The Florida Gators will have a pair of priority recruiting targets in town on October 15 when the LSU Tigers come to Gainesville.
A pair of five-star teammates from Carver High in Montgomery, Alabama, defensive lineman [autotag]James Smith[/autotag] and edge rusher [autotag]Qua Russaw[/autotag], are expected to take official visits to the University of Florida on that date, according to 247Sports.
Russaw and Smith made their first trip to the Swamp back in July during the same weekend as the team’s Friday Night Lights camp. Recruiters view the duo as a package deal and they’ve each narrowed things down to the same six schools, but it’s possible they end up in different programs. Alabama and Georgia are the two favorites to land them, but Florida is viewed as a dark horse that could pick up steam with a strong visit.
Aside from those three programs, Alabama State, Auburn and Ohio State are still in the race. Alabama State might be the odd man out here, but historically black colleges and universities are picking up steam with some of the top recruits in the country. Those who follow recruiting closely will remember the top recruit in the class of 2022, cornerback Travis Hunter, flipping on signing day from Florida State to Jackson State.
Florida has one of the strongest defensive line classes in the country, though, and that could be what’s enticing Russaw and Smith. On the edge, Russaw would join four-star commit [autotag]Isaiah Nixon[/autotag], who flipped from UCF. At defensive tackle and end, the Gators have almost half a dozen incoming players verbally committed with a four-star grade. [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag] leads the group at No. 79 on the 247Sports composite, but adding Russaw and Smith would take the Gators to the next level.
Smith is No. 14 overall on the composite and is ranked No. 2 among defensive linemen in the class of 2023. Russaw is No. 26 overall and No. 3 among edge rushers on the list. Earning commitments from both recruits would immediately put Florida in contention for a top-3 class, but there’s a lot of work to put in until a decision is made.
The duo’s recruitment should continue through the rest of the season and they should stay uncommitted until the early signing period.
[mm-video type=video id=01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp/01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp-caea31edd48fbb75eadf018bea47db97.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=92447,92413,92296,92108,92006]
[listicle id=92464]
[listicle id=92445]
[listicle id=92564]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!