Five to Follow: Defensive line
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The 2016 recruiting cycle is in full swing and Florida currently sits with eight public commitments. The next big event on the calendar as far as prospects are concerned is the spring evaluation period, which runs from April 15 through the end of May. This week Inside the Gators will unveil a position-by-position look at the top pre-spring targets in our Five to Follow series.
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Up today are the defensive linemen.
In the 2015 cycle Florida was able to ink a total of four defensive linemen in the short time the coaching staff had on the trail after being hired. Headlining that group was five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson, who will be expected to contribute early in Gainesville.
The Gators are going to lose a few bodies the line after the coming season, most notably Jonathan Bullard, and thus are looking to add a few able bodies in the Class of 2016.
Here are five pre-spring top tier prospects to watch at the position.
Inside the Gators' pre-spring top five lists are based on national ranking and of course whether or not Florida is showing interest at this time. One player having an offer this early doesn't necessarily mean he will be a higher priority throughout the process. Therefore it doesn't mean he will be rated higher on our list. What you see here is solely the opinion of the staff of Inside the Gators and does not represent the opinion of the University of Florida or anyone associated with the Gator program.
Dexter Lawrence | Wake Forest (NC.) | 6-foot-5, 290-pounds
What was Said: "This summer I will be visiting Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Ohio State, Florida, and most of schools in the SEC and that one Big 10 school."
Related: Lawrence willing to be patient
Competition: Alabama, Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State and others
Watch video highlights of Lawrence by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Growing up this five-star was a fan of the Florida Gators. He doesn't say a lot in interviews and seems to be really taking his time to explore his options along the recruiting trail having only visited the in-state schools mainly. Look for the Gators to have coaches by this spring and for him visit sometime this summer when he makes a couple of road trips to various schools. Here to view this Link.
Shavar Manuel | Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy | 6-foot-3, 262-pounds
What was Said: "I don't necessarily have a big board," he said. "I'm just doing my research as far as that goes."
Related: Florida State on top
Competition: Florida State
Watch video highlights of Manuel by clicking here.Click The Skinny: This five-star has seemed like a lock to Florida State for most of his recruiting process having visited there numerous times already. The Gators interestingly got him on campus twice this spring already and they likely will return the favor by making a few visits of their own this spring to IMG Academy. It's an uphill climb, but it's one well worth it with UF looking for someone to replace Bullard. Here to view this Link.
Janarius Robinson | Panama City (Fla.) Bay | 6-foot-5, 224-pounds
What was Said: "They were just talking to me about the school and how they could use me as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense like a hybrid d-end spot."
Competition: Florida State Commit and Alabama
Watch video highlights of Robinson by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Robinson is still testing the waters and taking visits despite his commitment to the Seminoles. He continues to visit Tallahassee and talks with the coaches there, but at the same time it seems like he also has legitimate interest in learning more about UF as well. If he continues to visit down the road this one could be interesting as the Gators will sell the chance to play opposite of incoming freshman and five-star CeCe Jefferson, who Robinson is familiar with. Here to view this Link.
Darius Whitfield | Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's | 6-foot-1, 268-pounds
What was Said: "I've always liked Florida, so it's always good. I don't have a leader right now, but Florida will be in the mix. They impressed me. I won't commit until Signing Day."
Competition: Alabama, LSU, Miami and others
Watch video highlights of Whitfield by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Whitfield, who is still continuing to pick up offers, visited Gainesville earlier this spring. He spoke highly of the Gators after the trip, but has continued to say that he is open to every school that has offered him and won't commit until signing day. The one interesting thing to watch this spring will be if in-state powers Alabama or Auburn comes through with an offer.Here to view this Link.
Jordan Woods | Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic | 6-foot-3, 235-pounds
What was Said: "I am trying to keep everything open and I had a good visit at Florida, but I want to keep everything open. I am having a fun time with recruiting and a lot of new schools come after me and some fade away. So I want to feel out who is going to be there and just take my time. I don't want to narrow down a list of schools with thing coming at me at once. I will narrow it down eventually when I feel I am ready to hurt someone's feelings and tell them I won't be attending their school."
Related: Four-star returns to Florida
Competition: Florida State, Miami, Kentucky and Louisville
Watch video highlights of Woods by clicking here.Click The Skinny: After three visits already this spring it's safe to say the Gators are in the best position to land this four-star. Though Florida is in great shape now, he continues to say he wants to take more visits and wants to hold off on making a commitment. Unless a team comes and sweeps him off his feet down the road, it seems the Gators will be the team Wood's picks whenever he gets around to ending his recruitment. Here to view this Link.