Weekend Visitor Preview: Three five-star visitors
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This weekend the Florida Gators will have tons of top targets on campus for their nighttime match up against the LSU Tigers. Not only will UF have five official visitors on campus, they'll have many of their top targets and commitments on hand as well for unofficial visits.
Inside the Gators takes a look at some of the names to watch this weekend.
As far as prospects already committed to Florida, both Derrick Dillon and Jerome Baker will be on hand for official visits. Dillon seems solid to UF while Baker is doing a bit of looking around. The Gators will also have 2015 commitments Tyler Jordan, Kalif Jackson, Camrin Knight, Michael Horton, Brandon Sandifer and Andrew Ivie on campus as as unofficial visitors.
2016 commits Tre Jackson and Chauncey Gardner are visiting unofficially as well.
Once again this season the Gators will host five-star defensive linemen Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson on campus for a game. The two Rivals100 big men have Florida very high on their list and have been to just about every Gators home game this season. Jefferson is coming off an official visit to Ole Miss that went really well, so the Gators will hope to swing momentum back in their favor this weekend.
Another top defensive lineman Florida will have on hand is Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Rivals250 defensive tackle Kendrick Norton. The four-star big man is another prospect that is a heavy Florida lean, but also plans to take official visits sometime this fall as well. At this time Norton is saying he won't make his commitment until the Under Armour All-American game in January.
Norton's Trinity Christian teammate and four-star linebacker Jeffery Holland also is another name expected to make yet another trip to Gainesville this weekend. Holland is coming off an official visit to Auburn, who seems to be Florida biggest competition at this time. It seems like Holland is starting to trend towards UF once again but will also take an official visit to UCLA later this fall when the Bruins host Southern Cal.
Two other linebackers Florida will host are Rivals100 linebacker Roquan Smith and three-star linebacker Derrick Graham. Florida is currently in the top three for Graham along with Mississippi State and Arkansas. On the other hand Smith hasn't named a formal list of leaders, but Georgia is undoubtedly the leader in the clubhouse. Florida seems to be the biggest competition to the 'Dawgs but they have a uphill climb ahead of them.
Perhaps the two most interesting visitors of the night will be Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington teammates Devonaire Clarington and DaVante Davis. Both prospects have offers from the Gators and both are guys UF is looking to get some traction with. Both prospects are a position of need in this class and would be met with open arms if they were to decide to attend UF.
Another big possible visitor is five-star Clemson commit Ray-Ray McCloud III, who is expected on campus. If McCloud does show it would be a huge visit and would be the second time this fall the Gators were to able to get the speedy 5-foot-9, 176-pounder on campus. He is coming off an official visit to Clemson two weekends ago.
Another running back target that Florida is looking to host is Orlando (Fla.) West Orange running back and Miami commitment Dexter Williams. The four-star back last visited UF for the Kentucky game and seems to have his interest in the Gators grow with each visit. However, Williams continues to maintain that he is solid to the Hurricanes but is still very much keeping lines of communication open with Florida, USC, Notre Dame, and Louisville.
The list of speedsters goes on for the Gators on Saturday, as they will also host Rivals250 wide receiver Ryan Davis and three-star athlete Javarius Davis. Both prospects have been to just about every home UF game and likely if they had to decide today, the smart money would be on them choosing the Gators.
Another Gainesville regular who will be in town is three-star offensive guard Jalen Merrick. Florida seems to be the leader for Merrick at this time, but Miami and Florida State are pushing as well. Merrick also recently set up an official visit to Wisconsin in November.
Though there may not be a huge need in the secondary, the Gators could stand to add a body or two this cycle. Florida will have two on hand in three-star's Jeremy McDuffie and Hunter Dale. McDuffie last visited for the Kentucky game and has Florida leading and could be a name to possibly pull the trigger this weekend. On the other hand, Dale hasn't been hearing much from Florida recently, but could be a guy the Gators make a move on down the road as they have a need at safety in 2015 and are running out of options.
Another possible visitor this weekend is North Carolina commitment William Sweet. The four-star offensive tackle has been committed to the Tarheels for some time now, but is open to taking visits to other schools before pen goes to paper on national signing day.
A few 2016 names to keep and eye on are tight end Jacob Mathis, running back Antonio Williams, linebacker Jaleel Laguins, Miami commitment DreDrick Snelson, defensive end Jordan Woods and Miami commitment Shaq Quarterman.
Targets Visiting Elsewhere
Four-star running back target Nyheim Hines will officially visit N.C. State this weekend.
Florida is expecting FSU running back commit Johnny Frasier for the game. However Frasier is unsure of the trip at this time and could possibly visit N.C. State as well.
Check the Alley and this article throughout the weekend for updates on this weekend's visitors
University of Florida Official
Visitors: Oct. 10, 2014
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>6-1, 206 pounds
Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine
Primary Recruiter: D.J. Durkin
Outside Linebacker Ranking: 5
Rivals100 Ranking: 36
Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine
Primary Recruiter: D.J. Durkin
Outside Linebacker Ranking: 5
Rivals100 Ranking: 36
>
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height=20>
Level of Interest: COMMITTED
Others: OSU & TN
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href="http://sports.yahoo.com/florida/football/recruiting/player-Jerome-Baker-147537"
target=_blank>Headlines
The
Skinny: With all the negative press about Florida that has been out lately, this is a chance for the Gators to leave a positive impression on Baker as to what direction the program is headed. He hasn't been to Gainesville since his visit last spring and he is excited to get back to the Sunshine State. Ohio State is pushing hard, but Baker is saying he is 100% committed to UF at this time.
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>6-0, 221 pounds
Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.)
Primary Recruiter: Travaris Robinson
Inside Linebacker Ranking: No. 11
Florida Ranking: No. 43
Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.)
Primary Recruiter: Travaris Robinson
Inside Linebacker Ranking: No. 11
Florida Ranking: No. 43
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Level of Interest: HIGH
Others: Notre Dame (9/5) & Miami
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The
Skinny: Florida and Notre Dame are the top two programs for this four-star defender. Right now I would give Florida the slight edge, and after this weekend's visit the Gators are hoping to seal the deal. He will make his commitment a week or two from now.
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>5-11, 175 pounds
Franklinton (La.) Pine
Primary
Franklinton (La.) Pine
Primary
Recruiter: Derek Lewis
Wide Receiver Ranking: No. 48
Louisiana Ranking: No. 16
Wide Receiver Ranking: No. 48
Louisiana Ranking: No. 16
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Level of Interest: COMMITTED
Others: None
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target=_blank>Headlines
The
Skinny: Dillon has been very solid to his commitment to Florida despite a visit to LSU this fall. It doesn't sound like too many programs are pushing the three-star pass catcher, which is good for the Gators. According to Dillon's coach the only thing that could perhaps change anything with Dillon's commitment is a coaching change by the Gators.
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>6-0, 190 pounds
North Little Rock (Ark.)
Primary Recruiter:
North Little Rock (Ark.)
Primary Recruiter:
Chris Leak
Wide Receiver Ranking: No. 26
Rivals250 ranking: No.
Wide Receiver Ranking: No. 26
Rivals250 ranking: No.
217
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Level of Interest: LOW
Others: COMMITTED TO ARKANSAS
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The
Skinny: Florida hasn't been a team associated with Hill all that much in the past. Combine that to the fact that he recently gave his verbal pledge to the home state Arkansas Razorbacks and it would appear the Gators have some work to do. If this visit goes well and Hill sees a need for pass catchers in the Gators offense then perhaps this relationship will go somewhere. Hill was going to visit Notre Dame last weekend for an official visit, but later canceled, so by Hill going through with the trip to Gainesville there must be some legitimate interest.
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>6-5, 271 pounds
Apopka (Fla.)
Primary Recruiter: Mike Summers
Offensive Tackle Ranking: No. 1
Rivals100 Ranking: No. 11
Apopka (Fla.)
Primary Recruiter: Mike Summers
Offensive Tackle Ranking: No. 1
Rivals100 Ranking: No. 11
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Level of Interest: HIGH
Others: Auburn
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/video/list;_ylt=AlPK.22XxolZxuIOi2TXu51mr5B4?prospect_ids=145742"
href="http://sports.yahoo.com/florida/football/recruiting/player-Martez-Ivey-145742"
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The
Skinny: Florida has been the longtime favorite for this five-star offensive tackle, who grew up a big fan of the Gators. Auburn has his teammate, and close friend, Chandler Cox committed - which helps the Tigers more than most people give them credit for. Ivey has a great relationship with all of the Florida coaches and will tell you that he hopes they are retained. However, he also says a coaching change wouldn't drop the Gators from contention, it would put them behind the Tigers because they have built a strong bond with the Rivals100 member.