Tag: Zavion Hardy

Florida football’s Grill in the Ville event visitor’s list

Here’s a look at many of the names expected to be in Gainesville on Saturday for Grill in the Ville.

Florida football’s annual summer recruiting event, Grill in the Ville, is set to kick off on Saturday with a plethora of prep prospects from the 2025 and 2025 classes set to arrive in Gainesville.

The function offers an opportunity to spend more time around the coaches and staff while also getting some personal time in a more casual setting in comparison to a typical unofficial visit.

Among the uncommitted names from the 2025 cycle expected to be in attendance are four-star linebacker [autotag]Ty Jackson[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Derry Norris[/autotag], three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Jarquez Carter[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Joseph Mbatchou[/autotag], three-star wide receiver [autotag]Naeshaun Montgomer[/autotag]y. Defensive linemen [autotag]Zavion Hardy[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashod Bradley[/autotag] represent a pair of JUCO prospects who will also be present.

The Gators are also expected to host a handful of 2025 commitments, including four-star [autotag]Vernell Brown III[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Waltez Clark[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Jalen Wiggins[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Myles Johnson[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Chad Gasper[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Tae’shaun Gelsey[/autotag] and three-star [autotag]Jeramiah McCloud[/autotag].

Targets for the 2026 cycle who have submitted an RSVP are tight end [autotag]JC Anderson[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Camden Jensen[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Landen Miree[/autotag], offensive lineman Samuel Roseborough, offensive lineman [autotag]Parker Pritchett[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Barclay[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Campbell[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Guervil[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]James Johnson[/autotag], safety [autotag]Demetres Samuel[/autotag], defensive back [autotag]J’Zavien Currence[/autotag], defensive back [autotag]Jorden Edmonds[/autotag] and athlete [autotag]Devonte Anderson[/autotag].

One of Florida’s two current commitments in the 2026 class, four-star defensive back [autotag]Jaelen Waters[/autotag], is also expected to be present.

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

Florida leading for this 4-star DL following recent visit

The Gators are well-positioned to land this four-star defensive lineman following a second visit to the Swamp.

A week ago, Florida made four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zavion Hardy[/autotag]’s top three along with Liberty and South Carolina. Hardy returned to Gainesville over the weekend for his second visit to UF’s campus, and he left with the Gators as the outright leader in his recruitment, according to Gators Online.

He spent most of the visit with the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] and spent some time with head coach Billy Napier. The staff’s genuine approach to recruiting is refreshing to him and it’s one of the reasons Florida is the first school on his list to lock down an official visit date.

He’ll return on October 15 for the Gators’ date with LSU to get a better feel of the gameday atmosphere in the Swamp. That should put UF over the top as he’s already pretty high on the SEC powerhouse.

“Florida, they’re No. 1,” Hardy said to GO. “…It’s just the Florida tradition. I would like playing in the Swamp and stuff like that.”

Liberty and South Carolina aren’t the fiercest schools Florida is competing with for recruits this cycle, but they are likely offering the chance to play early on. Losing the lead at this point could be viewed as a bad sign for Napier and Co. unless there are other linemen coming in ranked higher than Hardy.

That’s easier said than done, though. Hardy sits just outside of the top 100 on the On3 consensus ranked No. 155 overall and No. 14 among those in his position group.

[mm-video type=video id=01g60rmve191ebbj68tp playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g60rmve191ebbj68tp/01g60rmve191ebbj68tp-5b99cab2c9748ee5b4c8f521f226fb7b.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=86022,86009,85990,85989,85957]

[listicle id=85883]

[listicle id=85653]

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

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Florida set to host this Georgia 4-star DL on return visit

The Gators made Zavion Hardy’s top three on Monday, and Florida will now host the four-star recruit on a second unofficial visit over the weekend.

The Florida Gators have been trying to lock down a date to get Tatnall Square Academy (Macon, Georgia) four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zavion Hardy[/autotag] back on campus, and 247Sports is reporting that Billy Napier and Co. will get their chance on June 18.

After picking up a scholarship offer in March on his last visit to the Swamp, Hardy will return over the weekend to one of his top schools. Liberty and South Carolina are the two other programs he announced in his top three on June 13. Auburn and Michigan State offered him in late March and Ole Miss hosted him on an unofficial visit, but they didn’t make the most recent cut.

Florida’s defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] was the one who extended the offer to Hardy and has the rising senior interested in Florida thanks to his NFL experience. A Leonard Williams comparison may have Hardy believing that Spencer is the one who can get him best prepared for the next level.

Spending more time with the coaching staff should help shore up Florida’s position with Hardy and an official visit would be the next step. That could come in the fall, but the focus is on his trip this weekend. Several key targets in the class will also be in town, so he’ll get a feel for some of his potential future teammates as well.

Hardy is ranked No. 112 overall on the 247Sports composite and is No. 16 among defensive linemen.

[mm-video type=video id=01g5kh24vww31svhm3sa playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g5kh24vww31svhm3sa/01g5kh24vww31svhm3sa-ca9886829ca8c7750cdea3712fb45b58.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=85717,85711,85703,85701,85686]

[listicle id=85653]

[listicle id=85559]

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

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

This 4-star DL thinks Florida feels like home with his decision looming

Florida is in a good spot with four-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy as he nears a college decision.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zavion Hardy[/autotag] is nearing a college decision, according to a report from 247Sports‘ Andrew Ivins, and the Florida Gators are one of two teams best positioned to land the Macon, Georgia, prospect along with South Carolina.

Hardy warned Ivins on Tuesday night that a decision could be coming soon, which likely means a June or July commitment.

He’s coming off a weekend trip to Columbia where he saw the Gamecocks in action during their spring game. Hardy was accompanied by his brother and a teammate on the visit and felt quite comfortable in South Carolina. He said it felt “basically like home,” and repeated that phrase when Florida came up.

Although South Carolina has wowed him more recently, Hardy left his March visit to the Swamp thrilled with [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and the new staff in Gainesville. Defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] and defensive analyst [autotag]Jamar Chaney[/autotag] have kept in contact ever since to keep Florida in the hunt.

Coming in at 6-feet-5-inches tall and 262 pounds as a junior, Hardy played on the defensive line and tight end as a junior. The Gators like Hardy’s versatility and size and see him taking up various roles on the line.

Ole Miss has recently jumped into the fold with a visit, so a third Southeastern Conference program could make things more complicated as Hardy’s recruitment winds down. Georgia Southern and Georgia State have both offered, but the SEC is a more desirable destination for him.

Hardy is No. 113 overall on the 247Sports composite class of 2023 rankings and is No. 15 among defensive linemen.

[mm-video type=video id=01g10t87m9m38s0mzx2x playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g10t87m9m38s0mzx2x/01g10t87m9m38s0mzx2x-d1c95a800cee28a9d4ed4f4247459b35.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=82679,82658,82653,82649,82641]

[listicle id=81723]

[vertical-gallery id=82369]

[vertical-gallery id=82538]

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

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Tigers offer big-time 2023 Defensive Lineman from Georgia

Four-star defensive lineman gets a late night offer from the Auburn staff.

On Thursday night, Auburn extended an offer to 2023 Defensive Lineman Zavion Hardy.

Listed as a strongside defensive end, the Tigers could look to add depth thereafter likely losing Derrick Hall and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag] to the NFL Draft. Hardy is being recruited by numerous other schools, and the Tigers made sure to get themselves in the mix on Thursday by giving him an offer.

Among the list of schools targeting Hardy, you will find SEC rivals the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, and Ole Miss Rebels. He is coming off a recent visit to the Grove. Currently ranked as a four-star recruit, Hardy is one that the Auburn Tigers and the defensive staff need to prioritize as their top defenders of the group is set to leave for the NFL following the season.

Zavion Hardy’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247 4 164 15 25
Rivals 4 123 12 13
ESPN 4 51 3 4
On3 Recruiting 4 162 17 21
247 Composite 4 97 10 15

Vitals

Hometown Macon, Georgia
Projected Position Defensive End
Height 6’5
Weight 235
Class 2023

Recruitment

  • Offered on March 24, 2022
  • No visits currently planned

Offers

Crystal Ball

No crystal balls were submitted.

Film

Twitter

Contact/Follow us @AuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Brody on Twitter: @BrodySmoot

Florida considered a front-runner for this top 100 DL after visit

The Gators improved their chances of landing four-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy over the weekend.

March 5 was a big recruiting day for the Florida Gators, and one of the top recruits on campus, four-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy, left with only good things to say about the program.

Hardy was already high on Florida, but meeting the coaching staff in person isn’t a moment he’ll soon forget, according to 247Sports. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer, quality control staffer Kareem Reid and defensive analyst Jamar Chaney spent the most time with Hardy after establishing a relationship over the phone.

Spencer, who spent the last two seasons coaching the New York Giants‘ defensive linemen, compared the 6-foot-5-inch, 262-pound recruit to Leonard Williams. With room to grow, it’s easy to see why Florida has taken such a strong interest in Hardy.

The bonding that took place over the weekend has Florida near the top of Hardy’s list. He described UF and South Carolina as front-runners and the two programs he’s in contact with the most. Ole Miss is also trying to get into the mix and will host the Macon, Georgia, recruit on March 26. Interestingly, the University of Georgia doesn’t seem to be too involved just yet with Hardy.

There’s still plenty of time for other teams to recruit Hardy as he plans to decide in the winter. Official visits will come in the summer and fall, but nothing is set in stone just yet. He called UF “committable,” though, which could mean that Florida is the current team to beat.

Hardy is ranked No. 97 overall on the 247Sports composite and is the No. 15 defensive lineman in the class of 2023.

[lawrence-related id=79437,79411,79385,79359,79352]

[listicle id=77787]

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

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

This 4-star defensive lineman ecstatic for first Florida visit

Four-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy looks forward to putting names to faces when he visits Florida this weekend.

Florida may have jumped in late on 4-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy’s recruitment when it offered him last month, but the Macon, Georgia, native still holds the Gators in high regard. He included the Orange and Blue among his top eight schools that he released on Feb. 22. Now he plans to visit the Swamp the first weekend after the dead period is lifted.

The Gators have played a significant factor in his recruitment so far because of the relationships he built with off-the-field analysts Jamar Chaney and Kareem Reid as well as defensive line coach Sean Spencer and head coach Billy Napier. He looks forward to visiting Florida, so he can put names to faces.

So far, he told Swamp247 that the Gators and South Carolina are the schools recruiting him the hardest. Hardy said he liked how Florida started to build a relationship with him before they extended an offer to him.

“I just never really have talked to schools the same way to Florida,” he said. “Usually when I get an offer from a school, I don’t really have time to talk before, it’s more of them offering me straight up, and then the bonds eventually came.”

Other schools to make his top eight besides Florida include Jackson State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida State, Miami, Georgia and UCF. He also plans to visit the Rebels later this month.

Even though he’s narrowing his options down, he doesn’t plan to make a commitment anytime soon.

[lawrence-related id=78827,78740,78738,78813,78680]

[listicle id=77787]

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

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

This coveted 4-star defensive end names Florida among top 8

Florida offered Zavion Hardy on Feb. 9, and he’s planning a trip to Gainesville on March 5.

The Gators made the most recent round of cuts for blue-chip defensive end target Zavion Hardy. The Macon (Georgia) Tattnall Square Academy product is a four-star recruit and the No. 94 player in the 2023 class per the 247Sports Composite (No. 15 DL), and he was just offered by Florida’s staff on Feb. 9.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-5-inch, 262-pound player released an updated top eight that includes Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, UCF and Jackson State.

He has already taken visits to see the Gamecocks and Seminoles, and he has a trip to Gainesville to meet with coach Billy Napier and his staff set for March 5, which will be a busy recruiting weekend.

Hardy is also expected to take a trip to Oxford, Mississippi, to see Ole Miss at some point next month.

It’s still early in the process for Hardy, but he’s built quick relationships with the coaching staff at UF — especially defensive analyst Jamar Chaney.

The Gators will hope to make some progress with next month’s visit and convince the Georgia native to make the trek down south across the border for his college career.

[lawrence-related id=78306,78226,78221,78198,78204]

[listicle id=77787]

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

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Georgia makes top eight for 2023 4-star DE

2023 4-star DE Zavion Hardy includes UGA in his top-eight

2023 4-star defensive end Zavion Hardy released a top-eight on Tuesday that included the Georgia Bulldogs.

Hardy, out of Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia, included UGA, Ole Miss, Jackson State, South Carolina, Florida State, Florida, Miami and UCF in his most recent list.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart visited Hardy at his high school on January 25, two weeks after winning the national championship.

Hardy ranks as the nation’s No. 94 overall player, No. 15 ranked defensive lineman and as the No. 8 player in the state of Georgia for the class of 2023.

Georgia extended an offer to the 6-foot-5, 262-pound Hardy in February of 2021.

UGA’s 2023 recruiting class, which recently lost a commitment from 4-star cornerback Kaylin Lee, ranks as the No. 2 class in the nation.

Elite Peach State DE planning game-day visit to Clemson

After playing host to an elite Peach State edge rusher last month, Clemson is positioned to attract him back to campus for a game in the fall. Macon (Ga.) Tattnall Square Academy four-star defensive end Zavion Hardy, one of the nation’s top …

After playing host to an elite Peach State edge rusher last month, Clemson is positioned to attract him back to campus for a game in the fall.

Macon (Ga.) Tattnall Square Academy four-star defensive end Zavion Hardy, one of the nation’s top prospects in the 2023 class, visited Tiger Town on June 1 and plans to return to see the Tigers play in Death Valley during the upcoming season.

“I should come to one of the games,” Hardy told The Clemson Insider.

Although he has never experienced a football game at Clemson, Hardy loves the game-day atmosphere and the Tigers’ famed tradition from what he has seen on TV.

“It’s amazing man,” Hardy said, “especially when the buses pull in and Clemson runs down the hill.”

Hardy also made trips to Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida State and South Carolina in June.

When he looks back on his visit to Clemson, a couple of things stand out to him.

“The coaches and the facilities,” he said.

Hardy’s primary point of contact at Clemson is defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, and the two have been building a relationship.

“He’s real cool,” Hardy said of Bates. “I have to keep in touch with him and call him every now and then.”

A 6-foot-6, 240-pound rising junior, Hardy holds offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Florida State, Southern Cal and Arizona State.

While he doesn’t own an offer from Clemson just yet, he knows the Tigers take the recruiting process slower than most other programs and understands he has to be patient.

If Clemson comes into the mix for Hardy with an offer in the future, expect the Tigers to make the cut when he trims down his group of suitors.

“They would be in my top schools when I knock my list down,” he said.

Hardy is ranked as high as the No. 6 defensive end and No. 44 overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN, while he checks in as the No. 11 defensive lineman and No. 55 overall prospect in the class, per the 247Sports rankings.

Hardy is committed to play in the 2023 Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks