2015 position breakdowns: WR

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This is the third in a 10-part series looking at the positional needs and early targets for Florida football in the 2015 recruiting class.

The Gators currently have 19 scholarships available excluding walk-ons. With potential juniors leaving early and inevitable attrition, UF will likely sign 28-30 prospects next year.

Here’s a breakdown of the wide receiver position:

George Campbell is Florida's No. 1 priority at receiver in 2015. (Photo by Zach Abolverdi/The Gainesville Sun)

Returning players: Raph Andrades, Alvin Baily, Ahmad Fulwood, Marqui Hawkins, Latroy Pittman, Demarcus Robinson, Ryan Sousa, Chris Thompson, C.J. Worton
Verbal commits: Deondre Farrier, Tristan Payton
Top targets: John Burt, Deon Cain, George Campbell, Jovon Durante, Preston Williams
Others offered: Almonzo Brown, Tyron Johnson, Christian Kirk, DaMarkus Lodge, Calvin Ridley
The skinny: The Gators brought in two receivers in 2012 and five the following year. Expect them to do the same for 2015 after signing just Sousa and Worton in the last class. Already in the fold for Florida are Farrier and Payton, two in-state prospects with similar size (6-foot, 180-pound range) and sub-4.5 speed. At the top of UF’s board is Campbell, a five-star recruit from Tarpon Springs East Lake who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the Under Armour combine. The 6-foot-3, 183-pounder made an early commitment to Michigan but has since backed off that pledge and reopened his recruitment. Campbell still has a long process ahead of him, but the Gators are currently in the driver’s seat after his visit to junior day.

UF is heavily recruiting Cain but will have to beat out Florida State to land him. The Tampa Bay Tech athlete plans to attend one of Florida’s spring practices. Auburn and FSU appear to be the favorites for Burt, a Rivals100 member out of Tallahassee Lincoln, but his teammate, tight end Camrin Knight, committing to the Gators could help their chances. Durante and Williams are still open to other schools, including UF, despite their pledges to West Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The Gators have offered more than a dozen receivers, but the five aforementioned prospects are their main targets and most realistic options at this time.

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18 COMMENTS

  3. Hoost07,
    Farrier and Payton are not unranked project receivers. That is someone like a Stephen Alli. Payton was just offered by Ohio State. Farrier has an offer from Miami and ran a 4.47 at the Under Armour combine. Are they elite recruits? No. But the Gators are trying to sign five receivers in this class. They’re not going to be able to get a handful of studs. If you’re Florida, you need to take a couple of lower-tier prospects that have some skills and will be solid commitments while you go after big fish like Campbell.

  8. Zach, I didn’t see Da’Vante Phillips as someone UF is still after. Is UF mad at him for changing his mind? It’s way too early to do that. I’m sure he did so because of how bad UF was. If UF turns it around and has good year on the field, that should make a difference in his interest in UF.

  9. Joker + a returning Dubose + Dunbar coming off his best season despite terrible offense + 5 returning sophomores who were highly touted should equal a big year at the WR position. That should help put us in a great position for receivers this year! Go Gators!