Florida 5-star DL signee LJ McCray starts hashtag to recruit teammate, 4-star CB Zay Mincey

Amidst all the uncertainty surrounding Florida football recruiting, Billy Napier and the Gators locked down their two highest-ranked commits — Willis (Texas) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback DJ Lagway and Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray.

It was a long wait on Early National Signing Day, but McCray eventually announced he was sticking to his pledge and signed his Letter of Intent to head to Gainesville. Now, he’s doing what he can to bring his high school teammate, four-star cornerback Zay Mincey, to The Swamp.

On Thursday night, McCray took to social media with the hashtag ‘ZayTotheSwamp’:

#ZayTotheSwamp @ZayMincey386

— LJ McCray (@LJMcCray11) December 22, 2023

Despite taking many visits together, McCray and Mincey have never treated their respective recruitments as a package deal with one-another. One consistent, however, has been the Gators’ interest in the pair. Florida battled Florida State, Miami and Auburn for McCray and are currently squaring off against the in-state programs and Alabama for Mincey.

January decision coming for Mincey

The 6-foot-2.5, 175-pound Mincey has taken a heap of visits to UF, including a June OV and multiple game visits this fall. The Gators currently lead for his pledge — which isn’t set to be announced until Jan. 6 — in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), though Miami is also thought to be a legitimate contender.

“Coaches from Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Miami were in to visit Mincey and his family this week. Miami has had the most buzz around it in recent weeks, but this could still go a couple of different ways I am told,” On3’s Chad Simmons wrote on Dec. 15. “A decision could be made by the end of the weekend, but Mincey will not announce it until Jan. 6.

Landing Mincey’s commitment would be major for a Florida recruiting class that has been through the wringer over the past couple of months. The same class that once ranked No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings this cycle is now at No. 16 following NSD. Adding the No. 48 prospect and No. 6 CB to the mix is of importance for Napier and Co.

“I am talking to God and praying about it. Alabama is about winning. Florida is the hometown team. Coach Mike Norvell has Florida State playing great. Miami is like Florida, a hometown team. And Miami loves to compete,” Mincey told Simmons earlier this month.

“I have around 10 days to really figure it out. I will talk with my parents and listen to my heart.”