Saturday Blitz
Fansided

National Signing Day 2016: Ranking and grading each SEC football recruiting class

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 3, 2016; Gordo, AL, USA; Gordo High School linebacker Ben Davis fields questions after committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama during national signing day at Gordo High School. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Gordo, AL, USA; Gordo High School linebacker Ben Davis fields questions after committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama during national signing day at Gordo High School. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 15
Next
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of the Florida Gators against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of the Florida Gators against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

This time last year, Jim McElwain and the Florida Gators had suffered many of the same issues Georgia is currently going through. The Gators landed a small, yet talented recruiting class, including a couple of blue chip prospects that were key contributors immediately.

Now, McElwain has an SEC Eastern Division title under his belt, which helped Florida land the league’s biggest class – and one of its best from top to bottom. Even better, 12 new Gators are already on campus and will take part in spring practice, giving them a chance to compete to replace the nine starters the team lost to either to the NFL or graduation.

Instant Impact Performer: RB Mark Thompson

With Kelvin Taylor one of the Gators that jumped to the NFL early, No. 1 JUCO running back Mark Thompson has a great shot to emerge as Florida’s primary ball carrier in 2016.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound rising junior will compete with Jordan Scarlett, and the pair may share the running back duties early on, but because of his ideal blend of size and speed, don’t be surprised if Thompson becomes the go-to guy for McElwain next year – especially if the Gators need to grind out tough yards or salt away the clock late in games.

In addition to Thompson, the most likely newcomer to start immediately is Eddie Piniero, who comes in as the highest rated kicker in the nation.

Underrated Signee: OL Stone Forsyth

Though three players return to the offensive line that started five games or more in 2015, only one was a full-time starter. That means there is plenty of opportunity for a newcomer to establish himself, especially if he’s already on campus and ready to compete this spring.

Three-star tackle Stone Forsyth doesn’t fit the mold of a freshman starter on the offensive line (in fact, he’s likely to redshirt because he barely ranks among the top 1,000 recruits in the country and has a long way to go in terms of technique), but the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Winter Park native has tremendous upside. He’s also the only offensive lineman in this year’s class that is already on campus. With an extra spring of coaching, additional reps in practice, and early entry to the off-season strength and conditioning program, Forsyth got a jumpstart on his development that should pay off big in the long run.

Unanswered Question: Where is the elite talent?

Sure, there are no real weak spots in this class, but given the Gators’ history and location, it’s unusual that Florida didn’t sign a five-star prospect in the 2016 class. Antonneous Clayton – the No. 26 ranked player in the nation – fell one spot short, and defensive back Chauncey Gardner ranks among the top 50 players in the country, but there’s no Martez Ivey or CeCe Jefferson, no Jalen Tabor, no Vernon Hargreaves III, no D.J. Humphries or Jonathan Bullard.

Complete 2016 Florida Football Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: Though Florida didn’t reel in any five-star prospects in 2016, the Gators put together a great class with no glaring weak spot that ranks No. 7 in the nation. Feleipe Franks is the quarterback of the future and is one of eight four-star prospects headed to Gainesville.

Next: Georgia

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide