The clock is ticking on the 2025 college football recruiting cycle and while a majority of prep prospects in the class have already made their commitments, there are still plenty who are searching for the right match.
Among those is three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Joseph Mbatchou[/autotag], who is originally from Cameroon and plays high school ball for Loganville (Georgia) Grayson. The 6-foot-6-inch, 285-pound gridiron giant is still a bit new to the game but his raw potential is unquestioned at this point.
Mbatchou paid a visit to Gainesville last weekend for the program’s annual grill-out event and came away not only with a full belly but also an offer from Billy Napier and Co. Since then, he has put the Gators at the top of his preferred schools list.
Mbatchou talks Grill in the Vill visit
“This was my first visit to any sort of SEC type of school,” Mbatchou told Swamp247. “It exceeded my expectations for sure. I’ve never seen so much stuff around a campus at any other school I’ve been to. The people are great, the facilities are great, academics are great, housing is great. I love everything about it.”
Where Mbatchou fits with Florida
“They see me as either a three-technique or an F. That’s what they told me. So I have been talking to both Coach Mike (Peterson) and Coach (Gerald) Chatman.
“From what I saw this weekend from them, I think they are genuine people. It’s going to be easy to work, easy flow. Everything would be good. I got there on Friday evening actually, so I went up there to meet with all of them.
“I got to sit down and talk. Learn more about them as people, where their priorities lie, and what type of person and player they want to make me into. It was good getting to know them.
“If I chose to commit, I want to know I can put my full faith into who is coaching me. I believe in the same things they believe in. They’re all good people.”
Where Florida stands in his recruitment
“Florida is definitely number one right now,” he said. “The visit, the feeling, everything was right. They have good academics. The academics center they have, I saw that if I ever struggled, I can the help I need.
“The housing is also really nice too. I got to talk to some of the players when I was there too. I haven’t gotten to do that at other schools I’ve been to. I got to see what type of people the players are too.
“That is big for me. They’ve been through what I am going through now. I got to hear their stories, hear what they’ve been doing, and hear what the coaches are like to them.”
Recruiting Summary
Mbatchou is ranked No. 1,239 overall and No. 131 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite plus a crystal ball prediction in favor of Florida. On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives the Gators an overwhelming 98.7% chance of landing him.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida rises to top for coveted 2025 DL after scholarship offer
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