Dan Mullen and the Gators have experienced quite the boon on the recruiting trail recently, racking up three commitments from highly sought after recruits this weekend alone and four total since the 41-14 dismantling of FSU.
The first of these was Class of 2019 running back Nay’Quan Wright, a consensus four star recruit from the Miami Hurricanes’ backyard of Opa Locka who committed immediately after the 41-14 thrashing of the Noles. Wright boasts a laundry list of offers, including from Georgia, FSU, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Miami. But his commitment is even bigger because of the potential losses Florida could suffer this offseason in its backfield; if Jordan Scarlett and LaMical Perine both decide to leave early for the NFL, the Gators would be left with little experience back there outside of Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis. If one or both of those guys return, Wright will provide much-needed depth, and if both go, Wright figures to factor into the offense immediately.
Next was JaQuavion Fraziars, a four star athlete from Ocala in the Class of 2020, who committed on Saturday. Fraziars plays both wide receiver and defensive back in high school, and while he’s certainly athletic enough to contribute on either side of the ball at Florida, he figures more as a receiver at the next level. And he, too, has a respectable offer list, ranging from Georgia to Auburn to Nebraska to Penn State.
Perhaps the biggest catch of all in this commitment bonanza was Bryce Langston, a five star defensive end for the class of 2021. Already, as a high school sophomore, Langston has seven offers from Power Five schools, but being offered early- not to mention watching what Florida did to FSU in Tallahassee last Saturday- helped him make his decision. Langston, from nearby Ocala, has indicated that the success of Jachai Polite this season had a major impression on him, and so he feels comfortable about his future with Florida- particularly if Todd Grantham is still the defensive coordinator by the time he arrives. He’s a big fan of linebackers coach Christian Robinson as well, meaning that Grantham leaving does not necessarily mean Langston would leave with him. This is also Florida’s first major head to head win over FSU on the recruiting trail assuming he sticks.
Next in this flurry of commitments was Kingsley Eguakun, a consensus three star offensive lineman from Jacksonville who flipped from Miami on Sunday. Eguakun projects best as a guard, but is a versatile lineman who could play multiple positions if needed to, a la Tyler Jordan. Speaking of which, Jordan is one of three senior linemen, along with Martez Ivey and Fred Johnson, who will need to be replaced next year, and Mullen loading up on linemen in this class proves that he’s aware of the need and is doing something about it.
And then there was Michael Tarquin, the second Miami Hurricane offensive lineman recruit to flip in as many days. Tarquin, a consensus four star recruit from Citra, FL, projects more as an offensive tackle, and he figures to be in the mix for playing time right away next year. He stands 6’5, 290 and with a little help from Nick Savage in the weight room, one has to be excited about what he could potentially accomplish.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go until the main National Signing Day in February, and nothing is set in stone until letters of intent are faxed in. We know this because for those of you who even remotely follow recruiting, this disclaimer probably appears before your eyes an average of twelve times a day. But it’s clear now that the on field results Mullen has produced are bearing fruit on the recruiting trail.
And if he keeps producing such results, you can bet that the recruits will keep coming.