Florida Gators Road To Signing Day: UF Loses Out On Rahyme Johnson

The Florida Gators missed out on four-star linebacker Rahyme Johnson. Even after that, Florida still appears to be trending up in recruiting.

Another week is in the books and we are all that much closer to signing day. What went down with Florida on the recruiting trail this week?

Let’s take a look.

News

As expected by me last week, the Florida Gators losses out on four-star outside linebacker Rahyme Johnson. Johnson, who was at one point thought to be a “Gator Lock,” announced yesterday via Twitter he would take his talents to UCLA.

https://twitter.com/rahyme_johnson/status/817439802136129536

The inability in Florida to schedule a visit with him was the primary downfall in this situation. Now with losing Johnson, Florida will likely be all-in on Levi Jones.

Alex Leatherwood officially enrolled with Alabama. Crazy, right? In all seriousness, Alabama was rumored to call him forty times on Monday to make sure he wasn’t flipping.

He had announced he was shutting down his recruitment beforehand, but he was also rumored to be seen at Florida’s Outback Bowl.

Even after being on my board for a good amount of time, five-star defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon announced that the Gators are no longer in the running for his talents. The five-star from Georgia appears to have narrowed his decision down to Alabama, Southern Cal, Michigan, and Georgia, and the Tide should have the lead.

With that said, that also isn’t saying much considering Solomon has been a head-case the whole recruitment process. He won’t even make his announcement on February 1st.

Four-star OG/DT T.J. Slaton announced that Florida as his leader. Florida has appeared to come on his trail late, but has made fantastic strides in doing so and should now be able to steal the South Florida native from Miami and Kentucky.

Rumors

It appears Florida should be taking a pair of three-stars to finish this cycle. With Florida losing out on outside linebacker Rahyme Johnson and likely doing the same with Levi Jones, they need to add depth.

This comes down to three-star outside linebacker Nick Smith from Dr. Phillips, who is currently an N.C. State commit. He appears to be Florida’s emergency plan at the linebacker spot, as they would like to take three this cycle.

The other three-star is Brian Edwards.

Florida is still in the running for five-star Devon Hunter, but their chances seem slim. With the Gators still wanting to add another safety, I believe the Gators will also take Edwards.

Checking In

Nothing much really this week, but here are a few things.

Some Gator commits attempted to get #Herbert2TheSwamp trending on twitter to help aid the decision of four-star offensive tackle Kai Leon-Herbert flipping from Michigan to Florida. I currently have Herbert on my board and I expect him to land in Gainesville.

A Gators target who recently named his leader as Florida is T.J. Slaton. He won some quality reps at defensive tackle during the Army Bowl practices and game. Slaton is the third-ranked guard and is almost a five-star player on 247Sports, but the Gators will move him over to defense if they land him.

Three Gator early enrollees, Kyree Campbell, Kadarius Toney and Kadeem Telfort, have all made their way onto campus. The Gators are expected to see three more EE’s, including four-star TE Kemore Gamble.

Class Of 2017 Predictions

Quarterback (1)

3-Star Jake Allen

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/11/16 Notes: It’s very unlikely that the Gators will take another quarterback with three in the system next year and one already committed. Allen lost a star, but the talent is there.

Running Back (2)

3-Star Malik Davis

3-Star Adarius Lemons (Pending Grades)

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16  Notes:  Based on his recent tweets, three-star running back Adarius Lemons seems to be closer to being academically eligible to sign with Florida. Only time will tell.

12/11/16 Notes: Malik Davis is pretty much a lock, and if Adarius Lemons can’t qualify, it seems he will be the only back taken. Yesterday was the last possible date for Lemons to take the ACT to take it before National Signing Day.

Wide Receiver (2)

4- Star Daquon Green

4-Star James Robinson

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: Robinson abruptly named Florida his leader, even if he backed off on it, he wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true. We knew this going into the practices though anyway. So, nothing has really changed.

12/26/16 Notes: The above two are fully expected, but recent rumors have pointed to possibly adding Michael Harley to this class. I am still a little skeptical he will get an offer because of his small frame, but we will see. Until he gets an offer, can’t even bother to add him to the class.

12/18/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/11/16 Notes: Both are pretty many locks to The Swamp. I can’t see it going any other way, even if Clemson and Alabama make a late push for Robinson.

Tight End (2)

3-Star Zech Byrd

4-Star Kemore Gamble

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/11/16 Notes: Nothing to really see or talk about here. Both will be in The Swamp come next summer. Doubt the Gators add another tight end, as it hasn’t even seemed liked they have pushed for one.

Offensive Line (3)

4-Star Kadeem Telfort

4-Star T.J. Moore

4-Star Kai Leon-Herbert

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: A lot of Crystal Ball’s heading Florida’s way with 4-Star OT Tony Gray, but I’m not seeing it. I think he is being a hard sell and leading the predictors in the wrong direction. Don’t think he ends up here, could be wrong, though, which would obviously be for the better.

12/26/16 Notes: Moore joined the class as expected from last week, and now I also expect 4-Star Kai Leon-Herbert. I have read, heard and seen enough for me to feel confident with this selection. Herbert will be on Florida’s campus four days before signing day and his announcement is expected to come on the 28th. All signs point to KLH joining the Orange & Blue.

12/18/16 Notes: Donaldson has closed up shop, so I was wrong on that. I am seeing and hearing nothing but good reports on Herbert, but this was before Wilson going to UGA. I think that hurts the Gators in more ways than one. T.J. Moore, on the other hand, has been trending up with the Gators. Florida holds the right to his last visit and reportedly the running is between UF and North Carolina State. For him to choose N.C. State over the Gators would be a shocker.

12/11/16 Notes: Telfort is a lock. If you are following me on Twitter, you know I’m relatively optimistic the Gators can flip Donaldson. The in-home visit seemed to have gone great and he will have a shot at immediate playtime here in the swamp.

Defensive Line (4)

4-Star Zachary Carter

4-Star Elijah Conliffe

4-Star T.J. Slaton 

3-Star Tyrone Truesdell

3-Star Kyree Campbell

1/8/16 Notes: Slaton is listed as an offensive lineman on 247Sports, but he will be playing defensive tackle in Gainesville. Florida was announced as Slaton’s leader and it should remain that way for the rest of his recruitment process.

1/1/16 Notes: Florida recently extended an offer to 4-Star DT Elijah Conliffe like previously mentioned. The recruiting battle is reportedly between UF and Tennessee, but I can’t see the Gators losing this one with how much of a need DT is. That is reasoning behind me adding him to the board. As far as dropping Aubrey Solomon, everything I am hearing points to him going to Georgia or Alabama. That is the reason he was dropped. Lastly, I am waiting another week or so to make a decision on LaBryan Ray. Waiting on one or two more pieces to move.

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/11/16 Notes: Go big or home. Three of the four on the list are potentially locks. Solomon is the only one in doubt. He had to schedule the Gators as his last visit for a reason. In my eyes, it means he would like to come here, but he needs one last “woo.”

Linebackers (2)

3-Star Ventrell Miller

3-Star James Houston

1/8/16 Notes: Gators officially lose out on Rahyme Johnson, but this was expected. I’m not adding Nick Smith yet, just in case by some miraculous way the Gators land Levi Jones. So consider him a “silent” add right now.

1/1/16 Notes: With Rahyme Johnson basically out of the picture, it is Levi Jones or bust for the Gators. Unfortunately, with Tim Brewster recruiting Levi for the Seminoles currently, I’m seeing it as a bust. Big time kid comes off my board for the Gators, unfortunately.   

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/11/16 Notes: The linebacker class is lackluster on paper, but the film checks out for all three of these guys.

Defensive Backs (4)

4-Star Elijah Blades

4-Star Marco Wilson

4-Star Brad Stewart

3-Star Shawn Davis

3-Star Brian Edwards

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: Small change on the DB board as I add 3-Star Brian Edwards. It is really a matter of whether or not the Gators want to “take” Edwards and whether if they do, he isn’t felt disrespected in any way because of the delay. Edwards appears to be the backup plan to 4-Star Tray Bishop and the extreme backup plan if Florida loses Elijah Blades. I think with Bishop most likely becoming a Bulldog, the Gators will take Edwards. Small get but Brian Edwards has elite size.

12/26/16 Notes: A little bit of a Blades scare is brewing, but I still think he finishes off as a Gator.

12/18/16 Notes: I still do not have the utmost confidence in landing Bishop like some others.

12/11/16 Notes: This cornerback class is loaded. Stewart is more of a prototypical safety, which is where he’ll most likely play at the next level. The Gators appear to be trending upwards for four-star Tray Bishop and four-star Devon Hunter, but I’m not as confident in those two to put them on my prediction board. Even without them, this is one heck of a DB class.

Athletes (1)

3-Star Kadarius Toney

4-Star Christopher Henderson

1/8/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

1/1/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/26/16 Notes: Nothing has changed.

12/18/16 Notes: Don’t know how or why I forgot to add “Hendo” to the board last week, but now he’s here. Almost a surefire lock for Florida.

12/11/16 Notes: Filthy athletic ability. Zero ideas where he will play, but I can assure it will not be at quarterback.

Must Read: Jim McElwain wants Florida to be more physical up front

Until next week!