Good Morning Gators: Top-100 QB Jaden Rashada talks UF trip; new mailbag
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The Gators hosted one of their top targets late last week in quarterback Jaden Rashada, a top-100 overall recruit.
Rashada took a two-day trip to Gainesville after naming Florida as one of his seven finalists earlier this month. First-year coach Billy Napier and analyst Ryan O’Hara are a big reason UF made the cut.
“Coach Napier and Coach O’Hara, two QB specialists, I believe in their quarterback development, especially at a place here like Florida,” Rashada told Inside The Gators following his visit.
“I believe in them. So, I think that’s why I had to go out to visit and kind of not miss out on that opportunity. I believe in as coaches and how they run their program and how they believe in their system.”
Rashada toured the new $85 million football facility opening this summer and spent time around the team. The California prospect could see himself living in Gainesville.
“Gainesville, you know, this place is way better than people can imagine as far as living there,” Rashada said. “(Napier) just wanted me to see it and just like, if I can imagine it. They showed me the plan they have for me and the system and I like it.
“I saw the new facility, I talked to the players. That was one of my favorite parts about this visit was the people in the building. That’s pretty important.”
What was Rashada’s main takeaway from his visit to UF?
“Man, Florida has something special building and they’re just now getting started. Matter of fact, they’re barely even started. They got something special that’s gonna go down here these next couple years,” he said.
“I know what Coach Napier is capable of doing with quarterbacks, especially with a quarterback that is blessed to have the talent I do and what he’s done in the past. So, I just believe in (Napier) as a coach and as a QB developer. So that’s a big reason why I did go.”
Rashada now plans to take some official visits, which he will announce soon, before making his commitment on June 18. He discussed what his deciding factors will be.
“Playing situation. Where I think I’ll be most successful. Where I think I’ll succeed most as a person and as a football player. If I can live there,” Rashada said. “But mainly, where I’ll be most successful at. It’s about time that I go out and live my own life and create my own name and my own destiny.”
In other Florida football news
- New Gators mailbag: What’s next for Jaden Rashada, the impact of new football facility, UF’s projected starting five and more.
- Florida coach Billy Napier thinks NIL will be a “slam dunk” for the Gators, with one of his players being a recent example.
- Napier and Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin share the latest on the new football facility and the anticipated move-in date.
- WATCH: Florida football’s Twitter account shared a video of former UF receivers Frankie and Josh Hammond touring the new facility.
- Billy Napier discusses the start of his team’s Regimen phase and looks ahead to SEC spring meetings this week.
UF recruiting roundup
- Gators Online’s Corey Bender has submitted a new RPM pick in favor of the Gators for a four-star defensive back.
- A four-star athlete in the 2024 class has the Gators on top and is set to return to Gainesville this summer.
- Florida is hoping to secure an official visit from a five-star receiver, who has a family member that played for UF.
- An On300 defensive lineman in the 2023 class is inching closer to scheduling an official visit with the Gators.
Gators sports roundup
- The Gators won three straight in Hoover to advance to the SEC Tournament Championship, where they fell to No. 1 Tennessee.
- The Gators’ impressive run in the month of May earned them the right to host an NCAA regional for the 18th time in program history.
- The UF softball team run-ruled Virigina Tech on Sunday to advance to the program’s 11th Women’s College World Series.
- Ben Shelton won the NCAA singles championship on Saturday, becoming the second Gator in back-to-back seasons to claim the title.
Let’s keep talking
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Gators Twitter updates
- Ben Shelton is a national champion:
- The UF softball team is OKC bound:
