There is a very good recruiting status write up in the Athletic -
Where Florida stands in 2020 recruiting and what it needs to...
Most of it is what many here are already observing, on both the pumper and dumper side, but it is also an example of a journalist noting the problems in real time, rather than playing the Abolverdi/Dooley "nothing to see here, you are all paranoid, unrealistic Gidiots."
A couple highlights/lowlights:
"The number is somewhat influenced by the existence of IMG Academy, but a whopping 60 percent of the top-25 prospects over the past three cycles in Florida have signed with an out-of-state school."
"The 2020 cycle is looking similar. Miami has the most top-25 players in the state committed with four, followed by Georgia (2), Clemson (2), Florida (2), Florida State (2), Alabama (1), Penn State (1), Oregon (1) and South Carolina (1). Nine prospects remain uncommitted."
"Florida can’t have elite talent from pipeline schools or locations nearby choose to commit elsewhere and expect to close the gap between the Gators and the country’s best teams — especially when it is coming off a successful season."
"Though the impact facilities have on recruiting is debatable, it’s fair to say and it’s worth mentioning that Florida is well behind its peers as it anticipates construction on a new football facility to start in June 2020. Off-field staff infrastructure is another factor, especially when the on-field staff is collectively known more for its coaching ability than recruiting prowess. Assistant director of player personnel staffers Jamar Chaney, Charlie Skalaski and Keiwan Ratliff are notable additions but they are still relatively new in their roles. Florida must overcome turnover, with former assistant director of player personnel Otis Yelverton and former director of player personnel Chuck Cantor no longer with the program, while continuing to beef up its off-the-field staff."
For those more positive mindsetters:
"Mullen and the Gators proved they can close last cycle and will likely be in a position where they must do it again. Florida landed seven of its 10 highest-rated commits for the 2019 cycle after the regular season." (Caveat, we have since lost 3 of those top rated 7 that came after the regular season)
