Tag: Dijon Johnson

Florida’s Sports Illustrated recruiting ranking improves in November update

The Florida Gators rise in Sports Illustrated’s November recruiting rankings update. In October, they came in as the No. 12 team in the 2023 class.

Despite an up-and-down season on the field, the Florida Gators have maintained their place among the 2023 recruiting class. In Sports Illustrated’s November update to their recruiting rankings, the Orange and Blue have improved one spot, moving from their October spot of No. 12 to No. 11.

This is positive but surprising news for Billy Napier and his staff. The Gators noticeably struck out on [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], the nation’s No. 1 cornerback per multiple recruiting services, when he announced his surprise commitment to the University of Miami. Considered to be a Florida lock by multiple recruiting outlets for weeks, the miss felt like a hard stop on the positive recruiting momentum that Napier built over the summer.

Despite losing out the top player in the state of Florida, Sports Illustrated values the other October recruiting moves enough to bump the Gators up slightly in their rankings. Here is what their analysts had to say about Florida’s October on the recruiting trail:

McClain miss aside, October was tangibly strong for Billy Napier and company on the trail. It starts with a bigger need than cornerback satisfied in flipping [autotag]Roderick Kearny[/autotag] from Florida State. The SI99 offensive line recruit has multiple-position ability on a college-ready frame. Earlier in the month, UF all but wrapped up its defensive back recruiting with the pledge of former Ohio State commitment [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] and Atlanta-area safety [autotag]Bryce Thornton[/autotag] on the same day.

Reading that the defensive back class is still strong makes the McClain miss easier to swallow. The Kearny flip was massive too, especially given that Florida took him from their biggest in-state rival. Overall, missing out on one player is not going to destroy the entire class, even if that player would have done wonders for the perception of the Florida program.

One way to improve recruiting is to show results on the field. The Gators’ next opportunity to do that is Saturday when they travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for noon EDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t/01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t-6087e1f0a7abee2df7b2ad710bd7bfcd.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=95230,95197,95189,95179,95155]

[listicle id=95207]

[listicle id=95124]

[listicle id=95148]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Florida moves into top-10 recruiting ranking with pair of new commitments

Florida got the commitment of Bryce Thornton and former Ohio State commit Dijon Johnson, solidifying the secondary of the Gators.

The University of Florida moved into the top 10 of the 247Sports recruitment rankings on Thursday when a pair of safeties committed to the program.

To start the day, three-star safety Bryce Thornton announced he had chosen the Gators. He had 27 offers, according to 247Sports, and is ranked as the No. 45 safety in the class. His commitment helped Florida add strength to the secondary.

But the cherry on top came later in the day when four-star recruit Dijon Johnson elected to remain in his home state. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety, listed as a top-100 player and the No. 7 safety in the class on the 247Sports composite rankings, was previously an Ohio State commit before decommiting on July 30.

Johnson had 36 offers, according to 247Sports.

With those commitments, Florida moves into the top-10 recruiting rankings nationally and fourth in the SEC behind Alabama, Georgia and LSU, in that order. While the Gators lack the five-star commits of the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs, they do have 17 four-star commits, more than Alabama and Georgia and the fourth-most in the country.

[listicle id=101498495]

Live-Stream High School Football:

NFHS Network

Friday Night Notes: Florida picks up 2 DBs, Oregon nabs top ’23 kicker, plus more

Latest high school football recruiting news from around the U.S.

USA TODAY High School Sports‘ Friday Night Notes is a weekly high school football recruiting recap that looks at the latest news from around the country—from the Class of 2023 to ’24 and beyond.

No team had a better recruiting week than Florida, which has become a haven for elite defensive back prospects looking for an access point to reach the next level.

The Gators continued building up their secondary this week by gaining commitments from two of the top remaining undecided defensive backs in the class of 2023.

Andrew Ivins, 247Sports

The big prize for Florida was getting cornerback Dijon Johnson, who committed to playing for coach Billy Napier on Wednesday. Johnson (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) had originally committed to Ohio State but backed out a few months ago.

Johnson is a four-star recruit ranked No. 7 among corners and No. 96 nationally in his class. His game features ridiculous straight-line speed and ball skills. Last season as a Junior, he posted six interceptions, including four pick-sixes. Johnson says he expects this class to get better, per ESPN.

“The future is bright in Gainesville. I feel like I can help take the program back to the top with Coach Napier and the rest of the recruits they got coming in. … [The class] is going to keep going up. The class is going to keep getting better and better.”

Speaking of which, the Gators also got a commitment from Milton (Ga.) safety Bryce Thornton on the same day. Thornton had previously narrowed his choices down to Alabama and Florida, which hosted him for several visits as they sought to recruit him. Thornton (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) is a three-star prospect who posted 93 tackles last year. He also has some experience as a running back and as a kickoff returner.

Florida now has 22 hard commits total, worth 267.85 points. As a result, they have received a small jump in the 2023 recruiting rankings, now placed No. 8 behind LSU.

Tracking which recruits attend Florida’s Week 7 matchup with LSU

There will be a ton of recruits visiting the Swamp this weekend to see Florida face LSU.

The Florida Gators are set to host the LSU Tigers over the weekend for a major SEC matchup, but those aren’t the only visitors that Billy Napier and Company need to worry about this week. The recruiting team is set to host dozens of elite prospects from three different classes on Saturday (2023, 2024 and 2025).

Keeping track of all those prospects can get confusing, but we’ve got you covered. Below is every confirmed visitor, both official and unofficial, for the weekend. Some big names, such as five-star cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], are still up in the air right now, but Gators Wire will update this list throughout the weekend and include the newest additions at the top.

Florida’s coming off a pair of commitments on Thursday from cornerback [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Bryce Thornton[/autotag], which brings the class of 2023 to 22 total commitments. There’s still room to add a player or two, though, and the Gators are rolling out the red carpet this week.

Gators earn second commitment, complete flip of former 4-star OSU commit

The Gators went 2-for-2 on Thursday and earned commitments from two priority defensive backs.

Florida was hoping to add two names to the class of 2023 on Thursday, and Billy Napier‘s recruiting team got the job done. After getting the nod from safety [autotag]Bryce Thornton[/autotag] earlier in the day, four-star cornerback [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] announced his commitment to UF Thursday evening. On3’s Hayes Fawcett broke the news.

Johnson backed off a three-month commitment to Ohio State at the end of July after stopping by the Swamp to watch Friday Night Lights. Rumors swirled that he’d be committing to Florida in the weeks following the decommitment, but the flip wasn’t official until now.

In the end, Florida’s scheme and coaching staff were too enticing to say no to.

“I like that they play multiple cornerbacks,” Johnson said to On3. “The people in the building there, I like what coach Napier is building. The atmosphere is crazy, I definitely saw myself playing in that stadium. I am definitely going to help build this class coming in.”

Johnson is ranked No. 100 overall on the On3 consensus and No. 96 on the 247Sports composite. 247Sports likes grades him as the No. 7 safety in the class, and On3 sees him as the No. 10 cornerback in the class. He’ll most likely suit up at corner for Florida and be under the guidance of defensive back guru Corey Raymond.

“They have produced a lot of great ones, and I see myself being the next one there,” Johnson said. “I have the size and length, plus being developed by one of the best cornerback coaches and what he has done in the past definitely stands out to me.”

With the addition of Johnson and Thornton, Florida moves up to No. 8 in the team rankings on both 247Sports and On3.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=93985,93983,93977,93959,93969]

[listicle id=93954]

[listicle id=93921]

[listicle id=93899]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Florida hoping to earn commitments from a pair of DBs on Thursday

The Gators could add a pair of defensive backs to the class of 2023 by the end of the day.

There are two big recruiting announcements set for Thursday, Oct. 13, that the Florida Gators will have an eye on. Milton (Alpharetta, Georgia) safety [autotag]Bryce Thornton[/autotag] will get things started around 3:15 p.m. EDT and pick between Florida and Alabama, and four-star Wharton (Tampa, Florida) cornerback [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] will wrap up the day with his decision around 7 p.m. EDT.

Johnson is the higher-rated recruit of the two at No. 101 overall on the On3 consensus. He’s one of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond’s top targets in the class of 2023 along with [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] and would be a big addition to the secondary. Florida’s competition for him is down to Miami, Ohio State and USC. Johnson backed off a commitment to the Buckeyes earlier this year, so Florida is considered the favorite heading into the announcement.

Thornton is a three-star caliber safety, according to three of the four major recruiting services. On3 is the only site to give him a four-star grade, but that could change as the second half of the high school season plays out. Thornton is deciding between Alabama and Florida, but the Crimson Tide are pretty loaded at safety with two five-stars under verbal commitment to the program in the cycle. It would be surprising to see Thornton go to Alabama. The assumption is that he’ll find playing time much easier at UF, and there’s certainly more opportunity in Gainesville than there is in Tuscaloosa.

If Florida can land both these defensive backs, the Gators will have a strong incoming group regardless of whether or not McClain commits. At safety, Thornton would join [autotag]Jordan Castell[/autotag], and Johnson would join a trio of four-star cornerbacks — [autotag]Sharif Denson[/autotag], [autotag]Aaron Gates[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag].

It’s worth noting the comments made by former Gator Dee Webb and current UF running back commit Treyaun Webb on Twitter ahead of these two announcements. The Webbs indicated that one of the two wouldn’t pick Florida, and Treyaun’s message was directed at Johnson. Stirring up drama and drawing attention to announcements is the name of the game for the actual recruits, so it would be unwise to read too far into things.

The decision will be coming up soon enough, and Gators Wire will provide updates on each recruit when they make their announcement.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=93985,93983,93977,93959,93969]

[listicle id=93954]

[listicle id=93921]

[listicle id=93899]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Highly coveted Ohio State decommit plans return trip to Florida

The Gators have a few spots left in the class of 2023 and four-star cornerback Dijon Johnson is near the top of their wishlist.

After impressing four-star cornerback [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] at Friday Night Lights, the Florida Gators are getting another chance to host one of the top remaining recruits on their wish list.

Johnson is expected in Gainesville on Sept. 3 for Florida’s game against Utah, according to 247Sports. It should be an unofficial visit, but the last unofficial Johnson made to the Swamp resulted in him backing off his pledge to Ohio State and opening things back up. If that’s any indication of where things are headed, Johnson could have good news for Gators fans in the coming weeks.

The Florida staff has kept in contact with him often enough to warrant consideration, but Johnson mentioned Alabama and Penn State have also been in his ear. Florida cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] has been the primary recruiter for just one blue-chip commitment during this cycle: cornerback [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag].

Both Johnson and top-ranked cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] are scheduled to be in town for the Utah game. There’s little doubt that Raymond’s pitch is for the two to play together with Jackson and restore Florida’s reputation as DBU.

The 247Sports composite lists Johnson No. 162 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 16 among cornerbacks. The site’s individual rankings are even more bullish on him at No. 92 overall and No. 9 at his position.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=89692,89693,89676,89674,89663]

[listicle id=89586]

[listicle id=89316]

[listicle id=89024]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Two Florida coaches in top 15 of 247Sports’ recruiter rankings

Florida’s coaching staff has been on a roll lately, and much of it is thanks to two men in particular. 247Sports has them in their top 15.

When [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] assembled his staff at the University of Florida, he said that he wanted to prioritize recruiting. Twenty commitments into the class of 2023 and one class of 2024 four-star verbally pledge to the Orange and Blue, it’s safe to say that Napier was successful, and the numbers back it up.

Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] is ranked No. 7 on the 247Sports 2023 football recruiter rankings, and [autotag]Keary Colbert[/autotag] is ranked No. 11, which is good for the second-highest placement of any wide receivers coach on the list.

Spencer has been the primary recruiter on five of Florida’s commitments and has played a secondary role in the recruitment of two others. He’s directly responsible for the additions of No. 70 [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag], No. 145 [autotag]Will Norman[/autotag], No. 205 [autotag]Isaiah Nixon[/autotag], No. 218 [autotag]Kamran James[/autotag] and four-star [autotag]Gavin Hill[/autotag]. Despite the battery of four-stars committed to Florida thanks to Spencer, he ranks fourth among defensive line recruiters in the country. Clemson‘s Nick Eason, Notre Dame‘s Al Washington and Alabama‘s Freddie Roach are all ranked above Spencer in ascending order.

Still, it’s clear that coach Chaos’ stint in the NFL paid off, and he’s once again at the top of the recruiting game. Florida has the potential to bring in the strongest defensive line classes in the upcoming cycle, assuming all commitments put pen to paper during one of the signing periods.

Colbert has been the primary on five recruits as well, all of whom will play receiver for UF. No. 78 [autotag]Aidan Mizell[/autotag] leads the group and should be paired with No. 142 [autotag]Eugene Wilson III[/autotag] to do some damage. Four-stars [autotag]Andy Jean[/autotag] and [autotag]Creed Whittemore[/autotag] round out the blue-chip names in the class and three-star [autotag]Tyree Patterson[/autotag] adds some depth to the class. And there’s potential to add more receivers to the group.

The only other receivers coach ranked higher by 247Sports is Ohio State‘s Brian Hartline, who has brought in four recruits that average a 96.48 grade. The next receivers coach on the list is Texas’ Brennan Marion at No. 20 and three commits under his belt.

Florida’s other co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] is ranked No. 31 and the only other Gator inside the top 100. Cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] should be next to break that threshold if he can add one of his high-profile targets. Currently ranked No. 101, adding either four-star [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] or five-star [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] should do the trick for Raymond.

Outside linebackers coach [autotag]Mike Peterson[/autotag] is ranked No. 111, offensive coordinator and offense line coach [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] is ranked No. 188, inside linebacker coach [autotag]Jay Bateman[/autotag] is No. 190, tight ends coach [autotag]William Peagler[/autotag] is No. 240 and running backs coach [autotag]Jabbar Juluke[/autotag] rounds out the group at No. 338 on the list. Assistant offensive line coach [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag] received secondary credits for four commitments and ranks No. 259 as well.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=89611,89606,89603,89567,89557,89538]

[listicle id=89316]

[listicle id=89024]

[listicle id=88059]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Florida QB commit Marcus Stokes put in some recruiting work over the weekend

The Gators received some recruiting help from their quarterback in the class of 2023 over the weekend, and it seems to have paid off nicely.

Florida football pulled in a nice group of commitments over the weekend, and quarterback commit [autotag]Marcus Stokes[/autotag] may have helped get a few of the names on campus, according to Gators Online.

Stokes was expected to miss the Friday Night Lights even coming into the weekend, but he ended up making enough room in his schedule to stop by and get some throws in with Billy Napier right beside him. When Gators Online caught up with him Friday, he said that he was also in town to do some recruiting.

“I was recruiting [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag],” Stokes said. “I was on him the most because that would be a big pickup for us.”

Johnson backed off his commitment to Ohio State shortly after visiting Florida.

Stokes also spoke with four-star receiver [autotag]Andy Jean[/autotag], who ended up moving up his commitment and joining UF’s class of 2023. The young quarterback likes to know his receivers and also talked with Florida commit [autotag]Aidan Mizell[/autotag] to make sure both ended up at the same place. Stokes transferred from Penn State knowing Mizell would be his guy.

Treyaun Webb has also been a powerful voice on the recruiting trail, but it’s always good to see the incoming class take an interest in bringing in more talent. Now all that’s left to do is for Johnson to complete the flip.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=88499,88462,88458,88450,88438]

[listicle id=88466]

[listicle id=88195]

[listicle id=88059]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Fresh off Florida visit CB recruit backs down from Ohio State commitment

Could this be an omen for the Gators? It has to be more than a coincidence that this comes after his UF visit.

It has been a successful weekend for Florida football’s recruiting efforts with both the Friday Night Lights and the team cookout events drawing top recruits from around the country.

The Gators roped in some big names over the past couple of days and have made waves in other parts of the prospect pool, illustrated by the decision of one blue-chip recruit who decommitted from his previous school after a visit to Gainesville.

Four-star cornerback [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag], who hails from Tampa (Florida) Wharton, made the trek up I-75 to visit the Swamp on Friday. By the end of Saturday, he announced he was backing away from his commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes, which he made in April. The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound defensive back offered the following to Buckeyes fans.

First and foremost I would like to thank the man above for putting me in the position that I’m in today, without him there isn’t a Dijon Johnson.

Secondly, I want to thank everyone at The Ohio State University for their time and effort of recruiting me. I am thankful for the relationships that I’ve built  over the past year especially with coach Alford, coach Walton and the players.

Lastly after long talks with my family I’ve decided that it’s best for me to decommit from The Ohio State University, and I will be reopening my recruitment. I look forward to the journey of finding my new home!

Of course, it is only conjecture at this point that [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff flipped the table on OSU in light of the momentum the program gained over the past few days. However, it does appear he is leaning strongly toward the Orange and Blue in the eyes of the evaluators.

Johnson, also known as “Mustard,” is ranked No. 93 overall and No. 10 at his position in his class nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 98 and 9, respectively. 247Sports gives the Gators six crystal ball predictions for the in-state recruit, including a recent flip, while the Buckeyes remain with two. Meanwhile, On3’s recruiting prediction machine has Florida far in front for the rising senior with a 92.8% chance of landing him.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=88462,88458,88450,88438,88425]

[listicle id=88466]

[listicle id=88195]

[listicle id=88059]

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 and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!