Florida Gators Football Recruiting: 5 Targets With National Signing Day Approaching

Florida Gators football recruiting targets with a week to go until National Signing Day.

The new era of Florida football yielded a quicker turnaround than most expected this past season. While the Gators struggled down the stretch, ending with a 10-4 record, it was more about changing the culture of the program.

From McElwain exploding at running back Kelvin Taylor early in the season to the coach’s “that was pretty cool” attitude, the Gators’ identity received a makeover.

Now, it’s step two of McElwain’s master plan. He didn’t have much time to recruit when he was hired in December of 2014, but now he’s been around for a full recruiting cycle. National Signing Day is in a week, and the Gators are looking to close out on a top 10 class.

But who are the key prospects Florida is looking at to fill up McElwain’s first full recruiting class? Below are five key targets on the Gators’ radar.

Note: Scout.com ratings and rankings used in this article.

5 Florida Gators Football Recruiting Targets

Kristian Fulton – 4-star, No. 3 CB, No. 34 Overall

Biggest Competitors: LSU Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks

Kristian Fulton is definitely an elite cornerback in this year’s class with a sixth sense to locate the football and a nose to find the end zone afterwards. LSU was thought to be the heavy favorite to land Fulton, but now the Gators are very much in it to land his commitment. With Vernon Hargreaves III off to the NFL, Florida is looking to add some depth at cornerback.

Brian Burns – 5-star, No. 5 DE, No. 22 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs

Brian Burns has the potential to evolve into an elite pass rusher at the next level. His first step is lightning quick, and he can beat offensive tackles with his speed rush. The Gators have plans to rotate pass rushers and find him some early playing time along with Antonneous Clayton. The two of them together could be a dynamic duo on Florida’s defensive line for the next few years. It’s going to be really close as Burns loves Florida State, too, but he was very impressed by the Gators when he took his official visit to Gainesville, Fla.

Tyrie Cleveland – 4-star, No. 2 WR, No. 32 Overall

Biggest Competitors: TCU Horned Frogs, Houston Cougars, Texas A&M Aggies

Tyrie Cleveland is basically defined as a deep threat, but he does a really good job of creating separation and exploding off the line. He’s been committed to Houston for a while, but that commitment has been shaky. Florida is set to host him this weekend, but TCU is making a big push for Cleveland, too. The Horned Frogs seem to be the biggest threat.

Lyndell “Mack” Wilson – 4-star, No. 2 OLB, No. 46 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs

Since nothing is set in stone until a recruit signs his letter of intent, Lyndell “Mack” Wilson will remain on the targets list. He tweeted that Florida was eliminated on Thursday, but later removed that tweet. It appears that it’s down to Alabama and Georgia, but you just never know. Florida does have commitments from two of his friends: Jeawon Taylor and Antonio Nelson.

Nick Eubanks – 3-star, No. 29 TE, Unranked

Biggest Competitors: Michigan Wolverines, Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Eubanks is a balanced tight end who can make key blocks in the running game and serve as a safety blanket to hang around the sticks. Michigan is rising late in the game, but Alabama and Florida are the two top contenders for his commitment. The Gators need to turn it on in order to beat out the Crimson Tide.