A look at the top 20 recruits in Florida

The state of Florida is loaded (as usual) this recruiting cycle and the numbers don’t lie. There are five 5-stars in the class in the On3 Industry ratings —and an astounding 51 more 4-stars. Where do the Florida Gators stand with these players? Here’s a quick look at the top 20 prospects in the Sunshine State per the On 3 Industry …

No. 1: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep: Committed to Ohio State. Smith says he won’t be easily flipped, but Florida, Georgia and Penn State have secured official visits. He”ll be in Gainesville on June 2. This weekend, he’s in Athens, Ga. Earlier this week, Smith told Gators Online the Gators “have a legit chance.” He might not shut things down until signing day so this could drag out awhile.  Smith will attend On3’s NIL event later this month with his parents. Five-star Gators quarterback DJ Lagway also is going.

No.2: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Bradenton IMG Academy: Committed to Georgia. Miami will get an official.

No. 3: David Stone, DL, Bradenton IMG Academy: The Sooners are favored to land the Oklahoma native but Stone has visited the Gators multiple times. “There’s just something about the Gators,” he said. “I don’t know what it is. Ever since my first visit, I fell in love with the place.” Florida and Miami are two of the schools recruiting him hardest. Look for Stone to officially visit the Gators in June — probably June 2. Florida is in a better spot than it was a month or two ago.

No. 4: Charles Lester III, CB, Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview: Lester has a top three of Alabama, Florida State and Georgia. They’ll get officials, along with Colorado.

The Gators are heavily involved with many of the top recruits in Florida

No. 5: Joshisa Trader, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep: Florida is a top contender. Miami is the On3 RPM favorite but Trader said this week Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State all will get officials. “They’re always gonna have a good receiver corp coming in,” Trader said of the Gators. “They’ve got a good quarterback. A good passing offense. I’ve been to a couple games and they showed out and showed me what Florida could do.” He’s still in the process of scheduling his officials.

No. 6: Jerrick Gibson, RB, Bradenton IMG Academy: Gibson has a top five of Florida, Georgia, Miami, Tennessee and Texas. Many view the Longhorns as the favorite for the country’s No. 1 running back. Florida has two backs committed but continues to heavily recruit Gibson, a Gainesville native.

No. 7: Ernest Willor, DL, Bradenton IMG Academy: Penn State is the On3 RPM favorite. We haven’t heard Florida mentioned as being a factor.

No. 8: TJ Capers, LB, Miami Columbus: Committed to Louisville.

No. 9: Jaylen Heyward, S, Rockledge: Committed to Georgia. Has officials set to Georgia and Miami. The ‘Canes appear to be working hardest to flip him. But according to Heyward, he still communicates with the Gators, who he last visited in March. Florida has been by his school this spring.

No. 10: Jordan Seaton, OT, Bradenton IMG Academy: Florida is trending up for the No. 5 tackle in the country and we expect him to officially visit the Gators — probably in June. Alabama also will get an official and we believe he is high on the Tide’s board, too. Seaton has made two recent visits to Gainesville and seems to have come away impressed each time. Seaton very well might be the top offensive tackle on the Florida board.

Seven of the top 20 in the state are committed

No. 11: Adarius Hayes, LB, Largo: Committed to Florida. He’ll officially visit the Gators on June 2.

No. 12: Jonathan Daniels, OT, Pensacola Pine Forest: Florida State is trending. It appears as though Florida has prioritized other tackles a little more at the moment.

No. 13: Jamari Howard, CB, Westland Hialeah: Recent Michigan State de-commitment. Will officially visit Florida on June 2. Some view the Gators as the favorite; others think it could be Florida State. Regardless, those probably are the two schools to watch at the moment. To our knowledge, he hasn’t yet locked in an FSU official but we’ve heard it potentially could come later in the year.

No. 14: Zaquan Patterson, S, Chaminade-Madonna Prep: Gators aren’t involved. Auburn, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State are four to watch. Some think it will come down to the Tigers and ‘Canes.

Many of these recruits will officially visit the Florida Gators

No. 15: LJ McCray, DL, Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland: Florida, Florida State and Georgia are the three schools we hear the most about. And he’s likely to officially visit each — though to our knowledge no dates have been set. The On3 RPM favors Florida over FSU but there apparently is optimism and maybe a little confidence at both of those programs.

No. 16: Booker Pickett, Edge, Tampa Wharton: Florida doesn’t appear to be a factor and it’s unclear where his recruitment is headed. Miami is the On3 RPM favorite.

No. 17: Jordan Pride, S, Blountstown: Committed to Texas A&M earlier this month. De-committed from Florida State in April. Recently had ACL surgery.

No. 18: Jonathan Echols, TE, Bradenton IMG Academy: Committed to Tennessee. Echols appear to be among Florida’s top tight ends on the board and he will officially visit the Gators in June. If anyone is capable of flipping him from the Vols, it might be Florida. “I always liked Florida growing up. I have family ties down there and it’s a pretty good program,” Echols told Gators Online.

No. 19: T.A. Cunningham, DL, Miami Central: Cunningham recently moved to south Florida from California. Previously, he transferred from Georgia to California. It appears Miami and Penn State are two programs to watch.

No. 20: Jason Zandamela, OL/C, Clearwater Academy International: Claims a Florida offer, but contact hasn’t been that consistent. FSU is trending.