Key crystal ball projections for Texas A&M football, Florida, Alabama and Ohio State

Florida football starting to trend for 5-star CB

If the Florida football program is going to get back among the SEC elite, the Gators will need to start recruiting at an elite level, which is one reason why Dan Mullen is no longer around.

Billy Napier isn’t having any issues in that department though. Florida football is building some solid momentum in 2023 but has just four commitments right now and there is some concern that Aaron Gates could flip to Michigan.

However, the Gators could return the favor as top-100 linebacker Raylen Wilson just scheduled an official visit so Florida is a threat to flip him from Michigan.

Regardless, there is clearly some momentum on the recruiting trail. Arch Manning is going to take a visit and there is talk that Florida is a dark horse in the race for 2023’s No. 1 QB.

Dante Moore also visited Florida and while the Gators still feel likely to miss on 2023’s elite quarterbacks, they are in a strong spot for one of the classes’ elite defenders in five-star cornerback Cormani McClain.

The 6-foot-1 (1/2), 165-pounder is ranked as the No. 1 cornerback and No. 3 overall prospect according to the 247 sports composite rankings. Alabama was the leader at one time but the Gators picked up a couple of crystal ball projections in March and got another this week from Ivins, who knows Florida really well.

McLain is out of Lakeland, Florida, so that prediction carries weight and it would be a huge addition for Napier and his biggest pledge to date.

Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, and Bama are all listed as “warm” according to his 247 sports profile but the Gators are the leader and also have an 80-percent chance of winning his recruitment according to the On3.com prediction machine.