Florida Top Recruits of 2023

[Weeze]

Top Recruits of the Florida Gators 2023 class.

 

The season has ended and recruiting has wrapped up. Florida had a strong start to the recruiting season, but seem to fizzle out toward the end and couldn't recover the steam they created early despite, according to some, unexpected on field success. We will take a look at some of the top recruits who committed to Florida and who the fans hope can bring quick change to a program who has been trying to rebuild from the ground up. The Florida Class of 2023 saw 22 commits with 3 walk ons. 8 of the 22 were 4 or 5* recruits who all have a very big shot of starting during the 2024 season. 

Total Recruits: 25
Class Ranked: 9th
SEC Ranked: 2nd

 

QB:

Maximillian Howard, 5*, Balanced, Bolles Florida.

Easily the crown jewel of this class for the Gators, Howard comes in as not only one of the top recruits in this class, but one of the top recruits EVER. Coach Weeze locked on and never let go. After seeing FSU flip Colt McIntyre last season, Coach Weeze wasn't going to let it happen two seasons in a row. The Elite 11 MVP committed to Florida and is expected to be a Day 1 starter, with the hope of finally getting the offense in Gainesville putting up points. Last season the Gators put up 24.2 PPG. A season high for the Gators under coach Weeze. Howard is coming in with a Cannon for an arm. His ability to zip the ball between defenders to his receiver also can not be understated for such a young player. 

Other Qbs:
Edward Carlson, 3*, Pocket, Marion Illinois

 

WR:

Edward Watkins, 4*, Route Runner, Melbourne Florida.

Watkins is the first 4* or better receiver Coach Weeze has ever manage to get. Unfortunately for him his struggles continued as Watkins was the only one of three 4* targets that committed to Florida, with the other two choosing to go to FIU and Tulane. With how anemic the receivers have been, another big time receiver would have really helped young Howard grow in this offense. However Watkins is also expected to be a big contributor and easily the number one by his sophomore season. Coming in, he already has a nice twitch and high energy to help him go up against opposing defenses. 

 

OG:

Bubba Payne, 4*, Pass Blocking, Flemming Island Florida

Payne is another top grab by coach Weeze, who has been doing a stellar job rebuilding the offensive line in Florida. Payne was a top five OG recruit. Whats more, he is a dominate passblocker coming out of a system in High school that runs similar to what Coach Weeze wants to run and tried to run his first season at Florida. He is also a perfect compliment to Kelvin Williams, a 4* guard and current starter at RG. The two of them will help build a solid interior to protect Howard. Payne is quick on his feet, and comes in already above average pass blocking ability, though he will need to build up his strength if he is going survive at run blocking at this level. 

 

OT:

Christopher Turnbull, 4*, Run Blocking, Oviedo Florida

The first of two Tackles signed to this class, Florida hopes it found a replacement for senior star Tackle, Justin Crossen on the right side of the line. At 6'5, 285lbs, Turnbull is a little smaller for what Coach Weeze would want, but his ability to move and bully opponents made him an easy target. He can be nasty at the point of attack, and has a strong motor. Pass blocking needs some work, but he should be a solid player on the right side. 

Joshua Leale, 4*, Balanced, Naples Florida

The second Tackle, Leale played both tackle positions in High School, but Florida is betting on him being their anchor on the Left side of the line. With current Left Tackle, Jeremy Blair, graduating, Leale has every chance to step in day one and lock it down as his job. However unlike Turnbull, Leale has competition for that spot. Junior Tackle Beau Thompson only loss out on the starting role because of the offense Florida ran this season. He is a pure pass blocking tackle who struggled to hold his own in the run game. At 6'5, 303 lbs, he moves quickly on his feet. If Leale can show competence and be nasty, he could make it his job for the next four years.

DE:

John Harwell, 4*, Speed, St Johns Florida

Harwell is the only player on the list that is joining a position group that has other multiple 4* players. However none of those players have started playing meaningful snaps. Brandon Martin has made a few appearances in relief duty, but has been mostly playing the backup role. While young and hard to really compete with older experienced players, Martin has been disappointing so far in his Florida Career. Next season however he is expected to make more of an impact after a year of getting some game time. Joseph Kloeckner, is expected to be the Left side DE, with Martin the possible RE. Harwell has a real shot at competing and winning that job. He is just as fast, and has a bigger build (6'4 250 lbs) than martin(6'4 237 lbs) which may allow him to physically handle opposing offenses. Either way, Florida has quietly been building their pass rush.

 

DT:

Michael Baig, 4*, Pass Rusher, Minneola Florida

Baig is expected to be the day one starter at DT. It is hopeful that he can bring a passrush presence up the middle and get after Qbs such as Brandon Savage, and keep them uncomfortable. The coaches feel he is a much more talented Marcus Miller, who provided unexpected pressure and allowed the ends to be more effective. How effective Baig is in his first season will probably depend on who is partner is in the middle. Without playing a down of college football, baig looks to be the best pass rushing DT on the roster.

 

FS:

Shaun Thomas, 4*, Zone Coverage, Tampa Florida

Thomas is another player that will be joining this Florida Squad with every chance at starting. However unlike the other players, he will have to compete with 2 other players, Fr John Lee who redshirted this season, and Joe Wright who will be entering his Senior season and has plenty of starting experience. However... his experience all comes at the Corner position and not safety. Wright will have to show he can play safety much better than two very gifted freshman, with Thomas possibly the most gifted physically of the three. We could also see Thomas take the route that Wright did and spend a season or two play at nickel or even as the 4th corner in 6 DB packages. 

 

 

Florida is very happy with its 9th ranking class. A lot of potential starters out the gate with a lot of talent that they didn't have a few seasons ago when Weeze took over as Coach.  The coaching staff has already said they will be taking a small break before starting the process all over again and start deciding where they need help to keep the rebuild going. But this coming season should be a fun one. Florida has not looked good against their rivals except for UGA. This season they might surprise a team or two with their young Stars.

Final look of the 2023 class

Rank:

9th

SEC Rank:

2nd

Number:

25

Forename

Surname

Pos

Stars

Potential

Type

City

St

Gordon

Battista

K

3*

B-

Power

Miami

FL

Spec. Teams

Charles

White

P

3*

B

Balanced

Key West

FL

State

Number

Defense

10

FL

17

Offense

13

Forename

Surname

Pos

Stars

Potential

Type

City

St

GA

3

Spec.Teams

2

John

Harwell

DE

4*

B

Speed

St.Johns

FL

IN

1

Defense

Charles

Knight

DE

2*

C+

Balanced

Savannah

GA

NJ

1

Michael

Baig

DT

4*

C+

Pass Rusher

Minneola

FL

CA

1

Shankar

Briggs

ILB

1*

A

Field General

Gibsonton

FL

TX

1

Michael

Wilmes

OLB

3*

C

Run Stopper

Jacksonville

FL

AL

1

Juan

Hartmann

CB

3*

C+

Ball Hawk

Ft Myers

FL

Thomasz

Piller

CB

2*

A-

Man

Orlando

FL

Juan

Parker

CB

2*

C

Man

Oakdale

CA

Shaun

Thomas

FS

4*

B

Zone

Tampa

FL

Paul

Pomposelli

SS

3*

C

Zone

Watkinsville

GA

Forename

Surname

Pos

Stars

Potential

Type

City

St

Maximillian

Howard

QB

5*

B

Balanced

Bolles

FL

Offense

Edward

Carlson

QB

3*

C

Pocket

Marion

IN

Edward

Khanum

RB

1*

F

Balanced

N Maimi

FL

Willie

Mendez

FB

2*

B-

Blocking

Elizabeth

NJ

Christopher

Roberson

TE

2*

B-

Receiving

Woodstock

GA

Joseph

Howell

TE

1*

A+

Receiving

Blountsville

AL

Edward

Watkins

WR

4*

B+

Route Run

Melbourne

FL

Joshua

Dow

WR

2*

B-

Red Zone

San Antonio

TX

Bubba

Payne

OG

4*

A-

Pass Blocking

Flem Isl

FL

Robert

Alvey

C

3*

B+

Line Capt

Orlando

FL

Mark

Yamada

C

3*

B-

Pass Blocking

Miami

FL

Christopher

Turnbull

OT

4*

C

Run Blocking

Oviedo

FL

Joshua

Leale

OT

4*

C+

Balanced

Naples

FL