan Stiner
Grade: A+
Man, let me tell you something. This defensive back class Florida has coming in is loaded—even without Elijah Blades. You’re talking about six kids, five of whom were Plan A options at major programs like Alabama, Miami, LSU, and USC, in one class. Don’t get me wrong, either; Stiner is a great talent, which is why he ended up at DBU. This whole set of defensive backs are studs. Florida football fans should be excited to see these kids in the swamp come September.
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Athlete
3-Star
Kadarius Toney
No idea where he will actually play despite taking current reps at QB. Nonetheless, he’s a fantastic athlete with an elite skill set. Great asset.
Grade: A+