Five-Star DL LJ McCray commits to Florida

Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray of Daytona Beach (FL) Mainland High announced his commitment to Florida Saturday afternoon.

BREAKING: Five-Star DL LJ McCray tells me he has Committed to Florida!

The 6’6 275 DL from Daytona Beach, FL chose the Gators over Miami, Florida State, & Georgia

McCray is ranked as the No. 1 DL in the ‘24 Class 🐊https://t.co/oK4jaMDwoe pic.twitter.com/lGNrDcHy6A

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 21, 2023

The 6-foot-6, 275 pounder chose the Gators over Miami, Florida State, Georgia, and Auburn.

The Sunshine State defensive lineman joins coach Billy Napier and the Gators’ top 5 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by five-star quarterback DJ Lagway and others.

LJ McCray Recruiting Profile

McCray ranks as the No. 24 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 1 defensive lineman and the No. 5 player in Florida.

On3 ranks him higher than the industry, as he ranks as the No. 8 player nationally, the top defensive lineman, and the No. 4 player in the state of Florida

Scouting Summary

On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings writes about him as a college recruit:

“Big-framed, athletic defensive lineman with pass rush ability. Has translatable physical attributes and athleticism at the position that point to a high developmental ceiling. Measured in at over 6-foot-6, 260 pounds prior to his senior season. Has outstanding length and a large frame. Arms check in at 34.75 inches, with hands measuring 10.5 inches. Lines up as a big defensive end on Friday nights. Shows upside as a pass rusher, using first-step quickness to get into the backfield. Has high-end closing speed for a player of his size. Plays with a very encouraging level of physicality. Bullies offensive linemen on contact and finishes plays with violence. Works to get off blocks with vigor. Also sees time as a tight end. Finished his senior season with 17.5 tackles for loss. Can continue honing his technical skill as he fills out and grows into his body.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $174K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.