Sweep: UF, FSU, UCF, Miami score high grades with classes
FSU and UCF made big moves on Wednesday’s National Signing Day to close out the 2021 recruiting cycle. Check out grades for all in-state schools.
Florida (A+)
The Gators were finished with their 2021 recruiting class, so nothing has changed for Dan Mullen’s squad. UF had a great early National Signing Day, putting together the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports.com composite rankings. That number has dropped to No. 13 as some other schools picked up prospects Wednesday, but that doesn’t take away from Mullen’s success this cycle. UF already had taken huge steps toward filling its 2021 class before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The Gators focused on shoring up a defense that struggled during the 2020 season, signing five-star cornerback Jason Marshall and four-star safety Corey Collier. UF also picked up defensive ends Jeremiah Williams and Tyreak Sapp. Twelve of UF’s 22 signees are already on campus.
Miami (A+)
Defense was also the theme for Miami’s recruiting class, which remains ranked No. 12 in the country and gives the Hurricanes the state’s top 2021 recruiting class. UM, like Florida, tapped one of the best defenses in the state at Miami Palmetto High, snagging five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor. Miami also signed Edgewater linebacker Deshawn Troutman, adding eight overall defensive signees. The Hurricanes’ class also featured three four-star receivers to complete a well-rounded class that has 22 incoming freshmen and three transfers.
FSU (A)
New FSU coach Mike Norvell and his staff have added to the Seminoles’ class since December when it was ranked No. 31 nationally. Wednesday’s additions raised FSU to No. 22 in the nation. Wide receiver Destyn Hill, a four-star receiver from New Orleans Edna High, signed with the Seminoles Wednesday and gives FSU three standout receivers in this class, joining Malik McClain and Josh Burrell. The Seminoles also picked up eight transfers, including UCF’s McKenzie Milton and Brandon Moore, to give Norvell a great starting point as he works to rebuild the FSU program.
UCF (A)
What a difference two months makes. The Knights’ recruiting class was ranked No. 61 in December, but after the departure of head coach Josh Heupel to Tennessee, in stepped major recruiter Dillon Gabriel. The Knights’ sophomore quarterback lured four-star receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala from Ewa Beach James Campbell High in Hawaii. The Knights also signed Zyin Thomas of Delray Beach Atlantic on Wednesday and ended up with 5the No. 55 recruiting class in the country. UCF also already had signed Arizona quarterback Mikey Keene, who is on campus. UCF, which was in the bottom 10 among all FBS teams in defense last season, addressed some needs by adding five defensive backs, four defensive linemen and two linebackers. UCF also addressed the need for more receivers by adding four.
USF (B)
The Bulls put together a nice class, but it was still ranked nine spots below UCF and fifth in the AAC. Nothing really changed for USF on Wednesday as the Bulls continued their rebuilding phase by adding six transfers to go along with the 18 signed players, nine of whom are on campus. The Bulls signed two quarterbacks in Sanford Seminole High’s Timmy McClain and Garden City Community College’s Jarren Williams, who originally hails from Central Gwinnett (Ga.).
FAU (B-)
The Owls signed five more players Wednesday, but they dropped 10 spots in the 247Sports team rankings to No. 82. FAU still has four committed players, so their final ranking remains to be seen. The top Owls recruits are Buford (Ga.) safety Amari Wansley and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Jahmal Edrine. There are also three players who have transferred to FAU, headlined by John Dunmore, a Fort Lauderdale product who originally signed with Penn State. FAU is third in Conference USA recruiting rankings, behind Texas-San Antonio and North Texas.
FIU (C+)
The Panthers signed three more players and made a little headway in the late signing period, but they still landed right behind rival FAU at No. 83 nationally and fifth in Conference USA. The signings of defensive tackle Savion Collins of Miami Palmetto and safety Demetrius Hill of Miami Springs were big gets for FIU on Wednesday and will help shore up the defense. Miami Carol City running back Katravis Geter Jr., a December signee, was another key recruit for the Panthers.