#D23AMTEAM: Meet the Florida Gators 2023 recruiting class (2024)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier and his staff signed a top-10 class on Wednesday, including 20 recruits from the 2023 cycle.

The Gators inked 16 four-star prospects and finished with their highest blue-chip ratio since 2010. Meet UF’s signees from the high school ranks.

QB Jaden Rashada

Measurables: 6-foot-3.25, 185-pounds

Capsule: Gators sign future starter in Jaden Rashada

Quotable: “Can’t compliment Jaden enough relative to who he is as a person, as a leader, his character. Jaden is a guy who came here and fell in love with the University of Florida and really connected with a lot of people here. It was sincere. Certainly, comes from an unbelievable family, his mom, his dad, his sister. Just nothing but respect for them and the young man that they’ve raised. He had a fantastic senior year, made a huge playoff run. Came up a little short in the state title there, but just phenomenal run there as a senior. That’s always a good sign, I think. One of the more highly regarded quarterbacks in the country. I think the ball really jumps out of his hand. He’s a junkie. He loves the game. He’s all about the work. I think he’s got a good sturdy frame that we can add weight to. Just been very impressed with his approach. Certainly excited he’s going to be here in January. Jaden and is coming down to play in the All-Star Game here soon in the state and will come right over. So look forward to working with him.” — Billy Napier

RB Treyaun Webb

Measurables: 5-foot-11.25, 200 pounds

Capsule: Four-star RB Treyaun Webb joins forces with the Gators

Quotable: “Treyaun, to me, what stands out about Treyaun is the instincts, the vision. At running back oftentimes I think it’s about production, and he’s been running the ball for a long time. He’s kind of a legend there in Duval. Coming up, he’s always been a guy to put that ball under his arm. He produces. I was pleased with how physical he played. He’s a tough guy. He’s played through some injuries in the past. He’s been a part of a winning program. I think you can never overlook that. And a guy that I think has got a little bit of an edge to him. He catches the ball well. Couldn’t be more excited about Treyaun. He’ll be here early as well.” — Billy Napier

WR Eugene “Tre” Wilson

Measurables: 5-foot-10.25, 165 pounds

Capsule: Gators ink top-40 overall recruit Eugene Wilson III

Quotable: “Tre Wilson is one of the more dynamic slot, run-after-catch returners. Just a very explosive, instinctive player. He does some really unique things on tape, relative to adjusting to the ball, run after catch. He’s dynamic. You can throw an intermediate short pass to this guy, and he’s a one touchdown player. He also played both ways. He played corner, and he was fantastic there too. He’s tough. Really excited about what he can — I think he’s one of these players, very polished. He’ll bring a lot to our team right away.” — Billy Napier

WR Aidan Mizell

Measurables: 6-foot-1.5, 170 pounds

Capsule: Gators getting top-100 speedster in WR Aiden Mizell

Quotable: “Aidan Mizell is 6’1-1/2″. He’s probably up to 170-plus pounds and just verified speed. We’re talking about elite speed. Both parents were track athletes here at the University of Florida. This guy plays the game the right way. He was injured this year, obviously missed the majority of the year, but he’s a tough guy, plays the game that way. Very explosive player in the vertical throw game and run after catch. But this is a very unique athlete. He’s going to run track here as well. He’s one of the best 400-meter guys in the entire country, and certainly ran 10.6 100 meters this past spring as a junior. So, we’re talking about elite speed. Got character. Very bright. Just an unbelievable family. He’s got a little brother and a little sister, and they’re just phenomenal people. It means something to him to be at the University of Florida, and you certainly can appreciate that. So, he’s going to bring a lot to the table.” — Billy Napier

WR Andy Jean

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds

Capsule: WR Andy Jean signs with Florida over FSU

Quotable: “Andy Jean, I think is another player, 6’1″, a little bit bigger, 192 pounds. This guy can run the route tree. This guy has a unique acceleration. He can really eat up the coverage. He can get behind you. I respect Andy, just his attitude and approach to life. He’s a blue-collar guy. He’s a worker. Really a lot of respect for his family. They work extremely hard, Haitian background, just really respect what they’re about, who they are as a family. So, I think all three of those guys — obviously Tre’s dad was an NFL player. These are really good people and fantastic football players. I think three of the best receivers in the entire country.”

TE Tony Livingston

Measurables: 6-foot-4.75, 232 pounds

Capsule: Four-star Tony Livingston is as unique as a player as his backstory

Quotable: “He weighed 250 as a 10th grader. Probably played his best football as a 10th grader. I think thatTonyis an athlete. I think that certainly we had to do a lot of research, right, in this situation. He’s a fantastic basketball player, unique dimensions. This guy is 6’4″ and three quarters, and he’s got 11-inch hands. That’s very unique. He’s extremely long, and he’s got a big frame. I thinkTonyis a survivor. When you guys start digging into his story, all the things that he’s overcome. We had a chance to spend time with him, and just got a really good feeling from him about the type of person he is. He’s got a good heart, and I think he’ll be a good player here. If you watch the basketball footage, they had ground-level footage of when he came to camp here that we were able to watch. Then he comes in the door, you’re digging into his story, we had a gut feeling that he’s what we’re looking for, and we’re extremely excited about his potential. You know, we listed him as a tight end, and I certainly think that he can play that position for us.” — Billy Napier

OL Roderick Kearney

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 292 pounds

Capsule: Gators land productive OL Roderick Kearney

Quotable: “If you want to turn film on and say, ‘Okay, who’s got the best tape?’ I would argue Roderick Kearney’s film is some of the most impressive tape of any offensive lineman in the country. This guy’s a really unique player. He’s driven. He’s focused. He’s got discipline. He’s always doing the extra, very bright. He’s got an edge about him. His mama’s a phenomenal lady. Just a great family there. Really enjoyed them.” — Billy Napier

OL Knijeah Harris

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 328 pounds

Capsule: IMG OL Knijeah Harris locks in with Florida

Quotable: “Knijeah’s a guy who’s been at IMG for three years. He’s one of the more physically ready. Did a great job this off-season. I thought he really changed his body in this past off-season, played great as a senior. Just great presence about him, always got a smile on his face. You go around the IMG campus, just the way people talk about him, the respect that they have for him. Great family. Certainly, he’ll be here early. And a guy, you know those IMG guys, it’s almost like they’ve been at college already to some degree.” — Billy Napier

OL Bryce Lovett

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 336 pounds

Capsule: OL Bryce Lovett makes it official with the Gators

Quotable: “Bryce Lovettis 6’5″, 350 pounds. Bryce is very young for his age. Probably should be a junior. Still very much growing. I thought his senior film is really impressive. Certainly, he’s a guy who gets in the program and grows a bit, I think he’s got a bright future in front of him.” — Billy Napier

DL Kelby Collins

Measurables: 6-foot-3.75, 259 pounds

Capsule: DL Kelby Collins stays put with the Gators

Quotable: “You just turn the tape on. He’s one of the more polished, ready to play players in the country. Just fundamentally advanced, 6’4”, 260 pounds, and really a violent player, plays with effort. He comes from an unbelievable family, just his mom and dad, their character, they’re competitors. He’s been raised — that might have been the cleanest house I’ve ever been in. I think that’s an indicator of things. Kelby’s mom and dad, got a younger brother, his grandma, they’re just awesome. Salt of the earth, and he’s a reflection of them certainly. He’s a leader. He’s been a leader in this class, and certainly he’s going to be here in January and certainly a guy I believe is in prime position to be a difference maker. So he’s got some leadership traits. He’s a hard worker and a guy that I think is, it’s a big deal for him to be a Gator.” — Billy Napier

DL Gavin Hill

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 275 pounds

Capsule: DL Gavin Hill staying home in Gainesville

Quotable: “Gavin Hillis a local player, 6’3″. He’s up to 275 pounds. Unique in that he played some tight end in the past. I thought his senior tape was special. He played with a shoulder, tough as nails. Obviously Coach Whittemore runs a great program over there. They made a great run in the playoff. He’s a Gator through and through. There’s just a different level of passion that he’s going to bring.” — Billy Napier

DL Kamran James

Measurables: 6-foot-5.5, 260 pounds

Capsule: All-American DL Kamran James officially a Gator

Quotable: “I do thinkKamran Jamesis one of the more impressive athletes in the class, 6’5-1/2″, 260 pounds, and a former basketball player turned football. I think he has a high ceiling and really can’t compliment that family enough. Their approach to recruiting, just about all the right things. Just really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Excited about Kamran being midyear. I just think his upside is tremendous.” — Billy Napier

DL Will Norman

Measurables: 6-foot-3.5, 299 pounds

Capsule: Florida adds four-star defensive tackle Will Norman

Quotable: “Will Normanis one heck of an athlete for 6’3-1/2″, 300 pounds. Former basketball player, turned football. Was at IMG, went back home for his senior year. This guy could play on the edge for his size, really unique traits. I think his best football is in front of him. Lights up the room when he walks in. He’s got a great personality about him. His mom is a great lady. Really excited about that group. Obviously, we’ve got others that will join them, but it’s a good group of defensive linemen. If you’re going to be good, it starts up front.” — Billy Napier

OLB T.J. Searcy

Measurables: 6-foot-5.25, 252 pounds

Capsule: T.J. Searcy a much needed get at OLB

Quotable: “T.J. Searcyis probably one of the freakier dudes in the group. 6’5-1/4″, 250 pounds-plus, probably 260 now. This guy played tight end, outside linebacker as a junior, played more of a 4-3 end as a senior. Unique movements for this size now and a very disruptive player. His mom’s an incredible lady. His brothers are — just made some great memories with his family visiting them. This is a really great kid and one we’re excited about enrolling early.” — Billy Napier

ILB Jaden Robinson

Measurables: 6-foot-0.5, 221 pounds

Capsule: Local LB Jaden Robinson is a Florida Gator

Quotable: “Jaden is one of my favorite players in the class. Jaden is a guy that, you watch his junior tape, he’s playing safety. He’s playing apex. He’s out in space. He shows up at camp, and we get him at 6’0.5”, 221. He’s kind of grown into his body. They played him at will linebacker in the camp, and we had a chance to watch him. It became pretty evident that he could play linebacker. Comes from a great program, a great area. There’s a certain passion that comes with being from the area, if that makes sense. So as many of those guys that pass the evaluation that we can get on our team, the better. I think, if you look back at the history, when Florida’s been good, they’ve had the better players in the surrounding areas that have come here to play. So, we want to continue that trend. Jaden is another guy that has a phenomenal family — mom, dad, his grandmother. Really good people and certainly a lot of fun to be around. Jaden Robinson, I think he scored a defensive touchdown seven weeks in a row in high school football. Think about that for a second. Seven weeks in a row, this guy scores a defensive touchdown. Very difficult to do. Very instinctive player. He’s got a knack. He’s tough. Excited about him being here early. Certainly, got a critical need at inside backer, and he’s going to help that.” — Billy Napier

CB Dijon Johnson

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds

Capsule: Elite cornerback Dijon Johnson joins DBU

Quotable: “Dijon Johnson, I think, is a very unique player for his size. Plays corner, very physical, can make a play on the ball. 6’1″, close to 190 pounds, and a guy that you put him up there and he can put his hands on you. He’s great in press coverage. I think he’s instinctive, he’s a great tackler, and he makes plays on the ball. Had a phenomenal year there.” — Billy Napier

CB Ja’Keem Jackson

Measurables: 6-foot-0.5, 185 pounds

Capsule: Gators add high-ceiling DB Ja’Keem Jackson

Quotable: “Ja’Keem Jackson, I think, is probably one of the more talented players in the class, just relative to he’s got a high ceiling. Receiver moved to corner. I originally evaluated him as a receiver. We had him on the receiver board. He makes the move. He runs 10.9 as a junior at 6’1/2″, 189 pounds. Two-way player in some games as a high school player. Put on a show as a senior. One of the best players in the state, in my opinion. And really a guy this time last year, not a lot of people talking about the guy. So height, length, verified speed, and mom and dad are awesome. He’s got a history of athletes in his family. A lot of track background, so they know what it’s like. He knows how to work.” — Billy Napier

CB Aaron Gates

Measurables: 6-foot-0.5, 199 pounds

Capsule: Aaron Gates signs with Florida, turns down Michigan

Quotable: “Let me say this aboutAaron Gates. Aaron Gates was the one member of this class that was committed when we arrived, I think, right? Man, I can’t tell you how much respect I have for A.G. and just who he is as a competitor. My brother’s team plays against his team. I remember my brother called him in the summer and said Gates is a problem. Plays both ways returner, DB, receiver. Got injured as a senior, but his parents probably have more — I mean, the wisdom, right? I’m a guy who’s raising a 10, 8, 6-year-old, but when I’m with them, man, I’m asking them questions because just so much respect for who they are and their son and what their family’s about. Aaron Gates is a worker. He’s relentless. He’s in the process of rehabbing right now. Aaron Gates is going to make the Gators better on the field, but just his presence, his character, the work ethic, the drive, he’s a very unique person.” — Billy Napier

DB Sharif Denson

Measurables: 5-foot-11, 174 pounds

Capsule: Gators fend off Alabama for fluid cornerback Sharif Denson

Quotable: “When you go around the area and you visit different high schools, every coach talks about Sharif Denson and the competitor he is. He’s a matchup player. He can play corner. He can play star. He is a competitor. We had a chance to observe him in the seven-on-seven competition. Obviously, both of his parents being University of Florida folks, just cares about the place, and I think a very smart player that comes from a great culture there at Bartram Trail, he’s going to bring a lot to our team. Mature and ready to go. So, he is an early enrollee.” — Billy Napier

DB Jordan Castell

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds

Capsule: Four-star safety Jordan Castell signs with Florida

Quotable: “Jordan Castellis a 6’2″, 200-pound player that plays corner, but I think is going to start in the safety room. I thought he really improved as a tackler as a senior. We had him in camp, the height, the length. He can cover. You go in that school; he is the guy. The principal, the teachers, the counselors, his mom is an unbelievable person, obviously a great story. Just a tough dynamic with his dad and all that happened, but just really a guy that I think is unique, just love to be around him. I thought he had a great senior year, and to be 6’2″, 205 and move around like he does, I think is a big deal.” — Billy Napier

DB Bryce Thornton

Measurables: 5-foot-10, 193 pounds

Capsule: UF four-star safety commit Bryce Thornton puts pen to paper

Quotable: “Bryce Thornton, if you want to just go watch a highlight tape, go watch his highlight tape. This guy, he’s 5’10”, close to 200 pounds, 190 pounds, big features. His mother was an athlete, basketball family. You go in this guy’s school, everybody loves Bryce. He’s got an unbelievable smile, just brings great energy. Played through some injuries, tough. And another player that comes from a great culture, where they’ve won, they overachieve. The coaching staff there, to get what they got out of their team this year, they lost a ton of players. Very, very impressed with Bryce, not only his production as a player, but just his demeanor, and he’s another early enrollee.” — Billy Napier