Trio of Florida Gators Targets Set To Announce Commitments Thursday

Picture: John Walker, Derrick LeBlanc, Ja’Keem Jackson; Credit score: Zach Goodall

The second has lastly arrived and a trio of Florida Gators targets for the 2023 recruiting class is ready to announce their commitments later right this moment (Thursday, July 28). 

The trio of Osceola (Fla) gamers, together with defensive again Ja’Keem Jackson and defensive tackles John Walker and Derrick LeBlanc, has had the pact to commit on the identical time for some time now, lastly able to make it recognized to the general public.

All three gamers have had the Gators on their minds all through the summer season, taking a number of journeys to this system’s campus over the spring and into the summer season.

Now, after narrowing down their lists to a number of applications, together with Florida, they will be making their selections, a pact – barring a change of coronary heart – to signal on the dotted line come Early or Nationwide Signing Day within the winter.

Jackson, graded as a four-star prospect, the No. 37 participant within the state of Florida and the No. 21 cornerback total on this yr’s class, in line with On3 Consensus, has visited this system two occasions, most lately making the trek as much as Gainesville on June 20, earlier this yr.

Although he hasn’t visited this system formally, he got here away intrigued with what Florida has to supply, significantly with cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond.

“He’s developed good DBs within the league and he is keen to teach for the long run,” Jackson instructed AllGators about Raymond in early June. “So, very enthusiastic about that.

“He was telling me that my dimension [6-foot-2, 185 pounds] since he has lastly seen me in particular person. He favored my dimension, that I’m lengthy, massive, quick, very bodily. Then he was exhibiting me he favored my tape and stuff, my skills to play.”

Jackson is ready to decide on between Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Penn State and Auburn. He’ll announce his dedication at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Walker, rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 9 defensive lineman within the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 20 participant within the 2023 recruiting class, in line with On3 consensus, is definitely among the best defensive linemen Florida might get on this yr’s cycle.

Walker has visited this system a complete of eight occasions and nonetheless has an official go to deliberate for Oct. 15, later this yr. He definitely has had an curiosity in UF for fairly a while, and has had no qualms about making the trek as much as Gainesville to see what this system may need to supply him.

In Could, Walker acknowledged that he got here away impressed with Florida, noting that he obtained “good vibes” from the teaching employees and significantly head coach Billy Napier.

“He is a extremely cool man laid again, dude,” Walker mentioned of Napier in Could. “He simply desires to get his group straight. And when it is time to play, he is on that. He is disciplined and he has a plan.”

Walker is ready to resolve between Florida, Michigan, Miami, Ohio State and UCF. He’ll make his resolution at 6:00 p.m. ET.

LeBlanc, a four-star and graded because the No. 11 defensive lineman within the nation and the No. 26 total participant within the state of Florida, in line with On3 Consensus, is one other one of many prime defensive tackles that Florida wish to land on this yr’s cycle.

He has visited this system greater than among the already dedicated gamers, a staggering 13 occasions, the bulk coming this yr. LeBlanc took his official go to to Florida’s campus on June 10 and seems able to make his resolution.

Throughout his OV, LeBlanc went by way of the Xs and Os of the Gators scheme and the way he’d in the end slot in with co-defensive coordinators Sean Spencer and Patrick Toney.

“I used to be in there with them for hours simply speaking soccer,” he mentioned in June. “They’re simply telling me like, stuff I could possibly be extra dominant [at]. They mentioned, my finest soccer is forward of me, that is what they saved telling me.

“I imply, they have been simply actually telling me I might play wherever throughout the road. That is one thing they mentioned like that is the important thing for me taking part in, that I might play in all places.”

LeBlanc is ready to resolve between Florida, Oklahoma and Penn State. He’ll make his dedication at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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