Florida Captures 2015 Recruiting Title

TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Florida landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation this fall, according to Collegiate Baseball’s annual evaluation of NCAA Division I baseball classes.

It marks the Gators’ third national recruiting title in the last seven years — all under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan. Florida also captured recruiting championships in 2013 and 2009.

This is the 33rd straight year Collegiate Baseball has evaluated NCAA Division I recruiting classes.

Athletes who initially signed letters of intent with a school, but then signed a pro contract after being drafted, do not count in the overall evaluation. Only athletes who came to school this fall are factored in as points are awarded to drafted players and the round they are chosen, All-Americans, All-State selections and All-Conference picks.

Collegiate Baseball also gives points for Conference Players of The Year, State Players of The Year and National Players of The Year.

Of the 13 players the Gators landed, which features 12 freshmen and one junior college transfer, six players were drafted last June, including RHP Brady Singer who was chosen in the second round by the Blue Jays.

The Major League Baseball recommended signing bonus for the 56th overall selection, which Singer sat at, was $1,091,200.

Other drafted players last June include:

• INF Jonathan India, American Heritage H.S., FL, 26th round pick by Milwaukee.
• OF Daniel Reyes, Mater Academy, FL, 39th round pick by Boston.
• INF Deacon Liput, Oviedo H.S., FL, 39th pick by Yankees.
• LHP Hunter Bowling, American Heritage H.S., FL, 39th round pick by San Francisco.
• RHP Jackson Kowar, Charlotte Christian H.S., NC, 40th round pick by Detroit.

Florida also landed five other players who were All-Americans in 2015, including:

• RHP Troy Bacon, Sickles H.S., FL.
• RHP Michael Byrne, Olympia H.S., FL.
• RHP MacGregor Hines, College Station H.S., TX.
• INF Nelson Maldonado, Jefferson H.S., FL.
• INF Blake Reese, Lincoln H.S., FL.

Florida continued a trend where a school from the Southeastern Conference has won the recruiting title 12 of the last 13 years. SEC schools had six teams in the top 10 including the top three in the nation with Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi St.

No. 2 South Carolina landed eight drafted players among its 19-man recruiting class. It is the largest number since Florida brought in 8 drafted players in 2013.

No. 3 Mississippi St. landed an talented class of 22 new players which features 16 freshmen and six junior college transfers.

Three were drafted last June while 19 players were either high school or junior college All-Americans.

A complete rundown on each of the top 20 recruiting classes is featured in the Oct. 2 issue of Collegiate Baseball.

To order the Oct. 2 edition, CLICK HERE.

2015 NCAA Div. I Recruiting
Results By Collegiate Baseball

Other Top Recruiting Classes: Texas Tech., Notre Dame, Washington St., Michigan, Wichita St., Washington, Houston, Missouri, U.C. Riverside, Tulane, Georgia St., California, Tennessee, Florida International, San Diego, U.C. Irvine, North Florida, Minnesota, San Diego St., East Carolina, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Florida Gulf Coast, Fresno St., Central Florida, New Mexico, Florida Atlantic, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Grand Canyon, Kennesaw St., Georgia, Kent St., Purdue, Bowling Green, Cal. Poly, Arkansas, Long Beach St., South Alabama, Stetson, Texas St., N.C. State, Liberty, Stony Brook, Nevada, McNeese St., Indiana St., Western Michigan, N.C. Charlotte, Seton Hall, Nebraska, Southern Mississippi, Memphis, Northwestern St., Kansas, Kansas St., Ohio St., Pepperdine, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Boston College, West Virginia, Wake Forest, Ball St., Central Michigan, Sacramento St., Indiana St., Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Hawaii, Old Dominion, Lipscomb, Creighton, St. John’s.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

Previous NCAA Div. I Recruiting
Champions By Collegiate Baseball

2014: Louisiana St.
2013: Florida
2012: Vanderbilt
2011: South Carolina
2010: Louisiana St.
2009: Florida
2008: Arizona St.
2007: Louisiana St.
2006: South Carolina
2005: South Carolina
2004: Louisiana St.
2003: North Carolina
South Carolina
2002: Georgia Tech.
2001: Southern California
2000: Cal. St. Fullerton
1999: Southern California
1998: Georgia Tech.
1997: UCLA
1996: Texas A&M
1995: Arizona St.
1994: Mississippi St.
1993: Miami (Fla.)
1992: Florida St.
1991: Miami (Fla.)
1990: Arizona
1989: Florida St.
1988: Miami (Fla.)
1987: Stanford
1986: Stanford
1985: Hawaii
1984: Florida St.
1983: Arizona St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball