Tag: lj mccray

Twitter reacts to Florida football’s 5-star DE commitment

Take a look at the collective reaction to Florida’s massive coup on the recruiting front on Saturday. 

Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray committed to the Orange and Blue over Georgia, Florida State and Miami, among others, on Saturday, adding to an already impressive 2024 recruiting class put together by second-year head coach Billy Napier.

While the Gators are still well in the midst of a rebuild, the addition of the 6-foot-6-inch, 260-pound defender is a huge get for a program that has fallen behind its Southeastern Conference peers in recent years.

McCray is rated four stars and ranked No. 106 overall and No. 16 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite. The On3 industry ranking has him rated at five stars and ranked at Nos. 24 and 4, respectively.

Take a look below at the collective reaction on Twitter by both the team and the Gator Nation at large to Florida’s massive coup on the recruiting front on Saturday.

Five-star DL LJ McCray commits to Florida over Auburn, Georgia

Auburn was a finalist for one of the top defensive lineman in the country but was unable to beat out the in-state Gators.

Auburn was hoping to land their third five-star commitment of the 2024 recruiting class on Saturday but it wasn’t meant to be as defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] committed to the Florida Gators.

The Daytona Beach, Florida native picked the Gators over Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Miami.

McCray was one of Auburn’s top targets in the cycle and he took several visits to the Plains, including one to watch Auburn take on Georgia in Jordan-Hare Stadium earlier this season.

While missing out on McCray stings, they do have commitments from three defensive linemen in four-star prospects TJ Lindsey and Malik Blocton as well as three-star Dimitry Nicolas.

[autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] also has Auburn pushing to flip elite defensive lineman [autotag]Jeremiah Beamen[/autotag] from Alabama and land JUCO prospect [autotag]Brien Taylor[/autotag].

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Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray commits to Florida

Florida’s elite 2024 recruiting class just got even better. Billy Napier has landed a five-star defensive lineman ranked in the top 10 by 247Sports and On3.

The Florida Gators added a major piece to an already elite 2024 recruiting class on Saturday.

Five-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] committed to the Orange and Blue over Georgia, Florida State and Miami, among others.

“First I would like to thank God for blessing me with these abilities, and opportunities and surrounding me with great people said,” Mccray said on a live stream broadcasted by 247Sports. “I would like to thank my mom, dad and sister for going through this process with me and always being there. Thank you for every coach and every trainer that has helped me become who I am today.

“Lastly, I’d like to thank all of the universities that have been relentlessly recruiting me for the past few months. With that being said, I’ll be choosing the University of Florida.”

McCray attends in-state Mainland High School, located in Daytona Beach. He’s been a big riser in the rankings this year and has worked his way into five-star territory.

Both 247Sports and On3 rank McCray inside the top 10 among class of 2024 recruits, and the latter believes he’s the best defensive lineman in the class. ESPN is a bit less bullish on him at No. 23 overall, but it’s Rivals’ No. 249 ranking that’s holding him back from a spot in the top 10 in the consensus rankings.

Still, adding a 6-foot-6, 275-pound lineman ranked anywhere in the top 300 is going to help a team, let alone ranked No. 6 nationally by the industry leader. Adding McCray vaults Florida to the No. 3 spot on both 247Sports and On3’s team recruiting rankings.

It’s clear that Billy Napier has built a recruiting juggernaut at Florida with this latest addition, but he’ll need to win the hardware to back up all his staff has done on the trail.

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Five-star 2024 DL recruit keeping cards close to vest ahead of decision

This five-star DL will make his decision between five collegiate destinations on Saturday.

The clock is ticking as five-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] prepares to make his decision on Saturday as to which school he will commit his superlative talents.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 260-pound trench warrior has the Auburn Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators as his preferred collegiate destinations. Only one will emerge with his word. The senior from Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland has kept things quiet heading into his big day.

“I’ve just been writing all the pros and cons of every school,” McCray told 247Sports last week. “I think based on doing that it makes it harder. Writing it down and reading it, things I didn’t think one school had, it’s making it a little harder.”

Now, after having faced the finish line, the coveted defender has opened his eyes to the gravity of the situation.

“I feel like this week has definitely been a wake-up call to see how much everyone truly appreciates me and wants me,” McCray said after Mainland’s win over Osceola on Thursday night.

“I just have been self-reflecting to see where would I be the most happy outside of football. Where’s my heart at? Where have I wanted to go? Different things. A couple (have started to separate from the pack), but then again I go back and think about the things I love about another school. I just know I have no bad decision for sure.”

However, he does not have a time set for his decision and appears to looking to surprise everyone when he makes his announcement.

“I have been asking myself this whole week if I should call the coaches and let them know. I feel like what I am feeling is letting everyone know Saturday and just giving coaches the call afterward type of thing. I definitely owe them, because they have put a lot of effort into recruiting me for sure.”

McCray is rated four stars and ranked No. 106 overall and No. 16 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite. The On3 industry ranking has him rated at five stars and ranked at Nos. 24 and 4, respectively. On3’s recruiting prediction machine has Florida out front with a 36.8% chance of signing him, followed by FSU (25.5%), Miami (13.2%) and Georgia (11.1%).

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5-star LJ McCray sets commitment date

Five-star defensive line recruit LJ McCray has UGA football in his top schools

Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is nearing a commitment. McCray is the No. 6 recruit in the class of 2024, per 247Sports. McCray has been one of the top rising recruits in the nation.

The elite defensive line recruit will decide where he plays college football on Oct. 21. McCray is ranked as the No. 2 defensive line recruit in nation and the No. 3 player in Florida.

The five-star defensive lineman plays high school football for Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.

McCray will decide among Georgia, Florida, Miami, Florida State and Auburn. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive lineman also plays tight end. The five-star visited Florida State for the Virginia Tech game.

Georgia football possesses the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Five-star DL LJ McCray sets official commitment date

Auburn is one of five schools that McCray will choose from next week.

One of Auburn’s top targets has set an official commitment date.

[autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag], a five-star defensive lineman from Daytona Beach, Florida, will announce his college commitment on Saturday, Oct. 21 he tells Hayes Fawcett of On3. Auburn is among one of his top choices, and will have to battle Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and Miami for his pledge.

McCray told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that the relationship he has built with defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] is one of the main reasons why Auburn made the final cut. He echoed that point to Fawcett.

“The university of Auburn stands out to me because of their close family feel around the staff and the relationship I have with Coach (Jeremy) Garret,” McCray said. “Coach Garret is a super detailed coach/person who I feel can develop me on and off the field. I also like the city of Auburn and the people in it.”

How much of a chance does Auburn have? According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Tigers are behind all of his other favorites, with Florida leading the way with a 37.4% chance to land his commitment. He tells Fawcett that the he likes Gainesville’s proximity to his hometown of Daytona Beach, as well as the bond he has created with head coach Billy Napier.

McCray is a five-star defensive lineman according to both 247Sports and On3. He is the No. 6 overall player for the 2024 class, and is the No. 2 defensive lineman.

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Blue-chip DL recruit confirms top schools plus potential decision date

This coveted in-state defensive lineman expects to make his commitment decision within a week.

The college football season has reached its midpoint as teams across the nation concentrate on the gridiron gruel at hand. However, in the background, coaches and staff continue to grind away on the recruiting front.

One of Florida’s most coveted targets remaining in the 2024 cycle is four-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland, who recently divulged the front runners for his commitment as well as the day he plans on making the final decision to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 260-pound trench warrior has the Auburn Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes along with the Gators as his preferred collegiate destinations. It appears to be a tough decision for the high school senior.

“I’ve just been writing all the pros and cons of every school,” McCray told 247Sports. “I think based on doing that it makes it harder. Writing it down and reading it, things I didn’t think one school had, it’s making it a little harder.”

All of that thinking will come to a head sometime on or after Oct. 18, which is the date he has set to make the most important choice of his young athletic career.

McCray is ranked No. 119 overall and No. 18 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 42 and 7, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediciton Machine has Florida out front with a 37.4% chance of signing him, followed by Georgia (24.1%), FSU (14.8%) and Miami (11.1%).

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Elite defensive lineman LJ McCray sets commitment timeline

He is one of the top players on Auburn’s recruiting board.

Defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country but that will likely be changing soon. The Daytona Beach, Florida product told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports he plans to commit sometime after Oct. 18.

Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami and Georgia are the schools in contention for the four-star prospect and he has visited each one ahead of his decision and shared what stands out about each program.

For Auburn, it’s the “coaching I’d get from coach (Jeremy) Garrett and the relationship.”

The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has visited Auburn three times this year, including an official visit back in June. His most recent trip was to watch Auburn play Georgia.

McCray is the No. 119 overall player and No. 18 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 18 player from Florida.

He is enjoying a strong senior season for Mainland High School, making 33 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in just five games.

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Auburn 5-star target LJ McCray updates recruitment with decision date approaching

Auburn is battling with Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami for LJ McCray.

Defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country but that won’t be the case for much longer.

He will celebrate his birthday on Oct. 18 and is planning to announce his commitment shortly after, according to On3’s Chad Simmons. Auburn is battling with Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami for the Daytona Beach, Florida product.

“All five schools are tight on my list,” McCray told On3. “I have talked to all five schools over the last three days and none of them are letting others create a gap in between them. I thought each visit would make it easier for me, going back to the summer, but I have enjoyed each visit so much that it is making it harder.”

While making a commitment has crossed his mind, he shared when he will know it’s time to pull the trigger.

“Commitment has crossed my with one of these schools almost every week. Until I wake up every day with the same school on my mind and know where I want to be, I won’t be committed. When that school consistently comes to mind, that is who I will commit to.”

McCray is the No. 42 overall player and No. 7 defensive lineman in the On3 industry ranking. He is also the No. 7 player from Florida.

He officially visited Auburn in June and is hoping to return for a game before his commitment.

“I have visited Auburn twice and I just enjoy Auburn,” McCray said. “It is not just the football, but the people and the city at Auburn. Then I like Coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] a lot. He is super-personal and we have some great talks. The players are cool too and I like it on campus. I hope to see a game there.”

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Blue-chip 2024 DL ponders decision date, considers Florida

This Florida-leaning 2024 defensive line recruit plan on making his decision in the middle of the season.

Florida football’s 2024 recruiting class is nearly complete but there is still room to add another top prep prospect to the mix with national signing day still a few months away.

One of the remaining targets for Billy Napier and Co. is four-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland, who trimmed his list of preferred schools to five after making an official visit to Gainesville back in late June.

Along with the Gators, the Auburn Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes are all contenders for the coveted 6-foot-6-inch, 275-pound defender.

On3’s Keith Niebuhr caught up with McCray recently to discuss where Florida stands in the mix with the regular season right around the corner. His opening question asked what stood out most about the Orange and Blue for the high school senior.

“They’re not too far from home and being a Florida boy, you kind of like all the Florida teams,” he responded. “Especially with the direction Florida is headed.”

When asked about the Gators’ coaching staff, three members of the sideline squad stood out to him.

“It’s a three-way tie, honestly, (defensive line coach Sean) Spencer, (edge coach Mike Peterson) and (defensive coordinator Austin) Armstrong. I like them, for sure. They’re kind of just telling me I could be a guy for Florida. The next guy. And definitely just be in my own city.”

As for Napier himself, the head coach is very much involved in the blue-chipper’s recruitment.

“Oh, very. I talk to (Napier) as much as Coach Armstrong honestly.”

When asked about a commitment date, McCray offered an estimated date but could not say for sure. He did seem confident about it coming in October.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be (Oct. 18), but I know I want to have it somewhere around there.”

McCray is ranked No. 129 overall and No. 19 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 46 and 9, respectively. Florida holds the top spot on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 34.6% chance of signing him, followed by FSU (19.1%), Auburn (13.1%) and Georgia (11.0%).

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