Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- 2/3/24 Jr. Day | 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
FOUR-STAR QUARTERBACK DOWN TO THREE
After piling up 30-plus offers from programs stretching from coast to coast, Findlay (Ohio) four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery has narrowed his list to a final three – consisting of a trio of SEC programs.
When asked for a leaderboard, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder listed, “Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.”
A weekend visit to Gainesville and meetings with Florida’s quarterback brain trust helped to solidify UF’s standing.
“Coach [Billy] Napier, Coach [Ryan] O’Hara, and Coach [Gavin] Pruett, they want me to be a Gator,” said Montgomery. “The highlight of the day was a whiteboard session with Coach Napier and Coach O’Hara.”
These last three visits, to Georgia and South Carolina at the end of January and to Florida this past weekend, might be the last three he takes before making his commitment announcement.
“I’m not sure yet,” Montgomery said to additional visits. “I plan to focus on basketball and then decide if I want to visit again in spring or make a decision then.”
When asked what he would base his decision on, he replied, “Quarterback development and where I have the strongest relationships.”
Montgomery is the No. 243 rated prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.
FLORIDA MAKES IMPRESSION ON FOUR-STAR COMMITTED QUARTERBACK
Duncanville (Tx.) 2025 four-star quarterback Keelon Russell is currently committed to SMU, but that isn’t keeping other programs from beating down his door.
Since committing to the Mustangs last September over offers from Baylor, Ole Miss, Purdue, and Texas A&M the 6-foot-3, 175-pound signal caller has continued to pick up offers, including one from Florida over the weekend.
Meeting with the Florida staff and being offered was the highlight of the day.
“Talking to Coach [Billy] Napier was the best part of the day,” said Russell. “I was speaking with Coach Ryan O’Hara a lot today too. They were both telling me how much of a weapon I am and how I can be developed at the University of Florida. I learned a lot from the coaches and players.”
One of those players he interacted with was fellow Texan, freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.
“I got to speak with DJ Lagway and he was telling me it’s non-stop grinding and patience with incoming freshmen. He has a lot that I can take in.”
Russell remains committed to SMU, but UF very much got his attention.
“I feel great there,” said Russell. “They are very much a school I’m interested in.”
When asked to put together a list of leaders, Russell replied, “I kind of want to keep those private right now, but the Gators are a part of my top schools.”
Russell is the No. 247 ranked prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.
THREE-STAR LINEMAN VISITS CAMPUS AGAIN
De Kalb (Ms.) Kemper County three-star offensive lineman Mario Nash Jr. visited Florida over the weekend. It was his first time on campus since attending the Grill in the Ville last summer.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound tackle already has offers from programs such as Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss, but hasn’t received one yet from the Gators.
He did however use the visit as an opportunity to learn more about UF.
“This was my first time being able to see what Florida has to offer,” said Nash Jr. “I learned a lot about the program. What stood out to me was the players getting extra work in voluntarily. Guys were lifting and on the field getting in work.”
He said he didn’t get a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches, but that doesn’t change how he feels about the Gators.
“I love what they have to offer as a program.”
When asked about a leaderboard, Nash Jr. responded, “I do have a few that I favor right now, but I will continue to work and see what comes along. I will be visiting several schools – Penn State, Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, Houston, TCU, Texas, Baylor, Alabama, FSU, Miami, and hopefully Georgia, and Clemson, and I will start narrowing things down, hopefully before fall camp.”
Nash Jr. is the No. 359 rated prospect in the nation according to the On3 Consensus.
They lost their 5 star quarterback to Nebraska and who wants to come in and sit behind DJ Lagway?
If Beck gets hurt they are screwed.
If Mertz gets hurt we might be better off because that means Lagway is playing and at least getting experience for 2025.