Texas-Based DL Schedules Visit to Florida Gators
Photo: Gators head coach Billy Napier; Credit: Alex Shepherd
On Monday, Gators defensive line coach Gerald Chatman made his way west to pay Guyer (Denton, Texas) High defensive line prospect Xavier Ukponu a visit and extend him a scholarship offer.
Ukponu, intrigued by the pitch offered by Chatman, will repay the favor on Saturday as he treks to Gainesville to check out the University of Florida for the first time, he confirmed to All Gators Monday night.
"It was great," he told AG about his interaction with the Florida assistant. "He just told me I'm a priority for me, and he's trying to get me out of the state of Texas and be a Gator."
Standing at 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, the interior defensive lineman is considered a high-upside trench prospect despite his standing as the No. 53 DL and No. 630 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle per 247Sports' Composite rankings.
Winning with impressive strength at the point of attack and patience in diagnosing rushing lanes in a 3-4 front at Guyer, Ukponu has realized an uptick in Power Five interest in January — as USC, Indiana, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Houston, LSU, Florida and Missouri have begun vying for his services. His offer sheet sits at 28 programs as a result.
Interior defensive line with depth is a paramount focus for the Gators during the 2025 class as projected starting tackles Cam Jackson and Joey Slackman are expected to depart after the year amid other potential movement through the transfer portal.
As a result, Chatman has hit the ground running on the trail since moving from Tulane to Florida in an effort to replenish the future of his unit.
Ukponu presents an option to fill the unit's impending void in the three-technique tackle role if he were to pledge himself to the Gators. He'll get an opportunity to gauge what that would look like and continue building his rapport with Chatman and other UF staff members on Saturday as he travels to the Sunshine State.
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