Florida’s 2018 recruiting class is still very much in the developmental stages.

But the framework is coming together nicely.

The finished product the first Wednesday in February good look special.

How special depends on what five-star quarterback Justin Fields ultimately does. Viewed a program changer down in Gainesville, the Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison talent has been a verbal to Penn State since December but continues to consider several other schools.

For those other schools, there are other targets on the board. For Gators offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, he’s not pushing for anyone not named Fields and from the outside looking in you have to think UF’s position is at the very least promising because the Gators have passed on other (four-star) guys (they likely would’ve landed) as they hold out for a final decision from the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Fields.

Whoever UF signs at quarterback, it’s very likely they play behind a really good offensive line class.

Currently I have two 247Sports Crystal Balled to Gainesville in Top100 recruits William Barnes and Richard Gouraige. Barnes ranks as the nation’s No. 4 offensive tackle and Gouraige checks in at No. 10. Florida is very much in it to land the nation’s No. 5 offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere as well. John Campbell, Rasheed Walker and Jalen Duncan are a few other names to know as offensive line is a big emphasis this cycle for Jim McElwain and his staff.

In the backfield Florida has Iverson Clement committed out of New Jersey and it looks like they have a great chance to land either the nation’s No. 5 running back Dameon Pierce out of Georgia or the nation’s No. 9 running back Asa Martin out of Alabama. There is optimism around the program regarding the standing with both young men.

There are several names on the board at receiver in addition to the two commits in Jalynn Williams and Corey Gammage including the nation’s No. 7 receiver Jacob Copeland who the Gators lead for on the 247Sports Crystal Ball. Amari Burney is being recruited as a two-way player and the Crystal Ball is all in favor of Florida. Other major targets include blue-chipper Justyn Ross, athlete Marquez Ezzard and Baylor commit Tyquan Thornton. Minnesota commit Terell Smith may be the fastest player in the country and could be a potential game-changer on either side of the ball. Williams is that nice slot, running back, receiver package and Gammage has some nice raw traits giving him plenty of upside.

Tight end is a need for Florida this cycle as well. Don’t sleep on the Gators for four-star Kyle Pitts out of Pennsylvania while Dante Lang out of Boca Raton is rising up the board. George Takacs is strongly considering Florida as well but Notre Dame is where the buzz seems to remain. Look for Florida to turn up the heat with Bralen Taylor out of Texas as well who has postponed his June college decision.

On the defensive line Top247 recruit Malcolm Lamar is in that must-get category for the Gators and the 247Sports Crystal Ball favors UF. The Gators are also in a good place for Top247 defensive tackle Dante Stills out of West Virginia. Others Florida is swinging at includes Rick Sandidge, Coynis Miller, Stephon Wynn (who was on campus last week), Caleb Tannor, Eyabi Anoma, Azeez Ojulari and in-state targets Taylor Upshaw and Miami commit Nesta Silvera. Five-star defensive end Micah Parsons is on the wish list as well and includes UF among his leaders.

At linebacker Florida has always had Channing Tindall near the top of the board and got him on campus during the spring. David Reese is a big in-state target and the staff went and saw Xavier Peters up in Ohio twice during the current evaluation period. Richard Jibunor out of Georgia is one Florida would love to have rushing off the edge, Top247 recruit Michael Harris remains in play and Vernon Jackson is a Texas product the Gators are pushing for.

Florida has two commitments in the secondary safety C.J. Smith and Divaad Wilson and I still think the Gators ultimately land Tyreke Johnson when it’s all said and done. DeMarvion Overshown has freakish ability and of course all the in-state names that the big three are all pushing for are in play. Florida would love to make a move with Kyler McMichael who some believe could be an awesome running back on the next level as well.