Gators Focus on Key Targets to Wrap Up 2021 Recruiting Class

The Florida Gators 2021 recruiting class currently ranks No. 7 in the nation and No. 4 in the SEC (247 Sports Composite).

With only a handful of spots left in the class, the Gators upward mobility in the class rankings is limited. The success between now, Early National Signing Day in December and National Signing Day in February will come down to closing on a few key targets.

In the conference rankings, Florida sits behind Alabama, LSU and Georgia. Battles with each school for recruits could be a good indicator of how much the team’s on-field success matters to these kids.!

First up is Tunmise Adeleye out of Katy (Tx.) Tompkins. Adeleye, a former Ohio State commit, released a top three of Florida, Alabama and Texas A&M on October 14th. Despite rumblings that Adeleye will end up an Aggie, his Twitter account maintains that each school has an equal shot. Documented personal relationships at each of the three schools makes it difficult to dispute that. Adeleye is currently ranked 31 in the nation, falling from a former consensus five-star talent. However, opting out of his senior season may have affected those optics. A commitment from Adeleye would add to an already-deep DE class for the Gators, serving as the end piece to a strong group of four-stars in Tyreak Sapp, Jeremiah Williams, and Justus Boone. He plans to commit 12/17.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy OLB Xavian Sorey is a name that’s been on the Gators radar for years. Given Florida's troubles this season at linebacker, getting a guy who ranks 27 in the composite national rankings is critical. He would join No. 1 JUCO player Diwun Black and four-star Chief Borders in the 2021 linebackers class. There is no disputing Florida linebackers coach Christian Robinson turns good classes at the position every year. However, fending off Georgia and Alabama for Sorey would take the class to another level. He plans to make his pledge 12/16.

Problems in the Gators secondary have been at the forefront of discussion this season, which makes the final stretch for four-star safety Terrion Arnold all the more important. Arnold, the new No. 1 safety in the nation, seems to be in a two-team battle between Florida and Alabama. His commitment would give the Gators a deep safety class, currently featuring No. 5 S Corey Collier, plus hard-nosed hitters Donovan McMillon and Dakota Mitchell. While Arnold vows to commit “soon,” no exact date is known.

We’ll finish up with four-star Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard DE Bryce Langston. Florida leads in his recruiting right now, with 100% of 247 Crystal Balls trending the Gators direction, although all the predictions are at least 9 months old. LSU seems to be the main — if not only — other horse in Langston’s recruitment right now. He recently stated that he will be committing on National Signing Day in February.

The Gators are on pace to finish above Miami and Florida State for the third straight season, and are taking advantage of the fact that Seminoles are not even a player for most elite recruits in the state of Florida right now. Success in South Florida is also improving since the McElwain era, as Florida beat out Miami for both Jason Marshall and Corey Collier, two Miami natives.

Florida has built a solid recruiting class for 2021, addressing some key positional needs on defense — namely DB — and adding some depth to various offensive positional groups. If Florida can close on three out of four of Adeleye, Sorey, Arnold and Langston, plus add a talented DT, then I think fans have to be pretty excited with the overall state of the class.

• All star rankings reflect 247 Sports Composite, unless otherwise noted.

Photo Credit: Jordan Herald/@JordanHerald5/UF Football

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