Gators Ink Nation’s No. 12 class, led by QB Jaden Rashada

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Billy Napier’s 2023 class is really his first, given he had 10 days upon his arrival to put together the 2022 group.

During the final month, the Gators slipped from No. 8 to No. 12 in 247Sports team rankings, but the average 92.34 is fifth, .10 ahead of Miami. Other than missing on a tight end, Napier and Co. addressed every area of ​​need, highlighted by quarterback Jaden Rashada.

Top of the class

– QB Jaden Rashada, 6-3¼, 185 (Pittsburg, Calif.): 247Sports rates Rashada a 5-star after he completed 62.4% of his throws for 3,055 yards and 32 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 2022.

Florida head coach Billy Napier walks across the field before a Nov. 12, 2022, visit from South Carolina. (Matt Stamey/AP)

– WR Aidan Mizell, 6-2, 180 (Orlando): If not for a Week 1 leg injury, Mizell would have pushed for a 5-star ranking if he had built off a breakout 2021 season with 47 catches for 1,003 (21.3 yards per catch) and 18 touchdowns.

– DL Kelby Collins, 6-3¾, 259 (Gardendale, Ala.): The nation’s no. 60 overall prospect recorded 176 tackles, including 40.5 for loss the past two seasons.

[ Gators re-evaluate, rebuild under focused Billy Napier: ‘I love every bit of it’ ]

– CB Dijon Johnson, 6-1, 188 (Tampa): Originally committed to Ohio State, Johnson’s length, speed and ball skills allowed him to record 4 interceptions and 15 passes defended during 16 games the past two seasons.

– RB Treyaun Webb, 5-11 ¼, 200 (Jacksonville): The nephew of former Florida cornerback Dee Webb rushed for 3,146 yards, averaging 7.52 per carry, and 43 scores the past three seasons.

the rest

– DB Jordan Castell, 6-2, 205 (Winter Garden)

– DB Sharif Denson, 5-11, 174 (Jacksonville)

– CB Aaron Gates, 6-0½, 199 (Sharpsburg, Ga.)

– OL Knijeah Harris, 6-3, 328 (Port St Lucie)

Boone High receiver Aiden Mizell runs for a touchdown during the Edgewater High at Boone High varsity football game in Orlando on Friday, November 5, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

– DL Gavin Hill, 6-3, 264 (Gainesville)

– CB Ja’Keem Jackson, 6-0½, 185 (Kissimmee)

– DL Kaman James, 6-5½, 258 (Orlando)

– WR Andy Jean, 6-1, 182 (Miami)

– OL Roderick Kearney, 6-4, 292 (Orange Park)

– OL Bryce Lovett, 6-5, 336 (Rockledge)

– DL Will Norman 6-3½, 299 (Camden, NJ)

– ILB Jaden Robinson, 6-0¼, 221 (Lake City)

– OLB TJ Searcy, 6-5¼, 252 (Thomaston, Ga.)

– S Bryce Thornton, 5-10, 193 (Alpharetta, Ga.)

– WR Eugene Wilson, 5-10¼, 165 (Tampa)

Misses

– TE Jaden Platt, 6-4½, 235 (Haslet, Texas): A potential flip for Florida, the 4-star committed to Stanford but announced he will be headed Texas A&M. The Gators ended without a tight end in the class.

– CB Desmond Ricks, 6-1, 170 (Bradenton): The 5-star CB from IMG Academy appears bound for LSU despite a fullcourt press from Florida after the nation’s No. 3 cornerback prospect reclassified from 2024.

– DL Jordan Hall, 6-4½, 300 (Jacksonville): The nation’s no. 55 prospect left the state for the defending national champions despite the Gators’ success in the Jacksonville area and ties of several coaches to Hall.

He said it: ”Time will tell if our evaluations were spot on. This is where it all starts, though. Got some work left to do, but couldn’t be more proud of this staff and humbled by this group and their trust in us.

“We obviously branched out a little bit with the quarterback and obviously into Georgia and Alabama. But the majority of the players being Florida players, that’s one of the reasons why this is a great job. This group reflects our philosophy, and certainly the history of championship teams at the University of Florida.” – Billy Napier

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.

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