Tag: 2022 football recruiting

Florida coaches high on QB recruit Max Brown’s upside

Coach Billy Napier said that Brown’s best football is in front of him.

Just a few weeks ago, Florida didn’t have a quarterback commit in its 2022 class. Four-star Texas prospect Nick Evers was pledged to the Gators for a while, but he decided to exit the class after the coaching change and signed with Oklahoma in December.

Even with the acquisition of Jack Miller from Ohio State via the transfer portal, coach Billy Napier still wanted to add a quarterback out of high school. The staff quickly identified Central Michigan commit Max Brown as a target, and it was able to sway him from his pledge to the Chippewas and add him to the 2022 class.

Brown is certainly raw. The three-star quarterback is just the No. 1,555 player in the nation and the No. 95 quarterback per the 247Sports composite, but Napier said during his press conference on Wednesday that he likes the upside for Brown.

“We’re very fortunate to add really two good quarterbacks to the team with Jack and Max, and certainly I think Max, when you turn the tape on, you can immediately see the baseball background,” Napier said, according to 247Sports’ Thomas Goldkamp. “The off-platform throws. Really a natural thrower. A guy that is projected to be kind of a middle-round draft pick in baseball.

“He was 6-foot-1.5 inches, 200 pounds on his visit. Dad played receiver in the National Football League. Really a good-looking athlete. We think he has upside. He just started playing quarterback two years ago. And a good runner. The guy can make some plays with his feet.”

With Brown’s addition, Florida’s quarterback room gets a bit crowded. It returns both primary quarterbacks from last year in Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson despite reports that the former planned to enter the transfer portal, and it also returns backups Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna in addition to Miller and Brown.

There will almost definitely be some attrition at the position following spring practice, but for now, the Gators have a lot of options. They will just hope Brown is able to develop into a valid one, and Napier certainly thinks that will be the case.

“We were able to go out to his school, observe him and were very impressed,” Napier said. “So there’s some pedigree there. The guy’s a winner. I’ve been impressed with his leadership skills. And I think his best football is in front of him.”

Florida has signed 17 players in the 2022 class — three of whom have already enrolled — and its class currently ranks 19th in the nation and ninth overall in the SEC.

[lawrence-related id=72289,72141,70278,70053,69961]

[listicle id=69643]

[listicle id=67186]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Florida coach Billy Napier explains lack of in-state recruits in 2022 class

Only five of UF’s 17 signees from the 2022 class is from the state of Florida.

If you look at the list of UF’s 17 signees from the 2022 recruiting cycle, you may notice one clear trend: The vast majority of them hail from out of state. The Gators only signed five players from the state of Florida with the remaining 12 coming from elsewhere.

Though the team did a fairly good job closing with the transition class, it’s clear the staff needs to do more in the state moving forward. This class marks the fewest in-state recruits Florida has signed since 2009 when it signed six, which was the last time it had single-digit prospects from the state.

However, in his press conference on Wednesday, Napier made it clear that this won’t be the case moving forward.

“I think it’s a product of the circumstance. I think we basically just had to go evaluate the players that were available. And we looked all over the country,” Napier said, per On3’s Zach Abolverdi. “I think we’re pretty spread out in this class. So, I think that’s a product of the circumstances.

“Those are the players that we felt like fit us from an evaluation standpoint. And then we had the resources to go get that accomplished. I think that’s the one thing to remind ourselves of, is that Florida brand is strong. And it’s spread out and it was able to do good work.”

That is definitely a valid point by Napier. With the proliferation of the early signing period, most players are signing in December these days. That makes transition classes even tougher, as the majority of players in the class were locked up just 10 days after Napier walked in the door.

With a full cycle to evaluate and build relationships with prospects, Napier expects that Florida will be much more successful recruiting the state in 2023.

“Our approach is going to be inside/out, there’s no question. I think history would indicate that when Florida has a really good football team, it starts right here in our backyard and works out,” Napier said. “So, that’s the approach that we will take and certainly with the ’23 group, which we’ve already started on. That will be the mentality for sure.”

UF’s 2022 class currently ranks 19th, which is a major improvement from its No. 76 ranking when Napier took over. But if the Gators are going to crack the top 10 (or better) next year, they will have to lock down the state of Florida.

[lawrence-related id=70278,70053,69961,69734,69690]

[listicle id=69643]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Florida football named losers of national signing day by CBS Sports

Florida may have finished with a top 20 class, but national signing day was underwhelming.

National signing day is over, and it’s time to determine which teams won the day and which teams lost it. CBS Sports has Florida in the losers bracket after Billy Napier and the Gators failed to secure any of the top targets on their board.

The lone commitment of the day came from four-star Texas receiver Caleb Douglas. Five-star linebacker Harold Perkins picked LSU over Florida, four-star running back Trevonte’ Citizen signed with Miami and four-star safety Jacoby Mathews chose Texas A&M.

Napier’s transition class is still ranked No. 19 in the nation by 247Sports, and it jumps up to No. 17 when transfers are factored in. Four-star athlete Arlis Boardingham is expected to decide between Oregon and Florida in the next week or so, which could give UF another boost in the rankings.

Trust me, Florida fans, it will get better under Billy Napier. But the Gators were left at the altar by a number of players on Wednesday, most notably Citizen, who they felt they had a great shot with the 247Sports Crystal Ball pointing in their direction. They also lost out on four-star DL Caden Story (Clemson) as well as Matthews. Still, to finish in the top 20 has to be encouraging, even if the end of the stretch run was cruel.

The Gators might be losers by CBS Sports’ assessment, but that last sentence rings the truest. This class was encouraging, and Napier is almost guaranteed to do better than ninth in the Southeastern Conference with his 2023 class. The fact remains that Florida was in shambles when he arrived and putting together a top 20 class in two months is quite the accomplishment.

It’s fair to call Florida losers on national signing day, but the overall class has to be considered impressive. The future looks bright with Napier’s staff in place for a full year of recruiting.

[lawrence-related id=69961,69734,69712,69698,69690]

[listicle id=69643]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Recapping national signing day 2022 for Florida football

The Gators class sits at 19th in the country after a somewhat disappointing national signing day.

Florida entered national signing day hoping for a big haul after only adding three new commits on early signing day back in December. Though the Gators did have a few wins, it was an overall disappointing day.

UF went 0-for-3 on its main targets, starting with Louisiana running back TreVonte’ Citizen. Though he was considered a Gators lean, the four-star eventually chose Miami after never taking an official visit to Gainesville.

That disappointment set the tone for the rest of the day. UF missed on its most prized target for the day as five-star linebacker Harold Perkins picked LSU, where he had been trending after taking his final official visit to Baton Rouge. Then, in less of a surprise, four-star safety Jacoby Mathews chose Texas A&M.

It wasn’t all bad news for Florida. It maintained everyone who was already committed entering the day, including three-star Covington (Ga.) Eastside offensive lineman Jalen Farmer, who didn’t sign during the early signing period and saw a late push from Alabama.

UF also picked up three-star Texas receiver Caleb Douglas, the only wideout currently in the class, who chose the Gators over LSU.

Still, it wasn’t quite the signing day some hoped for, and Florida’s class currently sits at No. 19 in the country and ranks ninth in the SEC according to 247Sports. That could change slightly in the coming days, as three-star Van Nuys (California) Birmingham tight end Arlis Boardingham is set to sign sometime this week. UF is considered the favorite, but he’s coming off a trip to Oregon.

This wasn’t a bad transition class for Napier, especially considering it ranked 76th in the nation when he took over. Pair that with a very strong haul in the transfer portal — which could get even better with the new influx of players likely to hit the portal in the spring — and Florida has acquired a good bit of talent this offseason.

But one of Napier’s biggest selling points is his recruiting prowess, and there will be a lot of attention on the 2023 class and whether he’s able to pull in an elite group with an entire cycle to work with.

[lawrence-related id=69734,69712,69698,69690,69225]

[listicle id=69643]

[listicle id=67186]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

5-star linebacker recruit shuns Gators much to his mom’s chagrin

Perkins’ mom was not pleased with his choice.

It has been a solid day for Billy Napier and the Florida football program on national signing day, roping in a healthy brood of new recruits for the 2022 class. While the Gators picked up players they were expected to, they did not quite fare so well when it came to the more highly-sought preps.

Florida got juked earlier by four-star running back TreVonte’ Citizen, who faked out his contestants before finally selecting the Miami Hurricanes, while also missing out on four-star defensive lineman Caden Story, who chose to become a Clemson Tiger. More bad news came later in the afternoon when the crown jewel of Florida’s national signing day efforts, five-star linebacker Harold Perkins, chose the LSU Tigers as his collegiate destination.

When the 6-foot-2.5-inch, 210-pound athlete announced his decision on Wednesday, his mother was conspicuously dismayed. There have been rumors flowing through the message boards that she favored Florida over his other options and her reaction did little to convince otherwise. Additionally, a 247Sports report strongly suggests that the Gators’ staff had recruited her hard.

All is not lost yet, as Napier mentioned that more signings were yet to come in his afternoon press conference. While missing out on Perkins is not quite a black eye for the new Gators regime, it was a swing and a miss in a deep count as the recruiting season comes to a head.

[lawrence-related id=69712,69698,69690,69225,69198]

[listicle id=69643]

[listicle id=67186]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Gators pick up commitment from 4-star WR on national signing day

Hightower (Tex.) receiver Caleb Douglas committed to Florida over LSU on Wednesday.

Florida has finally added a wide receiver commit in the 2022 class, as Hightower (Texas) prospect Caleb Douglas, a four-star recruit and the No. 296 player in the country according to the On3 consensus rankings.

Douglas took an official visit to UF on Jan. 14, and he named the Gators as his leader multiple times over the last month. LSU made a late push, offering the 6-foot-3-inch, 185-pound player on Jan. 19 and getting him on campus this past weekend for an official visit, but he ultimately chose Florida over the Tigers.

He announced his decision via a video posted on his Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZfKuifo1oQ/?utm_medium=copy_link

Even though adding Douglas was expected, it’s a big pickup for a team that didn’t have any receivers committed after Jayden Gibson, who was originally committed to UF, eventually signed with Oklahoma on early signing day.

Before the addition of Douglas, Florida’s 2022 class ranked 20th in the nation, per 247Sports. His signature should give it a slight boost, but UF will need to pull off a player like five-star linebacker Harold Perkins or four-star safety Jacoby Mathews to sneak into the top 15.

[lawrence-related id=69698,69690,69225,69220,69218]

[listicle id=69643]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

This 4-star running back makes things official with Gators

Etienne is officially a Gator after signing his letter of intent.

One of the top players in Florida’s 2022 recruiting class inked his letter of intent on national signing day as four-star Jennings (Louisiana) running back Trevor Etienne is heading to Gainesville. He will bolster what is shaping up to be a very talented running back group in 2022.

Etienne, the No. 186 player in the nation and No. 14 running back per the 247Sports Composite, committed to the Gators during the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8 over offers from Clemson and LSU. He took an official visit on Jan. 14 and held firm on his commitment. Florida announced the addition of the 5-foot-9-inch, 218-pound player on Twitter.

Etienne is the younger brother of former Clemson star and first-round draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne, but he chose the Gators over his brother’s former team and the in-state Tigers.

His pledge became even more important shortly after he signed, as fellow Louisiana running back prospect TreVonte’ Citizen — who many considered to be a Florida lean — picked Miami following a bit of fanfare.

Etienne is currently the only running back in the class, and he’ll join a running back room that features incumbent Nay’Quan Wright, two former five stars in Demarkcus Bowman and Lorenzo Lingard, as well as transfer Montrell Johnson (Louisiana’s second-leading rusher last season). It won’t be easy to break through in that group, but Etienne gives the team even more stability at what will clearly be a priority under new coach Billy Napier.

Florida’s 2022 class currently features 15 signees (three of which are already on campus and enrolled in spring classes), as well as one unsigned commit in Andrew Savaiinaea, a three-star edge rusher from the state of Washington. Savaiinaea was supposed to sign at 11:45 a.m. EST, but Florida is still awaiting his letter of intent.

Regardless, the class now ranks 19th in the country and ninth among SEC teams, according to 247Sports. Florida will hope for a few surprises later in the day to see a final boost to that.

[lawrence-related id=69690,69225,69220,69218,69198]

[listicle id=69643]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Gators target TreVonte’ Citizen fakes out everyone before making commitment

Citizen picked up and set down every hat on the table before revealing a hidden Miami cap.

Florida lost the first major recruiting battle of national signing day on Wednesday afternoon when Lake Charles College Prep (La.) running back TreVonte’ Citizen announced that he would be signing with the rival Miami Hurricanes.

But his announcement was a whirlwind for everyone watching, including the Hurricanes fans. Citizen initially picked up an Auburn hat before setting it back down. He then did the same thing with both a Florida and UM hat. Finally, he got to the LSU hat, which he put on his head before pausing for a second, removing it, and pulling out a different Hurricanes hat, marking his ultimate decision.

Citizen, the No. 107 player in the 2022 class, was a player that the Gators felt good about heading into the day. However, he never took an official visit to Gainesville, and he was coming off a trip to Coral Gables. Florida also already had a running back commit in the class in four-star Louisiana prospect Trevor Etienne, who signed Wednesday.

Florida’s class currently ranks 19th nationally, and it will hope for better news later in the day to climb into the top 15.

[listicle id=69643]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

BREAKING: 3-star edge rusher announces commitment to Gators

Jack Pyburn announced his commitment to Florida over Auburn and Miami on Tuesday.

On the eve of national signing day, Florida got things started the right way. Coach Billy Napier landed a commitment from Jacksonville edge rushing prospect Jack Pyburn a three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class.

The No. 441 player in the nation per the 247Sports Composite, Pyburn — a product of The Bolles School — grew up a Gators fan and has been attending games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since he was young. He was also considering Miami and Auburn, which he visited two weeks ago.

But Florida got the final visit from Pyburn, and on that visit, he received a scholarship offer from the coaching staff.

“It was surreal,” Pyburn said of receiving his offer, per 247Sports Thomas Goldkamp. “That was awesome. We were just sitting with my whole family and he let us know that I had an offer. That was a really cool experience. I figured it was coming, but just getting it in person, it was a great feeling.”

Pyburn is the only edge rusher in Florida’s class currently, and though he projects as a bit of a developmental prospect, he’ll give the team some key depth initially and could play his way into a bigger role down the line.

[lawrence-related id=69220,69218,69198,69196,69184]

[listicle id=69209]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Where does Florida’s recruiting class stand ahead of NSD?

Billy Napier has Florida on the rise in ESPN’s latest recruiting rankings update. Will national signing day provide another boost?

When Billy Napier took over at the University of Florida he likened his situation to getting in the ballgame with only a few minutes left in the fourth quarter.

After the Gators fired Dan Mullen, several blue-chip recruits backed off their commitments from Florida. ESPN was forced to leave UF outside of its top 50, but that wouldn’t last long. Napier scored big during the early signing period by landing five-star safety Kamari Wilson and getting four-star linebacker Shemar James back in the fold.

The Gators jumped to No. 43 in the last update, and now ESPN has them at No. 35 with six more commits set to sign on national signing day. That number could grow as Napier has Florida in play with several undecided recruits.

Improving the depth of the class with multiple three-star commitments, including safety Miguel Mitchell, who can be a punishing hitter, the Gators have moved inside the top-35.

They are also in a position to continue to rise in the final days, as they’re in the running for several of the remaining highly touted prospects like Harold Perkins.

Perkins, one of the nation’s best linebackers, recently decommitted from Texas A&M and is considering Florida and LSU. Four-star safety Jacoby Mathews and four-star running back Trevonte’ Citizen will also have orange and blue hats on the table Wednesday.

Adding a few more of these names would be the equivalent of Napier coming into the game with minutes left and miraculously tying it up. He’s proven himself as one of the conference’s top recruiters in a short amount of time and doesn’t show signs of slowing down.

[lawrence-related id=69196,69184,69160,69155,69145]

[listicle id=63502]

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, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.