To wrap-up our Rivals Five-Star Challenge coverage Inside the Gators and a Rivals analyst (Chad Simmons this time around) or two will share thoughts on each Florida target in attendance in this four-part series broken down by state.
Part I - Alabama & Louisiana
Part II - Florida
Part III - Georgia
Part IV - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas & West Virginia
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* Florida picking it up with five-star Johnson
* Report: Barnes almost committed
* Fields feels he is Florida's top target
* Wire: Five-star quarterback back on the market
* Florida still working on Rivals100 Thomas
* Top two for potential 2020 five-star quarterback
* Five Florida gained ground with in the spring
* Five Florida lost ground with in the spring
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Simmons: Armstrong struggled some against the faster ends and he may end up sliding inside on the next level. He is strong and he has a good frame, but struggles with footwork and balance at times. Auburn is up there and people have to keep an eye on Penn State. Florida State is another one I would put up there high on his list at this time.
Wheeler: Armstrong came across as heavy footed in that he seems to lumber out there. In these one-on-one battles, that is a killer. There were a ton of reps taken by each lineman, and I saw my fair share, but I don't a lot of outright wins by Armstrong.
In recruiting, after not having Florida in his top four over the spring, he said that the Gators were moving up. However, in Indianapolis he said he didn't feel like Florida was really recruiting him that hard. My guess is that the Gators are set on a couple of instate targets and will ride it out with them and if they don't get good news there, they will go back on prospects such as Armstrong.
Simmons: Bailey was by far the youngest prospect there, but if you toss out the game during 7v7 play when he threw a couple of interceptions, then he was pretty sharp. He showed a big arm and maturity. While it is very early and he recently added an offer from Ohio State, but Alabama and Florida have pulled out in front. He likes the SEC and he grew up a Gator fan.
Wheeler: As was chronicled in the live game day thread, Harrison threw a couple of early picks, but then settled in and really started finding his stride. Even at his age, he had one of the strongest arms there.
As all important as Justin Fields seems to be in this cycle, the case can be made that Bailey is every bit as important to Florida if not more so. Here you have a certain five-star who grew up a fan of Florida. So, not only do the Gators have an early in with him, but he is incredibly active on the camp/combine circuit and one of the more personable quarterbacks. Though he is two years behind most of the other participants, he is the quarterback who was doing the most mingling and seemed to fit in better than quite a few of the 2018 signal callers. Getting an early commitment from a player like this could potentially be a game changer for Florida.
