Photo via Caden Jones, Instagram
Florida’s 2023 recruiting class has been analyzed by many as a class that consists of high-quality players from top to bottom, while also not having the quantity of players that most were looking for. Today, the Gators added another data point to the former, and took a step toward addressing the latter.
Offensive lineman Caden Jones- rated a three star by some ranking services and a four star by others- committed to Florida today at the All-American Bowl. He primarily chose Florida over Texas A&M; he also had offers from FSU, LSU, Texas, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Louisville, South Carolina, Missouri, and Nebraska.
You can watch his high school highlights here.
The De La Salle (New Orleans) prospect brings the ideal size and strength to play at the SEC level. Standing 6’8, 325, Jones’ tape features him bullying a lot of opposing defensive linemen with sheer power and raw abilities. He plays with good pad level and delivers strong punches off the snap that can give his QB an extra second or two to scan the field.
This was a recruiting victory that Billy Napier and the Gators simply had to have. Napier has emphasized both sides of the line of scrimmage on the recruiting trail, and while the defensive line has been taken care of with five signees of consensus four-star caliber, the offensive line class- which before today consisted of Roderick Kearney, Knijeah Harris, and Bryce Lovett- was looking good in terms of the quality of athlete, but needed more members in it. Caden Jones fills that box, and yet at the same time is another strong, quality take.
That’s probably going to be it for Florida’s 2023 recruiting class as far as the high school ranks go, but watch for the Gators tto be aggressive in the portal in the coming days and weeks.
