Tag: top schools

Three-star offensive lineman puts Florida in top 3 after Week 3 win

Three-star offensive line prospect visited Florida for the Tennessee weekend and says he had an “amazing experience.”

The Florida Gators took down the Tennessee Volunteers last weekend on prime-time television and the entire nation, including highly touted recruits, was watching.

The guest list to the Swamp was stacked with big names from around the state and southeastern region, and a three-star prospect from Laurel, Mississippi, reflected on his trip to Gainesville.

Offensive lineman [autotag]Tyler Miller[/autotag] already received an offer from Florida so he paid a visit for the SEC rivalry game between the Vols and Gators. He talked to On3 about his trip.

“It was an amazing experience. They were resilient and it was an amazing game,” Miller said. “It was amazing with the lights. I’ve never been a part of anything like that before. It was amazing being a part of that.”

Miller also revealed his top choices of schools and where his next trip will be.

“(Florida is) definitely top three,” Miller said. “Mississippi State and Auburn (as well).”

Miller will be in Starkville on Saturday for the showdown between the Miss State Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks.

According to 247Sports, Miller is a three-star prospect at Laurel High School, standing at 6-foot-7-inches and weighing in at 340 pounds.  The Mississippi native received an offer from the Gators on Aug. 17.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Gators make top 3 for 4-star 2025 running back recruit

The Gators made the latest cut for this Magnolia State blue-chip running back.

Billy Napier and Co. are in the midst of the college football regular season but that has not slowed down Florida football on the recruiting trail. Ahead of the Gators’ first win of the 2023 campaign, a coveted member of the 2025 cycle narrowed his list of preferred schools down to three — including the Orange and Blue.

Four-star running back [autotag]Akylin Dear[/autotag] out of Quitman (Mississippi) told Gators Online’s Cory Bender that Florida, along with the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ole Miss Rebels, represent his top three preferred collegiate destinations. The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound ground grinder appears to be quite enamored with what Napier and Co. are putting together in the Swamp.

“It’s different; it’s way different from every school I’ve been to. I see myself at Florida,” Dear told Bender. “I know there was no football game going on when I went down there, but the atmosphere was perfect when I was there.”

Running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been the main point of contact between the high school junior and the Gators.

“He shows me a lot of love,” he said of Juluke. “He likes how I run the ball. We run the ball a lot. He’s a good person.”

As for a possible visit date, Dear has the latter part of the season in his sights for a Gainesville visit.

“For one game day, I should be able to make it down. Maybe the one vs. Florida State (on Nov. 25).”

Dear is ranked No. 134 overall and No. 12 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 180 and 17, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has Ole Miss in the lead with a 43.5% chance of landing him, followed by the Florida State Seminoles (19.9%), Florida (17.1%) and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1.3%).

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Florida football makes top 4 schools for 4-star 2024 defensive back

Florida made the top four for this blue-chip in-state DB target.

While the start of the 2023 college football season lurks just around the corner, Florida football’s recruiting efforts continue unabated as Billy  Napier and Co. continue to rebuild a once-proud program in the Swamp.

On Friday, four-star defensive back [autotag]Zavier Mincey[/autotag] out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland announced his top four preferred collegiate destinations according to 247Sports’ Blake Alderman, including UF. The 6-foot-3-inch, 180-pound high school senior also selected the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes and Alabama Crimson Tide.

As far as the Orange and Blue is concerned, the presence of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond appears the be the biggest draw for the coveted defender.

“They got Coach Raymond. He was at LSU and proved himself. He’s coached a lot of great DB’s. Florida in general is on the rise right now. They got a top class right now, so it’s really up there.”

Not only is Raymond the main focus of the young recruit, but he has also become the primary point of contact for the in-state target.

“We talk all the time. He will hit me up every day with a motivational quote. He talks with me otherwise like every day or every other day to ask how I am doing, and just making sure I am good. He’s big on being a technician. He’s always trying to help me get better. He shows me drills. Like even at their 7-on-7 I went to this summer, he was showing me ways to do things and get better.”

Mincey is ranked No. 124 overall and No. 11 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 81 and 4, respectively.

Florida currently holds a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports while On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine also favors the Gators with a 66.1% chance of signing him; Miami (27.3%) and FSU (2.8%) follow behind on the RPM.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Four-star QB includes Gators in top-5 schools announcement

The Florida Gators are among the five schools remaining in the recruitment of 2025 four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery.

Findlay High (Ohio) quarterback [autotag]Ryan Montgomery[/autotag] is one of the top quarterbacks in the recruiting class of 2025, and he’s already narrowed down his options to five colleges.

The Florida Gators made that cut on Tuesday, according to a social media post from Montgomery and On3’s Hayes Fawcett. While Montgomery says that his recruitment is now completely closed off to the top 5, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina will receive most of his focus moving forward.

Steve Wiltfong, the Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, spoke with Montgomery about his announcement and what’s next for him. Game visits will come in the fall, which should help provide some clarity with a year to mull things over and take officials.

Wiltfong also spoke to Montgomery about why each program is standing out. For Florida, it’s the constant communication from the coaching staff.

“A big part of Florida was coach (Ryan) O’Hara, who is the quarterbacks coach and quarterback analyst there. He has done a phenomenal job,” Montgomery said. “I’m probably in most contact with him out of any recruiting coach. I’ve probably done the most Zooms with him.”

Montgomery also likes the trajectory he sees Florida heading under Billy Napier. That said, teams like Georgia and Michigan can provide an opportunity to compete for a national championship immediately. It will get a tough battle for Florida to win out over the next 16 months.

On3 is the only recruiting service that thinks Montgomery is a three-star recruit, but the site’s industry ranking (which uses a weighted composite) concedes that he is a four-star talent. He’s ranked No. 206 overall and No. 16 among quarterbacks in the class of 2025.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1739]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Florida football makes top 5 for blue-chip 2025 quarterback recruit

The Gators are still on the outside looking in, but they still made the cut for this 4-star passer from Ohio.

Florida football made the cut for another blue-chip talent on Tuesday afternoon when four-star quarterback [autotag]Ryan Montgomery[/autotag] out of Findlay (Ohio) in the 2025 recruiting class announced his top five schools via On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

The Gators were among the five programs listed for the 6-foot-4-inch, 215-pound signal-caller, along with the Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks and Penn State Nittany Lions.

“Playing under coach Napier and Coach O’Hara, I know I’d excel and compete for SEC championships there,” the high school junior told Fawcett.

The Buckeye State product will make his second stop in Gainesville this fall after an early April visit that resulted in a scholarship offer. Montgomery’s opinions have been high on the Orange and Blue since spring, and hopefully, he comes away even more impressed after watching the Tennessee Volunteers game in the Swamp.

In the interim, quarterback analyst Ryan O’Hara has been keeping the lines of communication open with the blue-chip student-athlete.

“The biggest thing to date is his, mine, and even our HC’s relationship with O’Hara,” Montgomery said. “One of the top recruiters of ours, no doubt. That said, we were very surprised with how cool everything was in our visit. Top-notch facilities, awesome campus, and seeing the Swamp. After that, it was a priority to get back for a game, hence the early-season visit.

“I am excited for us to get to know Nape more this fall, as I hear good things and he seems like a great guy from afar. I think the fit for Ry is there in scheme and school. I’m excited to see them take a step forward this fall.”

Montgomery is ranked No. 205 overall and No. 15 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 206 and 16, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine favors Ohio State (22.8%) with Michigan (20.0%), the Kentucky Wildcats (7.7%) and Penn State (6.4%) trailing in the race for his commitment.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Florida cracks top 8 for 4-star power forward target

Four-star power forward Ryan Jones Jr. narrowed down his college options on Monday and the Florida Gators were included in his top eight.

The Florida Gators and The Rock School power forward [autotag]Ryan Jones[/autotag] have been connected for months now, so it’s not too surprising to see UF left standing among the eight teams remaining in Jones’ recruitment.

Jones narrowed his options down to Florida, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and Xavier. He has six official visits scheduled for the fall, including a Sept. 15 trip to UF. Lousiville and Oklahoma State are the two programs that don’t have something lined up with him, but that could change soon.

The new coaching staff at Florida has had a big impact on Jones, according to On3.

“Ever since the old coach left and the new coaching staff arrived and I came on campus, every time I visited I became comfortable every time,” he said. “Just the way they bring me in like I was a part of the team really impacted my view on them.”

The way Florida head coach Todd Golden uses his forwards is another contributing factor to Jones’ interest in the Gators.

Jones is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked highest by ESPN at No. 57 overall in the class of 2024. The on3 industry ranking, which uses a weighted composite, puts him at No. 65 nationally and No. 8 among power forwards in the class. He’s also the 12th-best recruit from the state of Florida.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1740]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Gators make early cut for class of 2025 five-star DB

The Florida Gators are going after one of the top safeties in the class of 2025 and were just included in his top 13.

Zephyrhills safety [autotag]DJ Pickett[/autotag], a top-ranked recruit in the class of 2025, narrowed down his college options to 13 programs on Thursday.

He’ll choose among Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas and Texas A&M, according to a social media post sent in the evening.

While it’s still very early in the 2025 recruiting cycle, On3’s recruiting prediction machine favors the Gators to land Pickett with 22.9% odds. The Seminoles (12.2%), Bulldogs (10.4%) and Wolverines (8.7%) round out the top four on the RPM.

Pickett has already logged five visits to the Swamp, including two trips in June. He won’t be able to take an official visit for some time, but Florida should get one now that players aren’t limited to just five.

Pickett is a four-star recruit everywhere but Rivals.com where he’s a five-star ranked No. 10 in the class. His composite grade on the On3 industry ranking is 97.34, though, which is good for five stars and the No. 8 spot overall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1739]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Gators make top 12 for this blue-chip 2025 EDGE

The Gators are in the mix for this four-star EDGE defender out of the Tar Heel State.

Florida football got some good news on the recruiting front on Thursday when four-star edge rusher [autotag]Bryce Davis[/autotag] out of Greensboro (North Carolina) Grimsley announced his top 12 preferred programs via On3’s Hayes Fawcett, including the Gators.

Also named were the Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, Georgia Bulldogs, Miami Hurricanes, Michigan Wolverines, North Carolina Tar Heels, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, South Carolina Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers and USC Trojans.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 245-pound defender logged 92 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 28 quarterback hurries and 12 sacks last season as a high school sophomore. Since October 2022, he has received 16 of his 25 scholarship offers and has visited Gainesville twice in 2023 — back on May 10 and Jun 22, both unofficial.

Davis is ranked No. 49 overall and No. 7 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 65 and 9, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has Duke in front with a 35.6% chance of signing him, followed by North Carolina (16.0%), Clemson (13.7%) and the North Carolina State Wolfpack (6.0%).

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Georgia football in top schools for 4-star edge rusher

Four-star pass rusher Bryce Davis, a UGA target, has named his top schools

Four-star pass rusher Bryce Davis has named his top schools including the Georgia Bulldogs. Davis is a member of the class of 2025.

Bryce Davis plays high school football for Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. Davis is ranked as the No. 49 recruit and No. 7 edge rusher in the 2025 recruiting cycle, per 247Sports. The four-star is the second-ranked player in North Carolina.

The Grimsley standout is a good student. Davis has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge rusher recorded 92 total tackles and 12 sacks during his sophomore season.

Bryce Davis considers Georgia, Duke, Clemson, Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, UNC, Miami, and USC to be his top schools.

Here’s a look at Davis’ sophomore season highlights, via Hudl:

Bryce Davis announced his top schools via social media:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Gators make this 2025 4-star EDGE’s top schools list

This big-time EDGE likes what Billy Napier and the Gators are building in the Swamp.

The recruiting grind continues for Billy Napier and the Florida football program despite the dead period ahead of the upcoming 2023 season.

On Monday, four-star edge defender [autotag]Zahir Mathis[/autotag] out of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Imhotep in the 2025 cycle released a list of 12 schools on his personal social media account which included the Orange and Blue.

Along with the Gators, the 6-foot-6-inch, 225-pound beast also included the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers, South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies, LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, USC Trojans and Florida State Seminoles among his top destinations.

The blue-chip prospect made visits to Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and Ohio State this past June, with a visit to Penn State also made during the spring — which was the first school to offer him back in May 2021.

Mathis is ranked No. 42 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 60 and 8, respectively.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.