Tag: Derrick LeBlanc

Blue-chip defensive lineman lists Florida in top 3 schools

The Gators made the latest cut for one of the most highly-sought defensive linemen in the Sunshine State.

Florida football seemed to stumble a bit recently after head coach Billy Napier issued an open letter to the public that did little to instill confidence in the new coaching regime. However, the Gators got some great news on Monday afternoon from the recruiting front when one of the more sought-after prep prospects from the Sunshine State narrowed down their list of preferred schools.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] out of Osceola High in Kissimmee revealed his top three schools to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, which in addition to UF also includes the Penn State Nittany Lions and Oklahoma Sooners. He offered the following regarding his decision on Florida.

“I’ve been up there so much. I love it up there. It’s great vibes everywhere, feels like home, and the development over there is amazing!”

On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power describes 6-foot-5-inch, 265-pounder as a “versatile defensive lineman with length and quickness who creates disruption as an interior pass rusher,” adding that he “shows active hands and good quickness, particularly as an interior pass rusher.”

LeBlanc is ranked No. 76 overall and No. 7 nationally at his position according to 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 73 and 8, respectively. Florida currently holds three crystal balls for the in-state target while On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Gators a 93.1% chance of dressing him in the Orange and Blue.

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4-star DL target pushes up commitment date after Penn State visit

Four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc pushed his announcement date back from July to October a few months ago, but now he’s decided that he can’t wait that long. Will it be the Gators?

One of Florida’s top defensive line targets in the class of 2023 has rescheduled his recruiting date from October 22 to some time in July, according to 247Sports. Four-star lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] out of Osceola High (Kissimmee) planned on announcing with two teammates but said he had to move things up.

“Gonna be in July I can’t wait till Oct 22,” he told Swamp247. “Too long. I don’t know the day yet, but I will let everyone know.”

LeBlanc visited Penn State over the weekend, but the timing of this news doesn’t mean that he’s the Nittany Lions’ recruit to lose. Florida could be in the driver’s seat and might have convinced him to push things up after hosting a bevy of recruits at his position in recent months. He returned to Florida’s campus on Wednesday for a 7-on-7 camp hosted by UF as well. Oklahoma is also in the mix but has only gotten him on an unofficial visit.

This isn’t the first time LeBlanc has changed his timeline, either. In May, he pushed things back from July 23 to the October date. Now it sounds like his original plans were the right call.

The 247Sports composite ranks LeBlanc as the No. 76 overall recruit in the class of 2023 and the No. 7 among defensive linemen. The site’s individual rankings place him even higher at No. 17, so Florida is approaching the finish line for a potential top-20 player.

While no exact date is set, there’s roughly a month left in LeBlanc’s recruitment, barring another change of date.

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This blue-chip DL enjoyed official visit with Florida: ‘It was smooth’

Billy Napier and his staff are making positive impressions on some of the most highly-sought recruits in the 2023 cycle.

This past weekend was a big one for Florida football’s recruiting team as the program hosted a handful of high school prospects for a tour of what the Orange and Blue has to offer them. Among those in attendance was 4-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], an in-state target out of Kissimmee’s Osceola High who made his official visit to campus.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound Floridian has already made numerous trips to the university, which is about a two-hour drive from his hometown. While repeated visits can become stale after a while, LeBlanc came into the weekend with a goal — spending more quality time with the current roster.

“It was smooth,” he told Swamp247’s Blake Alderman. “Just taking to everyone it was just really cool. Talking with the players, that was something I wanted to do. It was really just getting a deep understanding. Most of them wanted to leave after Mullen and them, but Napier made them stay. They really fell in love with the campus, and that is what they want to make me do.

“It was cool just talking to the players. They tell you the truth, the hard truth, so it was really good talking to them,” he added.

While on the trip, he also got his eyes on the new facility which is expected to open in July, though he was already aware of its impending presence.

“We went inside the new facility and showed me where this and where that is, but I already knew where it was because I have been here so much,” LeBlanc noted.

His swing through Gainesville was the first of his two summer official visits, with the Penn State Nittany Lions up next weekend. The central Florida blue-chipper also has a couple of other schools in mind — the Miami Hurricanes and Oklahoma Sooners — but will likely wait until fall to make those journeys.

LeBlanc is currently ranked No. 77 overall and No. 7 nationally at his position according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus him at Nos. 72 and 8, respectively. The Gators currently hold three crystal ball projections for the defensive lineman while the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has Florida way in front of the pack with a 93.1% chance of landing him.

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Report: 4-star in-state CB planning return trip after first visit to Florida

Four-star CB Ja’Keem Jackson’s visit with the Gators went well on Tuesday, and Florida could be a factor down the stretch.

Cornerback [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag] plays at Osceola High with Gators target [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], but the four-star defensive back is just beginning a relationship of his own with the Orange and Blue. UF offered Jackson on May 20 and hosted him on an unofficial visit Tuesday, according to 247Sports.

Jackson’s first trip to the Swamp was a success, meeting defensive backs coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] and two key members of the recruiting staff, Katie Turner and Bri Wade, for the first time before a photoshoot and observing practice. He said that spending time with Raymond and breaking down film was one of the top moments of his visit.

Although he’s no rush to make a decision, Jackson is hoping to get back up to Gainesville later in the month to show his parents the latest program to catch his eye.

“I like the atmosphere and the fans that I have seen from going to games there,” Jackson said. “The new coaches are really good people and I like them. It’s not too far from home, so my parents could come to just about like every game if I did commit there. I think I am going to go back in like a week or two so my parents can see it.”

Penn State and Tennessee are on the docket for the weekends of June 17 and June 24 for official visits, respectively. Florida has a chance to get one of those coveted official visits, but it’ll likely come during the season as Jackson doesn’t expect to decide until the fall or winter.

Georgia, Kentucky, Miami and Michigan are also in the mix for the 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pounder. Jackson is ranked No. 204 overall by 247Sports and No. 20 among cornerbacks in the class of 2023.

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2023 Recruiting Profile: DL Derrick LeBlanc is one of UF’s top targets

Here is how things break down for Florida’s pursuit of 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] out of Kissimmee, Florida, is a blue-chip prospect out of Osceola High and one of the best the 2023 recruiting class has to offer on the defensive side of the trench. The 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound high school junior is a bit up-and-down in the prospect rankings depending on which you look at but nonetheless is still among the best in the country at his position.

The scouting report according to 247Sports’ Cooper Petagna describes LeBlanc as a versatile athlete with an ideal frame that still has potential for more growth along with a great deal of flexibility in the lower body. He has the ability to slot in at multiple positions on the D-line, and while his tools still need refining, he has the natural talent necessary to make the jump to the next level.

Over his three-year varsity high school career, LeBlanc has recorded 48 solo and 51 assisted tackles while amassing 17 sacks and 15 QB hurries along with six passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 31 games. In his junior season alone, he tallied 38 total tackles while sacking the opponent eight times.

Derrick LeBlanc’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Top Gators target, 4-star defensive lineman sets official visit date

Gators to get this big-time defensive lineman on campus in June.

Summer is rapidly approaching, which for Florida football’s recruiting team means official visit season is also awaiting just over the horizon. Prep prospects from around the state and country are making their plans to swing through Gainesville to get a taste of what new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has brewing in the Swamp these days.

Among those who have recently set their dates to visit the Orange and Blue is four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] out of Kissimmee (Florida) Osceola who recently changed his mind about his announcement date, initially set for July 23 but now undetermined. With all of the unpredictability added now that the 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound junior has hit the reset button on his timeline, the Gators decided to pounce.

According to 247Sports, LeBlanc plans on heading up to Gainesville on the weekend of June 10. It will be his sixth visit to the university as a football prospect, with his most recent coming during the Orange and Blue game in April.

The in-state defensive lineman is the No. 80 prep prospect overall while ranking as the No. 8 player at his position nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, while the On3 Consensus has him at Nos. 65 and 8, respectively. LeBlanc already holds three crystal ball predictions with 247Sports and is given a 93% chance of landing at Florida per On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

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Oklahoma Sooners summer recruiting primer for the 2023 recruiting cycle

With the summer on the horizon, we took a look at the names to know as the Sooners look to make a push on the recruiting front for 2023.

Brent Venables and Co. are weeks removed from their first spring as a staff together. It was a successful one with no notable injuries and some standout performances across the board. All told, things went as well as they could’ve hoped considering the positive reviews from the media and recruits in attendance.

The spring game served as an eye-opener for recruits and gave the Oklahoma Sooners some significant momentum to ride as they head into the most crucial time of the year for recruiting. With spring ball done and the team going home to recharge before fall camp, the staff will be all in on recruiting. With that in mind, it’s time to map out the targets to watch as the 2023 class begins to materialize this summer.

Gators continue to standout for this 4-star defensive lineman

The Florida coaching staff joked that they would start charging four-star Derrick LeBlanc for rent because he visits so much.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] has visited Florida almost a half-dozen times since the calendar flipped to 2022. That’s a considerable amount more than any other prospect to see Gainesville this year. Because of how many times he has visited the Swamp, Florida is considered one of the top schools in his recruitment. LeBlanc told reporters after his visit to the program’s Orange and Blue game that the Gators are one of three schools to assert themselves in his recruitment.

LeBlanc is from Kissimmee, Florida, and the 247Sports composite rankings have him as the 81st best player and the ninth-best defensive lineman.

He told 247Sports that one of the favorite parts of his latest visit was seeing a game atmosphere in the Swamp.

“Everything went good, just coming back for I think the 900th time,” LeBlanc said. “It was cool seeing them live in action. Talking and building another bond with the coaches. It was just great. Everyone was full of energy. The crowd and everything was into it.”

Because of how often he frequently visits the program, Florida defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] quizzed LeBlanc on the scheme the team runs during his last visit. This time he and the staff joked that they were going to start charging LeBlanc for rent. However, he really likes how their bond has gotten beyond recruiting pitches.

He visited Miami on Saturday and that it will be the last unofficial visit he takes this spring. LeBlanc plans to start taking official visits this summer, starting with Penn State on June 17.

He added that Florida, Oklahoma and the Hurricanes are recruiting him the hardest and are starting to create separation from the rest of the schools on his list.

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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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Florida receives new crystal ball prediction for this 4-star DL

Florida sits in the driver’s seat in four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc’s recruitment.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] has visited Florida and coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s staff five times so far this year. No other prospect has visited the Gators nearly as much as he has. Because of how often he has been to the Swamp, 247Sports Florida recruiting reporter Blake Alderman elected to submit a crystal ball prediction for LeBlanc on Thursday.

LeBlanc is ranked as the 81st overall prospect and as the ninth-best player at his position, according to the 247Sports composite. He hails from nearby Osceola, Florida, and isn’t the only talented defensive lineman at his high school. His teammate [autotag]John Walker[/autotag] is considered the 94th best player overall and the 14th best at his position.

LeBlanc visited the Swamp again on Thursday and plans to come back for the Orange and Blue Game next week. He has been around so much that defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] started quizzing him on Florida’s scheme.

“I really know everything they like to do and what their coaching calls are and a lot about their defense already,” he said. “I pick up things fast. Coach Spencer was trying to quiz me on their defense, and a lot of the things I already knew. It was really good just watching him coach his guys and sitting in the position meetings again. It was really nice.”

LeBlanc, however, doesn’t plan to make a decision anytime soon. He set a commitment date for July 23 along with Gators targets [autotag]Malik Bryant[/autotag] and [autotag]Payton Kirkland[/autotag].

Florida seems to have a significant lead, but Alderman considers Oklahoma and Miami as the Gators’ biggest threat at his point.

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