{"id":13093,"date":"2018-01-13T11:07:08","date_gmt":"2018-01-13T16:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2025-09-13T16:02:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T20:02:57","slug":"three-recruits-florida-fans-feel-confident-landing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2018\/01\/13\/three-recruits-florida-fans-feel-confident-landing\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Recruits Florida Fans Should Feel Confident in Landing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dan Mullen<\/a><\/strong> and the Florida Gators<\/strong> are less than a month away from National Signing Day 2018<\/strong>. The Florida Gators 2018 recruiting class is currently ranked 17th<\/sup> in the nation on 247 Sports. The Gators have 15 commits in the class and could probably add another 6-8 recruits to the class.<\/p>\n

Three Recruits Florida Fans Should Feel Confident in Landing<\/h1>\n

Mullen and his staff have hit the road and are trying to land some of the top remaining recruits in the country. It\u2019s crunch time for the Gators and their fans as they try to fend off their competition from other suitors. There are three recruits that Florida fans should feel confident in landing for the 2018 recruiting class.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
    Four-star WR Justin Watkins<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Before the Under Armour All-American Game<\/strong> weekend, the Gators were in the race for four-star wide receiver Justin Watkins. The in-state recruit was expected to commit to either Alabama<\/strong> or LSU<\/strong> during the All-American Game, but neither school would take his commitment since they have other targets available. Once that occurred, Watkins scheduled an official visit to Florida and they have suddenly become the favorite. The Gators are in great shape with Watkins and could get a commitment during his visit. He hasn\u2019t scheduled any other official visits which really helps Florida\u2019s chances. Watkins does have some questions about his transcripts, but if everything checks out, Florida should land the All-American.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n
      Three-star DT Noah Jefferson<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      With Taven Bryan<\/a><\/strong> heading into the NFL<\/strong>, the Gators will need some help at defensive tackle. Florida has targeted some of the best defensive tackles in the country but the previous staff couldn\u2019t land any of them. Once Mullen and his staff got on campus, they targeted JUCO DT Noah Jefferson<\/strong>. The JUCO DT had previously announced that the Gators are his favorites and he will be committing on February 5th<\/sup>. He’s stated that the decision is between Florida and Ole Miss. Jefferson will be taking an official visit to the Florida on February 2nd<\/sup> and could seal the deal while he\u2019s on campus. Jefferson is a big body that can really make an immediate impact on the Gators defensive line in the 2018 season.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
        Four-star DE Dorian Gerald<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        When Cece Jefferson<\/a><\/strong> announced that he\u2019d be coming back for his senior year, it was a huge sigh of relief for the Gators. Florida needs a veteran presence on the outside who has played since his freshman season. Even though Jefferson is back, the Gators still need to add a defensive end or two. Four-star DE Dorian Gerald<\/strong> is one of the top JUCO recruits in the country. He is the top ranked defensive end in the JUCO rankings and his ranked fourth in ESPN\u2019s JUCO50. Gerald will be taking an official visit to Florida on February 2nd<\/sup> and sign on National Signing Day. The Gators are in good shape with him. Gerald was originally committed to Tennessee<\/strong> but backed off his commitment and has Florida in the mix. The Gators are competing with South Carolina<\/strong> for the JUCO DE.<\/p>\n

        Mullen’s first month on the job for Florida has been a success on the recruiting trail. It’s obviously too early to claim success, but Mullen and company are off to a good start. And these three players could make the nucleus of that long-term success that Mullen was hired for.<\/p>\n

        Main Photo:<\/p>\n

        Embed from Getty Images<\/a>