Five recruits that Billy Napier should target immediately at Florida
Florida is expected to name Billy Napier as its next coach as the 42-year-old has now gone 39-12 in four seasons at Louisiana. Here are five prospects Napier should call immediately once in Gainesville:
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The four-star speedy receiver from Buford, Ga., was committed to Florida since May and backed off his pledge only last week. Now with Napier in charge, the Gators could become a major player again especially if Bond is felt like a high priority. Alabama definitely wants Bond and he was expected at Auburn this weekend with LSU, Oregon and others getting involved as well. Bond might be looking for a fresh start or coaching stability with Napier in town could really help the Gators get him back in the class.
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Alabama and Georgia had emerged as the two front-runners for James in recent days. But then the Mobile (Ala.) Faith Academy four-star linebacker who was committed to Florida for four months unexpectedly showed up in Gainesville for the Florida State matchup on Saturday. James now says the Gators are back under consideration and with the coaching situation cleared up, Florida should be considered a leading contender again. Napier should have James on speed dial.
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Maybe the Florida train has passed the station for Stewart but it’s worth the time for Napier to reach out and try to convince the five-star receiver Florida could be the right spot for him. The Gators were considered the front-runner late in the summer but then Alabama got more involved along with Texas A&M and Texas. It feels like the Frisco (Texas) Liberty standout could end up staying in-state as he was once committed to the Longhorns for a short time but Florida was very involved here and Napier should give it another shot.
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There are going to be connections to Georgia Tech with his brothers there and there has been some chatter that Thomas’ mom certainly wouldn’t mind if they all played together. But there is also some significant turnover on the Yellow Jackets’ staff and a new staff coming in to Florida provides some necessary stability. The long, athletic four-star athlete from Niceville, Fla., has Georgia Tech, Florida and Oklahoma high on the list so Napier still has a real shot to get him.
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Florida now has one distinct advantage over LSU in the hunt for Wiggins and it’s that the coaching situation is now cleared up. The Tigers are now without a head coach as Ed Orgeron’s time is done and he won’t coach in the bowl game as LSU continues its search. Lincoln Riley said no Saturday night, Jimbo Fisher has said no, Mel Tucker signed a big contract extension and so things in Baton Rouge, at least from the outside, are unclear right now. The four-star defensive end from Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep has shown a lot of interest in the Gators and this could be the key.