Florida’s annual recruiting showcase — Friday Night Lights — didn’t feature the usual high-profile targets, but it did have an uncommon sight: a top quarterback prospect competing with no incentive.
Jalon Jones, a 6-foot-3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class, is already committed to the Gators, but he opted to participate in the camp aspect run by coach Dan Mullen and his staff rather than join several other highly recruited prospects in attendance as spectators.
Ranked the No. 7 dual-threat QB by 247Sports, Jones made the trip from Baltimore with the objective of improving his craft while continuing to acclimate to the UF coaching staff.
And Jones couldn’t attend Friday’s festivities without trying to boost Florida’s 2019 class in the process.
“I’ve been recruiting as well, so just talking to them and seeing what they like to run,” Jones said. “I’m in a competition with myself. I’m just getting better, and any chance I get to go out there and throw I’m going to take it. Especially being in this atmosphere for the first time, throwing on the field. It’s a big dream of mine. I’ve been dreaming of throwing in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since I was 8 years old. I used to play with Florida on NCAA Football ’11, when Tim Tebow was on the cover.”
Aside from his personal objectives, Jones also got the opportunity to see another former NCAA Football cover star — UF quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson — employ his coaching philosophies and techniques at the camp.
“He knows what he’s talking about. We’ve had great conversations. He’s somebody I really look up to, and just really excited to have him as a coach,” Jones said of Johnson. “One, being an African-American quarterback and being as successful as he has been, he can just pour so much information into my game and into my life. So I’m just really excited to be here and be under his wing.”
When it comes to the recruiting trail, however, much of Florida’s efforts were focused on building strong relationships with some of the top prospects in the 2020 class, including Trinity Christian Academy defensive back Fred Davis.
Ranked a five-star prospect by the 247Sports composite, Davis, a lifelong Gators fan, made the trip from Jacksonville with his teammate Miles Brooks, who also has accrued a full slate of scholarship offers from Power 5 programs before entering his junior year of high school.
It was Davis’ second trip — he took an unofficial visit April 14 for Florida’s Spring game — and he had an opportunity to don No. 7 and compete under the bright lights.
After the second visit to Florida, it’s safe to say the program has done all the right things in a short amount of time.
“They’re at the top,” Davis said of the Gators. “It’s great, because I’ve been watching Florida ever since I was little, I grew up a Florida fan. If I play here it would just be a blessing.”
A very awesome young man. That’s right. I put very in front of awesome– for both of these players. This is the place to be– the future of the SEC. Saban is drinking Metamucil and having his colon checked every three days as his body and mind rot and decay with age. Mullen will retire him. Believe me. Youth will always win out over age!
OK, that does it….I’m gonna take that Greeter job at Walmart after all.
Gator-6–what we need is a good 10-20 item list. But we may have to wait until Pat and Robbie get back from vacation.
Hey, where you been? Missed all the excitement, I tell ya’.
I didn’t miss it, and even made a smarty-pants crack or two here and there.
But the whole Watkins antic, including much of the associated blog, got me down. I think what got to me and others, if I’m reading correctly, is the mindless throwing away of what could have been a bright future. You, I and some others on here are old enough to know how chancy the future is for young people; to see someone behave so cavalierly! And what’s more, to have messed up things for no gain whatever, and not even to know what’s been done.
I’ve seen it repeat itself many times over, so much so that I’ve come to hate — if that’s a strong enough word — waste of human potential. Almost as if there’s a darkness settling in over the land. Well, there is, actually I think.
I’ve said that too. The end is getting closer and nice to have an energetic, young coach in the meantime.
Hilarious. So true and good one sir.
Super excited about Jaon Jones (class of 2019) and Anthony Richardson (class of 2020)! Both are highly rated dual threat QBs with great length (height) and range (arm strength). UF is the place where they will develop into high calibre Division 1 QBs. Considering the lack of QB depth we now have (Heaven forbid we lose any of the three current QBs to injury), these two fine young men are wonderful additions to the Gator football team. As for the dark clouds that have hovered over the Gators the past few years (criminal behavior/suspensions), more spirituality and morality is needed. For those who believe, pray for God’s guidance and protection for the Gators. I have strong confidence in Dan Mullen and the new coaching staff. Glory Days will return to the Gators
More knee time is definitely needed, Glen, and not just for the Gators. Thanks for saying it.
I love the qb commits but they need time to throw. So far I haven’t seen the OL recruiting doing much. I hope it turns around quickly before all the top prospects are gone. Go Gators!!
I’m just hoping the ones we’ve got really are bigger, faster, and stronger…..and play with their hair on fire now. If they can do that/are that, things will be OK. I hope. No, scratch that….it’s too late. I pray is more like it.