Pre-Spring Five to Follow: Pass Catchers
The high school spring evaluation period is already underway, running from April 15th until May 31st. Florida will wait and go out on the road next week (Monday 25th). So, this week Inside the Gators will run down five prospects to follow at each position this spring. They aren't the top five prospects or targets at each position, but rather five prospects who bear watching.
THE PASS CATCHERS
What Was Said: “Coach [Greg] Nord likes me a lot. He’s telling me to put on a Gator uniform and play for him.”
Competition: Alabama, Michigan and others
The Skinny: The Gators recently hosted this three-star tight end on campus for their recent spring football game. The Gators were high on Byrd’s legit 6-fooot-6, 236-pound frame when seeing him in person and plan on taking a second tight end in 2017 along with Kemore Gamble. The in-state Alabama Crimson Tide is a team to watch as well.
What Was Said: “My quarterback Jake Allen is a commit to UF and he tells me great things about Florida. When I went up there I got to see what he has been talking about. The facilities are amazing, it’s close to home and I felt welcomed.”
Competition: Florida State and Ohio State
The Skinny: This five-star has had Ohio State out in front for most of his recruitment, but has warmed up to the in-state programs of Florida and Florida State over the last few months. It doesn’t hurt to have Florida’s quarterback commit, and St. Thomas Aquinas teammate Jake Allen in his ear.
What Was Said: “Growing up I liked Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow a lot,” Peoples-Jones said. “Those were two of my favorite athletes growing up, so it really is probably seeing athletes you like, you automatically like the team.”
Competition: Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee, and USC
The Skinny: This five-star pass catcher is coming off a southern swing of visits, which included UF. The Gators were a team Peoples-Jones was high on growing up and the UF staff is in turn recruiting him very hard. The Gators are a factor in Peoples-Jones recruitment but the programs closer to home like Michigan and Ohio State should not be taken lightly. The Gators will likely make it a point to stop by to see this Rivals100 member in the spring in hopes of getting him on campus again in the summer.
What Was Said: “They say they are going to use me pretty much like Jake [Mcgee],” explained McKitty. “I got to talk to him before the season [last year] about how they used him and like what they did with him. He really liked it at Florida and said the new coaches are great and better than the old staff.”
Competition: Auburn, Georgia, Miami and others
The Skinny: After backing off an early commitment to Miami, McKitty is taking things the second time around. The three-star has made the short trip from Tampa to Gainesville numerous times over the last several months. The Gators plan on taking a second tight end in 2017.
What Was Said: “I have just been taking recruiting slow and trying to open up my options and see where everything will land. I was going to commit early but that is kind of out of the way now, and I am just trying to finish up school and let recruiting all come later.”
Competition: Clemson
The Skinny: Early on it seemed this five-star was a slam-dunk to commit to Clemson sometime in the spring. However, after landing offers from around the country and interest in taking official visits, Robinson decided to hold off making an early decision. Since the arrival of Lakeland native Torrian Gray, the Gators have been trending upward for the Rivals100 pass catcher. The Gators will hope to continue to improve their chances during the spring evaluation period.
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