The Florida Gators have been keeping an eye on Loganville (GA) Grayson 2025 defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou in recent weeks. The sleeper defensive lineman is in his first year of football, having only played during the spring season. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Mbatchou possesses many of the characteristics that the Gators have been looking for, and after being offered this past weekend, he returned to Gainesville a few days later.
Florida took the lead in his recruitment by issuing an offer last weekend. Things went swiftly here, and he told the staff that he would commit to them during his trip on Tuesday.
“During the visit, I committed,” Mbatchou admitted. “They provided information that I could not obtain from other colleges. They spread everything out so I could see everything. Most of the time, I had no questions because they presented everything so well. The people I met there changed my perspective on various issues. I just have a feeling. There was a sense that they were genuine. We were on the same page. That’s how I feel about the people in Florida.
When he returned to Florida for the second time, the feeling remained the same. He got a feeling that the Gators were the ideal fit for him. So when he informed the coaching staff of his decision to commit to them on Tuesday, there was a lot of excitement all around.
“I was with Coaches [Gerald] Chatman and [Mike] Peterson when I first told them. They went crazy. They were delighted, as did I and my family. We went and told Coach [Billy] Napier after that. He was also delighted. He was reassuring me that they were all in on me.
They’re thrilled for me and believe in me. They told me that following this, several big schools might try to scoop me up. I informed them the door was closed, and I was all in for Florida.”
While Mbatchou is raw, Florida has been impressed with his potential once he joins the program.
“They claim I already make good use of my size. You can’t teach size or aggression, and I’m aggressive on the field. They stated it’s little issues that I can handle on the field right now, but they can help me solve them and become a better player.”
Mbatchou intends to pay an unofficial visit to UF on August 31, when the Gators meet Miami. He is also planning his official visit further in advance.
“We talked about it during the visit. It will be for the LSU game. I believe that is the weekend of November 15–17.
With Mbatchou currently in the fold, the Gators have 12 verbal commitments. The Gators’ class consisted of Orlando (Fla.) Jones. Four-star wide receiver. Vernell Brown III, Tallahassee, Fla. James Rickards Four-star edge. Jalen Wiggins, Tampa (Florida) Plant’s four-star running back Waltez Clark of Brewton (AL) T.R. Miller, four-star linebacker Myles Johnson, Pembroke Pines (FL) West Broward’s three-star wide receiver Joshua Moore
Riverside’s three-star tight end from Jacksonville, Florida Tae’Shaun Gelsey, Madison Central’s three-star tight end Micah Jones of Fulshear (TX) Katy Jordan Chad Gasper, a three-star running back from Leesburg, Georgia Lee County defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud and Bridgton (ME) Academy punter Hayden Craig are all three-star prospects. Florida has also acquired safety Demetres Samuel Jr., who will reclassify into the 2025 class. He is not currently recognized as a 2025 potential.
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