When Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin announced last week that Billy Napier will remain the head coach of the Gators, it provided some relief and stability for current players and recruits committed to the program.
The Gators still have a long way to go to climb out of mediocrity, but Napier’s expected return very likely means that quarterback DJ Lagway, a former five-star recruit, will be back for his sophomore season in Gainesville.
Will that help the Gators climb in the recruiting rankings when the early signing period begins on Dec. 4? Probably not.
Several top prospects in Florida’s class that ranks 50th nationally in the 247Sports Composite remain candidates to flip to other programs. UF’s class was not expected to grow significantly larger than its current 11 commitments because most of the program’s NIL efforts are expected to be directed toward landing instant impact transfers.
Napier did a decent job in the portal last offseason. Florida signed 17 transfers last cycle, with 11 starting at least one game and seven starting multiple games — receivers Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger, right tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, edge rusher George Gumbs, linebacker Pup Howard and defensive backs Trikweze Bridges and DJ Douglas.
The problem is five of the seven are seniors, with Gumbs, a redshirt junior, and Howard, a sophomore, the only two expected back.
Here’s a quick position-by-position look at Florida’s roster heading into next season along with some recruiting commitments and targets:
Quarterback
With Lagway likely to return, the Gators need to make sure they have a quality backup or Plan B if needed. Yale transfer Aidan Warner has shown in limited work that he’s simply an emergency option. The Gators have been working to flip longtime Florida State four-star pledge Tramell Jones, an in-state product from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin. On Sunday, the Seminoles fired offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. Florida has also courted three-star Arizona commitment Robert McDaniel from California.
Running back
The Gators have had long-standing commitments from four-star Waltez Clark out of Tampa (Fla.) Plant and three-star Chad Gasper from Texas, and neither appears ready to stray. With senior Montrell Johnson injured and likely on his way out, freshman Jadan Baugh has started to settle into a lead role in the backfield. Junior Ja’Kobi Jackson also performed well in a secondary role. It wouldn’t be a surprise, though, to see Florida add a back from the portal.
Florida 4-star RB commit Waltez Clark remains ‘locked in with Florida’ despite multiple schools reaching out, he tells @ChadSimmons_🐊
Read: https://t.co/LH3Dx5pdJq pic.twitter.com/w2j0hTaKwM
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 1, 2024
Receiver
Badger and Dike did a fine job in leading roles but are done after this season. Sophomore Tre Wilson recently had season-ending hip surgery but can be counted on to be a primary option when healthy. Redshirt freshman Aidan Mizell has started to come on as well, providing some optimism for the future. But there’s no doubt Florida will be in the market to sign some talented pass catchers.
As it stands, there are two blue-chip commitments at the position in five-star Vernell Brown, a legacy recruit from Orlando (Fla.) Jones, and four-star Miami Central standout Naeshaun Montgomery, who is being pursued by Ole Miss and Alabama. The Gators are working to flip three-star Texas native Muizz Tounkara from his Arizona commitment and get former four-star commitment Josh Moore back into their class after he flipped to Miami.
Tight end
Redshirt sophomores Hayden Hansen and Arlis Boardingham have been solid performers and should give Florida a nice returning base at the position assuming both return in 2025. Florida has two 2025 commitments as well: four-star Tae’shaun Gelsey from Jacksonville (Fla.) Riverside and three-star Micah Jones from Madison (Miss.) Central. Gelsey, though, recently took a trip to Florida State for a game.
Offensive line
The only full-time starter for the Gators out of eligibility after the season is Crenshaw-Dickson, the transfer from San Diego State. Assuming left tackle Austin Barber, left guard Knijeah Harris, center Jake Slaughter and right guard Damieon George Jr. all return, Florida will have four returning starters with double-digit career starts, with redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett and redshirt junior Kamryn Waites providing some experienced depth. The Gators also brought in talented former top-100 recruit Jason Zandamela through the portal from USC last year.
That doesn’t mean Florida will not be in the market to add an experienced lineman or two for depth. As it stands, Florida doesn’t have an O-line commitment in its recruiting class. The Gators are still pursuing several committed prospects, including three-star Jahari Medlock (Cincinnati), three-star Taren Hedrick (Ole Miss), five-star Solomon Thomas (Florida State), four-star Nelson McGuire (Texas A&M) and four-star Tavaris Dice (Auburn). Florida is also reportedly eyeing a couple of junior college prospects.
Defensive line
Three-star defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud from Lee County (Ga.) High and four-star Jalen Wiggins from Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards are the two high school commitments in the class, but both are being courted elsewhere. Georgia is after McCloud and Wiggins is being pursued by Notre Dame.
The Gators have six defensive linemen who started multiple games this season with eligibility remaining, but adding more experience and talent at the position via the portal makes sense.
Florida is also working to flip several blue-chippers committed elsewhere, including Myron Charles (Texas), Malik Autry (Auburn), Cedric Works (Kentucky) and Bariate Kara (Duke). There’s also a strong effort to land former three-star Georgia commitment Stephon Shivers and uncommitted junior college three-star prospect Seven Cloud.
Linebackers
Howard and Shemar James have been solid starters, and the Gators are in good shape if both return There’s talent and depth behind them in sophomore Jaden Robinson and freshmen Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles. Three-star recruit Myles Johnson from Alabama has been committed since July. Florida has also been in contact with blue-chippers Kellen Wiley from Seffner (Fla.) Armwood and USC four-star commitment Ty Jackson from Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge.
Defensive backs
Napier did a good job adding experienced depth to the secondary through the portal last cycle but will have to replace a few key players, including longtime starting cornerback Jason Marshall and veteran transfers Bridges and Douglas. Sophomores Jordan Castell, Sharif Denson, Ja’Keem Jackson, Dijon Johnson, Bryce Thornton, Cormani McClain and junior Devin Moore provide a nice returning nucleus — assuming all return. McClain, a former five-star recruit from Lakeland, Fla., had a pick six in his debut and started against Texas.
As it stands, the only commitment in the secondary is top-100 recruit Ben Hanks Jr. from Miami Booker T. Washington. Hanks has been flirting quite a bit with Miami.
(Photo: Corey Perrine / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
