It was a roller-coaster ride for the Florida faithful on Wednesday, the opening day of college football’s early signing period. The Gators were banking on a premium haul to snap the slump the program has been in the past three years.
However, that was not in the cards for Billy Napier and Co. as the signing process was chocked full of drama. Coming into the day, the program had already seen five highly regarded prospects flee the coop since November when the wheels began to fall off the proverbial cart for the Orange and Blue. Three more top commits flipped on the day of truth, leaving Billy Napier short seven blue-chip prospects plus a coveted three-star as well.
Then there was the LJ McCray story, which fortunately had a happy ending.
After the dust settled, CBS Sports’ Brandon Huffman took a look at the national landscape to assign his winners and losers from the early signing period. Expectedly, he gave the Gators the “loser” label as a result of their futility.
“Things were looking good for Florida at one point as the Gators compiled a top-10 class, but losing three-star DL Kendall Jackson and five-star DB Xavier Filsaime in the weeks leading up to signing day — one month after four-star DL Nasir Johnson, four-star DB Wardell Mack and four-star EDGE Jamonta Waller — proved a preview of the heartbreak to come,” Huffman begins.
“Four-star DL Amaris Williams and four-star LB Adarius Hayes flipped to Auburn and Miami, respectively, on National Signing Day. Florida began the day with the No. 10-ranked class but ended at No. 16. On the bright side, despite a late push from USC, five-star QB DJ Lagway remained loyal and signed with the Gators, while five-star DL LJ McCray also put pen to paper despite initially delaying the process earlier in the day,” he continues.
“Still, Wednesday’s events overall were a cause for concern for Billy Napier and his program.”
Without a doubt. There is a lot to be worried about in Gainesville right now.
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.