Tag: Patrick Toney

Gators get this 4-star CB scheduled for Orange and Blue Game visit

Four-star cornerback Sharif Denson will be in attendance for Florida’s Orange and Blue Game on April 14.

Florida reeled in one Bartram Trail cornerback back in 2018 in [autotag]Tre’Vez Johnson[/autotag]. This cycle the Gators are trying to do it again by pulling four-star [autotag]Sharif Denson[/autotag], who currently sits high on coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag]’s board.

Denson told Gators Online on Tuesday that he will visit the Swamp again for Florida’s Orange and Blue game on April 14. Denson is ranked as the 160th-best player overall and the 19th-best cornerback, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He last visited the Gators on March 3 and has visited Texas A&M and Ohio State over the past month. Florida made a strong first impression on him during his first trip to Gainesville under the new coaching staff.

Denson said he enjoyed dissecting film with multiple defensive coaches and his one-on-one time with Napier.

Even though he is considered a cornerback, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] envisions Denson playing multiple roles in his secondary.

He currently holds offers from the schools previously mentioned along with Notre Dame, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee.

However, Florida holds an advantage because his parents both graduated from the University of Florida.

“They definitely added themselves in and maybe solidified a top spot,” Denson said after last month’s visit. “They didn’t say anything about an offer, but I mean, they were asking what they have to do to get me here, so I guess it’s a given. It was great; I loved the new staff. They are going up for sure.”

The Gators have some targets higher on their board than Denson that they sit in a good spot with like [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag]. So he may be a backup option if one of their top targets chooses to go elsewhere.

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Vaunted 4-star safety seeks Florida visit after receiving offer

This big-time safety prospect really wants to visit Florida.

The recruiting trail is getting red hot in Gainesville as Florida football’s new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his army of staffers burn the midnight oil in their efforts to bring the best prospects into the fold. The month of March featured a flurry of visits from potential players that has continued as the calendar flipped to April.

Among the many making the trek down I-75 this month is four-star safety Isaac Smith out of Fulton (Mississippi) Itawamba Agricultural, who received an offer from co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] last week. The 6-foot, 200-pound high school junior has since voiced his desire to get better acclimated with the staff and the campus via a visit, according to Swamp247.

While his contact with the team has been funneled primarily through Toney and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag], he has also been connected with others on the staff.

“Things have been building up for a little while with Florida,” Smith said. “Me and coach [Jamar] Chaney have been in contact since he was at Mississippi State. I have been talking to him for about two years now. When he went to Florida, we stayed in contact. We kept getting close, but I was also starting to talk with Coach [Corey] Raymond a little bit too. I talked to him last week and he also put the defensive coordinator the phone. We chopped it up a little bit and then he offered me.”

An in-person visit would certainly help improve these relationships by helping to put a face to the name as well as allowing both parties to nurture more intimate relationships than those that are developed over a distance. Smith also mentioned that he knows little about the school’s history, which makes bringing him to Hogtown that much more important, but did note that he “can see they are going to be building something big in the future.”

While a specific date for his visit has not yet been arranged, Smith says, “I will for sure try and get out there to visit them. If I can’t get out there to visit them in the spring I will in the summer.”

The safety prospect is ranked No. 169 overall and No. 13 at his position nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, while the On3 Consensus ranks him at No. 153 and No. 9, respectively. The Ole Miss Rebels are currently listed in the lead for his services by both publications.

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Florida is going after this 4-star DL committed to Texas A&M

Could Florida steal this four-star defensive lineman from Texas A&M?

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Anthony James[/autotag] committed to Texas A&M on February 11, 2021 but that hasn’t stopped him from talking with other elite programs over the last year. One of the teams in James’ ear recently has been the Florida Gators.

James tweeted on Tuesday that Florida’s new staff offered him a scholarship, tagging head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag], co-defensive coordinators [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] and [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag], running backs coach [autotag]Jabbar Juluke[/autotag] and defensive personnel analyst [autotag]Joe Hamilton[/autotag].

He’s supposed to visit the University of Miami on April 16, so there’s an opening for Florida’s recruiting staff to try and schedule a visit with him while he’s in the state. James plays for Wylie East (Texas), so it may be hard to pry him away from his home state.

Jimbo Fisher is coming off the No. 1 recruiting class for 2022 and James is one of the centerpieces of the Aggies’ 2023 class. He’s ranked No. 54 overall and No. 8 among defensive linemen on 247Sports’ individual rankings.

Texas A&M has already seen one four-star de-commit from the program (Eli Holstein), so it’s not entirely out of the question that James backs off his pledge as well. Michigan most recently hosted James in November on an unofficial visit for the Ohio State game.

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Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond looking to restore DBU title at Florida

Corey Raymond’s experience is invaluable at a time when Florida desperately needs to turn things around on defense.

The Florida Gators’ defense has been a bit of a disaster over the past couple of years, but [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] is hoping to turn things around after bringing in experienced support staff to coach that side of the ball. One of the more important names on the new staff is cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag].

After 10 years with LSU, Raymond and the Tigers parted ways as Brian Kelly took over and chose not to retain him on the staff. Napier quickly jumped in and got one of the top position coaches in the country on his staff to start recruiting.

The decision paid off almost immediately as five-star safety [autotag]Kamari Wilson[/autotag] decided to sign with Florida over a top 4 of Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M.

“First time (in Gators colors) was different for me,” Raymond said to Gators Online. ” I went to college (at LSU), I’m from there, but that blue and orange is looking good on me. I’m in Florida. I recruited the state of Florida. It has a lot of talent. We have a chance to do special things here.”

Raymond produced 14 NFL defensive backs while at LSU, including three first-rounders. He knows what it takes to get the best at the college level ready for the pros, and he’s relentless in his efforts to get them there.

“It’s going to take a little time getting used to me, who I am,” he said. “Because I’m hard to get along with out there on the field. It’s demanding. You play a position that’s an easy place to line up, but there’s a lot of little things you have to do to be good at the position.”

Raymond sees plenty of potential in Florida’s current crop of cornerbacks. [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. has a chance to develop into an elite corner under Raymond’s guidance, and [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Kimber[/autotag] also have the potential to be great once fully returned from injury.

Florida’s new cornerbacks coach not only has the respect of the players but he’s revered by most everyone on the staff. Napier thinks highly of him as both a coach and a person, and he appreciates Raymond’s veteran presence on the side of the ball he’s less involved with.

Co-defensive coordinators [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] and [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] also appreciate having Raymond on the staff. Toney coaches the safeties on the team, but he’s also tasked with calling all of the Gators’ defensive plays. Having Raymond to help with the defensive backs is about as useful a tool as you could ask for.

“He’s like the Yoda of DB coaching,” Spencer said. “This guy has coached everybody. He talks in that room, just so confident. He has so much experience. He’s been around the league. He’s been multiple places.”

The early returns have been good on Napier’s investment in Raymond, but his legacy at UF will ultimately be determined by how his players perform during the season. If Florida is going to claim the title of “DBU” once again, Raymond will be the reason why.

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Florida impresses this 4-star safety during his weekend visit

Florida impresses four-star safety Joenel Aguero on his visit to the Swamp on Saturday.

Florida coach Billy Napier sent shockwaves through the college football universe when he pulled cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond from LSU, his alma mater, where turned the Tigers into an NFL defensive back factory. The addition of Raymond should ensure the Gators factor into the “defensive back university” conversation once again as they did under former coaches Will Muschamp and Urban Meyer.

Because of Raymond’s track record, four-star safety Joenel Aguero thinks highly of Florida and was impressed with the Swamp overall during his first visit under the new coaching staff.

247Sports composite has the Lynn, Massachusetts, native as the 49th overall prospect and second-best at his position. So far this month, he has made visits to Florida and LSU and plans to see Ohio State next weekend, Miami in April and then eventually Georgia and Texas A&M.

Aguero told 247Sports following his visit that he likes the new staff’s vibe versus the one the old staff gave off. So far, he has the best relationship with defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and Raymond.

Their main message to Aguero this weekend was that Florida is home and that playing time is immediately available.

Aguero spent the most time around Toney on his visit this weekend and said the Gators like how versatile he is and believes he fits best in their nickel position.

Florida made his top seven that he released earlier this month. After his visit, Aguero said the Gators are firmly in the race for his services and are in no rush to make a decision.

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Patrick Toney not intimated by being young coordinator in SEC

Florida defensive coordinator Patrick Toney isn’t intimidated by being one of the youngest coordinators in the SEC.

Florida head coach Billy Napier made coach Patrick Toney one of the youngest coordinators in the SEC when he hired him to be his defensive coordinator at 31 years old. It’s the same role he held the last two seasons at Louisana. Despite his young age, Toney isn’t intimidated by being one of the youngest coordinators in the conference.

“I always kind of begin with the end in mind,” he said. “This is where I always saw myself, to be honest with you. It means a lot to me that (Napier) promoted me and gave me an opportunity to start calling plays by being a coordinator at a young age. That experience is invaluable and I hope I’ve done my part to prove him right.”

Napier called Toney to offer him a job on Christmas Eve in 2017 even though they had never met before. Napier was assembling his first staff with Louisana and offered him the job based on an assistant’s recommendation.

“Coaching is so crazy,” Toney said, who was 27 at the time. “I was looking to make a move, so I told him I’d be there in a couple days.”

He flourished with the Ragin’ Cajuns and eventually became a defensive coordinator under Napier. Over the last two seasons, Toney’s unit gave up the fewest points and yards per play in the Sun Belt while forcing the most takeaways, going 23-2 over the past two seasons.

Toney hopes to return the Gators’ defense to their previous dominance. Florida’s unit struggled mightily under former defensive coordinator Todd Grantham due to missed tackles, alignment issues and a lack of turnovers. His unit also ranked 85th and 59th nationally in yards allowed per play.

This week marked the beginning of spring practice for Florida and it didn’t take Toney long to earn the respect of his defensive players, according to fifth-year linebacker Amari Burney.

“We’re going to be aggressive every play we’re out there — 11 guys to the ball,” he said. “If you see somebody slacking, guess what? They’re off the field. We’ll get another guy in there to go be aggressive.”

This fall Gators fans will see if their defense can return to their once fearsome form from years past.

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Sought-after safety wants official visit with Florida following March tour

Florida made lots of headway in three-star safety Jalon Kilgore’s recruitment during his visit on Saturday.

Three-star safety Jalon Kilgore wasted little time setting up a Florida visit after coach Billy Napier offered him a scholarship in late February. After enjoying his visit to the Swamp this past weekend, Kilgore said he wants to officially visit the Gators somewhere down the line.

One thing that immediately jumped out to Kilgore was the new standalone facility Florida is about to finish and the opportunities available with the Gator Made initiative and name, image and likeness through the Gator Collective.

He also enjoyed his time around Napier and was impressed with how genuine the new leader of Florida’s program is. However, he spent the most time around safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, and defensive backs quality control assistant CJ Wilford.

“They were really cool people,” he told Gators Online. “They came and showed me around and talked to me about building relationships. Every school has facilities, but the main thing is building relationships.”

After his visit, Kilgore said the Gators are ‘up there’ in his recruitment that he will consider moving forward because he knows they can develop him as a person even if he doesn’t make it to the NFL. He added that he wants to make a decision before his senior season but won’t rush it if he doesn’t feel ready to make a commitment.

This 2023 in-state safety has set a date for his Florida visit

The Gators are making steady progress with three-star in-state safety Jaremiah Anglin. He’s now set a date for his visit to the Swamp.

In-state safety Jaremiah Anglin will be in Gainesville on April 2 for an unofficial visit to the University of Florida, according to 247Sports.

Florida got the ball rolling with the three-star defensive back out of Lake Wales High in February by extending an offer. Anglin, who described UF as his childhood dream school, started working on travel plans immediately. His developing relationship with defensive coordinator Patrick Toney is another good sign for the Gators.

Toney offered Anglin and is the coach he talks to the most along with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert. This spring visit will allow him to meet the entire staff and bond with them.

“Coach Toney said the biggest thing he likes about me is how I am a ballhawk, and how I am not scared to be physical and come down in the run game,” Angling said.” “He said I can be the type of player who can play all around the secondary. The nickel, corner, or the free safety position. From talking to Coach Toney, he wants to run multiple defensive backs. He said he wants DBs to be rolling around back there. He wants guys to make plays and get to the NFL.”

Anglin will be by Florida State on March 5 for the Seminoles’ first day of spring practice and Junior Day. FSU is considered the leader right now for Anglin because of the family connection with Derwin James and he outright said it back in January. The Gators do have Gervon Dexter, Anglin’s former high school teammate, though.

On3 has Anglin as a four-star recruit that is the No. 14 safety and No. 198 overall recruit in the class of 2023. He was unranked at the time of his offer and has since seen a bump in his stock. 247Sports considers Anglin to be the No. 32 safety in the country and the 63rd best player in the state.

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Florida DC Patrick Toney to visit top Gators target

Jacoby Mathews was originally scheduled to visit Gainesville this weekend, but he pushed his trip back to next weekend.

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The Gators are gearing up for one of the biggest recruiting weekends they’ve had in a while. Ten players are set to visit this weekend, but that number was originally supposed to be 11. On Thursday night, four-star Ponchatoula, Louisiana safety Jacoby Mathews decided to push his visit back to the weekend of Jan. 21.

Instead of Mathews visiting the Swamp, defensive coordinator Patrick Toney traveled to Louisiana to see him on Friday morning, instead. It’s the first day of the contact period after the end of the dead period following early signing day.

Mathews, the No. 36 overall recruit in the country per the 247Sports Composite, has never visited Gainesville, but he’s been a top target for the new staff since they arrived. The one-time LSU commit previously told 247Sports that his relationships with coach Billy Napier, who spent the last four years coaching in Louisiana, and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond, who initially recruited him to Baton Rouge, make him feel comfortable.

“I love it because, even though they went there (Florida), they still stuck to us,” Mathews said. “They stuck to recruiting us. When Coach Napier left ULL, the day after he hit me up. Coach C-Ray hit me up the day after he left LSU. I just knew they wanted me still and I can trust them too. They just let me know every time we got on the phone that I have a bright chance to start and how they are making beautiful changes so I can come in and ball for the better. I know for a fact I can trust those guys. Both Louisiana guys trying to get me out of Louisiana.”

The Gators are in a good position for Mathews, who plans to announce his decision on national signing day on Feb. 2.

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