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Gators soar into top three of 2024 rankings following Saturday's commitment

79417-removebg-preview (1)by:Corey Bender•01/28/23•

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Billy Napier and the Gators hit the jackpot on Saturday afternoon, as top-100 prospect Adarius Hayes announced his commitment to Florida.

Hayes, an Under Armour All-American linebacker from Largo (Fla.) High, was in attendance for today’s junior day and was present for last weekend’s event as well. Those trips come after the handful of visits he took during the 2022 calendar.

Considering the amount of times Hayes has set foot in Gainesville along with Florida being his dream school, it did not surprise many when I submitted an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick last summer. He recently labeled UF as his leader as well, so all signs were pointing to the orange and blue.

Prior to Hayes’ pledge, the Gators were equipped with the No. 6-ranked recruiting class. That is according to the 2024 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings. With today’s news, the SEC program has now moved up to No. 3 behind Alabama and Georgia, respectively.

Four prospects currently make up the Gators’ 2024 recruiting haul: Hayes, Willis (Texas) four-star quarterback DJ Lagway, Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star linebacker Myles Graham and North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School four-star running back Chauncey Bowens.

When recently speaking on the Gators Online Show, Lagway reiterated that his plan is to secure the No. 1-ranked class and provided his current strategy for the coming months.

“Right now, I’m looking at it with an overall perspective. I’m trying to get some O-linemen,” he told Nick de la Torre and Zach Abolverdi. “We have some key O-line recruits committing this month. Trying to build that relationship with those guys. That’s a huge thing for me, just having those guys up there to block for me so I can do my thing. Overall, that just helps the team success. The big guys up front, that’s going to be a game-changer. That’s my biggest thing right now to focus on.

“I’m really excited about what the future holds. I definitely wanted to be part of what Coach Napier is about to build and where this program is heading. I’m just thankful and honored to be a part of it.

“I’m ready to get down to Gainesville and get to work right away. Just come in and try to compete for a starting job, be a day-one leader and lead my teammates to success on and off the field.”

Scouting Report on Hayes

Inside linebacker prospect who is an excellent processor and has a quick trigger. Possesses stopping power when meeting ball carriers in the hole.

Quality free blitzer from the inside backer position or off the edge. Has some tightness in his hips and can get stuck in quicksand a bit when changing direction.

One of the older prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle. — On3 Rankings Assistant Cody Bellaire

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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