2025 DL Ethan Utley Includes Gators in Top 12

Ensworth High (Nashville, Tenn.) defensive lineman Ethan Utley includes the Florida Gators in his early top contenders' list.

The Florida Gators endured an eventful June on the recruiting market as the football program reeled in ten pledges to bolster the 2024 class. The surge of commitments catapulted head coach Billy Napier and Co. forward to reach the top three in the 247Sports' composite team rankings for the cycle.

As a result, the main attraction for fans has rested within the present of Florida's talent-acquisition endeavors.

But, while 2024 sits as the top priority, the staff has looked toward the future to add foundational pieces in the 2025 class as a secondary focus.

On Tuesday, Ensworth High School (Nashville, Tenn.) defensive lineman Ethan Utley threw his name in the hat as a potential prospect to do so as he released an early list of top contenders. 

The Music City native named Florida alongside 11 other schools in his top 12, including Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

RECRUITMENT STILL 110% OPEN ‼️ @CoachMikeElston @CoachBoUT @SpenceChaos @TravionScott @coachg76 @Coach_MannyDiaz @Coach_LBJ_ @CoachE_TAMU @CoachToddBates @CoachJsalavea @warriordad4 @DLCoachGarrett pic.twitter.com/eauuuTqx8r

— Ethan Utley (@EthanUtley1) July 4, 2023

Standing at 6-foot-4.5, 260 pounds, Utley presents the mold of defensive end talent the Gators have looked to join the 3-4 base frontlines under the current regime.

His stature aligns well with that of 2024 defensive end commit Amaris Williams, who joined the fold amid the action-packed month of June. However, his skill set differs from the North Carolina product. 

While Williams wins with burst and speed in pursuit, Utley plays with a more dominant style, exercising his power and length against the offensive linemen he faces from varying spots along the DL for Ensworth.

Florida, expectedly, targets him to serve in the five-tech defensive end role that Gervon Dexter operated in during his final season with UF in 2022 as a result, with the versatility to bounce inside on pass-rushing downs.

Taking an in-season visit to Gainesville during Florida's 38-6 defeat of South Carolina on Nov. 12, Utley walked away with an offer from defensive line coach Sean Spencer. He returned to campus on June 11, his most recent visit to any school, to further build rapport with the Florida staff. 

It paid dividends as the Gators made the first cut of programs vying for his services.

There is currently no timeline for Utley's eventual commitment, but the evident mutual interest at this time suggests UF will be in the mix until the day he announces his home for the collegiate level.

If the Gators are able to land Utley's pledge when the time comes, he will significantly aid Spencer's ongoing efforts to replenish the defensive line, namely the interior. 

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