Florida Gators recruiting: National Signing Day 2020 predictions, times

Football

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Image Credit: UAA

With National Signing Day set for Wednesday, one of the top stories nationally is whether head coach Dan Mullen will be able to pave the way toward establishing the Florida Gators’ highest-rated class since 2013. Florida has been active since the conclusion of the early signing period in December 2019, and while the more traditional National Signing Day has taken a massive step back in terms of overall importance, there is still plenty for the Gators to watch as the day approaches.

Florida will enter the day No. 8 nationally, per the 247Sports Composite team rankings, after ending the early period at No. 7. What the ranking does not show is that the Gators have done a good job adding to their roster via transfer and hope to close strong with a couple key signees on Wednesday. UF has 24 total commitments, including 16 four-star pledges and its first five-star signee since 2015.

There are a handful of unsigned or uncommitted prospects that Florida has its collective eyes on entering the day. Let’s take a look at those targets, when they are committing and the Gators’ chances of landing their National Letters of Intent.

Commitments to sign

Four-star WR Xzavier Henderson (Miami, FL): The No. 66 player in the nation committed to Florida over Clemson on Jan. 4 during the 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The younger brother of cornerback C.J. Henderson, he was one of the top targets for the entire cycle, and the Gators’ late push was successful in getting him on board. There is no concern about him not signing.

Targets to watch

All times Eastern

Four-star DB Avante Williams (Deland, FL): The top-rated unsigned prospect in the nation*, Williams is listed as the second-ranked safety and No. 44 overall player in the country. The long-time Oregon commitment rescinded his pledge back on Dec. 11, 2019. He took his final official visit to see the Gators on Jan. 24, and the staff is exceedingly confident that he will ultimately go with Florida and the ability to see action as a true freshman. Williams’ commitment is the main one UF is hoping and expecting to lock up on signing day.

Announcement time: 12:30 p.m.
Finalists: Florida, Miami
Prediction: Florida | Confidence: 95 percent

* Five-star RB Zachary Evans (Houston, TX) is technically the top-rated player available, but he originally committed and signed with Georgia during the early period. UF is also after his services, but he may not make a decision for months.

Four-star DE Princely Umanmielen (Manor, TX): After striking out on some defensive linemen during the early period, Florida is looking to make a splash with Umanmielen, a top-250 player. Long thought to be headed to Baylor, which is less than 100 miles from his hometown, Umanmielen also has Florida atop his finalists after an official visit to see the Gators on Jan. 24. Though he also took officials to Texas and Auburn, it appears to be a two-team battle down the stretch. UF only sent National Letters of Intent to a couple uncommitted players, and it feels strongly that it will ultimately land Umanmielen. Of course, it felt the same way with the defensive linemen it was after two months ago.

Announcement time: 3:20 p.m.
Finalists: Florida, Baylor
Prediction: Florida | Confidence: 55 percent

Commitments in limbo

Four-star ATH Marc Britt (Miami, FL): Britt committed to the Gators back on Nov. 1, 2019, and took his official visit on Jan. 24 but is not going to join a program until the spring due to academics, which means he will not sign a letter of intent. By that time, Ole Miss — in heavy pursuit — could jump into the picture. A top-300 prospect, Florida wants him to join the program as a defensive back, while Ole Miss hopes he will play wide receiver. Britt on Tuesday night announced that he will make his decision on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.

Three-star WR Leonard Manuel (Fort Lauderdale, FL): As with Britt, it is unlikely that Manuel will sign with a team this week; it is expected he will not join a program until the spring due to academic concerns with a projected final move coming on April 1. Manuel also took an official visit to Ole Miss, and the Rebels are trying to flip him, even hoping to get him to move on from the Gators on signing day to ink with the program immediately.

Names to know

Four-star C Sedrick Van Pran (New Orleans, LA) will receive a letter of intent from Florida, but every expectation is that he will ultimately sign with Georgia, where he is committed. The No. 59 player in the nation and top-rated center will make his decision at 9 a.m.

Four-star RB Ashaad Clayton (New Orleans, LA) is a Colorado commitment (and teammates with Van Pran) who also took a last-minute visit to Florida on Jan. 24. And like his teammate, Clayton is not expected to flip, though some believe he would if given a green light. There is no specific time for the expected delivery of his letter.

All rankings referenced in this story are via the 247Sports Composite