The Gators should show improvements in their scheme and technique immediately away, but having the greatest players is still the best option.

Harris has targeted Zephyrhills, Florida’s DJ Pickett, the top cornerback in the country, among other players. In the near future, Pickett intends to make an official trip to Gainesville, according to Steve Wiltfong of On3.

Pickett’s father said to Wiltfong, “I really like Coach (Will) Harris.” “I told him I would see to it that we tried to arrange for an official to travel to Florida.”

Although he’s not exactly the unanimous No. 1 cornerback among the major scouting services, Pickett is a defensive back blessed with the best name in the business. The only website that doesn’t agree is 247Sports, which ranks the 6’4″, 180-pound Pickett third at his position.

Though the Gators still have some catching up to do against teams like Georgia, LSU, and Miami, Harris appears to have left an impression on Pickett’s family. Harris worked as an assistant secondary coach for the LA Chargers before joining the Gators, and his work at Washington would open anyone’s eyes.

His bio states that with just six touchdowns surrendered and 143.3 yards per game allowed, Washington led the country in pass defense in 2021. Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, two first-team Pac-12 All-Conference picks that year, were also developed with Harris’ assistance. In addition, McDuffie was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the draft and was named a third-team All-America by the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears selected Gordon in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

For 2025, Florida is getting off to a little slow start. They are ranked No. 49 in the country by 247Sports and have just four commitments. But with players like Pickett and the top dual-threat quarterback in the country, Keelon Russell, they are going big-game hunting.

Billy Napier, the head coach, has a lot on his shoulders to turn around the Gators after three consecutive seasons of seven losses, which is unusual. If the Gators triumph in 2024, recruiting for 2025 will naturally fall into place.