Florida football recruiting: Massive 2023 OL Caden Jones commits to Gators at All-American Bowl

Football

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Image Credit: Emma Bissell, UAA

The Florida Gators on Saturday kicked off the new year by adding a key prospect at a major position of need to their Class of 2023. Three-star offensive lineman Caden Jones (New Orleans, LA) announced his commitment to the Gators while participating in the 2023 All-American Bowl.

Jones (6-foot-8, 325 pounds) ultimately chose Florida over Texas A&M and Houston. The massive lineman, while talented, is seen as a developmental prospect with key size and tools who will benefit tremendously from working under the Gators’ pair of top-tier offensive line coaches in offensive coordinator Rob Sale and assistant Darnell Stapleton.

Though Jones is the second-lowest rated pledge for Florida this cycle, his commitment moves the Gators up two spots to No. 11 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings. Florida jumps both Oregon and Texas A&M in making its move and once again sits just outside the top 10.

With three-and-a-half weeks remaining until the final National Signing Day for the Class of 2023, the Gators will likely seek to add a couple more prospects to their class. Head coach Billy Napier will remain focused on roster management as he looks to bring in players both out of high school and from the transfer portal ahead of next season.

The current portal window, which opened Dec. 5, closes in 11 days on Jan. 18. Florida has a number of transfer candidates on campus for visits this weekend. It’s possible the Gators hold a few open scholarships past both aforementioned deadlines as the second portal window will run May 1-15 after spring practice. It’s possible talented players either dissatisfied with coaching changes or their standings on depth charts would enter at that time seeking to transfer over the summer and play elsewhere in 2023.