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Published Sep 15, 2017
Weekend Visitor Preview
Mark Wheeler  •  1standTenFlorida
Publisher

Normally Florida's first SEC home contest of the year results in the South Endzone bleachers being packed with quite a few of the biggest names on the board. This year, because of the uncertainty of the game status at the start of the week combined with the fact that the state and southeast are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the visitor list isn't as expansive as in year's past, but there are still several top tier targets due in.

Class of 2018 Florida pledges Amari Burney, David Reese, Randy Russell, Tyquan Thornton and Taylor Upshaw all plan on attending Florida's opener. Divaad Wilson may be there as well. He was unsure late in the week.

They will be joined by 2019 commits Frank Ladson, Jaquaze Sorrells, Tyrique Stevenson, Marcus Tilman, Ja'markis Weston, Trent Whittemore and Wardrick Wilson

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Some of the uncommitted targets expected to be on hand broken down by class:

2018: Ed Montilus and Dennis Briggs (maybe)

2019: Kaiir Elam and Isaiah Washington

2020: Samuel Anaele and Isaiah Walker

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The Skinny: Regardless of ranking, Barnes may be not only the most important visitor of the weekend, but the most important prospect remaining on the board overall. As was proven by the beat down they received in week-one, Florida needs to continue to improve upon their talent level along the offensive line. The Gators are currently in a dogfight with North Carolina for Barnes' services. Getting him on campus as often as possible this fall could be the deciding factor.

The Skinny: Here is a visitor who is a bit out of left field in that before this week, he really hasn't been mentioned much in regards to the Gators since back in the spring. While it is thought that Florida's offensive line board is pretty much set with in-state prospects, the Gators' staff would certainly make room on it for Hill if he is indeed really interested. He himself doesn't do a lot of updates where he talks about his favorites. It seems like Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and LSU are in the top group. It will be interesting to see where Florida stands after the weekend.

The Skinny: A week ago talk of Schwartz visiting this weekend would have automatically put him on our commitment watch list. However, earlier this week the Rivals250 wide out told Inside the Gators that though he is down to a final three, he is going to hold off on making a pledge anytime soon. However, if he was to get caught up in the moment, it wouldn't be shocking if he pulled the trigger.

The Skinny: Here is a pleasant surprise for the Gator Nation. LSU and Florida State are all but universally accepted to be the leaders for his services, with Florida somewhere near the back of his stated top five or six. In order to gain ground though, this is what the Gators need to do, get him on campus, spending as much time as possible around players, coaches and other prospects. It is still a steep hill to climb, but this is a good first step up that mountain, getting him on campus early and often.

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This is NOT a complete listing of every prospect who will be in the Swamp and some listed above may not make it in. Check Inside the Gators Alligator Alley Forum throughout the weekend for the latest from all the visitors.