Gators in the lead for top 2024 LB prospect, per On3

The Gators are out front for this 2024 linebacker.

After coming in the top 12 of the 2023 On3 recruiting class rankings, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] is pushing forward toward the 2024 recruiting class. [autotag]Adarius Hayes[/autotag], the No. 6 linebacker in the 2024 class per On3, still has the Gators as the frontrunner in his recruitment.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pound linebacker took the trip to Gainesville with multiple family members — always a good sign in a player’s recruitment. When speaking to Gators Online, Hayes talked about spending time with inside linebackers coach [autotag]Jay Bateman[/autotag], defensive analyst [autotag]Jamar Chaney[/autotag] and Napier.

In his meetings, Hayes mentioned how they broke down film and told him that they see him as a middle linebacker who would rush the passer off the edge in third-down situations, something he enjoys doing. He also compared his play style to [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], who was the focal point of the Gators’ defense in 2022.

With the recruiting dead period coming up in February, Hayes says he will take advantage of the final weekend in the contact period. He will be in Gainesville one more time this weekend. When asked where Florida stands in his recruitment, he told Gators Online that Florida was his “dream school”.

Hopefully, Napier and his staff can land one of the top in-state talents when he announces his commitment in the summer.

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