The Day After Breakdown: Looking at the Early Signing Class

QB

Remember when most of the Gator Nation nearly went over the edge after the decommitment of Matt Corral. Surely, Dan Mullen had screwed the proverbial pooch by slow playing Corral and now Florida was left holding the bag. That however isn't how it played out. In Emory Jones, Mullen got a much better fit on and off the field for what Florida wants to do going forward. Also, the Gators beat out Florida State and Urban Meyer (Ohio State) just to make the victory taste a bit sweeter. It is hard to imagine this turning out any better than it did.

A+

RB

In Iverson Clement and Dameon Pierce Florida nabbed two 5.8 rated four-star backs. They bring a different skill-set to the table in that Pierce is a bit more traditional in that he is a grinder, who can get you the tough yards and wear a defense down with multiple carries, while Iverson is a bit more versatile. Neither are speed demons to be sure.

B

WR

At one point in late summer Florida had five commitments at the position in Ja'Marr Chase, Jacob Copeland, Corey Gammage, Jalynn Williams and Tyquan Thornton. On Wednesday the only one remaining on the commitment list was Gammage, and he didn't sign. To be fair, while two dropped Florida, the Gators parted ways with the other two. Florida did however add Van Jefferson, but as a transfer, he doesn't count as a signee, thus he doesn't impact this grade.

INC

TE

This is a bit of a mixed bag in that in Dante Lang and Kyle Pitts Florida signed two prospects at the position with a pretty high ceiling. Neither though are a sure thing and you know Florida was looking to do more by the other tight ends they were trying to get involved with. Pitts is the more talented of the two, but he actually had a better senior season on defense than he did offense.

C+

OL

Even though they aren't highly rated, the fact that Mullen and staff were able to get two early signees, who had no previous ties to Florida prior to the coaching change, along the line, is actually pretty impressive. In Noah Banks and Chris Bleich the Gators have added two big bodies who are versatile enough to play positions outside of tackle. Not locking in commit Richard Gouraige hurts the grade, but it isn't like he has decommitted. There however is still a lot of work to be done here.

C+

OFF

Getting Jones certainly carried to another level what would have been a so-so signing class on the offensive side of the ball. Florida needs to add more speed and a few more big bodies along the line in the February signing class.

B-

DL

Florida coming up empty on Wednesday isn't the fault of the new staff. Before the coaching change, the Gators only had one commitment (Taylor Upshaw) along the line and really didn't have a deep board to draw from to begin with. If anything, the board going forward, with just six weeks remaining, looks more promising than it did in the first 80% of this cycle, which is actually an indictment on the previous staff.

INC

LB

Rivals is higher on David Reese than any other recruiting service and I am higher on him than Rivals is, so this grade is definitely going to be skewed. In Reese, who Florida lists as a defensive back, the Gators have signed a kid who can play all over the field. He is an incredible athlete, who really progressed throughout the spring, summer and fall to have his best year yet. The only problem here is that there is only one signee, and Florida needs much, much more than that.

B+

SEC

A lot of the time you look at a kid coming out of high school and you immediately start pegging him as a cornerback or a safety. In Trey Dean, John Huggins and Amari Burney, Florida signed three prospects who really could line up anywhere in the secondary, and when it comes to Burney - anywhere in the back seven. Then you have Randy Russell, who is a head hunting safety. Still, at least one pure corner was and still is needed.

A

DEF

Overall Florida added quality over quantity for certain - but signing only one prospect in he front seven is disappointing if not down right dangerous. Defensive line and linebacker now have to be priorities in these next six weeks.

C+

OVER ALL

In an article out today Rivals called Dan Mullen the top recruiting new head coach (based on results) in the early signing period. That is hard to argue with. Florida still has some holes to fill, but like everyone else they have six weeks to do that. Unlike everyone else, they definitely have momentum on their side. Given the time constraints and what was handed to them, they are shaping this class into what they want and need. In my opinion, so far so good.

B+