Gators WR Target Mario Craver Schedules Return Visit, Updates UF's Pursuit

The Florida Gators are emerging as a team at the top of slot receiver Mario Craver's recruitment. He's locked in a return visit for April 8.

Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, Ala.) wideout Mario Craver will return to Gainesville for a second time this spring on April 8, he shared with All Gators on Wednesday. 

On the return trip to Florida, Craver will get an opportunity to meet face-to-face with his newly minted position coach Billy Gonzales. Previously, his point of contact in his position was off-field assistant David Doeker, who took over the recruitment efforts for Keary Colbert when he departed for the Denver Broncos. 

Now, after speaking with Gonzales on the phone since he returned to UF, Craver gets the chance to connect with him for the first time face-to-face.

"As of right now, I think he's a cool guy," he told All Gators. "I have to get to chop it up with him in person, and that's what I'm looking to do next weekend. So, that's gonna be our very first impression in person."

However, despite being his first meeting with Gonzales, Craver recently stopped by on March 4 to understand what the program provided. That first visit surpassed his expectations and established his evident liking for Florida. 

"I like that everybody has one big goal: to get Florida back to where they used to be. Like, '06, '08," he said candidly, referring to the Gators' national championship runs of the 21st century. Gonzales was a member of those coaching staffs. 

"So, I think that coach Napier and those coaches, they have a good plan in mind, and they need playmakers to get the ball, of course, on the offensive side of the ball. They're telling me that they need playmakers that they can get the ball into any space they want on their field."

Craver can provide just that in multiple facets. 

While he would likely have to endure a development year or two upon arrival at the collegiate level before he sees substantial reps offensively — listed at just 5-foot-9, 150 pounds — Florida offers Craver the opportunity to see the field immediately during that process.

"They told me I could be a return man early and then primarily in the slot," he said.

Set apart from the wideouts the Gators have targeted in recent memory, the Pinson (Ala.) native possesses the speed in space abilities Napier and Co. are trying to instill in the offense after being limited in year one.

Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III brought that element in the 2023 class. 

Craver — who clocked a 10.74 100-meter dash nearly a year ago — has emerged as another asset in that area. His elusiveness in the open field and straight-line speed make him a promising project piece who can contribute in a gadget role early in his career as he develops his body for the toll playing out of the slot will take.

Craver will release a top ten on Saturday, he teased via Twitter on Tuesday and confirmed to AG. The Gators are expected to be named in that group of contenders as he trims down his 22-team offer sheet.

He will then shift his focus to dwindle the remaining ten to pin the five schools worthy of his official visit. That schedule, tentatively, includes three summertime trips and two stashed away for in-season ventures.

Florida and Auburn stand out to the receiver prospect as the two schools locked in to earn official visits from Craver over the summer. 

There is no set date for his commitment; however, he expects to decide before his senior season commences in August.

"[It will come down to] who I feel most comfortable with because I know that the main goal is to make it to the NFL," he said. "But, really if you're locked in with your school and you're playing good and y'all are winning games, that's going to happen. 

"So, really, any school that could just make me feel the most comfortable makes me feel at home and really just treats me and my family good."

He currently views Florida as a viable destination to accomplish that endeavor. 

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