Florida in pursuit of Texas A&M 4-star DL commit Dealyn Evans

After losing a trio of four-star commitments, Florida is looking to flip a prospect or two itself as National Signing Day rapidly approaches.

One of the Gators’ top targets is Longview (Texas) Pine Tree four-star defensive lineman and current Texas A&M commit Dealyn Evans. Florida has long been involved in Evans’ recruitment and has remained in pursuit of his pledge, even after his July 31 commitment to A&M.

With Jimbo Fisher out in College Station, many of the Aggies’ top commits are being mentioned heavily in the rumor mill as their recruiting class is being targeted by other top programs down the stretch.

Evans is expected to be Gainesville this weekend as Florida takes on undefeated Florida State. The Gators will have a pristine opportunity to put on an impressive performance in front of a flurry of recruits and a packed house in The Swamp.

“(Evans) is planning to be in Gainesville, and I think Florida definitely has a real good shot. I think the x-factor is who A&M hires as its head coach,” Florida insider Corey Bender said on The Inside Scoop.

Florida had Evans on campus for an official visit back in June. He’ll now highlight an impressive list of recruits that are set to be in attendance on Saturday. Making an impression this weekend will be the next chapter in UF’s flip efforts.

“He’s obviously a Texas kid, he’s loved the program for most of his life, but Florida’s always been viewed as that No. 2 school. He’s been there in the spring, he went for an OV. I think Florida — in order to flip him — they have to get him on campus one more time,” Bender said. “Even if they didn’t, I know they’re going to do a series of in-home visits with him that will make an impact. I think the Florida, the main factor is refreshing his mind why Florida was always a threat earlier in the year.”

Other teams in the mix to try and flip Evans

Neither Florida nor Texas A&M have had seasons to write home about in 2023. The door could be open for plenty of other schools to try and flip Evans from the Aggies. TCU, Alabama and LSU have all also previously had the 6-foot-4.5, 260-pounder in for a visit.

“There are schools like TCU — they got an OV over the summer, too. Obviously proximity favors them a little bit. Alabama’s knocking on the door. I think a lot more schools will emerge, knowing this is a blue-chip defensive lineman, you can’t have enough of these kids and obviously schools will have a few slots open at the end of the class,” Bender said.

Ultimately, the hire made by Texas A&M will likely carry plenty of weight into his final decision, just like it will for other prospects currently pledged. Regardless, Florida will be one of the many suitors knocking on the door as the calendar turns to December.

“Florida right now, they definitely have competition. I’ve heard about five to six schools linked to his name but I think A&M, they’re still holding on, I think it’ll determine on the head coaching hire and I think Florida, you have to put them at the No. 2 spot,” Bender said.

Evans is the No. 67 overall prospect and No. 9 DL in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 11 player in Texas.