While the Florida Gators’ football program barely cracked the top 10 for the 2021 recruiting cycle, they are still earning some praise just a week after national signing day wrapped up.
ESPN recently broke down the 2021 class now that it’s all signed and spotlighted which teams recruited the best at each offensive position for the class. The usual suspects such USC, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Oregon were mentioned at key positions but Florida wasn’t shut out from the praise.
Dan Mullen’s squad was listed as one of the teams that recruited the best at the tight end position, landing two ESPN 300 players at tight end by signing Gage Wilcox and Nick Elksnis.
Here is what staff writer Tom VanHaaren had to say about the Gators haul at tight end:
This post isn’t including transfers, but it would be difficult not to at least note that Florida is bringing in former five-star tight endArik Gilbert, who transferred from LSU. That is significant, but didn’t factor in to listing the Gators here.The staff has two ESPN 300 tight ends in the class, and after the success of Kyle Pitts this past season, there should be no shortage of top tight ends flocking to Florida in the future. Wilcox is the No. 256 ranked recruit and Elksnis is No. 284.
Following Kyle Pitts’ big season a year ago, the position has a bright future and we could be looking at breakout seasons down the line for Wilcox and Elksnis. Having that big year for Pitts helps in more than one way as it’s now had an impact on recruiting at the position.
Gilbert should make an impact right away in the offense while Wilcox and Elksnis could be the future of the position for Mullen’s offense. It’s safe to say that the Gators are in good shape at a key position in this offense for a few years to come.
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