Florida’s season is inching closer while the Gators continue to build for the future.
With 45 days until the commencement of the 2016 football season, Florida’s class has received verbal commitments from 10 prospects in the 2017 class.
Most recently, four-star defensive end Zachary Carter and three-star linebacker Ventrell Miller each committed to the Gators on June 24.
Florida boy forever pic.twitter.com/STZUqCiLrW
— Zachary L Carter™ (@_ZachAttacks) June 24, 2016
— Ventrell Miller (@ventrell_miller) June 24, 2016
Four-star cornerback Elijah Blades out of Muir High in Pasadena, California, initially planned on committing on his birthday, June 10. Then, he said he might wait until his senior season ended in December.
But Blades decided to shore up his spot with the Gators on June 22, giving him an opportunity to focus on his finishing his high school career.
DREAM COME TRUE GOTTA CHASE IT #SWAMPpic.twitter.com/fqrUjCwTEF
— ELIJAH – BLADES SZN™ (@savageszniv) June 22, 2016
Florida didn’t have any commits participate in The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon, from July 5-10, but UF was in the running to land Tre’ McKitty, a three-star prospect in the 2017 class out of IMG Academy in Tampa.
The No. 2 tight end out of Florida according to Scout, McKitty impressed with his performance throughout the week before suffering an injury to his ribs.
Fortunately for McKitty, x-rays didn’t show any structural damage or fractures.
X-rays negative for tight end Tre’ McKitty at #TheOpening. Ribs not broken
— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) July 10, 2016
While he was on the West Coast, McKitty opted to commit to the Oregon Ducks over Alabama and the Gators.
Proud to be apart of The Duck family! #WinTheDay pic.twitter.com/WUlgpFrQUj
— Tre’ Mckitty (@T_mckitty) July 11, 2016
Meanwhile, Florida has a crucial recruiting event on July 22: Friday Night Lights.
If it’s anything like last season, UF will exit the weekend more than satisfied.
The Gators received five verbal commitments at last season’s FNL, had multiple players name UF among their leaders and generally left solid impressions on players who previously weren’t considering Florida.
Not too shabby with nearly seven months until National Signing Day.
Still some opportunities to come to The Swamp and learn from the best. Register online: https://t.co/FiGa1Zz5dV pic.twitter.com/zTjOvExUvS
— Jim McElwain (@CoachMcElwain) July 7, 2016
14 days. #FNL2016 pic.twitter.com/2THE0r1yoy
— Jim McElwain (@CoachMcElwain) July 8, 2016