Tag: lj mccray

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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Gators get blue-chip DL target on campus for another visit

The Florida Gators are still looking to add a few more pieces to the recruiting class of 2024, and they recently hosted four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray’s once again.

Florida has a strong defensive line class coming in already, but defensive line coach Sean Spencer could always use some more talent in his position room. Four-star Mainland (Daytona Beach, Florida) defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] could be the next Gator to commit after spending plenty of time in Gainesville this summer.

In fact, McCray is wrapping up his third trip of the summer to UF, according to Swamp 247. After stopping by for a 7-on-7 tournament and an official visit at the beginning of June, McCray has returned for a surprise visit, which can only help Florida’s chances in the long run.

McCray’s summer schedule includes a trip to Athens to see the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, so the timing of his follow-up to UF is even more interesting. A decision won’t come until October, at the earliest. He has an official visit to Florida State lined up for Oct. 7, and the Seminoles are considered the biggest threat to UF right now.

McCray is a four-star recruit according to three of the four major services. ESPN doesn’t have a grade for him, but McCray is still ranked inside the top 50 on the On3 industry ranking, which uses a weighted average. The industry ranking puts him at No. 46 overall and No. 9 among defensive linemen in the class of 2024.

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Auburn makes top 5 for 4-star defensive lineman LJ McCray

Auburn is a finlaist for one of the top defensive lineman in the country.

The Tigers are one of the final schools for four-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag].

The Daytona Beach, Florida product announced a final five of Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Miami Friday on Twitter.

McCray has visited Auburn twice this year, taking an official visit from June 12-14 and an unofficial one on April 5. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has officially visited every one of his finalists except Florida State and he is scheduled to take one there on Oct. 7.

He is the No. 107 overall player and No. 15 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also the No. 17 player from Florida.

Auburn is still looking for its first commitment along the defensive line and McCray would be a great start. He made 44 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks last season for Mainland High School.

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4-star DL LJ McCray names top five schools

Four-star class of 2024 defensive line recruit LJ McCray has named his top five schools and is visiting many of them this summer.

Four-star class of 2024 defensive line recruit LJ McCray is entering into a critical phase of his recruitment. The rising senior is one of the top recruits in the class of 2024.

LJ McCray plays high school football for Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. The four-star is ranked as the No. 107 recruit in the class of 2024. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive lineman has excellent size and is the No. 15 player at his position. Additionally, McCray is ranked as the No. 17 recruit in Florida.

The Mainland standout has committed to playing in the 2024 All-America Bowl on NBC.

Who are LJ McCray’s top five schools?

Auburn DL target Sean Sevillano Jr. announces commitment

The three-star prospect picked Notre Dame over Auburn, Ohio State and Miami.

Three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Sean Sevillano Jr.[/autotag] is originally from Canada but thanks to training with former Auburn running back Tim Jessie he had plenty of interest in the Tigers.

That interest was mutual as the Tigers offered him a scholarship and hosted him for an unofficial visit in May. Sevillano Jr. included the Tigers in his final group alongside Ohio State, Notre Dame and Miami.

While they made the final cut, the Tigers were not the pick as he announced his commitment to Notre Dame Friday.

He is the No. 920 overall player and No. 87 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also the No. 125 player from Florida.

He was extremely productive last season for Clearwater Academy International, making 75 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss and 19.0 sacks in 11 games.

The Tigers may have missed out on Sevillano Jr. but they are still in contention for several promising defensive linemen. Most notable is [autotag]Malik Blocton[/autotag], who the Tigers are the favorite to land.

They are also set to host four-star defensive lineman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] for an official visit on June 12.

Auburn currently has five commitments in the 2024 recruiting cycle with the group being led by four-star quarterback [autotag]Walker White[/autotag].

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Four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray sets official visit to Auburn

Auburn will be getting McCray for a critical official visit in June.

The Auburn Tigers will be hosting one of the best defensive linemen in the country on an official visit.

Four-star prospect [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag] will be officially visiting the Plains on June 12, according to Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover.

It will be McCray’s third trip to Auburn, the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder also has official visits scheduled with Florida (June 2), Miami (June 9), Georgia (June 16) and FSU (Oct. 7).

He is the No. 136 overall player and No. 16 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. The Daytona Beach native is also the No. 22 player from Florida.

McCray included Auburn in his top 11 schools on May 20. In addition to the four other schools he will be officially visiting, he also included Alabama, Clemson, Georgia Tech, LSU, Penn State and Tennessee.

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4-star in-state defensive lineman sets official visit date with Gators

Add another big name to the list of recruits visiting Florida the first weekend of June.

One member of the 2024 college football recruiting class recently released his list of top 11 preferred schools, which included the University of Florida. On Monday, Swamp247 confirmed that four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland has an official visit date set with the Gators for the first weekend of June.

The other schools included by the 6-foot-6-inch, 260-pound lineman were the Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Florida State Seminoles, Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, LSU Tigers, Penn State Nittany Lions and Tennessee Volunteers.

The rising high school senior has already made several unofficial visits to Gainesville in the past. The NCAA recently passed a rule that allows prospects to visit more than five schools officially, which opened the door for the Orange and Blue to sneak him in on June 2.

His recruitment has been spearheaded by a quartet of UF coaches: head coach Billy Napier and assistants Austin Armstrong, Sean Spencer and Mike Peterson, per Swamp247.

McCray is ranked No. 136 overall and No. 13 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 93 and 12, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Gators a 54.0% chance of signing him, while Florida State (14.0%), the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (6.3%) and South Florida Bulls (5.2%) trail behind.

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