Pair of Florida Commits Making Final Pitch to DL LJ McCray
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland lineman LJ McCray set to announce his college commitment on Saturday, a pair of Florida Gators defensive pledges are making their final pitches to the consensus five-star recruit.
Fresh off their dominating 44-7 win over Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Trail, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz teammates and class of 2024 Florida commitments Kendall Jackson and Myles Graham spoke to All Gators about their latest efforts to recruit McCray to UF.
"I've been blowing up his phone," Graham said. "The other guys on defense have been, too."
McCray, who ranks as a top-10 player nationally according to On3 and 247 Sports, will be choosing between the Gators, Florida State, Georgia, Auburn and Miami.
Billy Napier and his staff have long-viewed the in-state defensive lineman as a top target for Florida's 2024 recruiting class, which ranks No. 3 nationally according to both On3 Sports and 247Sports.
Under first-year defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, the Gators boast a top-20 defense in yards per game nationally, which is good for No. 5 in the SEC. Jackson said the current commits have made UF's defensive improvement compared to seasons past a point of emphasis in their pursuit of McCray.
"We preach to him, 'You see what we're doing. A top defensive team in the country,' " Jackson explained. "Just telling him facts and letting him know the guys he'll be around. We're hardworking commits."
After his June visit, McCray told All Gators he liked Florida's defensive scheme as it would allow him to play both inside and outside if he were to team up with UF.
“I definitely like the versatility of it," McCray said. "I feel like we talked a lot about the playbook and different schemes and things that I can move around and things like that ... I can play both inside and outside."
Florida's defensive future looks even brighter considering the 2024 class. Including the pledges of Graham and Jackson, the Gators have also earned commitments from consensus five-star safety Xavier Filsaime and a plethora of four-star prospects, like top-100 players Ardarius Hayes and Jamonta Waller.
Not to mention, Florida has made a point of playing freshmen early and often in the 2023 season. Of Florida's 21 freshmen this year, 12 have already burned their redshirt. Nine of those 12 have played in all seven games.
"Seeing those guys get in and make big plays lets me know I have a chance as long as I work hard. That's what the coaches preach to us, and that's what we've been preaching to [McCray]," Jackson said. "As long as you stay and work hard and learn the playbook, you're going to get in."
Jackson suggested that adding McCray to Florida's recruiting class would be "icing on the cake" and compared him to former Gators defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr., calling him a "nasty" player.
Current UF edge rusher TJ Searcy even made his final recruiting effort on Thursday by posting "[You know] the move twin," on his X account, quoting McCray's countdown post.
A commitment from McCray would give Florida its second five-star defensive commitment and third five-star overall. Graham called McCray the final piece to their defensive class.
"[McCray's commitment] would complete it. That's our missing piece," Graham said. "He's a dog. Can really come off the edge."
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