The Florida Gators might be a two-touchdown underdog to the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on the football field this weekend in Jacksonville, but according to team recruiting rankings, the Gators might just be gaining on those ‘Dawgs.
The 247Sports team rankings has the Gators as the No. 3 team in the nation for 2024 class of recruits, just two spots behind No.1 Georgia. The Gators received a huge boost this past weekend when Daytona Beach Mainland defensive lineman LJ McCray picked the Gators over his other finalists Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Miami.
McCray, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound beast who can play any position on the defensive line, prefers to come off the edge so he can take advantage of his speed. The No. 1-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2024 Central Florida Super60, has remarkable speed for a big guy and his height allows to disrupt or bat down pass attempts. McCray averages 6 tackles per game and also has 15 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
Mainland’s L.J. McCray rises to top of Super60 | Recruiting Insider
If McCray wasn’t already swayed in the direction of the Gators earlier this season, the Florida coaching staff owes a big thanks to the crowd at the Swamp during Week 3. McCray, and fellow Mainland prospect safety Zay Mincey were part of the crowd and they were both wowed by the atmosphere and the Gators effort in knocking off the Volunteers.
“I thought they played hard and I felt like the atmosphere was one of a kind,” McCray said after Florida defeated Tennessee 29-16. “I don’t think I’ve been in a college football atmosphere like this, ever.”
McCray joins 21 other players who have committed to the Gators recruiting Class of 2024. Analysts at 247Sports have the 5-star recruit the No. 6-ranked player in the country overall, and the No. 2-ranked defensive lineman.
He can now turn his attention toward trying to sway his friend Mincey into joining him in Gainesville. Mincey (6-3, 180) released his Top 10 during the spring: Florida, FSU, Miami, UCF, Alabama, Penn State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Colorado.
Mincey was equally impressed during the September Tennessee game.
“It was fire,” Mincey said. “It was just amazing. The crowd was boomin’, the whole night. They have a great program and great coaches all around.”
Mincey was also impressed with how many freshman made plays for the Gators. Coaches are mindful now, due to the transfer portal, about getting players on the field early due to possible transfer implications it they don’t.
“They had a lot of young players out there making plays for them,” said Mincey, who is the No. 70-ranked player in the country and No. 6 safety. “It’s good to see because I know I can come in early and play.”
Mincey, the No. 5-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2024 Super60, said he will announce his college decision during the All-American Bowl, Jan. 6, at the AlamoDome in San Antonio. Both Mincey and McCray are committed to play in the game.
Mainland is 8-0 and looking like a favorite to return to the Class 3S state championship game, in which the Buccaneers lost last year 32-30 to Lake Wales,
Chris Hays covers high school and college football and college football recruiting. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) @OS_ChrisHays or on Instagram @OS_ChrisHays. Email him at chays@orlandosentinel.com.
