Updated Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.
Twenty-six members strong, the Florida Gators’ 2013 recruiting class is hoping to expand by a few names over the next week when the vast majority of uncommitted high school football players across the country announce their decisions leading up to and on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Be sure to visit OGGOA’s live coverage of National Signing Day beginning Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. It will feature a live chat and will be constantly updated throughout the day with every signed National Letter of Intent (NLI) and new commitment.
Below OGGOA breaks down who the Gators are still waiting to hear from, when they may learn of their decision and some of the latest insights on each player.
Special thanks to InsidetheGators.com recruiting analyst Blake Alderman for his assistance on some of the finer details below.
Defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick (Port St. Lucie, FL) 
Accolades: Rivals – No. 25 DT | ESPN – No. 286 overall (No. 27 DT)
Leaders: Florida, Miami
Contenders: Alabama
Skinny: Supposedly undecided between his final three schools (listed above), Bostwick spent his final weekend before signing day on campus in Gainesville, FL for an official visit. His decision is expected to come down to Florida or Miami and many recruiting analysts believe the Gators will get the nod when all is said and done.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 8 a.m.
Wide receiver James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, FL)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 45 WR | ESPN – No. 49 WR
Leaders: Florida, Clemson, Ohio State
Contenders: Nebraska, Northwestern
Skinny: Clark has a tough decision to make with all three of his leaders making a major push for his services over the last few weeks. Though the Gators landed four-star WR Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, GA) in early January, UF has stayed on top of Clark and let him know that they could very much use a sixth wide receiver in the recruiting class. He has never taken an official visit to Florida but has been on campus previously and took an official visit to the school on Saturday.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 9 a.m.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed (Scooba, MS)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 68 overall (JUCO rankings)
Leaders: Florida, Alabama
Skinny: A JUCO prospect who spent his last two years at East Mississippi Community College, Reed was committed to Ole Miss for quite some time before officially rescinding his pledge on Sunday. With outstanding offers from the Gators and Crimson Tide – the teams in his new final two – Reed has obviously been flipped. The question leading into signing day is: Which program made Reed change his mind?
Announcement: National Signing Day – 9 a.m.
Defensive end Tashawn Bower (Frankfort, KY)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 14 DE | ESPN – No. 132 overall (No. 11 DE)
Leaders: Auburn
Contenders: Florida
Skinny: Committed to Auburn since June, Bower has kept his options open with official visits to three other schools in his final four. He is now down to the Tigers and Gators. Bower is reevaluating his commitment but spent the final weekend of the recruiting process on campus at AU for an unofficial visit. He was expected to stick with his pledge when all is said and done. However, if he does flip, it will be to UF.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 9:30 a.m.
Linebacker Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, GA)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 105 overall (No. 3 LB) | ESPN – No. 48 overall (No. 2 LB)
Leaders: Ohio State
Contenders: Florida
Skinny: Update (Feb. 5 at 4:30 p.m.): Rumors have been running rampant over the last few hours that Johnson may be a surprise flip to the Gators on Wednesday. An Auburn pledge for more than a year, he had a change of heart late in the process committed to the Buckeyes at the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 4. He chose Ohio State over Florida and Tennessee at the time, stating that he loved Columbus, OH and saw a great opportunity to play early as he filled a major position of need for OSU.
Announcement: None scheduled
Defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, GA)
Accolades: Rivals – No. 1 overall (No. 1 DE) | ESPN – No. 1 overall (No. 1 DE)
Leaders: Ole Miss
Contenders: Florida, LSU
Skinny: The top prospect in the nation has long been a lean for the Rebels but decided to keep the process open and consider other suitors. After originally planning to pay official visits to UF and LSU, Nkemdiche canceled his Tigers trip but did wind up visiting the Gators. Then he suddenly decided to take an unofficial visit to LSU. Though Florida certainly has a shot with Nkemdiche, he is all but signed, sealed and delivered to Ole Miss where his older brother is already a member of the football team.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 7:35 a.m. live on ESPNU
OTHER NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Nashville, TN)
Skinny: Update (Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.): Previously committed to USC, Ramsey on Tuesday officially decommitted from Southern Cal and will decide Wednesday between UF and FSU. The beans have already been spilled on his decision, however, as Warchant.com reports that Ramsey has decided to sign with the Seminoles.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 11 a.m.
Linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, FL)
Skinny: A former Gators pledge, Powell decommitted to open up the recruiting process and quickly decided that the Trojans would be added to his final two schools after taking an official visit out west. He had a great time on the visit and also has a teammate on USC. Update (Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m.): According to InsidetheGators.com, UF told Powell that it no longer has room for him despite the prospect “being under the impression that a spot would be saved” for him when he announces his decision on Wednesday. After learning of this news, Powell tweeted: “Did that jus happen??? Cant trust nobody.. I hate them now straight up.” In other words, he’s off the board.
Announcement: National Signing Day – 12:15 p.m. live on ESPNU
Quarterback Tanner McEvoy (Yuma, AZ)
Skinny: Originally a South Carolina commitment in 2011, McEvoy transferred before the 2012 season began to Arizona Western Community College. He immediately won the starting job and finished the season completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,943 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also ran 72 times for 414 yards and six more scores. In other words, he would be a great choice to have as a reserve behind Jeff Driskel and would likely jump some of the team’s other backups. McEvoy received an offer from Florida after Jacoby Brissett announced his decision to transfer and was on campus for an official visit on Saturday. Update (Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.): On Monday following his visit, McEvoy committed to Wisconsin, which was one of his finalists along with West Virginia, Florida and others.
Announcement: Committed to Wisconsin on Monday
Wide receiver Ryan Timmons (Frankfort, KY)
Skinny: Down to Florida, Ohio State and Kentucky, Timmons was on campus for an official visit on Saturday at the same time as Clark but is secondary on UF’s wish list at the receiver position. The Gators offered him late in the process and have a lot of ground to make up on the Buckeyes and Wildcats. Update (Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.): In a scheduled announcement, Timmons chose UK over UF and OSU.
Announcement: Committed to Kentucky on Tuesday
Fullback Kennard Swanson (Lakeland, FL)
Skinny: A long-time LSU pledge, Swanson backed off of his commitment months ago and quickly put UF out in front for his services. The Gators have made it clear that bringing Swanson in is their desire, but the team is unable to accept him at this time due to academic concerns. Should Swanson be unable to get his grades up in order to enroll during the summer, he will play for a junior college and look to commit to Florida after his grades improve. He is not expected to commit to a school other than UF.
Announcement: Not applicable
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, GA)
Skinny: Clemson and Georgia are the leaders with Florida and Auburn bringing up the rear, but Adams’s relationship with UF defensive line coach Bryant Young keeps the Gators in play as a legitimate (albeit probably secondary) option in this one.
Announcement: At any time
Running back Alex Collins (Plantation, FL)
Skinny: Living in South Florida, Collins has long been considered a Miami lean and is expected to pick his hometown team. Florida remains in the running for his services (along with Florida State, Arkansas and Wisconsin) as he had previously taken an official visit to UF, but it is unlikely he makes the call for the Gators.
Announcement: Committed to Arkansas on Monday
OGGOA PREDICTIONS: The Gators are hoping to pick up at least three more commitments with the most likely pledges coming from Bostwick and Clark, both of whom were on campus Saturday. Ramsey’s decision appears to be anyone’s guess but Florida has high hopes on him being the third player to be added to the fold over the next few days. Reed and Bower are the other two potential commits but they could be headed to Alabama and Auburn, respectively. UF should be able to land one of the two. If the Gators can add at least Bostwick and Clark – players at positions of need – fans can consider that a successful closing for the Florida coaching staff.
Don’t forget to visit OGGOA’s live coverage of National Signing Day beginning Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. Check in and out or stick around for the entire day and participate in the live chat while viewing constant updates throughout the process.
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