New coaches visit QB target, other recruits

GAINESVILLE — It’s been a busy week on the recruiting trail for new Florida coach Dan Mullen and his staff.

Mullen found a new quarterback target in Terry Wilson, who is the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat QB in the 247Sports composite junior college rankings. The former Oregon quarterback was evaluated by the Gators on Tuesday and earned an offer afterward. Wilson will officially visit UF next week and has Kentucky and Nebraska in the mix.

Mullen conducted in-home visits Tuesday night with Florida commits Iverson Clement, a running back, and Kyle Pitts, a tight end. Mullen spent Wednesday visiting 5-star defensive ends Eyabi Anoma and Micah Parsons, both of whom are top10 overall recruits.

The early signing period starts Dec. 20.

Florida assistants Billy Gonzales, Ja’Juan Seider and Chris Rumph hit Plantation American Heritage on Wednesday for a handful of top targets: 5-star cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Patrick Surtain Jr., 4-star wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, 4-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield and 4-star defensive tackle Nesta Silvera, a Miami commit.

The Gators have ground to make up on Campbell and Surtain, but they’re in contention for Chatfield and Schwartz. Florida was viewed as the leader for both recruits coming out of the summer, but Miami is now trending for Chatfield, and Schwartz named Auburn his leader after attending the Iron Bowl. Silvera says he is solid to the Hurricanes, but Florida still hopes to secure an official visit.

Florida assistants John Hevesy and Brad Davis have visited some of the nation’s top offensive linemen this week. Hevesy went to Georgia for top-50 overall recruits Trey Hill and Jamaree Salyer, who is also ranked in the top 10 of the 247Sports composite. Davis made his way to Baton Rouge, La., for 5-star Kardell Thomas, who is ranked the nation’s No. 2 guard for the Class of 2019.

Hill and Salyer are considered Georgia’s to lose, but the Gators are trying to land official visits from both linemen. Despite his commitment to LSU, Thomas continues to show interest in Florida and other schools. Hevesy and Mullen also paid a visit this week to 3-star offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, who plans to visit Gainesville on Dec. 14.

Florida assistant Tim Skipper traveled to Ohio on Tuesday to see 4-star linebacker Xavier Peters. The top-200 recruit landed an offer from UF in March but committed to Kentucky five months ago. Skipper and Rumph visited junior college linebacker Chauncey Manac on Monday after offering him the day prior. Manac attends the same Kansas junior college as Wilson and signed with Georgia out of high school.

Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham extended an offer Tuesday to safety John Huggins, who decommitted from Florida State last Friday after coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M. He now plans to check out Florida as well as Louisville and Nebraska. Tennessee safety pledge Trey Dean also met with UF on Monday and will be in Gainesville this weekend.

Former UF commit Jacob Copeland, a receiver who is another priority for the staff, is to receive a visit from Gonzales later this week.