Florida Gators football recruiting Hot Board: Defense
The Florida Gators enter the summer official visit season this week with five commitments in their 2025 recruiting class — only two of which are on the defensive side. During the next three weekends, several elite recruits will be on campus. Who are the top targets and what is the Gators’ standing with each?
**RELATED: Florida’s 2025 commitment list
The Hot Board has some of the answers. Below are the recruits we think (“think” being the key word) are the main prospects at each position and my guesses at Florida’s chances of signing them as of today.
Remember, this all my opinion. The folks at the Florida Gators football complex may have a different take.
(***You can find the offensive Hot Board HERE.)
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Defensive line (3-4 est.)
Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jeramiah McCloud (3)Havana, Fla.5-31–GATORS COMMITJarquez Carter (3)Newberry, Fla.5-31–45%Malik Autry (4)Opelika, Ala.6/14–AUBURN COMMIT/35%Derry Norris (3) Port Orange, Fla.TBD–35%Myron Charles (4)Port Charlotte, Fla.5-31–30%Xavier Ukponu (3)Denton, TexasTBD–25%Floyd Boucard (3) Miami, Fla.––25%Kevin Oatis (4)Hattiesburg, Miss.––20%Josiah Sharma (3)Sacramento, Calif.––15%Elijah Griffin (5)Savannah, Ga.––5%
With McCloud already on board, the Gators are in a decent spot heading into the summer official visit window. Carter and Charles will be on campus this coming weekend. If the Gators can convince Carter he’s a good fit for their defensive system, that could be significant. FSU leads for Charles, so Florida will need a boost from his visit. Autry is a longtime Auburn commit, but if anyone has a shot to flip him it’s the Florida Gators.
Edge (2)
Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jalen Wiggins (4)Tallahassee, Fla.6-07–GATORS COMMITRomando Johnson (3)West Palm Beach, Fla.––30%Javion Hilson (4)Cocoa (Fla.)5-31–FSU COMMIT/30%Cedric Works (4)Dayton, Ohio6-14–25%Richard Scott (3)Fort Lauderdale, Fla.––20%Isaiah Gibson (5)Warner Robins, Ga.TBD–USC TROJANS COMMIT/20%Tylon Lee (4)Pace, Fla.––20%Jayden Woods (4)Shawnee, Kan.––20%Jakaleb Faulk (4)Highland Home, Ala.6-07–AUBURN COMMIT/15%London Merritt (4)Bradenton, Fla.TBD–OHIO STATE COMMIT/10%
This probably is the most difficult position group for us to get a handle on at the moment. What we do know is this: Even with Wiggins committed, the Gators continue to recruit other edge prospects. From the above group, Hilson probably is the one we’re watching most closely since he will officially visit the Florida Gators this weekend and not everyone thinks he is rock solid to the Seminoles. The picture at edge should become a lot more clear following the upcoming officials.
Linebacker (2)
Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Christian Gass (4)Covington, Ga.5-31–50%Tavion Wallace (4)Jesup, Ga.6-14–40%Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (4)Bradenton, Fla.TBD–35%Myles Johnson (3)Brewton, Ala. 6-07–ALABMA COMMIT/25%Ty Jackson (4)Loxahatchee, Fla.––20%Elijah Melendez (4)Kissimmee, Fla.––MIAMI COMMIT/15%Justin Thompson (3)Olney, Md.––15%
It certainly feels like Florida has a legit chance with both Gass and Wallace. Gass comes to town this weekend for his official. With Wallace, FSU is the front-runner entering his official visits but the Gators have significantly closed the gap of late. Owusu-Boateng might official to Florida this fall.
Cornerback (2)
Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Ben Hanks (4)Miami, Fla.6-07–30%Antonio Branch (3)Miami, Fla.6-14–30%DJ Pickett (5)Zephyrhills, Fla. ––25%Graceson Littleton (4)Tampa, Fla.––20%Blake Woodby (4)Baltimore, Md.––20%Na’eem Offord (5)Birmingham, Ala.––OHIO STATE COMMIT/15%
Having added young transfers Jameer Grimsley (Alabama, 2024 signee) and Cormani McClain (Colorado, 2023 signee), that puts a lot less pressure on the Gators here this cycle. Pickett is the clear top target and Florida is working hard to move up his list — but LSU might be the favorite.
Safety (2-3)
Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Kaylib Singleton (3)Fleming Island, Fla.5-31–55%Hylton Stubbs (4)Jacksonville, Fla.6-14–USC TROJANS COMMIT/45%Jaylan Morgan (4)Murfreesboro, Tenn.5-31–40%Lagonza Hayward (4)Lyons, Ga.6-14–40%Bryce Fitzgerald (4)Miami, Fla.6-14–35%Ladarian Clardy (4)Pensacola, Fla.––25%Keon Young (4)Lakeland, Fla.––20%Trey McNutt (5)Shaker Heights, Ohio––15%Eric Winters (4) Enterprise, Ala.––10%
Florida seems to be in a strong spot with Singleton, is optimistic about flipping Stubbs and is a big factor with Morgan, Hayward and possibly Fitzgerald. The Gators are poised to sign a solid group on the back end of the defense.
The post Florida Gators football recruiting Hot Board: Defense appeared first on On3.
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