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Gators make top 5 for top-100 prospect LJ McCray

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•06/23/23•

On3Keith

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Top-100 recruit LJ McCray on his official visit to Florida. (Photo courtesy of McCray)

Top-100 prospect LJ McCray, a 4-star defensive lineman from Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland, released his top five Friday and not surprisingly the Florida Gators made the cut.

Also on his list: Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Miami.

McCray, listed at 6-foot-6.5, 260 pounds, is the No. 13 defensive lineman and No. 89 overall recruit nationally according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The Gators lead for McCray in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine with a projection of 32.6 percent. FSU is next at 20.5 percent.

McCray has been to Gainesville twice in June — once for an official visit and again Wednesday to take part in a 7-on-7 team camp.

“It was cool. I was here not too long ago, so it was just catching up a little bit,” McCray said. “(I like that) the staff is pretty cool and just the way they are building. They definitely are doing some building.”

McCray said he took notice of Florida’s recent surge of commitments, which has propelled the Gators into the No. 2 spot in the On3 recruiting team rankings.

“Those boys are doing what they do. They’re doing what’s best for them and if that’s what they want to do, that’s what they are going to do,” McCray said. “I speak with DJ Lagway and those guys. They are definitely trying the hardest to get that No. 1 class.”

Fall decision likely for LJ McCray

McCray is in no hurry to make a commitment decision.

He said it’s not likely to come until after his official visit takes place with Florida State in October. What will be the deciding factors?

“Definitely the relationships built and where I can see myself getting developed to my best potential, and then just having fun,” McCray said.

Florida, Auburn, Georgia and Miami got official visits from McCray in June. Florida hosted McCray and his family from June 2-4.

“I definitely feel like they did a great job. Being that was my first OV, they definitely set the bar pretty high,” said McCray.

Here is McCray’s On3 scouting report:

Big-framed, athletic defensive lineman with pass rush ability. Has translatable physical attributes and athleticism at the position that point to a high developmental ceiling. Measured in at over 6-foot-6, 260 pounds prior to his senior season.

Has solid length with a wing-span over 6-foot-9 along with a 10.5-inch hand. Showed his top end speed in the combine setting, running an electronically-timed 4.98 second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Orlando camp. Lines up as a big defensive end on Friday nights. Shows upside as a pass rusher, using first-step quickness to get into the backfield.

Has high-end closing speed for a player of his size. Plays with a very encouraging level of physicality. Bullies offensive linemen on contact and finishes plays with violence. Works to get off blocks with vigor. Also sees time as a tight end. Finished his senior season with 17.5 tackles for loss. Can continue honing his technical skill as he fills out and grows into his body.

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