Eleven Gators commits included in latest On300 rankings

This afternoon, the latest On300 rankings for the class of 2023 were released, and as expected, over a handful of future Gators made the list.

Leading the way with the highest ranking is wide receiver Eugene Wilson III.

The Tampa (Fla.) Gaither standout was lights out as a senior and received another rankings bump because of that, climbing another six spots to No. 31 overall. A strong week in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America Game could result in another boost and possibly a fifth star.

Kamran James, who will be traveling to San Antonio for the All-American Bowl, is another top-50 commit for the Gators. The Orlando (Fla.) Olympia defensive lineman climbed 10 spots in the latest update, checking in as the 39th-ranked player regardless of position. He has an extremely high ceiling and draws a player comparison to former Gators defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap.

Although he missed much of his senior season due to injury, receiver Aidan Mizell is still a top-100 prospect with On3. He dropped a total of eight spots but still ranks as the No. 59 senior.

The speedy Orlando native is a Florida legacy due to both of his parents having participated in track and field for the Gators. His commitment to Billy Napier’s program is rock solid.

Fresh off flipping from Florida State, offensive lineman Roderick Kearney is another Under Armour All-American for the Gators. He is one of Billy Napier’s prized additions in the trenches.

Representing Orange Park (Fla.) High, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Kearney ranks as the No. 70 player overall with On3. Like plenty of national prospects, he will have the opportunity to improve his ranking after participating in one of the All-American games.

Among the biggest risers in Florida’s class is Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson.

In the latest rankings release, Jackson moved in the top 100 after climbing 16 spots. He is now the No. 91-ranked prospect overall in the 2023 class.

Jackson took an official visit to Kentucky in mid-October; however, after attending UF’s final home game against South Carolina, the UA All-American said he’s all in with the Gators and signing in December. His official visit is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Six additional Gators commits land in the On300

Another future Gator who is not dealing with any recruiting drama is Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety, Jordan Castell, who climbed five spots to No. 131 overall. He is yet another UA All-American.

The four-star prospect took his official visit over the summer and attended the majority of UF’s home games as well. Additional programs that previously offered Castell include Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Auburn.

Kelby Collins, a four-star defensive lineman from Gardendale (Ala.) High, is the No. 133 player overall. He chose the Gators over in-state Alabama in early August; however, the Crimson Tide is still somewhat in the picture.

There have been talks about Collins taking an official visit to Alabama for this weekend’s Iron Bowl, so we will see if that trip takes place. All in all, though, Collins continues to reiterate that he is very strong with the Gators and is one of the top recruiters in the class.

Another defensive lineman in UF’s talent-rich class is Georgia native T.J. Searcy.

While he dropped exactly 50 spots in the latest update, the 6-foot-5.5, 243-pound Searcy is still a top-150 prospect overall, checking in at No. 147. He is coveted by much of the SEC.

Searcy had flirted with the idea of taking another trip to Tennessee but recently shut down his recruitment and will be signing with the Gators next month. His tight-knit relationship with Mike Peterson played a significant role in that final decision.

Just two spots behind Searcy in the rankings is Tampa native and former Ohio State commit, Dijon Johnson.

The UA All-American is the 149th-ranked player overall and one of the premier defensive backs in the Sunshine State. Programs such as Georgia, Alabama, USC and Miami were in pursuit as well, but Johnson found everything he needed just roughly two hours up the road in Gainesville.

If all goes as planned, Johnson will be taking his Gators official visit sometime in December.

Jaden Rashada is the biggest riser in Florida’s class

After turning the recruiting world upside down a few weeks back, Gators commit Jaden Rashada has now climbed 41 spots in the latest On300.

Prior to today’s update, the California native was the No. 192 player overall. Now, he checks in at No. 151 and could rise even more after competing during Under Armour All-America week.

Rashada, a former Miami commit, is the Gators’ lone quarterback commit following UF’s decision to part ways with Marcus Stokes.

The final Gators commit to earn a spot in the On300 is wide receiver Andy Jean.

Hailing from Miami Northwestern, Jean ranks as the 285th-ranked prospect overall. He was previously committed to the Hurricanes and also considered offers from the likes of Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama.

There was recent chatter about him possibly taking a second look at the Hurricanes, but the Gators remain in good standing with the South Florida native.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.