Tampa-area prospects to know for Florida Gators

Year in and year out, the Gators pursue numerous prospects residing in the greater Tampa Bay area.

For Billy Napier‘s staff, the 2025 cycle is no different with several established targets already on the board.

Below are those juniors worth monitoring and where Florida fits into the mix for each.

Dissecting the Gators’ big board

5-star S DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills (Fla.) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 7 prospect | No. 1 safety | No. 1 prospect in Florida
Notes: Pickett left Florida out of his top five at the start of the year but then visited for multiple days and really connected with secondary coach Will Harris. Everything we heard coming out of the visit was encouraging, but Pickett recently updated his top five and the Gators still didn’t make the cut. I would be surprised if they didn’t receive another visit though. This is an elite, in-state target Florida will pursue until the end, but there is obvious room to make up. Michigan, Oregon and LSU are some schools in good standing.

4-star RB Waltez Clark, Tampa (Fla.) Plant
Committed: Florida
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 210 prospect | No. 17 running back | No. 30 prospect in Florida
Notes: Although Clark is in the Gators’ class, there have been some whispers regarding his commitment status. Also, to our knowledge, he has not been in Gainesville since announcing his commitment in mid-September. We hope to connect with Clark about his pledge in the near future. Georgia, Ohio State and USC are some additional schools in pursuit, but for now, the On300 prospect is a Florida Gator.

4-star OT Ziyare Addison, Riverview (Fla.) Sumner
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 238 prospect | No. 19 offensive tackle | No. 34 prospect in Florida
Notes: The physically-imposing junior loves how his relationship is going with offensive line coach Rob Sale and plans to visit this spring. Also, Gators freshman safety Gregory Smith III is his former teammate. Florida’s player development, especially along the offensive line, stands out too. Addison recently told us Florida “really has a shot” to land him, but other schools are likely positioned better right now. Those include Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Oregon.

4-star WR Dallas Wilson, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Bay Technical
Committed: Oregon
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 44 prospect | No. 6 wide receiver | No. 5 prospect in Florida
Notes: UF hosted Wilson last spring and most recently had him on campus for the Charlotte game. Last month, Billy Napier met with Wilson at school as well. Another staff member heavily involved is assistant wide receivers coach, David Doeker, who Wilson previously said is the “most coolest dude on earth.” The relationships are strengthening, but now it’s about having an extended experience on campus rather than attending a game. The Gators have significant ground to make up here.

4-star S Dallas Golden, Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 84 prospect | No. 8 safety | No. 13 prospect in Florida
Notes: This is a versatile prospect who is high on the Gators’ board; however, they need to host him sooner than later. Gainesville is about two hours from Golden’s home, so it’s not a difficult trip to make. At the same time though, Golden has not taken many trips altogether. There are no excuses for the Gators, who are recruiting Golden to play cornerback. Florida State and Notre Dame are a few schools in good standing heading into the spring.

3-star WR Tyler Williams, Riverview (Fla.) Sumner
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 490 prospect | No. 75 wide receiver | No. 69 prospect in Florida
Notes: Like Ziyare Addison, Williams is former teammates with Gators freshman safety Gregory Smith III. That relationship alone puts UF near the very top of his list, with Williams calling Smith his best friend; however, January’s visit was really the game-changer. Williams raved about his experience that weekend and says he was “treated like royalty,” resulted in his coveted Gators offer. Auburn, Miami, Oregon and Georgia are some other offers on the table, but Florida could be positioned best right now.

3-star TE Tamez Young, Tampa (Fla.) Robinson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 609 prospect | No. 30 tight end | No. 82 prospect in Florida
Notes: The emerging pass catcher has Florida and West Virginia in his top two and plans to reveal a decision by the spring. Also, following a visit in mid-January, Young said the Gators’ campus being close to home is a big deal. Florida is sitting in a good spot with several other tight ends, so that could accelerate Young’s commitment timeline even more. Tight ends coach Russ Callaway is making a strong impression here.

EDGE Jesse Harrold, Tampa (Fla.) Robinson
On3 Industry Ranking: Unranked
Notes: Harrold is related to Gators cornerback Dijon Johnson, with the two defenders holding a very strong relationship. Being able to play together in college is a big deal to them. Florida was also one of the schools Harrold watched closely as a child, so interest is high on his end; in fact, a few months back, he said Florida and Cincinnati were the schools standing out most. You can expect him in Gainesville this spring.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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