Nationwide Rivals Recruiting Director Adam Gorney nationwide recruiting analysts be a part of John Garcia Jr and Marshall Levenson together with Jason Higdon 1standTenFlorida.com to deal with the three matters and decide whether or not they imagine every assertion to be FACT or FICTION.
1. If Jakeem Stewart reclassifies to 2025, he also needs to be the No. 1 participant in that class.
Guess Gorny: FINCTURE. Stewart will definitely be within the dialogue as a result of he is dominated for years in video games and on the camp circuit, and he already has the measurables to match up towards the NFL’s elite defensive groups. However I am sticking with NFL draft historical past right here and going No. 1. Six of the final seven No. 1 picks within the NFL draft have been quarterbacks, and QBs have been constantly prime picks over the previous 20-25 years. If we predict Julian Lewis is one of the best quarterback within the 2025 class, or if it seems to be Bryce Underwood or another person, I am banking on historical past to go first.
Levenson’s Opinion: FACT. It is powerful to go towards Julian Lewis and even Bryce Underwood at this level, however I am backing Stewart because the No. 1 choose if he makes the bounce to the category of 2025. The metrics Stewart posted rival what we noticed from prime move rushers on the NFL Mix for current years, and even got here out on prime towards among the finest within the NFL.
Whereas Lewis has been forward of Stewart prior to now earlier than his personal reclassification, there’s nonetheless extra tank development within the works for Stewart at this level. Stewart will add extra weight sooner or later in addition to hone his passing arsenal and flexibility on the line of defense.
There’s one thing else from Stewart that we’ve not seen up thus far that can add to his recreation and outlook, whereas I am unsure we’ll see the identical from Lewis on the similar time. Speaking to the No.1 when he reclassifies shall be powerful as they’re simply the 2 finest gamers in essentially the most premium positions in soccer.
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2. Billy Napier’s employment standing is in deep trouble, not solely due to a tough schedule for 2024, but in addition due to the lawsuit towards Jaden Rashada.
Gorny’s opinion: FACT. Billy Napier very proficient coach and what makes him distinctive is that he likes to recruit, so I hope Florida offers him time to get his system in place and let him get to work, be affected person, however I doubt that can occur . I lived in Gainesville for 3 years and I do know this for positive: Florida followers need a nationwide title contender – and no excuses. Two straight shedding seasons to begin his tenure in Gainesville will not be a superb factor. The Gators have gained three straight years for the primary time because the Nineteen Forties.
This matchup towards Miami is large for a lot of causes. However the remainder of the season is large, too. Moreover, Rashada’s lawsuit additional obscures the difficulty. I want Florida would give Napier extra time, even when issues do not go effectively this season, however I am unsure the fanbase will enable it.
Higdon’s Opinion: FICTION. Florida has one of many hardest schedules in America, and it is solely getting more durable in 2024. The Gators must be off to an incredible begin to the season. For the Gators to have a profitable season, they should begin 5-0 as a result of the again finish of the schedule is hard.
Florida begins with Miami, Samford, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Mississippi State with a mixed file of 31-31 in 2023. Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Mississippi and Florida State are subsequent with a mixed file of 65-19 in 2023.
Is the schedule difficult? You higher imagine it’s. Is Billy Napier in bother? The noise from Gainesville is all the time loud while you’re not taking part in Atlanta within the SEC Championship, however Napier has no downside with the powerful schedule. Napier has no downside with the lawsuit claiming they supplied $13.5 million, which is silly to even perceive. Jaden Rashada by no means obtained that form of cash from the Gators, so he is not a Gator.
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3. Florida is one of the best state for receivers within the 2025 class.
Guess Gorny: FINCTURE. Florida is sweet (all the time good), however I favor the Texans after seeing each teams within the offseason. 5-star Dakorien Moore may very well be significantly better than any receiver on this class. Andrew Marsh has a ton of top-class expertise as a catch-all and a Michael Terry-like bodily presence, in addition to loads of depth, whether or not it is Dylan McCutcheon or Kalik Lockett, who may be vastly underrated and off the bump. After all, Florida all the time has a superb shot, however I like the fellows from Texas higher.
Garcia’s Opinion: FACT. Not solely are there eight Rivals100 recruits from the Sunshine State, however there are additionally eight from Florida listed as 4 stars on the place. Texas, after all, is correct there with the identical numbers, together with each state that at present has 5 stars on its facet. Each states have loads of selection of their sturdy pass-catching group, however Florida’s prospects close to the highest additionally get just a little increased with every replace.
Winston Watkins could also be one of the best slot within the class, Jaime French is likely one of the most polished, Dallas Wilson is likely one of the most shocking, Nashaun Montgomery is likely one of the smoothest, and few are as productive as Jaiwan Boggs. This complete group has seen a surge in current updates, and it is unlikely the pattern meter will flip the opposite means anytime quickly. Even these additional down the ranks, like Cortez Mills or Joshua Moore, are among the many most gifted on the place within the cycle.