Everybody talks about how well Billy is recruiting, but compared to the past 30 years in Gator history, his recruiting so far has been average to even slightly below average. UF has had many Top 5 classes throughout those years under Spurrier, Zook, Meyer and even Muschamp. The key takeaway is that our two best HBC’s had stellar recruiting classes. I remember when a kid like Brock Berlin was almost an afterthought. We need to get those types of kids again. So the question is: how do we get into the Top 3? It seems like it’s always Bama, OSU and then the flavor of the year (A&M), soon to be LSU. How does Florida get back there? We have shown in years past WE BELONG in the Top 3. If it’s NIL money, we need to get on the train, because the other schools will not stop throwing that money at players. UF has the resources to pay any kid in Florida his worth and secure that commitment. I know this sounds odd, but that’s where we are at with college athletics these days. What steps can we realistically take to get into that Top 3 again? Man. I really miss being in on those #1 recruits and #1 classes. If we look at ** ONLY THE SEC ** we are currently being out-recruited by Bama, UGA, LSU and you may as well add Texas and OU into that since they are on their way. 5 teams recruiting better than us that we will have to beat to win the SEC. C’mon Billy, scared money don’t make money. Throw that money around and put UF back at the top!!
We don't not with the current administration at UF. I am not talking SS either; I am talking the school's administration. There are powers at the university that do not want us to do what it takes to be in the top 3 recruiting-wise.
Our current recruiting class can serve as a solid foundation as long as we coach them up, maximize their talent, and extract as much production as we can out of them.
You need $15 to $20 million in NIL to be top 3 in recruiting now. Will not happen. I’m happy be top 10.
Consistent Top 10 (and usually higher) with excellent development and coaching can win championships. (Not So) Smart having NFL talent everywhere just covers a lot of blemishes and gives a bigger margin for error in-games. The higher you finish in recruiting (average) the more margin for error you get, I think.
We aren’t going to pay for top five classes. This is clear. We can still achieve great top ten classes. This should make us very good and elite when we find diamonds. After the last ten plus years, I’ll take it.
The Portal is your friend, that’s how you supplement into a top tier roster now, imho. Utilize your vast army to find some proven talent gems at lower programs that want to move up. Recruiting HS players can be so hit and miss, plus you’re kinda stuck with them for 4yrs. Portal guys have already played to show their real talent at the college level and you’re only committed for a few years. Should have an entire scouting department to find and evaluate these guys now.
We have a very balanced and sneaky-good class. I won't be surprised if we out perform our class ranking. Some teams ahead of us are top heavy with their class.... Regarding your question: All we need is some minor regulation of NIL and we'll be fine. We'd have Bryant and Cormani if not for a rogue billionaire. That's good enough to win, so long as QB play is very strong (AR will be fine).
Your whole post is moot because you think Billy throws the NIL money around. Research first then make a properly informed post. UF's admin has already said it will not pay like that.
While I agree with your post, you are still going to get into a bidding war for the top level transfers. These schools that are paying outrageous amounts cannot sustain it IMO. Also, I can see where this will cause dissension within the team eventually. "Joe is getting paid X more dollars than me and I am a more productive player. I want a damn raise".
We need to make better hires of HBC's. Hopefully we did that with Napier. During the prior eleven season the Gators had three HBC (not counting the interim replacements). That is a coaching change every 3 to 4 season. That type of HBC turnover can create a lot of recruitment woes.
In all likelihood we’re not getting to the level Alabama, UGA and Ohio State are at. Once you come to terms with that, probably the next strategy is to bring them back to the pack. That means we need to get better but also need Miami, FSU, and whoever else is in that next tier to do better so instead of the big boys pulling five 5-star players every year, they only get 2-3 of them.
Easy does it? I think his post is a VERY INTERESTING ONE! I agree that Napier iis limited somewhat by NIL money with UF administration. Maybe the administration needs to reconsider their position on it. If you're going to pay a coach $$$, you, perhaps, better step up to the NIL plate. Anyway, I think the poster's thoughts are worth exploring on here!
BN nor SS write checks for HS players. Until NIL becomes more regulated we will not crawl down in the sewer and get in a bidding war with egotistical billionaires who have the social maturity of an 8th grader. But I also don’t think BN in any way is conceding top 5 classes either. We can certainly flirt with top 5 classes by building relationships and earning trust. I don’t think any of us would want to trade places with TAM or scum right now.
Exactly. What’s the point in paying top dollar for a coach and all the nice facilities if you’re not going to go hard in the NIL game?? Those accepting a #10 rated class are accepting mediocrity, as the SEC is just too stacked to get through with 0 or 1 loss with inferior talent. We’re in big trouble if Tennessee becomes a Top 10 recruiting fixture. Right now we have it easier with UGA being the only SEC East team consistently out-recruiting us.
Good points by many! However, remember Florida's entire approach to NIL is fundamentally different. Florida Gators want recruits who love the school as much as NIL money
