Florida hoping to solidify lead for 4-star safety Zay Mincey with upcoming visit

Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland four-star safety Zay Mincey has made it clear that his college decision is on the horizon and that he’s expecting to choose his future home soon. That decision won’t be for public consumption, however.

Mincey is planning on silently pledging to his chosen program, then revealing his decision at the All-American Bowl at the beginning of January. The frontrunners for the top-100 prospect are the big three in-state juggernauts: Florida, Florida State and Miami.

The Hurricanes hosted Mincey last weekend as they took down Texas A&M in an impressive showing. Now, it’s the Gators’ turn. Florida will host the No. 4 safety in the 2024 cycle — per the On3 Industry Ranking — this weekend as it prepares for a big test against Tennessee.

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Florida likely “the team to beat” for Zay Mincey

Mincey is far from the only elite recruit that’s scheduled to be in the Swamp on Saturday. His teammate, four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray, is also being courted heavily by Billy Napier and Co. Statesboro (Ga.) four-star cornerback Kam Mikell will also take in the SEC East showdown alongside a host of other highly-ranked players.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Gators are leading for Mincey at 65.5%, while Miami is behind at 27.9%. The Hurricanes just made a big impression, possibly giving them more than a puncher’s chance to win one over Florida. The Gators now have a chance to send a counter-punch down to Coral Gables on Saturday in a big spot against the Volunteers.

“It feels like it’s really a Florida-Miami battle at this time,” Gators Online recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr told On3’s Josh Newberg on The Inside Scoop. “There’s all these dynamics in play, but we think right now that Miami’s got some momentum with Zay Mincey … but all along Florida has probably been considered the team to beat.”

Gators adding finishing touches to top-five recruiting class

Florida has made its hay and then some on the recruiting trail this cycle. The Gators currently have the No. 3 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking, but they still aren’t done trying to add to it, even in the areas where it already appears rock solid.

The top-ranked recruit in the class is McKinney (Texas) five-star safety Xavier Filsaime. The sixth highest-ranked pledge is Marrero (La.) John Ehret four-star CB Wardell Mack. They’re two of the six top-100 prospects already pledged to Napier and the UF staff.

Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond remains locked in on Mincey. Niebuhr noted that Florida actually sees the listed safety as a corner, should he come to Gainesville next season.

“You’ve got Corey Raymond, arguably one of the best defensive back coaches in the country working hard on this recruitment. Florida’s got a strong DB class, but they would love to add Zay Mincey,” Niebuhr said.

The Gators’ class also features four top-115 linebackers, including Atlanta F.W. Buchholz four-star Myles Graham and Largo (Fla.) four-star Adarius Hayes. The Daytona DB could be the final missing piece needed to solidify arguably the best defensive class in the nation.