Tag: Sean Spencer

Florida defensive tackle Lamar Goods enters NCAA transfer portal

Florida redshirt sophomore DT Lamar Goods plans to enter the portal after only registering a single tackle during his career.

Florida redshirt sophomore defensive tackle [autotag]Lamar Goods[/autotag] announced on Instagram Friday that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal with spring practice set to conclude next week with the Orange and Blue Game.

“I wanna start by thanking everyone at the University of Florida and that I appreciate and care for all that you have done for me,” Goods wrote. “But after long and hard talks with my family I have decided to enter my name in the transfer portal. I am excited to see where this next chapter in my life takes my academic and football career but will always be proud that I was a gator thank you GATOR NATION.”

He played sparingly during his career with Florida, recording only a single tackle. During spring practices, the media has seen Goods leave early on multiple occasions for reasons unknown.

The Gators are looking for contributors at the defensive tackle position beside a player named [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] this spring. Former head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]David Turner[/autotag] brought in graduate transfers [autotag]Daquan Newkirk[/autotag], [autotag]Antonio Valentino[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyrone Truesdell[/autotag] as a quick fix to supplement their struggles to recruit the position.

It’s a problem new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] will have to address via the transfer portal themselves after spring ball wraps up and new names enter the portal.

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Florida receives new crystal ball prediction for this 4-star DL

Florida sits in the driver’s seat in four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc’s recruitment.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] has visited Florida and coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s staff five times so far this year. No other prospect has visited the Gators nearly as much as he has. Because of how often he has been to the Swamp, 247Sports Florida recruiting reporter Blake Alderman elected to submit a crystal ball prediction for LeBlanc on Thursday.

LeBlanc is ranked as the 81st overall prospect and as the ninth-best player at his position, according to the 247Sports composite. He hails from nearby Osceola, Florida, and isn’t the only talented defensive lineman at his high school. His teammate [autotag]John Walker[/autotag] is considered the 94th best player overall and the 14th best at his position.

LeBlanc visited the Swamp again on Thursday and plans to come back for the Orange and Blue Game next week. He has been around so much that defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] started quizzing him on Florida’s scheme.

“I really know everything they like to do and what their coaching calls are and a lot about their defense already,” he said. “I pick up things fast. Coach Spencer was trying to quiz me on their defense, and a lot of the things I already knew. It was really good just watching him coach his guys and sitting in the position meetings again. It was really nice.”

LeBlanc, however, doesn’t plan to make a decision anytime soon. He set a commitment date for July 23 along with Gators targets [autotag]Malik Bryant[/autotag] and [autotag]Payton Kirkland[/autotag].

Florida seems to have a significant lead, but Alderman considers Oklahoma and Miami as the Gators’ biggest threat at his point.

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This top-100 DL will be in attendance for Florida’s Orange and Blue Game

Four-star defensive lineman Will Norman has set reservations to visit Florida’s Orange and Blue Game later this month.

Florida, head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] received massive news on Tuesday when four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Will Norman[/autotag] tweeted that he’ll visit them again for the Orange and Blue Game. The IMG prospect is ranked as the 86th-best prospect nationally and the 12th-best player at his position.

The Gators made major head way in Norman’s recruitment after a strong visit back on Jan. 29. They recently made his top seven that he released on March 29.

“My visit to Florida really changed things for me,” Norman said, according to On3. “It was really a fast start with the relationships. Their coaches are off to a great start with me. Florida made me feel like one of their athletes and they definitely moved up into my top five. They are one of my top schools. I will be back there.”

It’s great for Napier and his staff that Norman stuck to his word and will return for the spring game even though it’s going to be held on a Thursday compared to a Saturday.

Norman said he wants to find a place where he feels comfortable and Florida checks off that box because of Spencer, off-the-field analyst [autotag]Jamar Chaney[/autotag] and others. He likes how they are genuine with him.

He plans to visit Texas A&M this weekend and has made trips to Florida State, Auburn and Penn State so far this year. Norman has not revealed when he would like to make a decision but wants to take official visits to each one of his top five schools.

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4-star defensive lineman looks to make an official visit this summer

Things look to heat up on the recruiting front in June with this 4-star DL planning to make a visit.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]John Walker[/autotag] hasn’t made nearly as many trips to Florida as his Osceola teammate [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], but he wrapped up his second visit to the Swamp on Friday. He told reporters afterward that an official visit schedule is starting to come together. Walker wants to take one to Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Florida and UCF.

During his most recent visit, he spent the most time around head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag]. He relished the ability to build a stronger relationship with Spencer in particular.

The Gators didn’t practice on Friday following the team’s first scrimmage of the spring. However, he met with Spencer and broke down some film from some of the practices this month and last. It gave him some perspective on what Spencer wants from his group.

Walker said Spencer wants his players to be fast, athletic, have excellent get off and be willing to run to the ball on every play. He demands his unit to give 110% on every play.

Spencer really covets him because he needs more guys to control the line of scrimmage. Walker likes him as a coach because of how genuine he is.

He doesn’t have a formal leaderboard at this point in his recruitment but continues to emphasize that the Gators are up there and isn’t sure when he would like to award his pledge to one of his top schools. Walker said it could come any time between the start of his senior season and the early signing period in December.

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This 4-star DL completes his fourth visit to Florida this weekend

Florida priority target and four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc visited Florida for the fourth time this past weekend.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] made his fourth trip to Florida and the Swamp this past weekend. After his visit, he told 247Sports that the Gators continue to push all the right buttons in his recruitment.

LeBlanc is a priority target for coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag]. The 247Sports composite rankings have him as the 87th overall prospect and as the 11th best player at his position. He hails from Osceola, Florida, and is teammates with fellow four-star defensive lineman [autotag]John Walker[/autotag], who is also a top target for the Gators.

He said he really wanted to spend more time around Spencer this weekend and came away accomplishing that. Spencer showed LeBlanc film from spring practice and started quizzing him on Florida’s defense because he’s been there so many times.

The Gators need more top defensive line prospects after the previous regime struggled mightily with recruiting. LeBlanc feels like he can see the field early if he chose Florida.

He also spoke with current defensive linemen [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenton Cox[/autotag]. They said they love the new current coaching staff and that if they could stay two more years to play for them, they would.

LeBlanc will visit Miami next weekend and will take an official visit to Penn State during the weekend of June 10. He also wants to take official visits to the Gators, Hurricanes and Oklahoma during June. He also believes that these four schools are recruiting him the hardest.

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This 2023 blue-chip defensive lineman has Florida in his top 4

Billy Napier has Florida in play for another elite recruit from the South.

Five-star Thompson (Alabama) recruit [autotag]Peter Woods[/autotag] has narrowed down his list of schools to four and Florida has made the cut.

Woods spoke to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong and told him what stood out for each program. For the Gators, it was new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] that made the difference by hiring an elite staff and jumping on Woods’ recruitment early.

“Coach Napier came in and made that staff amazing and took some guys from a little bit of everywhere and I respect the vision of the program. They hopped on me as soon as they got there and Florida’s great reputation speaks for itself.”

Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] has been Woods’ main contact and the Alabaster, Alabama, recruit thinks he can develop him into an NFL prospect.

As for the rest of the schools in the race, Alabama‘s reputation also speaks for itself, Clemson‘s culture interests Woods and Oklahoma has poached enough staff members with ties to him to keep the Sooners firmly in the race. The plan is for Woods to take officials in April or June so he can make a decision before the season starts.

Woods is the No. 28 overall recruit on the 247Sports composite and the No. 3 defensive lineman in the class of 2023. ESPN has him ranked fourth in the country and On3 has him at No. 20.

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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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New staff has Florida near the top of this 5-star DL’s recruitment

Another weekend, another five-star recruit impressed by the culture Billy Napier has created at Florida in just a few months.

Billy Napier worked hard to get the right people on his staff to help change the culture at the University of Florida. The latest five-star recruit to be impressed by the changes in Gainesville is Warner Robbins (Georgia) defensive lineman Vic Burley.

“Way up at the top. They are way up there,” Burley told 247Sports’ Blake Alderman. “I love what they’re doing. GatorMade, that’s a real big improvement from the old coaching staff. They are really focused on the character development, really just trying to raise young men.”

There’s no doubt that Napier’s personal approach made a difference during Burley’s visit. Being treated as more than just a football player stood out to him as it has to so many other recruits since Napier took over.

Burley was also impressed by the intensity he saw on the practice field. He spent plenty of time with defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag], who would be his position coach at Florida. He was appreciative of Spencer’s ability to balance criticism and praise as a coach without going overboard in either direction.

“I really love what the coaches are about,” he said. “Coach Spence, coach Napier, coach (Jamar) Chaney. All of them. It was really a great atmosphere here. Really watching the practice I really love the tempo, the energy they have.”

Florida appears well-positioned in Burley’s recruitment following the visit, but upcoming trips to Clemson and Georgia next weekend could affect that standing. Oklahoma and Tennessee are some other programs standing out right now.

The plans are for Burley to make official visits in June and make a decision before the football season starts. An August commitment appears likely, but anything can happen when it comes to recruiting.

Burley is the No. 5 defensive lineman and the No. 35 overall recruit in the class of 2023, according to the 247Sports composite.

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This elite defensive lineman calls UF a ‘top school’ after visit

Florida’s making a strong push for Trussville, Alabama four-star defensive lineman Hunter Osborne.

The Florida Gators made a strong impression on four-star defensive lineman Hunter Osborne on Thursday, according to Gators Online.

Osborne picked up an offer from UF on March 14 and quickly planned a trip to the Swamp. After enjoying his first visit to Gainesville, Osborne plans on returning for a second meeting with the Gators in a couple of months.

“This was my first time getting down to Gainesville, so they earned another visit back down,” Osborne said. “That is 100% sure, so I know I’ll be looking forward to scheduling another visit for the summer. They earned their right to be a top school I would say.”

Several things stood out to Osborne during the visit, but he was particularly intrigued by the new staff’s ability to prepare him for the pros. He has a strong relationship with defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag], who most recently coached for the New York Giants before joining Napier’s staff.

The two already had a good relationship before Osborne came to town, but seeing coach Chaos in person really made an impact on his opinion of Florida.

“I love the way he coaches; I saw that today,” he said. “In the meeting room watching him break down ball, it stood out to me. It’s how he talks to his players and how he coaches them up. You can see the development and how he can develop guys for the next level.”

Before returning to Gainesville, Osborne will at least make stops at Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee over the next two weeks. Many recruits begin to take official visits to their top schools in the summer, but Osborne didn’t specify the nature of his next trip to UF just yet. He narrowed down his options to a top 10 earlier in the month but doesn’t have a rigid timeline on when he’ll decide.

The On3 Consensus ranks Osborne as the No. 87 overall recruit and the No. 13 defensive lineman in the class of 2023.

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