January is almost over. And that means National Signing Day is fast approaching. Mark your calendars for February 5.
So with that day only two weeks away, where does Florida stand on their latest targets?
-The #1 target for Will Mushcamp’s staff is obviously stand-out athlete Adoree Jackson out of Gardena, CA. Not only is Adoree a 5-star in every recruiting database, he is also the most electric player in the nation. If Muschamp lands Jackson, it could make the Gators just straight up dangerous offensively. Adoree can play every skill position on the field. He plays two ways in high school and very well could do the same at Florida. Not only is Muschamp throwing the kitchen sink at Jackson’s recruitment, but UF Track and Field Head Coach Mike Holloway is trying to lure Jackson to the Sunshine State as well. In the end, it comes down to Florida and USC for Adoree- and all signs point to him wanting to leave the West Coast.
-Florida’s next big target is at a position that might be Florida’s greatest need: Bishop McNamara (Maryland) 5-star OT Damian Prince. Just 3 weeks ago, Florida wasn’t even really on Prince’s radar. But since Muschamp pulled the “heist of the century” and stole Jalen Tabor from Arizona, Prince is heavily favoring Florida. Tabor and Prince happen to be best friends and Prince has stated several times recently that “Jalen is my biggest recruiter at Florida”. New Offensive Line coach Mike Summers seems to have Prince as his #1 priority. I predicted last week that Prince will end up at Florida because he will play immediately.
-A very coveted position and player for Muschamp is Norcross (Georgia) 5-star DE Lorenzo Carter. Unfortunately for Florida, Carter is big on staying close to home and Georgia just hired former FSU defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Carter has a great relationship with Pruitt and UGA Head Coach Mark Richt. Before the hire of Pruitt I said UF is the favorite for Carter, but now I think he stays in-state.
The next several big targets for Florida are all offensive players and all took visits to Gainesville this weekend.
-4-star American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale) WR Isaiah McKenzie is real high on Florida’s radar. He is extremely underrated and can contribute early on. He still plans on taking two more OV’s elsewhere so he is a 50/50.
-Another UF target that came on as recently as last week is Jefferson (Tampa) 3-star QB/ATH Deiondre Porter. Porter was committed to USF but quickly de-committed following a late offer from UF. He is set to announce this evening. I think it’s a lock for UF to land him.
-4-star FSU commit QB/ATH Treon Harris visited Florida this past weekend and from all indications, he loved it. This would not only be a great pickup for Roper’s new offensive system, it would be quite a snub to Jimbo Fisher, and would at least partially erase the frustration of losing Dalvin Cook and Ermon Lane.
-A target of Florida’s for many months, Junior College transfer WR Eric Lauderdale is expected by many to select Florida over Arizona State when he announces this week. Lauderdale just took an OV to Tempe this past weekend and canceled his scheduled visit to Oregon at the end of the month. I am skeptical about the Florida predictions. I think it is more 50/50 and am almost leaning towards Lauderdale selecting Arizona State.
-The last big target for Florida is Havelock (North Carolina) 4-star all-purpose RB Derrell Scott. Scott was another recruit on campus this weekend. Florida got his last OV and I believe the program made quite an impression on him. I think he signs with the Gators and takes a red-shirt due to Florida’s crowded backfield.
It has been quite a month for Muschamp and his staff following the crippling de-commitment of Gators prized 5-star commit Dalvin Cook. The Florida staff has responded and is looking at a possible Top 5 recruiting class after finishing 4-8 this past season.
