Linebacker board shakeup

After being able to land but five linebackers in the last three recruiting classes combined, Florida entered the 2017 recruiting cycle in dire need of adding at least three and perhaps even four players at the position.

Fast forward to late December and not only do the Gators have but two commitments at the position, but there also aren't many options remaining on a target thin board.

Those options apparently dwindled even further Tuesday afternoon when Los Angeles (Calif.) Salesian four-star linebacker Rahyme Johnson announced via Twitter that he would be making his commitment announcement on January, 6, 2017.

Once thought to have Florida as one of his top options, Johnson will now make his college choice without having taken an official visit to Gainesville.

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Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, with less then six weeks remaining in the cycle Florida has now extended an offer to Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips three-star linebacker Nicholas Smith.

The 6-foot-3, 198-pounder is currently committed to North Carolina State. However, the offer from the Gators could make things interesting.

"They are up there,” Smith said of Florida. “There's still some things I need to consider, but they are definitely up there. ... Coach Shannon was very straight up about it and let me know that they are looking for linebackers and I am one of the guys that they want to fill that spot"

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Blake Alderman contributed to this report