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Florida Football: 3 early 2021 signees who’ll have instant impacts

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen celebrates with his team after the Gators beat the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen celebrates with his team after the Gators beat the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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The 2021 class has been mostly signed and Dan Mullen has to feel good where Florida football sits. Which signees will have immediate impacts?

Florida made some headlines this past week and not just because Marco Wilson’s shoe toss costed the Gators a shot at a playoff berth but also because Dan Mullen tentatively signed the No. 8 recruiting class in 2021 which is good for fourth in the SEC, per 247Sports.

The Gators look like a program on the rise despite losing to LSU in Week 15. That sting of choking against the struggling Tigers may never go away, especially if Florida is able to take down Alabama for the SEC title.

Moving forward, Florida will have to replace some key positions on offense and defense and some young newcomers may be the answers.

Which early signees will have an immediate impact for the Gators?

With Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes likely leaving after this season, there’s going to be plenty of snaps available for young receivers.

That’s where a guy like Marcus Burke comes into play.

The four-star signee from Jacksonville may not be the best incoming freshman in the class, rankings-wise, but he’s the top skill position player coming in — so far — outside of Carlos Del Rio-Wilson for the Gators. He’s ranked the No. 184 overall prospect and 34th-best receiver in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports composite.

What makes him different than just your average incoming freshman receiver is his size. He stands a healthy 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds. According to Andrew Ivins of 247Sports, Burke compares to Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker who says he’s big enough to play on the outside but agile and quick enough to play in the slot.

Expect to see plenty of Burke next season.

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