Tag: offer

Florida offers Arizona WR commit, official visit in the works

Florida is looking to add another receiver to its recruiting class of 2025 and recently offered Arizona commit Muizz Tounkara out of Texas.

Florida is still adding names to its 2025 recruiting board, including Arizona wide receiver commit [autotag]Muizz Tounkara[/autotag], according to Gators Online.

The Texas native who played out of Clear Springs in League City, picked up an offer from the Gators on Halloween and is planning an official visit to The Swamp. Tounkara says that he plans to travel to Gainesville on Nov. 23 for Florida’s final home game against Ole Miss.

“The Gators have been in contact with me for about a week now,” Tounkara told On3 last weekend. “Joe Hamilton, Billy Napier and Coach (Billy) Gonzales. (Gonzales) is telling me they need a big-body receiver that can stretch the field and make plays on special teams, too.”

The push for Tounkara comes after West Broward receiver Joshua Moore flipped his commitment from Florida to Miami. The Gators still have a pair of four-star receivers under commitment, but they play a different style at the position.

Tounkara considers and offer from an SEC team such as Florida to be a difference maker, one that would have him heavily considering backing off his verbal commitment to Arizona.

Recruiting Summary

A consensus three-star recruit, Tounkara is ranked the highest by 247Sports at No. 92 among wide receivers in the class of 2025. The 247Sports composite has him at No. 829 overall and No. 128 at this position, while the On3 composite puts him at Nos. 818 and 128, respectively.

Arkansas currently leads the On3 recruiting prediction machine with 22.9% of the prediction, closely followed by Kansas (20.1%) and Vanderbilt (17.2%). Arizona still holds 14.3% of the prediction thanks to his verbal commitment.

Here’s what 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks has to say about him:

“Tall, long, lean, and athletic with a longer stride and corresponding build-up speed that influences field-stretching ability and return game juice. Experience in all three phases with snaps at corner facing Texas 6A competition in Houston metro.

“Capable of winning contested throws in traffic thanks to frame, high-pointing acumen, and body control in the air. Capable of go-get-it grabs against overmatched high school defenders.

“Looks tough on tape with willingness to work the middle of the field and affect the screen / perimeter run games as a blocker. Still honing route-running snap/technique, but possesses the twitch to foster consistent late-separating ability and top-of-the-route pop.”

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Wisconsin class of 2025 commit receives offer from top Big Ten rival

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit receives offer from top Big Ten rival

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Nolan Davenport received an offer from Big Ten rival Michigan earlier this week.

Davenport committed to the Badgers back on June 6 after taking an official visit during the program’s busy May 31 weekend. He chose Wisconsin over other top contenders Missouri and Penn State — Missouri being the only other he took an official visit to (June 21).

Related: Wisconsin Badgers football class of 2025 commitment tracker

The three-star offensive tackle is currently ranked by 247Sports as the No. 716 player in the class of 2025, No. 54 offensive tackle and No. 27 recruit from his home state of Ohio.

Michigan extending this late offer is certainly noteworthy. It could signal that Davenport is regarded better than his recruiting ranking indicates. It also sees a premier national brand with excellent history at the position enter the fray — which sometimes can mean bad news for the Badgers.

Wisconsin will look to keep Davenport in its class of 2025 as the weeks and months pass before the class becomes official.

Luke Fickell’s class currently ranks No. 28 in the nation with 23 players committed. The group is a strong follow-up to a program-best class of 2024 output — one that has already made a significant on-field impact (CB Xavier Lucas, RB Darrion Dupree, OT Kevin Heywood).

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Florida enters race for UNC defensive back commit

Florida already has one recruit under commitment from First Academy in Orlando, and now the Gators are pursuing defensive back Danny Odem.

Florida offered First Academy (Orlando) cornerback [autotag]Danny Odem[/autotag] this week, according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman.

The Gators already have one First Academy defensive back under commitment, three-star safety Devin Jackson, and secondary coach Will Harris extended the offer after visiting the in-state program on Monday.

“This was really a surprise and out of nowhere,” Odem said. “That was my first time seeing him, and later in the day, it was my first time talking to him on the phone. It was a great talk with him. Looking forward to going up there for a visit.”

Odem committed to the University of North Carolina earlier this month, but an SEC offer is a game-changer for a relatively unknown recruit more than a year out from the class of 2026 signing period.

Harris and Jackson have been trying to get Odem to Gainesville for a visit, and he’s now planning on attending Florida’s Week 5 matchup against UCF.

“I’ve been up there once before in the summer with my team for a tour, but I want to go see more,” he said. “I want to get up there and get to know the coaches a little better. Stuff like that.”

Recruiting Summary

Odem hasn’t earned a grade from 247Sports or On3 yet, but ESPN and Rivals both list him as a three-star talent. He’s ranked No. 292 overall on the ESPN 300 and is No. 44 among receivers in the class of 2026.

The On3 recruiting prediction machine favors North Carolina to sign Odem by 83% because of the commitment, but Florida joining the race could change those odds. Jacksonville State (6.6%), Ole Miss (5.7%) and UCF (4.7%) are the other teams in the hunt.

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Florida offers class of 2025 offensive lineman from Utah

Florida doesn’t have an offensive lineman under commitment from the class of 2025, but the Gators are eyeing unranked Simona Fuailetolo.

Desert Hills (Saint George, Utah) offensive tackle [autotag]Simona Fuailetolo[/autotag] might be the next diamond in the rough discovered by Florida and Billy Napier’s coaching staff.

The unranked offensive lineman confirmed he’d picked up his first Power Four offer from the Gators on Monday after speaking with position coach John Decoster.

“They kind of hit me up on the phone, and then next thing I knew I had an offer,” Fuailetolo told Blake Alderman of Swamp247. “It was all kind of quick, but Coach Decoster said he had already been doing his research. He’s called and talked with my head coach and asked him about me, and reviewed my film.”

Both parties are still making introductions, but the Gators figure to make a strong push for the relatively unknown big man. Fuailetolo stands at 6-foot-6-inches and 290 pounds, and Decoster said he has “God-given talent.” Size and talent are two major ingredients for creating a successful SEC lineman.

https://twitter.com/SimonFuailetolo/status/1833312610978304287?/

Of course, Florida is in a position of need at offensive line with zero players from the position group under commitment from the class of 2025. Florida has had its fair share of decent to great linemen in recent years — O’Cyrus Torrence in Year 1 under Billy Napier and Jake Slaughter is proving to be a more-than-capable center with the current iteration of the team — but it’s been a while since UF has landed a big-name O-lineman from the high school ranks.

The next step is getting Fuailetolo on campus. He has plans to visit Utah State for an official visit in November, but a trip to The Swamp might be the next one added to his schedule.

“I let them know I would love to come for a game, but no official dates or unofficial visits were discussed,” he said. “We haven’t talked about any specific games to be at. We just mentioned that we would love to make it down for a game. We will work on that.”

Recruiting Summary

Fuailetolo is an unranked recruit on every platform, but a Power Four offer can change that in a hurry, especially if the evaluation comes from his senior-year tape. There’s also a chance he remains unranked, though, with just 3-5 months left in the recruiting cycle.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine favors Utah Tech to land a commitment from Fuailetolo, with 22.2% odds, followed by Southern Utah (19.4%), Weber State (16.7%) and Utah State (13.9%).

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What is Marshon Lattimore’s trade value if Saints make a move?

A Marshon Lattimore trade has been frequently discussed, but how much could the Saints get in return? Bleacher Report says at least a third-round pick:

They’re back at it again. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine took a look at the New Orleans Saints potentially dealing Marshon Lattimore. It’s been discussed frequently, but Ballentine does look at it from a different angle.

Ballentine listed players who should be traded before roster cuts. It’s common to see players get dealt around this time of the year. Ballentine looked at why the Saints should trade Lattimore, and how much they could get back in return.

It’s important the Saints get good value in return for one of their best playmakers. Ballentine argued they should trade their star cornerback to prioritize the future, recouping a draft pick or two and opening up salary cap dollars to be spent elsewhere. That includes paying Paulson Adebo. Solid premise but let’s get to the main event, compensation. Ballentine said the Saints should look for a “at least a third round pick.”

It’s hard to see Lattimore even commanding a third-round pick, let alone “at least” that much. Yes he’s extremely talented and would be worthy of a third and then some if he were healthy. The thing is he hasn’t been for the past two years. Even right now, Lattimore is working his way back from a hip flexor injury.

So what is Lattimore’s trade value? That is a difficult one to really settle in on. For as talented as he is, he’s only played 17 games in two years, the equivalent of a single season. You’re not getting full value on a player with those concerns.

If the Saints trade Lattimore they should look for a trade package with a  conditional pick attached. If you could get a fourth-round pick that could turn into a third-round selection if he hits a threshold for games played or percentage of snaps. But as we’ve said before, if that’s the best they can get then they’re better off not trading him at all. The situation isn’t so toxic that anyone’s hand should be forced. Hopefully Lattimore heals up, plays well, and these questions get answered another time.

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Gators offer blue-chip wide receiver from class of 2026

The Florida Gators are going after one of the top wide receivers in the class of 2026, and he could find his way to campus for a visit this season.

Billy Napier and Florida’s recruiting staff have already earned commitments from a pair of four-star receivers from the class of 2025, so now the focus is shifting to the class of 2026 receivers.

The most recent pass-catcher to reel in an offer from the Gators is [autotag]Jordan Gidron[/autotag] out of Ridge View High in Columbia, South Carolina, accoridng to 247Sports. Florida wide receivers coach [autotag]Billy Gonzalez[/autotag] has been in contact for a few months, and now things are getting serious.

“He asked me to give him a call whenever I was free. So, I called him, and that was when he offered me, “Gidron said. “It had sort of been building up. I’ve gotten recruiting graphics and stuff from them in the past too. They started talking to me back in June.”

The next step is for the Gators to get Gidron on campus, but his schedule is filling up fast. He already plans on attending a Georgia game (vs. Clemson) and two Tennessee games (Alabama, NC State), but now he’s looking to squeeze Florida in.

“Coach Gonzales said he really wants me to get down to a game this season to see Florida and get some time around him. I am going to have to talk with my parents about how that is going to work in my schedule. We are going to try and get something figured out though.”

Recruiting Summary

Gidron is a consensus four-star recruit who is ranked inside the top 100 on every major rankings list in the country. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 51 overall and No. 7 among receivers in the 2026 class, while the On3 industry ranking has him a bit higher at Nos. 64 and 10 respecitvely.

The On3 recruiting prediction machine gives South Carolina the best odds to land Gidron right now at 40.4%, followed by Auburn (14.5%), Florida State (12.5%) and Alabama (10.4%).

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SEC-committed kicker intrigued with Gators after offer

Billy Napier and Co. are looking to flip kicker Evan Noel from his commitment to the Razorbacks.

Florida football’s efforts in the 2025 recruiting cycle have continued while the opening salvo of the 2024 campaign quickly approaches. The Gators are still lagging behind a bit with the next class but have still been making gains this summer.

In late July, Billy Napier offered a scholarship to three-star kicker [autotag]Evan Noel[/autotag] out of Bay Saint Louis (Mississippi) St Stanislaus, who is currently committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The recent courtship between Florida and the coveted specialist has been heating up since his visit to Gainesville back in June, and with an offer now in his hand, Craig is considering the Orange and Blue a bit more closely.

Noel talks Florida’s offer

“I went over there last year during the summer and kicked there,” Noel told Swamp247. “I did pretty good, and they offered me as a PWO last year. I wanted to come back again this summer and see what they had in mind, so I went again to kick for them this summer.

“They also had me stay around after I worked out to do a visit with them too that same time in June. We’ve been in touch a lot. Coach Napier gave me a call not too long ago and he gave me the offer.”

What stands out to Noel about UF

“I really like the campus. My whole family really liked the campus. We liked the people that they have over there too. Everyone there is super nice to us, and they welcomed us every time we’ve been there.

“I got to meet some of the players, and thought they were super cool too. A lot of things about their program and school really stand out to us from times we’ve been there.”

Noel’s relationship with Florida’s coaches

“We have talked about what my hobbies are, and just getting to know each other from. Talking about things, so we can get to know each other a little better. He will get me on the phone with my family around, so we can all talk together.”

Noel also points out that he spends a lot of time acclimating with the two coaches spearheading his recruitment.

“I talk with Coach Napier and Coach Houston, so we can all get a better idea of each other.”

Noel’s impression of Coach Houston

“He knows kicking a good bit. Actually know the development part of it, and things you can do to improve things. Sometimes you have coaches that do special teams, but aren’t really super into the development part, but more the schematic part of it.

“Coach Houston really knows his stuff though. He knows what you’ve done wrong if you miss, and what you can change to help fix anything.”

How Florida’s offer has affected Noel

“I really like Florida, and that new offer made me reconsider things a lot. I am just waiting for the season to go on, so that I can see how things go for both teams.

“That is really what I want to do before I make any sort of decision. They both have big seasons.”

Noel’s outlook with the Gators

“If I went there I would have to sit behind Trey (Smack) for a year, or at least be in a position battle with him my first year. They wanted to get a kicker they liked a lot this cycle, which is me.

“Have me there to get developed, learn from Trey and the coaches, and then be ready to go the next year. That is how they see it.”

Recruiting Summary

Noel is ranked No. 1,582 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the On3 industry ranking.

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Gators among early standouts for this in-state, top-100 defender

One of the top defensive athletes in the class of 2026 has eyes on Florida, but the Gators will need to beat out some tough competition to secure a commitment.

Billy Napier has said many times that his goal is to keep the best high school football players in Florida from leaving the state, so it’s no surprise that Bolles School (Jacksonville) linebacker [autotag]Simeon Caldwell[/autotag] — a top-100 recruit in the class of 2026 — near the top of the Gators’ recruiting board.

Florida has pursued Caldwell for the past few months, but it hasn’t been without challenge. A slew of Power Four programs have also emerged as contenders for the four-star talent, and the Gators trail a few big names, according to 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Tom Loy.

“Definitely Ohio State, Notre Dame, and then all of the Florida schools like Florida State, Florida, and Miami,” Caldwell said. “June 15 was the first real start for recruiting. Miami was the first school to call me at 12:03 and then Notre Dame followed at 12:05 am. Those are the schools really standing out to me.”

With Miami and Notre Dame slightly ahead of the pack, Florida has work to do with Caldwell, but it’s still early. The Gators offered him on April 30 and got him on campus at the end of June. Things went well, but it will take much more to earn a commitment.

“I went up there and the competitiveness is something that I really enjoyed,” he said.

Caldwell has also expressed interest in Florida’s high academic standards. His sisters attended Ivy League programs, and the mix of academics and athletics is one of the reasons Notre Dame is so high on his list. The University of Florida was recently named one of 10 “New Private Ivies” by Forbes, giving Napier and Co. an easy selling point.

He’s at Notre Dame this weekend to close out the summer recruiting period.

Recruiting Summary

Caldwell is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked the highest by ESPN at No. 28 overall in the class of 2026 while Rivals puts him at No. 69 nationally and No. 7 among safeties. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 61 nationally and No. 4 among linebackers, while the On3 industry ranking has him slightly lower at No. 69 overall and considers him the No. 7 safety in the class.

Notre Dame leads the On3 recruiting prediction machine with 29.4% odds to land Caldwell, followed by Florida State (13.5%), Miami (11.6%) and Ohio State (9.6%).

Right now, Caldwell looks more like a safety, but he could move into the linebacker role as he adds muscle. His father also coached inside linebacker in the NFL, giving him a leg up in the film room.

“There are athletes that play both sides of the ball, but for me I see myself as a defensive-only athlete,” he said. “I play safety, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker. It just depends on the situation of the game and the scheme of the other team. I’m used everywhere.”

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Florida making strong, early push for this in-state class of 2026 OL

Florida’s offensive line coaches are getting some early recruiting work in with Lakewood’s Chancellor Campbell and it’s paying off.

Lakewood High (St. Petersburg, Florida) offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Cambell[/autotag] is one of the rising juniors Florida’s recruiting team has focused on heavily this summer, and those efforts are paying, according to Swamp247.

Campbell visited The Swamp twice in March and then secured an offer in May to open the summer. Since then, the Gators have only further cemented themselves as the top team on his list.

He was in Gainesville most recently in June and will be back this weekend for the Grill in the ‘Ville event to close out the summer recruiting period. A return trip at the beginning of fall camp could also happen — frequent visits are one of the positives of recruiting in-state talent.

Kentucky, South Carolina, Syracuse, Toledo and UCF are the other teams that offered the 6-foot-8-inch, 285-pounder.

“Things have been going very well between me and the (Florida) coaches,” Campbell said. “I really appreciate how they teach and communicate with the offensive line. They seem to really know what they are talking about and are great coaches.”

Offensive line coaches [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] and [autotag]John Decoster[/autotag] have been Campbell’s main contacts at Florida. Although development seems to be a major recruiting point for Campbell, he’s also focused on receiving a good education.

Recruiting Summary

Cambell is unranked everywhere right now, but he might be one of the big risers in the next major updates from 247Sports and On3.

Florida is dominating the On3 recruiting prediction machine projections with 89.9% odds of landing Campbell, followed by UCF (2.5%), South Carolina (2.2%) and Kentucky (1.8%).

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Wisconsin basketball offers 2026’s No. 1-ranked in-state recruit

Wisconsin basketball offers 2026’s No. 1-ranked in-state player

Wisconsin basketball extended an offer to in-state class of 2026 small forward Vaughn Karvala on Friday.

The Oregon, Wisconsin native is currently ranked by 247Sports as the No. 108 player in the class of 2026, No. 34 small forward and No. 1 recruit from the state of Wisconsin.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

The Badgers are a significant offer for the rising prospect. His only other listed offer is from in-state Marquette, with Iowa State also showing early interest.

Wisconsin is starting work in the class of 2026 as its 2025 cycle begins to take form. The program has two commitments in the class of 2025 thus far: three-star center Will Garlock and four-star shooting guard Zach Kinziger. The group currently ranks No. 7 in the nation at this early stage in the cycle.

Months still remain before the 2026 cycle heats up. Karvala will likely become a key target for the program as his profile grows and more programs express interest.

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