Florida’s defense didn’t impress much on Saturday against LSU, but five-star edge rusher [autotag]Qua Russaw[/autotag] — who was in town on an official visit over the weekend — saw those defensive struggles as a net positive for the Gators in terms of his recruitment, according to 247Sports.
That might sound odd, but a struggling unit is often a few pieces away from success in the SEC, and Russaw could be that missing link on defense. The Gators like him as [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag].’s successor at the JACK linebacker spot. It’s a position Russaw has plenty of interest in playing at the college level because it allows him to utilize every ounce of versatility that makes him the five-star EDGE he is.
Cox is headed to the NFL after this year, so Russaw sees a very clear path to take over that starting spot as early as his freshman season.
“I thought (Florida) played good,” Russaw said. “The defense was struggling, but I feel like they are just missing a few pieces. The offense played great and the atmosphere was crazy because of the fans. They were going crazy out there. I realize Cox, number 1 and 51 the linebacker ([autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag])are both seniors so they will be gone. It’s just another opportunity to come play. On third down they really couldn’t get off the field. I see opportunity though. They have a window to where if I come in, work, then I could potentially be starting in my first year.”
Florida is one of six finalists for Russaw along with Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Georgia and Ohio State. He’s been on official visits to Auburn and Georgia in addition to Florida and will be in Alabama next weekend for the Mississippi State game, albeit in an unofficial capacity. The Georgia-Tennessee game might be his next stop after that, and then he could be back in the Swamp for the South Carolina game.
Russaw’s schedule is still very up in the air right now, but he knows that Florida is worth another look after a successful weekend.
“It helped them out,” he said of Florida. “I was already interested in them, but this visit really put them up there.”
The plan is to decide during the early signing period alongside fellow five-star teammate [autotag]James Smith[/autotag]. The two are considered a package deal and Smith had fun on his visit this weekend as well.
The 247Sports composite ranks Russaw at No. 29 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 5 among edge rushers.
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