If anything will tell you the current status of a major college football program, it’s winning. But that doesn’t always mean winning on the field. College football programs must win off the field and continue their winning ways in key recruiting battles 365 days a year.
After a recent string of decommitments — or flips — the Florida Gators recruiting class has found itself on shaky ground.
Florida Recruiting: Nasir Johnson, Wardell Mack Flip Commitments From Gators
Before we get to it, it should be said that the Gators still rank as a top-10 class overall for the Class of 2024 recruiting cycle. However, this class could have contended for the top spot overall instead of fighting to stay inside the top 10 nationally.
First, it was four-star CB Wardell Mack flipping his commitment to Texas. Then four-star DE Nasir Johnson flipped his commitment to Georgia.
Two pivotal pieces from their recruiting classes are now linked elsewhere, and both are to SEC foes.
Florida has gone from 21 commits to just 19, the fewest of the current makeup of the top 10 teams, meaning they have room to grow. That would be the case had it not been for the recent string of decommitments.
Instead of celebrating a potential program-changing class, this class now teetering on the edge of a cliff.
Here’s how Florida’s 2024 recruiting class currently sits as well as predictions from the industry-leading 247Sports’ Crystal Ball.
- 5-star DL LJ McCray; Daytona Beach, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (10/23/23, medium confidence) - 5-star QB DJ Lagway; Willis, TX
Prediction: Hard Commit (12/6/22, medium confidence) - 5-star CB Xavier Filsaime; McKinney, TX
Prediction: Hard Commit (4/13/22, medium confidence) - 4-star DL Amaris Williams; Clinton, NC
Prediction: Flip – Ohio State (11/14/23, medium confidence) - 4-star LB Myles Graham; Gainesville, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (8/14/22, high confidence) - 4-star OT Fletcher Westphal; Lessburg, VA
Prediction: Hard Commit (7/10/23, medium confidence) - 4-star LB Aaron Chiles; Olney, MD
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/17/23, medium confidence) - 4-star TE Amir Jackson; Portal, GA
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/17/23, medium confidence) - 4-star LB Adarius Hayes; Largo, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (1/28/23, low confidence) - 4-star WR Jerrae Hawkins; Bradenton, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/26/23, medium confidence) - 4-star WR Tawaski Abrams; Fort Myers, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (7/18/23, no Crystal Ball projection) - 4-star WR Izaiah Williams; Tampa, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (5/5/23, no Crystal Ball projection) - 3-star DL Kendall Jackson; Gainesville, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (7/12/23, medium confidence) - 3-star S Josiah Davis; Nashville, GA
Prediction: Hard Commit (3/27/23, medium confidence) - 3-star OT Mike Williams; Upper Marlboro, MD
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/12/23, high confidence) - 3-star RB Kahnen Daniels; West Point, MS
Prediction: Hard Commit (4/10/23, medium confidence) - 3-star CB Teddy Foster; Sarasota, FL
Prediction: Hard Commit (7/14/23, medium confidence) - 3-star OT Marcus Mascoll; Snellville, GA
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/19/23, medium confidence) - 3-star iOL Noel Portnjagin; Germany
Prediction: Hard Commit (6/14/23, no Crystal Ball projection)
On the predictions above, it’s very interesting to note who is predicting such news. Specifically, four-star DL Amaris Williams is projected to flip to Ohio State as of Tuesday, November 14, 2023, and by two different 247Sports Experts.
Ohio State Insider Bill Kurelic has successfully predicted 87.68% of his Crystal Ball projections in his career and has a medium confidence in Williams flipping from Florida to Ohio State. Similarly, Notre Dame Insider Tom Loy has the same projection and has hit 34 of 35 predictions this season alone.
A few more have some potential to sway as analysts are divided. Specifically, four-star tackle Fletcher Westphal has been predicted by three analysts to land at Florida, while two others think he’ll flip to Clemson. He’s one to watch.
Aaron Chiles is another to watch as the four-star linebacker has a similar situation developing. Three analysts from the Michigan Insider have pegged Chiles as a Michigan flip. However, they’ve not updated this since March of 2023. No other analyst, however, has been confident in Chiles’ decision to stick with Florida to make a prediction yet.
Three-star running back Kahnen Daniels is in a similar situation. Despite the firing of head coach Zach Arnett, Mississippi State has recently been projected to land the flipped commitment of the in-state prospect.
MORE: Candidates to Replace Zach Arnett at Mississippi State
Mississippi State insider Paul Jones has placed a vote of high confidence that Daniels will flip while Florida analysts haven’t updated a projected since March of 2023.
Despite that — Daniels tweeted on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, a message indicating he may be firm in his commitment.