Florida football: An early look at priority 2024 recruits

Florida football and Billy Napier are still focusing on rounding out their 2023 class, but it’s always important to look ahead and start to set up your 2024 recruiting efforts.

The Gators are off to a solid start in the 2024 cycle, with 5-star QB DJ Lagway, 4-star LB Myles Graham, and 4-star RB Chauncey Bowens already committed.

That said, the expectations are high for Napier and his staff on the trail. Here are some priority targets that the UF staff should focus on to make the class of 2024 elite.

Florida football 2024 targets: Elijah Rushing

Elijah Rushing is a 5-star edge rusher out of Tucson, Arizona. He’s the 10th-ranked player in the 2024 class and is the highest-rated edge rusher.

He took a visit to Gainesville in April of last year, and while it’s still too early to call, he has a crystal ball prediction in favor of Florida. The Gators also may have an edge in Elijah’s recruitment as his brother, Cruz Rushing, is a safety on the Florida roster.

Blair Angulo of 247 Sports has Rushing as a first-round pick thanks to his “impressive mobility” and “elite pass-rush ability with an array of moves”.

At 6′-6”-235, he already has great size, and will only add mass and strength before he gets to the college level.

Florida football 2024 targets: Charles Lester III

Charles Lester III, out of Sarasota, Florida, is a 5-star corner. He’s ranked as the 31st-best player in the class of 2024, and the 4th-best corner.

On New Year’s, he released his top 5 of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Florida State.

Florida did earn a visit from Lester in March of last year, but he’s gone to the rest of his top five more recently. Napier and co have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to land Lester as the cycle goes on.

Florida football 2024 targets: Kam Pringle

Kam Pringle, a 4-star OT out of South Carolina, recently dropped his top six that included Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson, and NC State.

Pringle is ranked as the 174th-best player in the nation, and the 9th-best tackle in the class of 2024.

Kam is yet to make a trip to Gainesville for a visit, which makes him putting Florida in his top six all the more interesting.

There’s no doubt that seeing what Napier and his offensive line coaches did with O’Cyrus Torrence is appealing to Pringle. He’s also said that he grew up a Gator fan, and Florida “had become [his] dream school.”

Florida football 2024 targets: Michael Uini

Michael Uini is a 4-star OT out of Copperas Cove, Texas. He is ranked as the 147th overall player in the class of 2024, and the 7th-best offensive tackle.

He recently announced his top ten schools, which included the Gators.

Like Pringle, the idea of becoming a player of the caliber of O’Cyrus Torrence is likely part of his appeal to becoming a Gator. The Gators could also use Uini’s commitment to help them build depth on the offensive line.

At 6’7”-290, Uini already has great size, and will only become an even better player before signing with the school of his choice.

Florida football 2024 targets: Jaylen Heyward

Jaylen Heyward, out of Rockledge, Florida, will be one of Napier’s top in-state targets in the 2024 cycle. He is ranked as the 36th-best player in the country, and the 2nd-best safety in his class.

He will make his commitment later this afternoon, choosing between Florida, UGA, Ohio St, and Bama.

He took an official visit to Gainesville in March of 2022, which is also when the Gators offered him.

Heyward has great speed for a safety, with a 4.65 verified 40-yard dash from his sophomore year. During his junior season, he racked up 40 tackles, a forced fumble, six pass breakups, and allowed zero touchdowns.

Heyward could be the next great safety to put on the Orange and Blue.

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