Florida Football Recruiting: Meet the Gators' 2016 Class

The Florida Gators look to be in great shape moving forward following Jim McElwain’s first full recruiting class as head coach. 

Florida used a successful 10-4 2015 campaign to help reel in the 13th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports. The Gators’ class sat in the top 10 heading into 2016 national signing day, but it fell a bit due to surges from other programs and the flip of 4-star defensive tackle Shavar Manuel to in-state rival Florida State. 

Nonetheless, this incoming group will be instrumental in establishing a foundation for McElwain’s program. 

Offense appeared to be a focus for Florida, as 14 of its 25 2016 signees will start their careers on that side of the ball. In addition, five of those 14 are 4-star prospects. This is good news, since the Gators struggled mightily to move the ball in 2015, averaging only 17 points in their last eight games. 

Let us now take a closer look at Florida’s 2016 signing class.

Player	Rating	Position	Position Rank
Tyrie Cleveland	4-Star	WR	2
Jeawon Taylor	3-Star	S	20
Mark Thompson	4-Star (JC)	RB	1
Vosean Joseph	3-Star	OLB	42
Brett Heggie	3-Star	C	6
Antonneous Clayton	4-Star	WDE	2
Rick Wells	3-Star	WR	78
Feleipe Franks	4-Star	Pro-QB	5
Freddie Swain	4-Star	WR	23
Jordan Smith	4-Star	WDE	25
David Reese	3-Star	ILB	14
Stone Forsythe	3-Star	OT	81
Jeremiah Moon	4-Star	OLB	20
Lamical Perine	3-Star	RB	29
Kyle Trask	3-Star	Pro-QB	92
Quincy Lenton	3-Star	S	39
Jawaan Taylor	3-Star	G	46
Jachai Polite	3-Star	SDE	33
Joseph Putu	3-Star (JC)	CB	11
Christopher McWilliams	3-Star	CB	125
Eddy Pineiro	3-Star	K	1
McArthur Burnett	3-Star	APB	13
Dre Massey	3-Star (JC)	WR	5
Chauncey Gardner	4-Star	CB	4
Josh Hammond	4-Star	WR	32

Early Enrollees 

A major advantage for Florida’s class is that nearly half of it is already on campus and working out with the team. 

A total of 12 players signed early with the Gators in January, including many of their top pieces in 4-star quarterback Feleipe Franks, 4-star safety Chauncey Gardner and 4-star running back Mark Thompson, a bruising junior college rusher. 

Thompson fills a glaring need for the Gators, who lose leading rusher Kelvin Taylor to the NFL. The team lacks any proven experience at running back, and the 6'2", 230-pound Thompson, who rushed for 1,298 yards and 18 touchdowns at Dodge City Community College last season, will instantly give Florida a powerful, short-yardage rusher who can pick up critical first downs at the end of games. Expect him to lead the team in rushing scores next season. 

Having 12 players on campus early is a tremendous boost for Florida’s roster, as noted by Mark Wheeler of InsideTheGators.com: 

These players will be more acclimated to the collegiate game and the offensive or defensive playbook than their classmates when the 2016 season kicks off, increasing the chances of them making an early impact. Great job by McElwain and his staff to get this many kids on campus in January.

Florida Looking to Revive Its Passing Attack 

After Will Grier was suspended after six games and subsequently left the Florida program, the 2015 Gators were pitiful moving the ball through the air.

Florida dropped its last three games as Treon Harris, Grier’s replacement, completed 44 percent of his throws for only 445 yards, one touchdown and two picks. The lack of an aerial attack severely hindered the offense, which was forced to rely on Taylor and the ground game. 

McElwain made a concerted effort to add difference-makers in the passing game, and it appears to have paid off, at least on paper. 

Franks is the nation’s fifth-rated pro-style passer. He has phenomenal arm strength and enough mobility in the pocket to find receivers down the field. Take a look at his film and see for yourself. 

Joining Franks is a five-man receiving class, which is headlined by Tyrie Cleveland, the second-ranked receiver in the nation. The longtime Houston commit flipped to the Gators on signing day, which garnered some praise from Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman: 

Cleveland is an electric athlete who will benefit greatly from Franks’ throwing ability in a year or two. Fellow 4-stars Josh Hammond and Freddie Swain join him, giving Florida a deep and talented pass-catching group. 

Given McElwain’s past success in developing NFL quarterbacks Garrett Grayson at Colorado State and AJ McCarron at Alabama, Franks should become a star in Gainesville. Combine that with the bevy of receiving weapons, and you should expect the Gators to produce one of the SEC’s top passing offenses by 2018.

Impact Players on Defense 

As is typical of most Florida recruiting classes, the defensive side of the ball will be receiving some big-time playmakers. 

It starts with Gardner. By looking at his tape, it is obvious he brings tremendous speed and versatility to Florida’s defensive backfield. According to Andy Hutchins of SB Nation’s Alligator Army, this should allow Gardner to see the field right away for the Gators: 

"

The talkative defensive back has the skills to play both nickel back and safety, and Florida has openings available at both positions. Gardner may be destined for an outside corner role eventually, but with Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson set at those positions in 2016, the Cocoa [High School] product's shortest route to the field is probably a jog to the safety spot.

"

Gardner should be able to excel for Florida and follow in the steps of 2015 All-American Vernon Hargreaves and Tabor as elite Gators defensive backs.

On the defensive line, defensive end Antonneous Clayton will come in as nationally the highest-ranked player in Florida’s 2016 class at No. 26 overall. The accolades are for good reason, as Clayton is arguably the best pass-rushing prospect in America.

McElwain tweeted his excitement for Clayton's arrival:

By looking at his above measurables, it is no wonder this kid is such a force on the edge. He possesses dynamic quickness while using his long arms and 6’3” frame to fend off opposing linemen on his way to the quarterback. 

He will line up opposite of CeCe Jefferson, a 5-star in 2015, to form arguably the SEC’s best young duo of pass-rushers. Look for Clayton to start out as a third-down specialist before earning a full-time role toward the end of this upcoming season.

Sleeper 

Each program is looking for a diamond in the rough to join its most heralded recruits as major parts of the team’s future. 

There are plenty of worthy candidates to become that sleeper in Florida’s class. McArthur Burnett is a 3-star athlete capable of contributing in all aspects of the game, while 3-star running back Lamical Perine possesses a nice blend of speed and power out of the backfield. 

Yet Florida’s offensive line situation and the rare physical attributes make 3-star offensive tackle Stone Forsythe the pick here. 

Forsythe is a specimen at nearly 6’8” and 325 pounds. He has ideal size for an offensive tackle and a long reach to keep opposing pass-rushers from getting inside position on him. Take a look at his game film to get some additional perspective on his abilities. 

Possessing the power to block downhill while being able to get out in space to throw blocks makes Forsythe a special prospect with phenomenal potential. 

McElwain sees the same promise in Forsythe. 

“First and foremost, when you think about the size and then you couple that with the athleticism,” McElwain said, per InsideTheGators.com’s Landon Watnick. “[Forsythe] will fit in there.” 

Florida has some depth up front, which will allow Forsythe to redshirt in 2016 and develop his raw ability into a more polished game. When he does, he could be scary. Look for him to become a potential All-SEC performer by his junior season.

All recruiting rankings are courtesy of 247Sports.