Florida Dominates Early Signing Day With 7 Recruits Right off the Bat

The biggest winners of the early signing period by a country mile have been Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators, who have already managed to secure the signings of seven big-name recruits.

Pass rusher Antwaun Powell got things started, as the 4-star confirmed he is headed to Gainesville.

Powell, a 4-star pass rusher from Indian River HS in Portsmourh, Va., picked Gators over North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma. His speed on the edge will fit in well with Todd Grantham's defense.

Humungous offensive tackle Gerald Mincey shunned several SEC schools to join Florida.

Mincey, a 3-star tackle from Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, chose the Gators over Kentucky, Arizona, and Florida State. At 320 pounds, he has the size to stand up to bullrushes at the next level.

Joshua Braun, following in his older brother's footsteps, is going to pledge his next four years to Mullen and the Gators.

The younger brother of Georgia Tech lineman Parker Braun, Joshua, who comes from Live Oak, Fla. de-committed from Georgia and switched to Florida.

Sought-after 3-star tight end Jonathan Odom stayed local and will play for the Gators next season.

Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, and LSU were all in on the 3-star tight end from Jesuit HS in Tampa, but he stayed in-state with the Gators. A tremendous receiver, he looks like the successor to Kyle Pitts

Avery Helm looks to become the next great Florida defensive back as he turned away a few SEC schools to go to Gainesville.

The Missouri City, Texas native is a 3-star cornerback who was sought after by Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, and Tennessee before he chose Florida. At 6-2, Avery has above-average size and ball skills for an outside corner.

Mordecai McDaniel could have had his pick of major programs to attend, but Florida won out for the prized athletic specimen.

McDaniel, a safety/wide receiver from Washington, DC, was thought to be a lock to join Tennessee. However, Florida swooped in at the end and snatched him away from Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Penn State.

Finally, Gainesville quarterback Anthony Richardson will commit to the Gators and enroll early.

Penn State, UCF, USF, and Georgia were all looking to sign the athletic, strong-armed Richardson, but he decided to stay local and join the Gators.

Mullen needed a big early signing day to keep up with the rest of the SEC, and seven early recruits certainly does the job.