Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Prospect Preview
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This weekend many of the top prospects in the nation will make their way to Baltimore, Maryland for the annual Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour. The Gators are in the mix for many of the prospects who are scheduled to be on hand this weekend at M&T Bank Stadium.
Here's a look at some names the Gator Nation will want to keep an eye on this weekend.
OFFENSIVE TARGETS
Easily the prospect the Gators are in the best shape to land at this point out of the entire roster is Coconut Creek (Fla.) Rivals250 wide receiver Binjimen Victor. The Gators have done a great job recruiting the four-star wide out and have already hosted him on campus twice over this past spring. Victor has yet to name any official leaders, but Florida and Ohio State have emerged as early standouts. Two other pass catchers in attendance the Gators are looking to make a splash with are Miami commit Sam Bruce and five-stat wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers. Of the two, the Gators are in a better place with Bruce, despite his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes.
Another pass catcher, this time at the tight end position, that Florida is looking at is Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy's Isaac Nauta. The four-star has been committed to Florida State for some time now, but unofficially visited the Gators over the spring and said that he is looking to take all five official visits this fall.
A big need for the Gators in 2016 is no doubt along the offensive line, and there will be quite a few top prospects on hand with Florida on their radar. The crown jewel for the Gators in Baltimore is Rivals100 offensive guard Richard Merritt. The Gators stopped by to see the four-star guard twice this spring and hope for Merritt to return the favor with a visit to Gainesville sometime this summer.
Rivals250 offensive guard Terrance Davis is high on the Gators after picking up an offer from UF this spring. He also has schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Maryland and UCLA in the mix.
Another lineman on hand this weekend who was also offered by Florida this spring is offensive tackle Matt Farniok. Heading into the summer Farniok says he is open and isn't looking to narrow his leaderboard until the end of summer.
Another interesting offensive name to keep in mind is Lake Wales (Fla.) Rivals250 quarterback Xavier Gaines. Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, and Florida are a few that have been rumored to be involved. Though Florida is said to be involved here, we hear there are a few names ahead of him on the board.
DEFENSIVE TARGETS
The biggest defensive target on hand for the Gators this weekend is easily Wake Forest (NC.) five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The Rivals100 member was recently named the No. 1 prospect in the nation for the Class of 2016. He admittedly grew up a fan of the Florida Gators, but is currently open among quite a few schools. He is planning on taking quite a few visits this summer, including a stop in Gainesville to see the Gators.
Though it is a huge need, there is but one linebacker that has Florida in the mix at the event. Rivals100 linebacker Michael Divinity, a Louisiana native, recently narrowed down his list of top schools to a top 15 - which includes the Gators. The in-state LSU Tigers are the heavy favorite here.
Another prospect on hand who recently picked up an offer from the Gators before heading off to Baltimore is Wichita (Ks.) East Rivals250 defensive end Xavier Kelly. Currently the four-star defender is fairly wide open with his recruitment and recently came off a strong of visits around the southeast. It's unknown at this time where the offer from the Gators stands with him, or if he plans to visit in the near future.
The final 2016 defender with the Gators on their radar is Rivals250 cornerback Jared Mayden. Currently the four-star defender has yet to narrow down his list to a handful of top schools, but will later this summer after taking some unofficial visits. He is looking to make a commitment before the start of school in the fall, but likely will still take visits regardless.
UNDERCLASSMEN
Not only is the 2016 class well-represented this weekend, but there will be many of the nation's top underclassmen on hand as well.
Florida's targets from this crop of underclassmen who are due in Baltimore include safety DeAngelo Gibbs, safety Devon Hunter, cornerback Richard LeCounte, athlete Jeffrey Okudah, athlete Stanford Samuels, cornerback LeAnthony Williams, linebacker Markail Benton, linebacker Anthony Hines, offensive tackle Wyatt Davis, offensive tackle Tony Gray, wide receiver Trevon Grimes, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, and 2018 quarterback Joey Gatewood.