Recruit Reaction: Florida in top three

• Instant Analysis: Offense sputters
• Orange & Blue Game game thread
• WCC: Post-game press conference
• Orange & Blue Game Recruiting thread
• Four-star Xavier Filsaime commits
• WCC Insider: Inside look at Thursday’s Scrimmage
• Anonymous Player Q&A II: Thoughts on the 2022 season
• Anonymous Player Q&A I: The differences between Mullen and Napier
• Grading the Gators Class of 2023
• Regular Season Report Card: Napier has a Muschamp-like first season
• Evaluating the Class of 2022

Inside the Gators asked Florida commitments and targets for their thoughts on the Gators’ Orange & Blue spring game. Find out what Kendall Jackson, Austin Simmons, Jaiden Spearman, and others thought of the game.

• 2024 four-star line target Nasir Johnson

“I liked it overall. It was very intense. My favorite play was, when I think it was, Cam Carroll had that hurdle in the first quarter. They were just telling me where I would play in their defense and all of them were letting me know that if I came, I’ll fit in there and all. [Florida’s] top three for sure.”

• 2024 four-star safety target Cai Bates

“The experience at Florida was great. I’ve been on campus multiple times, but this one was the best time being able to speak with Coach [Corey] Raymond and [Billy] Napier. The people make the place and UF definitely has great people all around. The Gators stand high on my list with Coach Raymond being the producer he is for defensive backs.”

• • 2025 four-star edge target Justin Hill (who was offered at the game)

“It was great, I loved the atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. The offer was the best part of the visit obviously, but there were many great things. I like my linebacker coach alot (Mike Peterson). That’s my guy, super real.”

• • 2026 athlete Aaron Gregory (who was offered at the game)

“I liked it! It was very different with the energy from the fans, I liked when they all turned their lights on their phones. Some of the highlights I noticed was the running back number 2 [Montrell Johnson] when he would break free sometimes. The coaches told me I should definitely come back and see more of the campus and practices. I liked that the players were very social with the crowd after the game as well.”

• • 2025 four-star linebacker DJ McClary

“The spring game was a great experience for me but I didn’t get to speak to the coaches like that but I liked the drills from my position was doing.”

• • 2024 three-star defensive line target Kendall Jackson

“My thoughts of the spring game are that there is room for improvement but it’s early on in the year with new quarterbacks so I’m sure they’ll be fine by the season. The coaches were just saying that they were glad I came and that I’m a really big target for them. I liked the gameplay from the edges. They were getting after the QB. Every time I looked up I saw an edge back there and you look to see that.”

• • 2025 four-star quarterback commit Austin Simmons

“Being at the Swamp again was exciting, especially since I brought my mom and grandma. They loved the experience of being at the Swamp and they definitely enjoyed the traditions and fans from UF. The defense was flying around the field and the offense is still coming together, building that chemistry. Watching Coach [Billy] Napier do his thing on the field was great. People might not be satisfied with the performance, but hey, it’s only Spring we still have Summer for the team to come together and become that great team on both sides of the ball. Spring is just for the team to get to know each other and the coaches to see who the best players are on the field.”

• • 2024 three-star athlete Drew Collins (Florida lineman Kelby Collins’ little brother)

“I love the environment and I will always love the environment. The fans always bring the best energy. Also, I think my brother did the best last night. I will be back, and the coaches and staff are good as always.”

• • 2025 four-star offensive line target Max Buchanan

“I really enjoyed my visit to Florida during their spring game. I know it was hectic with it being their spring game, but it seemed like they had everything under control and organized, it shocked me that so many people came to a spring game, especially all the students. I like the way Coach [Darnell] Stapleton and Coach [Rob] Sale coach their guys up. They are intense, but also care for their players well being.”

• • 2025 four-star safety target Hylton Stubbs

“The atmosphere was great. I had a good time. The game was pretty good. I got to see a lot of players I’ve played with or my brother played with. The best play was Marcus Burke’s catch. I didn’t get to talk to the coaches much. The position players were pretty good.”

• • 2024 three-star safety Jaiden Spearman

“I liked the speed of the game, also the crowd was excited and you felt the energy. I enjoyed spending time with the staff and watching the way they coach my position. My cousin is Jalen Kimber and it was good to watch the way he’s being coached. I had really good conversations with the staff and will be making decisions on my future later.”

• • 2025 linebacker target Elijah Melendez

“I loved the fan base and the people at the university – they all treated it like one big family. The highlight was definitely when they ran out of the tunnel. I did not speak to any coaches, but the players looked very well coached and I think that I could really fit into the game scheme at Florida.”

• • 2025 four-star running back target Taevion Swint

“I think the spring was cool. The highlight play was when number 27, the running back (Cam Carroll) jumped over the linebacker and then ran for the first down! But also just me seeing my cousin Ja’Keem Jackson out there playing in the Swamp knowing we talked about this moment for him and now it’s happening. I think the RB room at Florida is talented.”

• • 2025 four-star running back Anthony Rogers

“It was a great experience. A lot of excitement! Florida has a nice run game. I spoke with Coach Chaos [Sean Spencer] and Coach [Jabbar] Juluke about some football. I really enjoyed the energy from the fans.”