Florida Gators recruiting: National Signing Day 2020 predictions, preview of 2021 class

Football

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Image Credit: @GatorsFB / Twitter

With National Signing Day set for Wednesday, one of the top stories nationally is whether head coach Dan Mullen will be able to pave the way toward establishing the Florida Gators’ highest-rated class since 2013. Florida is currently in that position, ranked No. 7 nationally entering the early signing period, according to the 247Sports Composite team rankings.

Whether the Gators will be able to improve upon that during this signing period remains to be seen. Coaches have not been able to visit face-to-face with prospects for nearly the entire year, and there are not too many players committing over this period’s three days. It’s possible Florida will not see any additions, let along significant ones, until the high school All-American games and the traditional National Signing Day in 2021.

The No. 7 ranking the Gators hold entering Wednesday is the same it had last year at this time. Florida’s 2020 class wound up ranked No. 9 nationally once it was finalized. Currently, UF has the fourth-highest ranked class in the SEC behind Alabama (No. 1), Georgia (No. 3) and LSU (No. 4).

The Gators have one five-star, 14 four-star and 11 three-star prospects committed in its 26-person class. Among those are two junior college transfers who previously pledged to the program out of high school. Florida will also add five-star running back transfer Demarkcus Bowman from Clemson, though he does not count toward the class’ ranking.

There is only one uncommitted prospect that the Gators may potentially land on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at that target, when he is committing and the Florida’s chances of landing its exepcted National Letters of Intents.

Target

All times Eastern

Five-star LB Xavian Sorey (Bradenton, FL): One of the highest-profile prospects making his decision Wednesday, Sorey could swing the class in a major way. Florida was the first program to offer him a couple years back, but Georgia and Alabama have made significant strides. Despite that, Sorey attended a couple Gators games this season, and they never slowed their pursuit of him. This should wind up as a battle between UF and UGA, and no one seems to be able to get a clear handle on where he will go. One thing is for sure, Florida can definitely sell that it needs defensive help, and Sorey would have the potential to play significant snaps from Day 1. However, the Gators also have a large contingent of talented linebackers joining this class. One could argue that Sorey might be the best of them, but I think he’ll wind up going to the Bulldogs.

Announcement time: 1:45 p.m. (ESPN2)
Finalists: Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Prediction: Georgia | Confidence: 60%

Signing in February

• Four-star WR Trevonte Rucker (Ocala, FL)
• Four-star ATH Charles Montgomery (Seffner, FL)
• Three-star OT Javonte Gardner (Orlando, FL)
• Three-star JUCO OG Deyavie Hammond (Independence, KS)
• Three-star OT Adrein Strickland (Lynn Haven, FL)

Other than the five prospects above, some of whom may not remain in the class by the time everything shakes out, Florida’s other 21 commitments (see below) are expected to sign with the Gators this week.

All rankings referenced in this story are via the 247Sports Composite