Five to Follow: Linebackers
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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 linebackers.
After landing but one linebacker in the two most recent signing classes combined, this is a huge need to fill in the Class of 2016. Heading into the spring evaluation period the Gators have one commitment already in hand in the form of Miami (Fla.) Norland three-star Vosean Joseph.
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.
Ja'Quain Blakely | Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County | 6-foot-2, 210-pounds
What was Said: "As of right now, I don't really have a number one school. I just look at my offers as the same. Nobody is really my top school. Everyone is about even steven right now."
Related: Offers piling up for Blakely
Competition: Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina, Tennessee and others
Watch video highlights of Blakely by clicking here.Click The Skinny: The Gators recently offered and then hosted Blakely on campus, where he got a chance to talk with UF assistant Geoff Collins. The Gators are high on the south Georgia defender are will likely continue their efforts into the spring as the in-state Georgia Bulldogs continue to evaluate the unranked backer. Plenty of other programs have joined in with offers as of late. Here to view this Link.
Tyree Horton | Highland (Ks.) C.C. | 6-foot-1, 225-pounds
Competition: Florida State Commit
Watch video highlights of Horton by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Though he is committed to Florida State, Horton has continued to pick up offer after offer this spring. Horton is originally from Florida, playing his high school football at South Dade. He graduated the same year as current Gator C.J. Worton and the two are best friends. The Gators need a guy like Horton that can contribute early. Here to view this Link.
Jonathan Jones | Orlando (Fla.) Oak Ridge | 6-foot, 207-pounds
What was Said: "It's definitely great. It's a great offer and it's definitely a blessing like all of the other offers. They definitely move into my top five. They showed some great things on this tour. Definitely impressed me."
Related: Linebacker Jones has co-leaders
Competition: Duke, Kentucky and Michigan
Watch video highlights of Jones by clicking here.Click The Skinny: The Gators offered this three-star linebacker after he visited for a Junior Day in March. At this time Duke and Michigan have the edge with Kentucky as a major player as well. The one thing UF has in their favor is closeness factor and they no doubt will drop by this spring when they see commit Tyrek Tisdale who plays with Jones. Here to view this Link.
Tre Lamar | Roswell (Ga.) | 6-foot-3, 240-pounds
What was Said: "They told me they need linebackers and I always ask schools if I have the opportunity to play coming in as a freshman. They told me that I could play as a freshman, so that is an opportunity I like."
Competition: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida State
Watch video highlights of Lamar by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Lamar is one of the top linebackers in the country and the Gators did a good job getting the ball rolling by getting him on campus this earlier this spring. As of now it seems like Florida may have some ground to make up on other schools, but he is in no hurry to make a decision. Collins has been running the show in this recruitment and their relationship dates back to his time at Mississippi State. Here to view this Link.
Shaquille Quarterman | Orange Park (Fla.) Oakleaf | 6-foot, 239-pounds
What was Said: "The coaches told me they are going to continue to recruit me hard even though I am verbally committed. They told that they are going to keep trying to get me down there until I make it my home."
Related: Florida trying to turn Miami commit
Competition: Miami Commit
Watch video highlights of Quarterman clicking here.Click The Skinny: Despite his longtime commitment to the Miami Hurricanes Quarterman has continued to keep his options open and has UF as one of the schools he is still interested in. With the need the Gators have at his position and the close proximity the school is to his parents is a big selling point. He seems solid now, but with a long time to go this could be a prospect that gets interesting come fall. At this time it's all about chipping away at the hold Miami currently has on him. Here to view this Link.