Florida’s 2023 recruiting class: Overhyped or overlooked?

2025 is now or never for the class of 2023
Apr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) scores a touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) scores a touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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Class of 2023 in review

The class signed 22 players and was ranked 13th in the 247 Composite rankings and 10th in average player rankings.

The following is the class of 2023 in order of their 247 ranking. The irony is that some of the key contributors for 2025 are going to be some of the lower-rated guys from this class:

Kelby Collins - Transferred

Ja'Keem Jackson - Transferred

Aidan Mizell - Still yet to crack the main rotation and was stuck behind Marcus Burke to close out 2024, but should get a shot in 2025

Dijon Johnson - 550 snaps in 2024. Was decent but needs to take a step forward in 2025

Eugene Wilson III - Solid freshman campaign, hurt in 2024. Needs to prove he is more than a gadget guy in 2025.

Roderick Kearney - Still biding his time along the offensive line. Should get his shot in 2026.

Kamran James - Rotational piece along the defensive line 2024. His "win rate" was 471st out of 492 EDGE rushers with at least 100 snaps in 2024.

Will Norman - Transferred

Jordan Castell - Has been a two-year starter, but most would agree they want Castell to take a leap into being a more dynamic player in 2025.

Sharif Denson - 495 snaps in 2024. Like others, he was okay but also had a high missed tackle rate.

T.J. Searcy - Transferred

Gavin Hill - Transferred

Aaron Gates - 322 snaps as a rotational piece in 2024.

Treyaun Webb - Was going to get an extended run in 2024, but got hurt.

Caden Jones - Still biding his time and is expected to be a backup in 2025, who might see more action in 2026.

Andy Jean - Transferred

Bryce Thornton - His missed tackle rate is high, but considering where he was ranked coming out of high school, he has been decent enough in the back

Jaden Robinson - 438 along Florida's deep linebacker room.

Knijeah Harris - Has become entrenched as Florida's starting left guard. Mostly solid play, but did allow 17 pressures in 2024.

Bryce Lovett - Expected to become the starting right tackle for Florida in 2025.

Quincy Ivory - Transferred

Ja'Kobi Jackson - Ironically, the biggest afterthought of Florida's class of 2023 morphed into it's most impactful player in 2024 once injuries at running back started to pile up