Florida football impresses commits and targets against FAU

Florida made some progress with these recruits on Saturday.

The Florida Gators hosted 86,840 fans on Saturday as they beat Florida Atlantic, 35-14. Three particular people in attendance left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium thinking about the future: 2022 Florida linebacker commit E.J. Lightsey, 2023 four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc and 2023 four-star linebacker Grayson Howard.

Lightsey is in his last year of high school and verbally committed to Florida in the middle of August. His first time visiting the Swamp, Lightsey was impressed by what Florida had to offer. The fans were loud, the lights were brighter and the linebackers showed him a glimpse of what his Saturdays will look like in the future.

“Where I come from, we don’t do all that,” Lightsey said when asked by GatorsTerritory about the passion Florida fans bring. “The fans, they were amazing. It was one of the factors that I took in when I made my decision.”

After seeing the team play, Lightsey commented that he thinks he’ll fit right in with the defense when he gets to Gainesville. Howard, who is still considering his recruiting options, made similar remarks regarding the atmosphere and play from the linebackers.

“While watching the linebackers I could tell Ventrell Miller was the leader of the defense,” Howard said to 247Sports. “And also Diabate stepped up too and made a couple clutch stops. The defense played really good tonight, that’s something I would like to be a part of is a good defense that flys around and makes plays.”

The Gators offered Howard a few days ago and it’s the one he’s been waiting for. Following the season opener, Howard’s relationship with Florida seems incredibly strong.

[lawrence-related id=49585,48560]

LeBlanc was on his second visit of the year to Florida after observing a camp in summer. Unable to visit in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, LeBlanc was excited to finally experience a gameday. Edge rushers Zach Carter and Brenton Cox Jr. spoke with the prospect before the game and told him the “d-line was going to do their thing.” Carter finished the night with three sacks.

The competition for LeBlanc is fairly strong with Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia all in the hunt. He’ll return for Florida’s game against Alabama, and that game could have a big impact on his decision.”

“I thought the defense played really good, LeBlanc said, according to 247Sports. “But I just want to see them against Bama. I am going to be back for that game in two weeks, so I want to see how they are against those guys.”

[lawrence-related id=52686,52681,52676,52652,52616]

[listicle id=52535]

[vertical-gallery id=52455]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Did Notre Dame make the cut for elite 2023 Florida defensive end?

An elite Florida defensive end dropped his top 10 schools, find out if Notre Dame was one of them.

There is so much positive Notre Dame recruiting news happening right now, that when we see/hear some bad news, it more of a shock. Well unfortunately for the Irish, that’s what we saw from 2023 Florida defensive end Derrick LeBlanc.

The Irish missed the cut for the elite defensive end, as he will choose from a who’s who of current collegiate football powerhouses. What does need to be said though is that LeBlanc’s timeline to signing day is extremely far away. Could Marcus Freeman and Brian Kelly somehow work their magic and wiggle their way back into the good graces of LeBlanc’s recruitment?

That question remains to be answered, but at the moment the Irish have to look elsewhere for a difference maker along the defense line. Guess you can’t win them all.

Recruiting: Irish Offer Two Florida Defensive Ends

Notre Dame offers two Florida edge-rushers spanning two different recruiting classes.

If you follow high school football, you know that Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the best programs in the country and they have yet again produced another potential star. Dallas Turner, a 6’4” and 235-pound defensive end, is next in line of talented Raiders to come through the program and yesterday the Irish offered the star player.

This offer might be one where it is too little, too late. Turner’s recruitment will be an uphill battle for the Irish, he’s seen as lean towards two SEC schools in Alabama and Georgia. Michigan has made him a priority recruit as well, so the battle for a commitment from Turner will be difficult.

It’s three years away from when the 2023 class can start signing their letter of intent, but that hasn’t stopped schools from offering star Florida defensive end Derrick LeBlanc. Notre Dame joined Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and others in offering the 6’5” and 247-pound edge-rusher.

Just a rising sophomore with the offer list LeBlanc has shows that he is a national level prospect. At this stage of his recruiting, to hold over 20 offers is extremely impressive. His frame at this time is just as impressive as his offer list, as LeBlanc will have three more years to add to it before enrolling on a college campus.

[protected-iframe id=”c1dad31844a7bf99990e6b3052f00887-162776928-178902091″ info=”//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12952148/5d8e58aeda5c260ca882b55f” width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=””]

LeBlanc is just the fifth player from the 2023 class to report an Irish offer at this moment, two other offers also reside in Florida. His pinned tweet is his offer from Alabama, so one would have to guess they are near the top of this list. By Brian Kelly and his staff offering early, the Irish have made it well known to LeBlanc he is a priority for them.

Texas offers 2023 defensive end from Florida

Texas has offered 2023 defensive end Derrick LeBlanc from Florida. Going into his junior year, he already has 19 scholarship offers.

Texas has offered 2023 defensive end, Derrick LeBlanc, out of Kissimmee, Florida. Going into his junior year, the pass rusher already has 19 offers from across the country.

RATING

No ratings available at time of publishing

Vitals

Hometown Kissimmee, Florida
Projected Position Strongside defensive end
Height 6-5
Weight 240

Recruitment

  • Offered on May 13, 2020
  • No visit yet

Offers (19 total)

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida State
  • Miami
  • Nebraska
  • Ole Miss
  • Penn State
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • West Virginia

Film

[protected-iframe id=”c1dad31844a7bf99990e6b3052f00887-162776761-85508312″ info=”//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12952148/5d8e58aeda5c260ca882b55f” width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=””]

Twitter

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]