Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- 1/27/24 Jr. Day | 1/20/24 Jr. Day | 1/13/24 Jr. Day
- Jr. Day Updates
- O&B Board: Junior Day to kick off unique 2025 recruiting cycle
- Umanmielen Q&A: An in-depth look at Florida football from a player perspective
- Anonymous Player Q&A I: Thoughts on the state of Florida football
- Defensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low, or about right
- Offensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low, or about right
- Evaluating the Class of 2023: Wilson clearcut freshman of the year
TENNESSEE COMMIT WILL RETURN TO CAMPUS
Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton three-star cornerback Dylan Lewis committed to Tennessee last October, but he left the Gators’ Jr. Day on Saturday with an offer from the Gators.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder spoke about the offer.
“It was a great feeling coming from a school that is heading in the right direction,” said Lewis. “The db coach [Will Harris] and Coach [Billy] Napier said that they loved how much I’ve grown since my freshman year and how I made plays this year.”
Saturday was Lewis’s first time meeting with new UF defensive back coach Will Harris.
“He’s a really good dude who knows what he’s talking about and sees where he can develop me. The new facility is amazing and they made a big impression on me.”
Lewis said that up next for him will be a visit to Tennessee and besides being committed to the Volunteers, he is also still looking at Florida, Clemson, and Texas A&M.
Lewis is the No. 419 rated prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.
OUT OF STATE LINEMAN OFFERED
Of all the prospects who have visited Florida over the month of January, perhaps no one has traveled further than San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius College Prep three-star lineman John Mills.
The cross-country trip proved to be fruitful, as he left campus with an offer from Florida.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, who has now been offered by programs such as Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Penn State, Southern Cal, Tennessee, and Texas, spoke about the UF offer.
“Florida is a special place, where something good is brewing,” said Mills. “The offer means a bunch to me because of the story of the program and the rich history. I also know it will be on an upswing this season.”
Mills said that what stood out to him was seeing the campus, the facilities, and the Hawkins Academic Center.
When asked about a leaderboard, he replied, “No leaders or top schools.”
Up next he’ll visit Texas A&M.
Mills is the No. 568 rated prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.
FLORIDA WILL ALWAYS BE A FAVORITE
In this past cycle, Florida signed Riverview (Fla.) Sumner athlete Gregory Smith III. Over the weekend two of his high school teammates visited for UF’s Jr. Day.
Receiver Tyler Williams, who was offered by the Gators, and linebacker Cameron White, who already has 10 offers and counting himself.
Programs such as Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Oregon have already offered the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder.
White said that he spent most of his time Saturday hanging around Gerald Chatman and Cannon Gibbs, but what he learned from the Florida players is what really stood out to him.
“I learned a lot of new things about Florida’s recovery and strength and conditioning programs,” said White. “The most impressive thing to me was how highly the players, especially the incoming freshmen, talked about the school and the coaches around them. How they are just getting there and it already feels like a family to them.”
Even before hearing from the player’s panel, White said that his former teammate Smith III had been relaying information to him about how he is fitting in at Florida.
“I speak with Greg Smith almost every day and he tells me how things are up there and how hard they work to develop the players.”
Though the Gators have yet to offer, White says that they are a standout regardless.
“I don’t have a leaderboard yet,” said White. “I’m still trying to go on visits and see schools in person so I can really get a feel for them. Being from here, Florida will always be one of my favorite schools and have a special place with me, and getting to know more about the school makes me like it even more.”
He doesn’t have the dates set, but White said that he is trying to visit Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, and West Virginia soon.
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