Florida Gators inching closer to No. 1 spot in 2024 rankings

The Gators are on an absolute terror in recruiting right now. There is no other way to say it.

Over the past seven days, Billy Napier’s staff has landed commitments from nine prospects in the 2024 class, with highly-productive linebacker Jamonta Waller being the latest to join the fray moments ago.

Four of those prospects committed on Saturday, with each of them carrying a four-star ranking, and then three others teamed up with the Gators today. Mike Williams, a former South Carolina offensive line commit, announced for UF last Monday, while Germany-based offensive lineman Noel Portnjagin made his commitment two days later.

Representing Picayune (Miss.) Picayune Memorial, the 6-foot-0.5, 230-pound Waller is the No. 7-ranked linebacker and No. 61-ranked prospect overall in the On3 Industry Ranking.

Before this past weekend, Florida was ranked outside the top 10 of the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. There were a flurry of high-profile prospects committed, including Texas natives DJ Lagway and Xavier Filsaime, but the class lacked the overall firepower to overtake others in the top 10.

Now, roughly 48 hours later, the SEC program checks in at No. 2 nationally with 16 prospects in the fold.

There are plenty of additional top targets who the Gators are making noise with as well. Those include cornerback Teddy Foster, defensive back Zay Mincey, wide receiver Jerrae Hawkins and Florida State wide receiver commit Tawaski Abrams.

With the amount of top targets showing significant interest, there is no doubt the Gators have a path to No. 1 in the 2024 recruiting rankings.

Florida is riding the momentum wave

In addition to Waller, defensive lineman Michai Boireau and offensive tackle Marcus Mascoll committed to UF today as well.

It was an extremely close battle between Florida and Georgia for Boireau, who measures in at roughly 6-foot-5, 370 pounds. He is a disruptive player along the defensive interior who engulfs ball carriers in a hurry. He typically commands a double team and does a great job of clogging the defensive line.

This is a massive prospect whose play will remind many of Florida’s Desmond Watson.

With Mascoll, an impressive athlete at left tackle who stands 6-foot-4.5, 290 pounds, the Gators edged out LSU for his commitment. N.C. State was also in the mix, but it really came down to the SEC schools.

The Atlanta native is nowhere near a finished product. He has the frame and potential to play this game for a long time. He just has to be coachable and be dedicated to the weight room.

Saturday, June 17 is a day to remember for the Gators

Priority tight end Amir Jackson kicked everything off that afternoon, having chosen the Gators over Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Auburn and a flurry of others. He is a top-10 prospect at the position and fills a major need for Russ Callaway and company.

We had to wait a handful of hours to learn of the next pledge, but it was certainly worth the wait.

Amaris Williams, a four-star defensive lineman from Clinton (N.C.) High, also announced his commitment to UF today. This is an explosive defender who accumulated 65 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and a forced fumble as a junior.

Many didn’t expect Williams to pop over the weekend, especially on Saturday, but Sean Spencer, Mike Peterson and others were certainly brimming with joy to get him on board.

USC, Oklahoma, Auburn and Tennessee are some other notable offers on the table.

While we were reporting on Williams, the Gators also landed a commitment from Dublin (Ga.) four-star defensive lineman Nasir Johnson.

A member of the On300 rankings, Williams entered the visit with Florida on top and simply found no reason to wait any longer. The Gators have been prioritizing him from the start and sealed the deal while providing Williams’ family with the red-carpet treatment.

It’s safe to say all is currently going well in Gainesville for the Orange and Blue. There is no hotter program on the recruiting trail right now.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.