Florida football: Grading Gators 2021 recruiting class

Here are grades for the Florida football 2021 recruiting class, as Dan Mullen and the Gators continue to claw and fight their way through the SEC ranks.

Florida football looked to have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff before a shocking upset loss to LSU. That left a sour taste in the mouths of Gators fans, but it’s hopefully one that can somewhat be quelled by a strong showing in the 2021 recruiting cycle through the early signing period.

While the Gators may not be a top-five class, they are competing well on the recruiting trail with the teams that they are looking to keep the pace with, specifically in the SEC and on a national scale.

All told, let’s hand out a grade for the Florida football 2021 recruiting class as we dive into who the Gators are bringing in. Note: All rankings are via the 247 Sports Composite.

Biggest Florida football commit for 2021: Jason Marshall, C

Shout out to Clemson transfer running back, former 5-star recruit Demarkcus Bowman, but in the 2021 class specifically, Jason Marshall is the crown jewel. Florida has a long history of top-tier cornerbacks in college football and the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Miami fits the bill. His instincts, build and athleticism make him a potential stud on the outside for Mullen in the Gators defense.

Strengths, weaknesses of the 2021 Florida football recruiting class

After a down year for the defense in 2020, the Gators are loading up on that side of the ball with four defensive recruits that all rank in the top 110 prospects in the country. That’s a strong foundation to rebuild that unit with.

On the flip side, Florida is a bit shallow at running back looking at this class. Yes, they have Bowman coming in, but he’s the only new running back that will join the roster. That’s something to watch, even if they start to favor the passing game moving forward.

Diamond in the rough of the 2021 Florida football class: Gage Wilcox, TE

Kyle Pitts is about to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, so it stands to reason that Florida needs new bodies at tight end. Wilcox is a 4-star recruit who could contribute early as a pass-catcher with his 6-foot-4, 228-pound frame that offers him a combination of size and fluidity at the position.

Where does Florida football rank in the 2021 recruiting cycle?

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Gators are fourth in the SEC rankings, because they are the No. 8 recruiting class in the 2021 cycle. Florida has a deep talent pool coming in that should make an impact.

Florida football recruiting grade: B+

This isn’t the best Florida recruiting class but they are doing what they need to. With a strong influx of talent under Mullen’s watch, the Gators aren’t going anywhere after a good 2020.

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