Rivals.com national recruiting analyst John Garcia, Jr. makes his predictions for some of the top uncommitted prospects in the state of Florida.
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FACT OR FICTION: Javion Hilson could recommit to Florida State
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A former commitment to Alabama and Florida State, both programs continue to factor into Hilson's recruitment. The Seminoles hosted the five-star prospect just last week, a sign that the longstanding relationships still play heavy in this one.
UCF, Florida, Texas and others are making plays for the senior, who has had some trips get set and moved at different points over the last few weeks. Hilson has told Rivals he'll hit Texas for the Georgia game and continue to Texas A&M for an official visit when the Aggies host Texas for the first time as SEC rivals. Both UCF and Texas were making his recruitment most interesting before he decommitted from FSU, but since it has looked like the Longhorns could be the top threat to win this one. That return trip to Athens to see No. 1 in action could go a long way towards the final call in this one, so for now the ball appears to remain in Texas' court.
Prediction: Texas
Owusu-Boateng is a Notre Dame legacy and the Irish have played their cards right with the five-star linebacker. He's scheduled to visit South Bend again next month for Notre Dame's game against Florida State. Michigan has perhaps closed the gap best among the finalists over his last couple of trips to Ann Arbor, where he views the program similarly to the more-familiar Irish in the style and defensive prowess overall.
While Ohio State, USC and Florida also sit as contenders, it is new entrant Texas that is making this recruitment more interesting late in the game. Owusu-Boateng will make his first trip to Austin for an official visit towards the end of November, very close to when a final decision has to come in. Will the late swing throw a true wrench into this or will it be Notre Dame versus Michigan for another top defender?
Prediction: Notre Dame
The longtime Miami commitment reclassified to the senior class and decommitted over the last few weeks, one of the more surprising decisions among Floridians of late. Toney is still in communication with Miami, which just flipped Rivals250 wide receiver Joshua Moore, so the numbers could be interesting from Mario Cristobal's side in the end.
One of the catalysts for Toney reopening his recruitment was his longstanding contact with Alabama. Toney visited Tuscaloosa for that classic win over Georgia and he was plenty impressed along the way, as the Crimson Tide works towards its first full class under Kalen DeBoer. With Toney on the market, there will be renewed interest by several programs at the eleventh hour, so this one could still have a twist or two remaining.
Prediction: Alabama
Watkins has been taking his time with the process after early commitments to Texas A&M and Colorado. He has repeatedly said his recruitment will come down to the month of December but the summer was a turning point in this recruitment. Watkins took several offseason visits, including official visits to Ole Miss, South Carolina and Indiana. That trio remains in contact with him, with Ole Miss and Indiana perhaps emerging as the two more likely destinations at this time.
There remains a window for other contenders to work to get Watkins on campus, but the allure and history with the Rebels' passing game and utilizing elite slot talents like him may be too much to pass up.
Prediction: Ole Miss
The California native has been fielding considerable interest since backing off of his longtime commitment to Maryland. White is a lengthy secondary prospect who has planned multiple visits since the move, yet logistics and now Hurricane Milton have altered trips to both UCLA and Florida State. He has also reported potential plans with LSU and Syracuse of late, so this recruitment is likely to come down to the wire before a final decision is to be made.
This one is wide open at this stage, and White may not be close to a favorite privately, but the option to potentially return home to the West Coast at UCLA could be among the safest bets in a busy finish to the process.
Prediction: UCLA
