Florida Gators OT Target Sets Recruitment Deadline
The Florida Gators' efforts on the recruiting market have begun to prove fruitful in the month of June as ten high-ranking prospects elected to join the established fold of quarterback DJ Lagway, safety Xavier Filsaime, linebacker Myles Graham and others in the 2024 commitment class.
In the 28-day stretch, UF has patched holes in nearly every area, namely in the first two levels defensively.
However, even as the talent acquisition department earns valuable victories, the job isn't finished for Florida. There's room to add future contributors, and the offensive line remains a focal point despite pledges from high-upside pieces Marcus Mascoll, Mike Williams and Noel Portnjagin.
Fletcher Westphal, a towering 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive tackle prospect from Tuscarora (Leesburg, Va.) High, fits the billing of bookend offensive tackle talent to assume that remaining void.
On Wednesday, he announced that his recruitment ends on July 10 via Twitter. He will choose from his top five: Auburn, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida and Georgia.
Taking an official visit to the University of Florida June 16-18 — his third trip to campus — Westphal got an in-depth look at the nuances of the program, learning exactly what it had to offer on and off the field.
His time around current players, hosted by starting left tackle Austin Barber, and fellow recruits stood out to him foremost during the trip, he told media post-visit. As he departed from Gainesville, the top 300 recruit shared that Florida "checked a lot of the boxes" in the personal criteria he's compiled in his search for a collegiate home.
Carrying the lauded size that Florida's duo of offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton have coveted when pursuing trench talent since their arrival in Gainesville, Westphal has long stood as a top priority at tackle for the Gators.
He moves well for his size, possessing impressive burst off the ball, and wins consistently with a mix of raw power and lower-half drive against any opponent he faces. Westphal's attributes suggest a multi-year starter at the power five level.
Florida hopes he can be plugged on the end of its line of scrimmage to serve as protection for Lagway, the franchise investment at signal caller, beginning in 2024.
The Gators have just under two weeks to prepare and execute their final pitches as the DMV-area prospect nears his awaited commitment decision.
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