Tag: AJ Harris

Gators get official visit date set with this 5-star safety recruit

Getting this guy on campus is a big step in the effort to bolster the defensive backfield.

The good news continues to roll in for Florida’s football recruiting team as both 247Sports and On3 have confirmed that 5-star safety [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag] has set his official visit to the Swamp for the weekend of June 17. There had been rumors of an impending date sometime this summer, and following an official visit with the Georgia Bulldogs, his father Dan offered up the latest stop on his summer school tour.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pound defensive back out of Phenix City (Alabama) Central is among the most coveted prospects in the nation overall, much less at his position. However, cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag]’s clout is starting to pay off big-time, offering a proven mentor for those seeking to play at the professional level. There is also the fact that the Gators’ roster is running a bit thin on talent at the moment.

“Chance to come in and play early, being developed by someone who has put 15 DBs in the league, 10 of them became starters,” the younger Harris told 247Sports as to what draws him to the program. “The culture they are bringing to Florida lines up with who I am, structure, working hard, networking, building you mentally spiritually & physically, etc. The vision they have for me is great.”

Harris is ranked No. 23 overall and No. 4 nationally at his position according to the 247Sports Composite, while the On3 Consensus lists him at Nos. 29 and 3, respectively. He currently holds two crystal ball projections for Florida according to 247Sports and On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Gators out in front of the other suitors with a 56.2% chance of landing him, ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs who are chasing close behind at 41.2%.

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What is The Athletic’s biggest question for Florida’s Billy Napier?

The Athletic tracks the top 10 storylines as the 2023 cycle ramps up, including Florida’s situation.

The biggest component of new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s plan to rebuild Florida football is his fresh approach to recruiting, undertaken with diligence that makes former head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]’s regime pale in comparison. While there is still a long path back uphill to reach the summit once seen back in the glory days of [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag], the early returns appear to signal that the ship is turning around under the new leadership.

However, despite this progress, Napier and Co. are under intense pressure and scrutiny when it comes to assembling their debut recruiting class — much of which is quite unfair but par for the course in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference. The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman recently surveyed the top 10 storylines for the 2023 cycle heading into summer and had one major question for the Gators’ rebounding program.

Is Billy Napier going to sign a big-boy class?

If you tracked what Napier did at Florida upon his arrival, you saw a man who understands what it takes in the SEC. He revamped the recruiting department and immediately signed four-star safety [autotag]Kamari Wilson[/autotag] of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG, beating Georgia for his signature. Landing Wilson made a statement that Florida is going to win big-time recruiting battles.

Well, we’re six months into the 2023 cycle and Florida has only five commitments. Of those five commitments, only one is rated inside the top 300.

Florida needs a big finish, and it has plenty of open spots. The Gators are still involved with a ton of top-50 players: cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] of Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson, cornerback [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag] of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, cornerback [autotag]Tony Mitchell[/autotag] of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, linebacker [autotag]Malik Bryant[/autotag] of Orlando (Fla.) Jones, running back [autotag]Cedric Baxter Jr[/autotag]. of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater and safety [autotag]Joenel Aguero[/autotag] of Danvers (Mass.) St. John’s Prep.

Can Napier be the anti-Dan Mullen and close the deal on a top class?

Wasserman’s concerns are not at all unfair, particularly the fact that Florida has just five commits six months into Napier’s tenure. But it seems he is overlooking the difficulty involved in overhauling the program’s culture, not to mention the fact that it has been nearly a decade since the Gators’ last top-10 class.

The fact of the matter is that Napier needs to do everything he can to maximize the talent he brings in this time around but it is not even close to a make-or-break kind of deal. As CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson mentioned recently, Florida’s new crew is more likely to produce results later than sooner, so while the heat is on it is not imperative that he hit a grand slam from a long-term perspective.

Still, the Gator Nation is hungry for success after one of the most disappointing seasons (and really, the most disappointing decade) in recent memory. Scoring a few wins on the recruiting trail will earn the program a great deal of emotional capital with the fanbase, which is certainly something to consider.

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Florida makes this 4-star cornerback’s top 6 list of schools

Florida made four-star cornerback Malik Muhammad’s top six on Wednesday.

Florida made the cut for four-star cornerback [autotag]Malik Muhammad[/autotag]’s list of top six schools, even though head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and staff haven’t hosted him since they’ve taken over the Gators program. They were included along with Texas A&M, Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Miami.

Muhammad hails from Dallas, and the 247Sports composite rankings have him as the sixth-best cornerback prospect and as the 42nd best player overall.

He told On3 that Florida made the cut because of Napier and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag]. The former LSU assistant is regarded as one of the best defensive backs coaches in the country and was likely the largest factor in Florida making his list.

So far this year, Muhammad has visited the Crimson Tide three times, the Hurricanes twice and the Aggies once.

Florida likely has other targets higher on its board like [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Mitchell[/autotag]. However, the Gators could turn up the heat if they don’t land one of their top prospects above.

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The stars are coming out for Florida’s Orange and Blue game on Thursday

The stars will be out for Florida head coach Billy Napier’s first spring game on Thursday.

Head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has proven the doubters wrong. Many fans and media members thought the decision to move the Orange and Blue game from Saturday to Thursday to achieve a recruiting advantage was a mistake that would end up backfiring. Despite having the game held on a weekday, Napier and the Gators have managed to bring in three 2023 five-stars and 15 four-stars along with a boatload of top prospects from the 2024 recruiting class.

The Orange and Blue game visitors’ list is headlined by five-star cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Francis Mauigoa[/autotag] and athlete [autotag]Samuel M’Pemba[/autotag]. This will all be their second visit to the Swamp under Napier. Swamp247 is also reporting that they have an eye out for five-star cornerback [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag] that could also visit, but he and his family have not finalized their plans yet.

Maryland defensive lineman [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag] isn’t a high school prospect, obviously, but Swamp247 reported that he will be visiting the Gators Thursday after entering his name into the transfer portal last week.

Florida will bring in a lot of talent on Thursday hailing from the trenches like offensive linemen [autotag]Payton Kirkland[/autotag], [autotag]Lucas Simmons[/autotag], [autotag]Knijeah Harris[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Will Norman[/autotag], [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], [autotag]Jordan Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Tomarrion Parker[/autotag].

The Gators are looking to sign several top pass catchers this cycle with a lack of playmakers currently on the roster. Some of the most talented wideouts include [autotag]Hykeem Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Aidan Mizell[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Williams[/autotag].

Other top targets expected are four-star running back [autotag]Treyaun Webb[/autotag], safety [autotag]Joenel Aguero[/autotag] and [autotag]Kenton Kirkland[/autotag].

The stars will be out in full force for the Gators’ Orange and Blue Game on Thursday.

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Gators get this 4-star CB scheduled for Orange and Blue Game visit

Four-star cornerback Sharif Denson will be in attendance for Florida’s Orange and Blue Game on April 14.

Florida reeled in one Bartram Trail cornerback back in 2018 in [autotag]Tre’Vez Johnson[/autotag]. This cycle the Gators are trying to do it again by pulling four-star [autotag]Sharif Denson[/autotag], who currently sits high on coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag]’s board.

Denson told Gators Online on Tuesday that he will visit the Swamp again for Florida’s Orange and Blue game on April 14. Denson is ranked as the 160th-best player overall and the 19th-best cornerback, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He last visited the Gators on March 3 and has visited Texas A&M and Ohio State over the past month. Florida made a strong first impression on him during his first trip to Gainesville under the new coaching staff.

Denson said he enjoyed dissecting film with multiple defensive coaches and his one-on-one time with Napier.

Even though he is considered a cornerback, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] envisions Denson playing multiple roles in his secondary.

He currently holds offers from the schools previously mentioned along with Notre Dame, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee.

However, Florida holds an advantage because his parents both graduated from the University of Florida.

“They definitely added themselves in and maybe solidified a top spot,” Denson said after last month’s visit. “They didn’t say anything about an offer, but I mean, they were asking what they have to do to get me here, so I guess it’s a given. It was great; I loved the new staff. They are going up for sure.”

The Gators have some targets higher on their board than Denson that they sit in a good spot with like [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag]. So he may be a backup option if one of their top targets chooses to go elsewhere.

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Florida receives four crystal ball predictions for this 5-star CB

Florida received four 247Sports crystal ball predictions for five-star cornerback AJ Harris on Saturday.

It is fairly rare for a 247Sports recruiting reporter to drop their crystal balls while a prospect is in the midst of a visit. Most reporters usually wait until they get a chance to speak to them to get a feel for how the visit went before they cast a prediction.

However, Florida’s two recruiting reporters Blake Alderman and Jacob Rudner, as well as 247Sports director of football recruiting Steve Wiltfong and Florida State recruiting reporter Zach Blostein, elected to submit crystal ball predictions for five-star cornerback AJ Harris while he was still on his visit to the Swamp. The Gators have now taken the lead in crystal ball predictions at 54.5% over Georgia and Clemson.

247Sports composite rankings currently have Harris ranked as the 17th best player overall and the second-best at his position.

Florida originally hosted Harris back in January and made a splash with the Phenix City, Alabama, native. Alderman reported Saturday that he feels that the Gators have emerged as a leader for Harris.

For coach Billy Napier and Co., defensive backs coach Corey Raymond has led the charge. Many defensive back prospects are wooed by his track record from his time at LSU. Raymond coached seven first-team All-Americans like Eric Reid, Jalen Mills, Jamal Adams, Tre’Davious White, Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit and Derek Stingley. Most of them have become household names in the NFL.

It was a major pull for Napier to convince Raymond to leave his alma mater for Florida, and it appears Raymond is having a strong impact already.

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The Insider Report

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report. After delaying his commitment a Five-star is planning to visit Clemson in early March. What is the latest on 2023 DE Hunter Osborne? …

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report.

After delaying his commitment a Five-star is planning to visit Clemson in early March.  What is the latest on 2023 DE Hunter Osborne?  Who are some of the other top prospects planning to visit Clemson this spring?  All of this and more in this week’s edition of The Insider Report (FREE).

If you are not already a Clemson Insider register today for Free and enjoy all of the Insider information on TheClemsonInsider.com.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

This elite 2023 cornerback is planning a second trip to Florida

Billy Napier isn’t wasting any time getting this five-star back on campus.

A.J. Harris, one of the top cornerbacks in the 2023 recruiting cycle, will return to Gainesville on March 19 on his second visit to the University of Flordia, according to Gators Online.

Harris first met with new head coach Billy Napier and his growing staff on Jan. 22. The hiring of Corey Raymond caught Harris’ interest and Florida quickly joined the mix of teams vying for the Alabama defensive back. On this trip, the goal is to see the full staff in action and to observe some practices.

“We will be there on the 19th now instead of the fifth,” said Harris’ father. “A.J. wants to come check out the defensive staff in their natural habitat on the field. He wants to observe a practice and some meetings, so we pushed it back later to do this.”

In the fall, Harris named Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Ohio State as his top seven, but a second trip to the Swamp indicates that Florida has made enough of an impact to warrant consideration. Once eager to get the recruiting process over with as quickly as possible, Harris is now slowing things down and going over all of his options.

Raymond’s presence at Florida is a major factor for Harris, and the cornerbacks coach does have a history of landing top-end talent. He was instrumental in Florida’s pursuit of safety Kamari Wilson, the No. 3 safety in his class.

Harris is the No. 3 cornerback on the 247Sports Composite and the No. 17 overall prospect in the country. He’s arguably the top defensive back on Florida’s board right now, so expect Napier to pull out all of the stops for him.

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Five 2023 recruits should be at the top of Notre Dame’s wish list

If Freeman brought these give in, WOW

Although the ink has yet to dry on the 2022 Irish recruiting class, it’s time to look ahead to what could be in 2023. Already with eight commits, Marcus Freeman’s first full recruiting cycle is looking to be a big one. Multiple national prospects like defense end Keon Keeley, linebacker Drayk Bowen and safety Peyton Bowen have already verbally committed to Notre Dame.

Here are the five players that the Irish could add that should be at the top of their wish list and keep this 2023 class rolling.

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Gators preparing to host this 2023 5-star defensive back

One of the top defensive backs of 2023 is set to visit the Swamp.

Billy Napier and Corey Raymond landed five-star safety Kamari Wilson in their first month together at Florida, and the duo now has its eyes on 2023 five-star defensive back AJ Harris.

Harris, the No. 18 overall recruit in the country, will be visiting Florida on Saturday, according to 247 Sports. His family has been trying to get him to the Swamp since the fall, and the recent coaching changes only appear to have helped in his recruitment.

Florida’s hiring of former LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond caught Harris’ eye, and the familiarities with Napier’s staff don’t end there. Co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney was on a Zoom call with Harris last week when assistant athletic director of recruiting strategy Katie Turner (who the Harris family met when she was at Georgia) popped in. They also knew senior director of player relations Savannah Bailey from her time at Clemson when she made an appearance.

“Coach Napier is definitely putting a good staff together,” Harris’ father said to 247Sports. “I will find out more scheme and stuff like that but from what Coach Toney was telling us they play five DBs. I assume two are probably safeties, but even if they play three corners, that’s more opportunity for AJ to see the field and that’s appealing.”

Harris wants to reach a decision sooner rather than later. He may stop by Clemson later in the month before taking official visits in the spring and making a decision. Florida certainly seems to be back in the race at this point along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Cincinnati. He released a top seven prior to all of the coaching changes that took place around the country but hasn’t updated his list since.

Harris is the third-highest ranked cornerback on the 247Sports Composite and the No. 18 overall player in the class of 2023.

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