Blue-chip defensive back recruit joins myriad of prospects for Vols game

The list continues to grow as this in-state defender sets his sights on the Gators-Vols game.

Florida football will open its 2023 Southeastern Conference schedule at home inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers. On that Saturday, the program will also be hosting a plethora of prep prospects who will be getting a gander at the Gators in live action.

Among those scheduled for a gameday visit is four-star safety Zavier Mincey out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland in the 2025 cycle, according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman. The 6-foot-3-inch, 180-pound defensive back has already watched the Florida State Seminoles roll over the LSU Tigers last weekend and is also expected to be in attendance for the Miami Hurricanes’ home game against the Texas A&M Aggies this coming Saturday.

Florida, along with FSU, Miami and the Alabama Crimson Tide represent the high school senior’s four top schools, per his announcement last month.

As far as the Orange and Blue is concerned, the presence of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond appears the be the biggest draw for the blue-chip safety.

“They got Coach Raymond. He was at LSU and proved himself. He’s coached a lot of great DBs. Florida in general is on the rise right now. They got a top class right now, so it’s really up there.”

Not only is Raymond the main focus of the young recruit, but he has also become the primary point of contact for the in-state target.

“We talk all the time. He will hit me up every day with a motivational quote. He talks with me otherwise like every day or every other day to ask how I am doing, and just making sure I am good. He’s big on being a technician. He’s always trying to help me get better. He shows me drills. Like even at their 7-on-7 I went to this summer, he was showing me ways to do things and get better.”

Mincey is ranked No. 89 overall and No. 6 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 81 and 4, respectively.

Florida currently holds a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports while On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine also favors the Gators with a 65.5% chance of signing him; Miami (27.9%) and FSU (2.8%) follow behind on the RPM.

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