Billy Napier Expects 'Good Group' of Recruits at Florida-Georgia

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It won't be anything like a recruiting weekend in The Swamp, but for the first time, Florida has invited prospective student-athletes to attend its annual rivalry bout with No. 1 Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday.

In accordance with recent NCAA rule changes allowing schools to provide recruits and their families with tickets to neutral site games, Georgia was the first to summon prospects to the series as the "home team" of the matchup last year. Florida will hold that designation in Week 9.

Gators head coach Billy Napier believes the opportunity to invite prospects to the contest will prove advantageous in Florida's overall recruiting efforts, even considering the limitations that come with the rule adjustment.

"It's definitely a benefit to get guys to the game," Napier expressed on Monday. "You don't get to have any interaction with them when they're there, but they do get a seat in the stadium.

"I think that list is close to being full. It will be a good group ... Ultimately, it's just good for them to be able to take in the game [and] to observe your team compete. Ultimately, try to play good and put on a good show."

Multiple Florida commitments are expected to catch the game on the Gators' behalf, a group including but not limited to linebacker Myles Graham and defensive lineman Kendall Jackson of Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz.

Kingston (Penn.) Wyoming Seminary Upper School defensive back Justin Denson, a Michigan State pledge, and Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside defensive lineman Michai Boireau, a former Florida commitment, will be among UF's remaining recruiting targets from the class of 2024 in attendance.

"Just feeling the atmosphere and seeing how the Gators do," Denson told All Gators when asked about what he's looking forward to in Jacksonville.

While Napier and his coaching staff will be prohibited from communicating with recruits at EverBank Stadium, they are banking on the prospects Florida invites enjoying the experience enough to factor it into their college decisions.

Napier has applauded an upgraded player experience at Florida under his leadership, suggesting it has directly and positively impacted the team's recruiting endeavors.

Results back up his claim as the Gators hold the No. 3-ranked recruiting class in 2024. It was most recently bolstered by the addition of defensive lineman LJ McCray on Oct. 21, who became the third consensus five-star prospect to team up with the Gators in this cycle.

"I do feel great about the product we have [and] our ability to attract some of the best talent in the country," Napier said. "We work hard at it. We'll continue to work hard at it."

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