2025 Class Strong Finish

No it’s not normal it’s either a down year for talent in Florida or it’s the ranking sights playing a bad game of follow the leader.

 

These rating/ranking sites finally jumped the shark with their buffoonery.

 

I ignore them and most ranking stuff pasted here. Give me player average sans kickers and fill holes. Plus a few portal wins and we're good.

 

Napier and his army are pretty good a finding talented players, both from the high school ranks and the portal players.

 

I can tell you some GA schools have grown massively the last decade or so. Long county is the fastest growing county in the country from what I have been told. They went from a 2A school 10 years ago to 5 or 6A currently. Some of that is the new Hyundai plant in Pooler opening soon. The savannah port has also grown to the largest east coast port in the country. There's several schools in North ga that have grown in the same way, Buford was a 2a school 10 years ago and now they are 7a. You can throw a rock and hit a 5A school around the Marrieta areas, which has always been the case, but they all seem to be growing at a rapid pace.

 

I mean On3 has us 24th overall and 247 has us 28th overall. A week ago we were in the 50's and we still have those potential 5 stars lingering out there along with a bunch of talented 4 stars. We will be pushing top 10 or more depending how much magic these coaches can pull.

 

The movement of better coaches following better pay in GA would suggest GA has better high school football which could affect rankings of individual players, but Florida likely has the greater pool of athletes.

 

I think gator_n_sc is on point. On3 has certainly suggested in recent podcasts that UF is suddenly "In the Mix" with some very good players. When Supermom weighs in thats always a good sign. (Bobby where r u? lol) Kuddos to Candy whom posted a thread that good news was coming!

I know the issue of "on the field performance" is kicked around alot. It sure seems UF's big win against LSU, combined with UF's announcement Napier will be back has kick started recruiting. Perhaps the biggest factor is DJL, the national media and kids around the country are seeing the potential he brings to the Gators.

I know the clock is ticking and it's late, but hopefully UF finishes with 18, maybe 20 before ESD, and a couple of those have 5 stars behind their name.

I'm not a recruiting guru, but some that are, whom post here, have said that UF was not expected to have a gigantic class this year to begin with.

The other point, is strictly gauging a class based on ESD / H.S. kids, is no longer the "real" measure. It's the combination of ESD / H.S. kids AND the Transfer Portal. Gator Nation may recall, UF had a number of defections late last year at ESD but rebounded nicely in the Transfer Portal. I think the "combined" ranking put the Gators around 11th or so? (Going from memory, please correct me anyone).

I do think Billy needs to take a vacation near Arizona State soon and do some "mining" for another transfer reciever! (LOL)

Another thing, I don't have the exact breakdown, but regarding 3 Stars, I was watching a podcast and they started going over key UF contributors - guess what, a bunch of three stars. (BTW check 11-0 Indiana's roster on this subject) I'm not suggesting UF does not go after the high 4 and 5 star guys, but I am suggesting CBN and staff do seem to be decent talent evaluators.

Apologize for the length, just wanted to get this out there, I'm so damn happy a few rays of sunshine are finally shining on the program. Here's hoping Billy kicks Ole Miss / Lane Kiffens ass and recruiting EXPLODES!

 

Exactly what I was thinking and about to post. It's CRAZY the pay Florida coaches recieve and I think you hit the nail solidly on this one.

 

Same can be said for most of Florida. My area (NE Florida) has seen so much growth in the past 10 plus years. New high schools are popping up everywhere, especially in St John’s county, where they have had it with the growth and have elected commissioners who are anti growth. It’s like that in all areas of the state. I tend to agree it’s disparity in pay and also an off year for the state of Florida.

 

We were 7th overall last class, behind only Miami, texas, Oregon, OSU, Bama and UGA. That's 6 real heavy hitters in recruiting that we are right there with in the last class. Until CBN signs a actual "Bad" class the Neg Nellie's out there need to calm down.

 

And it isn’t even limited to coaches. I know of several high school teachers that have left FL for GA pay. With teachers leaving, I believe you will see similar impact across other sports as well.

 

Aren't coaches in Georgia soley coaches? In florida you still have to teach class no?

 

They can be, but the vast majority of sports outside of the major high school football programs still use teachers as coaches.

 

Sure but I remember a discussion here a while back mentioning some top florida coaching talent going to Georgia to focus and make a living on football. Would stand to reason it would still affect florida even if it was mainly the power programs involved.