Tag: Caden Jones

Florida is a top-5 school for Louisiana offensive tackle

After making his second trip to the Swamp, offensive tackle Caden Jones has the Gators high on his list.

Three-star De La Salle (New Orleans, Louisiana) offensive tackle [autotag]Caden Jones[/autotag] was one of the many recruiting targets in Gainesville last week for Friday Night Lights.

It was Jones’ second visit to the Swamp, and he made sure to get there a day early to take part in an unofficial visit before participating in the evening camp. He left town feeling much more comfortable with the staff, according to 247Sports, and he’s starting to feel like a priority target at the position for Florida.

“It was great and I would say it was different than the last time I went. The first time I came to Florida we were all getting to know each other, but this time around I already had a feel for them. I got in late Thursday and spent all day Friday there. I got in earlier and got to tour the new facilities.

Right now, the 6-foot-7inch, 305-pounder has more than 25 offers to pick from, but he says the Gators would likely make the cut if he had to eliminate 80% of the schools from the race. Having two offensive line coaches is appealing to Jones, as is the new culture being established in Gainesville.

“They are most definitely a top-five school for me,” he said. “They have a lot of energy and I like the atmosphere I see when I am down there. They have great coaches and I like the coaches and how they put so much effort in nutrition and strength and conditioning. I would say Florida, Texas A&M, Houston, Texas and Florida State.”

The plan is to take official visits during the fall and stop by Florida again in December for what should be one of his final trips. An early signing day announcement could be in store.

Jones is the No. 407 prospect on the 247Sports composite and the No. 34 offensive tackle in the country.

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Coveted offensive lineman recruit to make second Gainesville visit

The Gators look to get this highly-sought offensive tackle back on campus for the festivities at the end of this month.

Yet another Gators recruit is scheduled to make an appearance on campus at the end of July.

Three-star offensive tackle [autotag]Caden Jones[/autotag] will be in Gainesville on July 28 and 29 for Florida’s Friday Night Lights recruiting event. Friday Night Lights is an annual recruiting event where recruits can work with coaches under the lights of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. This will be Jones’ second trip to Gainesville after he made an unofficial visit back in the spring.

The 6-foot-7, 205-pounder out of New Orleans (Louisiana) De La Salle has narrowed down his options to just 10 schools. That list currently includes Florida, Florida State, Houston, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Howard.

Jones told 247Sports’ Blake Alderman that Florida’s two-offensive line coach system is a positive in his eyes. He values the ability to get more reps and one-on-one attention from the coaching staff, which seems to be a factor in his recruitment.

According to the 247Sports composite, Jones is currently ranked as the No. 399 overall prospect in the 2023 class. The Gators are hoping to find a diamond in the rough with Jones, as his star rating and ranking reflect a player that is often overlooked. But Jones’ size and frame are something you just can’t teach.

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Report: New Orleans offensive tackle offered by Gators, plans visit

The Gators are looking to pull this 4-star offensive lineman out of the Louisiana bayou.

Caden Jones might not have expected to pick up an offer to play for Florida when Gators running backs coach [autotag]Jabbar Juluke[/autotag] asked to call him on Tuesday night, but that’s exactly what happened, according to 247Sports.

Just a few days after getting the offer, Jones says he’s planning on visiting the Swamp on April 6. It will be his first time in Gainesville and his first time meeting Juluke despite having talked with him since Juluke was recruiting within his home state of Louisiana.

“(Juluke) was the main guy I was talking to at ULL when he was over there, so now he’s the main guy I talk to at UF,” Jones said to 247Sports. “He’s a great coach and I like him. I would say I have been talking to him since last summer. So I’ve been talking to him for about a year now.”

Jones has picked up more interest from elite programs in recent weeks. Florida State, Mississippi State and Texas A&M have all recently offered him and LSU has been involved since June. Juluke is no longer recruiting a diamond in the rough. Jones is good and word is getting out.

Although he isn’t ranked by 247Sports, On3 ranks Jones as a four-star recruit and the No. 27 offensive tackle in the class of 2023. Florida has struggled to land four and five-star offensive linemen in recent years, so having some history with Jones could help.

Right now, the most important thing for Florida regarding Jones is to wow him when he gets to campus in a little over a week.

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