Patrick Toney feels confident in evaluation process, praises recruiting staff
Throughout the last nine months, the entire Florida staff has dedicated countless hours to bettering the program, and it all starts on the recruiting trail.
Under Billy Napier, the Gators landed 17 four-stars and 11 three-star high school prospects, according to the On3 Consensus. Diving further into the numbers, seven of the 11 three-stars came at the tail end of the 2022 class, when the staff was grasping for straws among the remaining prospects in the class.
As for the 2023 class, the Gators are flaming hot on the trail, landing seven four-stars alone in July. There is no question that Napier’s staff raised the floor with UF recruiting, but the next step is for the Gators to consistently pull top-100 prospects, including five-stars.
Patrick Toney remains confident in Florida’s recruiting process
Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Patrick Toney went over his thoughts on the current state of Florida’s recruiting on Tuesday.
“I think the class we have put together here is great,” Toney said.
According to the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings, Florida comes in at No. 13 in the nation, having 12 four-stars and four three-stars in their 2023 class. It won’t slow down anytime soon, as the Gators could add more prospects in August.
“I think we’ve done a really good job of being meticulous in our evaluation and really looking for people that fit our schemes, our system, and then, most importantly, our culture. I think we’ve done a really good job of identifying those guys.”
Toney understands the expectations for recruiting, especially at Florida and in the SEC.
“Obviously, the competition in recruiting is as heated as it is on the field in this conference and at this level,” Toney said. “It’s not over until it’s over, right?
Toney points out recruiting staff for their hard work
The 32-year-old mastermind had plenty of praise regarding the Gators’ efforts on the trail. Toney pointed out Katie Turner, Bri Wade, Sierra Griffin and Jacob LaFrance for their hard work.
“I think we’ve laid a great ground work. I think the people in the recruiting department — Katie, Bri, Sierra, Jacob, the list goes on — have done an unbelievable job as far as that goes, and I think we’re definitely headed in the right direction for sure,” Toney said. “I’m happy with where we’re at.”
The Gators will continue combing through the remaining board as the 2023 cycle winds down. The Gators are in play for plenty more four-star prospects and other high-tier prospects who won’t decide until December or February.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
