Nine Gators commits earn a spot in updated 2023 On300 rankings

The updated On300 rankings were released on Monday afternoon, and as expected, nearly a dozen Gators commits made the cut.

Leading the way on behalf of the orange and blue is defensive lineman Kamran James. The Orlando native dropped 10 spots to No. 33 but is still the highest-ranked prospect in the class. He committed to the Gators over the summer after highly considering an offer from Georgia as well.

Although he is currently sidelined due to injury, it’s no surprise Eugene Wilson III received another bump with On3. He is now the No. 36 prospect regardless of position after climbing 26 spots. That comes after a stellar start to his senior campaign where he provided a number of highlight-reel plays.

Like James, there is no drama in Wilson’s recruitment, as his commitment to the Gators is very strong.

Checking in as the No. 50 prospect overall is Gators wide receiver commit Aidan Mizell. The Orlando native was another key addition over the summer, as Florida edged out the likes of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee for his commitment.

Mizell has not played much as a senior but is returning from injury in the coming weeks. He is a Florida legacy due to both of his parents having participated in track and field for the Gators.

The final Gators commit to earn a spot inside the top 100 is defensive lineman, T.J. Searcy, a product of Thomaston (Ga.) Upson-Lee.

Unfortunately, the four-star prospect dropped a total of 46 spots in the latest update but is still considered one of the very best in his class. This is one of the future Gators I could see climbing back up the rankings before it’s all said and done.

As for his recruitment, Searcy told Gators Online last week he is still solid with Billy Napier’s program. There is a chance he visits Tennessee this weekend for the matchup against UF, but he does not plan to use his fifth and final official visit. Auburn is another school still recruiting him fairly hard.

Five additional Gators commits make the On300

Fresh off a two-touchdown performance against Lakeland, cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson now ranks as the No. 106 player overall. He climbed 13 spots after previously being tabbed as On3’s 119th-ranked prospect.

If all goes as planned, Jackson will be officially visiting Kentucky on Oct. 14. His brother is currently on the Wildcats’ track and field team, so that is playing a major role in that decision.

However, when speaking with On3’s Chad Simmons on Friday, Jackson said he is completely “locked in” with the Gators. He is currently recruiting for the orange and blue and has manufactured strong relationships with the likes of Billy Napier and Corey Raymond.

Kelby Collins, a four-star defensive lineman who racked up nine tackles and two sacks in a victory on Friday, is the No. 123 player overall. He chose the Gators over in-state Alabama in early August; however, the Crimson Tide is still in the picture and expected to receive a visit for the Texas A&M game.

Another future Gator who is not dealing with any recruiting drama is Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety Jordan Castell.

Committed to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, Castell ranks as the No. 135 player overall. He officially visited the Gators over the summer and has already attended multiple home games as well.

Additional programs that previously offered Castell include Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Auburn. He is having a very producting senior campaign and accumulated eight tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup on Friday.

A four-star EDGE from St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood, Isaiah Nixon was previously on board with UCF and then ultimately flipped his commitment to the Gators on June 21.

In the latest rankings release, Nixon checks in as the No. 179 player overall. Georgia, Oklahoma, FSU, Penn State, Michigan State, Kentucky, Auburn and Ole Miss previously offered him as well.

During the 2021 season, Nixon piled up 75 tackles (22 solo), 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two pass deflections.

The final Florida commit to earn a spot in the On300 is wide receiver, Andy Jean, one of the premier route runners in his class.

Representing Miami Northwestern, Jean ranks as the 216th-ranked prospect overall. He was previously committed to the Hurricanes and also considered offers from the likes of Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama.

Although his commitment to the Gators is solid, Jean plans to take official visits to Georgia and Miami. Texas A&M was supposed to receive an unofficial visit this past weekend, but those plans ultimately fell through.

As for the Gators, Jean tells me he is returning to Gainesville on Oct. 15 for the LSU game.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.