Florida Football Recruiting: Gators' Biggest Targets in Class of 2016

One team that has a lot riding on its 2016 recruiting class is Jim McElwain’s Florida Gators.

With McElwain and his staff entering their first full cycle since arriving in Gainesville, they will be charged with landing a class that can help the Gators move back toward the top of the SEC East. 

However, to accomplish that goal, they will have to wrestle control of the Sunshine State’s fertile recruiting grounds away from rival Florida State. They will also have to win crucial battles for national prospects from territories away from their home base.

Which 2016 prospects represent the early must-gets for McElwain and his staff?

*Prospects listed in alphabetical order.

KJ Costello

McElwain did a great job of closing out the Gators' 2015 class on a strong note. However, one position where Florida struck out was at quarterback.

In order for McElwain’s offense to get on track in Gainesville, he has to find a consistent threat at that spot.

Of the prospects the team has already offered and who remain uncommitted, 4-star California passer KJ Costello appears to be one of the players the Gators could be in position to make a run at. The 6’4”, 213-pounder visited Gainesville last June. He holds offers from schools such as Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Stanford and USC, among others.

Regardless of whether the Gators are able to pull Costello or not, landing a top-flight passer is perhaps the top priority in this class for McElwain.

Josh Imatorbhebhe

The first player to commit to McElwain after his arrival in Gainesville was 3-star tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe.

Daniel’s younger brother, Josh, is a 4-star receiver in the 2016 cycle, and he could help provide an immediate boost to the Gators’ anemic passing game. 

The 6’3”, 202-pounder recently visited Alabama for a junior day and was blown away by his trip, according to BamaOnline’s Shane Youngblood. Given that his brother is already on campus, losing him to the Tide or anyone else would be a big blow to the Gators’ 2016 class.

Keion Joyner

Another player the Gators have targeted in the early going is 5-star outside linebacker Keion Joyner. The 6’3”, 200-pound North Carolina product took an unofficial visit to Gainesville last August. 

As Luke Stampini of GatorBait notes, the Gators have a need at linebacker that they have to fill in the 2016 class.

Joyner has Auburn, Florida State, LSU and North Carolina among the other schools who are heavily pursuing him.

Dexter Lawrence

The defensive line is another area McElwain and his staff will look to focus their efforts on in the 2016 class.  One of their early primary targets will be 5-star North Carolina product Dexter Lawrence.

The 6’5”, 310-pounder is a strong lean to the Gators, according to GatorBait’s Luke Stampini. However, schools such as Clemson and FSU are lurking for Lawrence and hoping to wrestle him away from the Gators.

Shavar Manuel

The Sunshine State’s top prospect in the 2016 class is 5-star defensive end Shavar Manuel. The 6’5”, 262-pounder racked up 22 sacks as a freshman in high school, according to Josh Newberg of Noles 247 (via Bleacher Report).

Landing an impact edge-rusher such as Manuel would go a long way toward giving the Gators front four an intimidating presence up front. 

However, the Gators are trailing schools such as Alabama, FSU and Miami in the early stages of Manuel’s recruitment.

Saivion Smith

With All-American corner Vernon Hargreaves III likely to be a candidate to forgo his senior season and test the NFL draft waters this time next year, the Gators will be in search of lockdown corners in the 2016 class.

A name likely to be at the top of McElwain’s wish list is in-state 5-star standout Saivion Smith. The 6’2”, 180-pounder is the nation’s top-rated corner—a rating that he earned after a standout junior season in which he snagged five interceptions and scored six non-offensive touchdowns. 

The Gators will have to beat out a host of powerhouse schools, including Clemson and FSU, to land Smith, who has the potential to make an early impact wherever he lands at the next level.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani