Florida 2026 OLB/WDE Dane Bathurst is a fast riser on recruiting boards
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Remember the name – Dane Bathurst. The Class of 2026 prospect is a jack of all trades and a lightening bolt of energy for Florida’s Plant High School (Tampa). Locked in as an outside linebacker/weakside defensive end, Bathurst (6-4, 235) also delivers punishment on offense as a kick ass fullback/H-back knocking guys around like former NFL great Tom Rathman. The play on the field has college programs lining up on the recruiting trail.
The Panthers pushed their 2024 record to 8-4 with help from their standout junior.
“I am a leader, and a fly around the field kind of player, if that makes sense,” Bathurst said. “I am all over the field. If I win the rep or not, I help my team; I get to the ball. For being a junior, I am a big leader on my team. I play an important role on the field.”
Also on special teams, Bathurst ran down his primary positions, “I play every position my team needs me to play. I will do anything for the win. I was mostly at defensive end, outside linebacker, fullback, middle linebacker, and some at slot receiver.”
The idea for opposing 6A teams is to run the opposite direction of Bathurst, but he still filled the stat sheet tallying 43 stops, 25 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and even had a nasty one-handed interception.
“We run a 4-3, but we shifted for teams,” Bathurst stated. “If we saw something, we’d switch to 3-4. We practice both fronts in practice. It is easy. We like to flip our defense to confuse offenses; it is very smart. We have a really good interior defensive lineman that can stop the run. If they can’t run, they have to pass, that is when we go 3-4.”
The athletic plays and big hits are attracting a next level audience.
“College coaches like the violence I play with and the way I am versatile,” Bathurst shared. “They like my violence, energy, and that I am high tempo. On kickoffs, I am getting everyone ready and hyped.”
Bathurst continued talking about the things he does well on defense, “My communication on the field is top tier. I watch a lot of film, and I communicate on the field with my teammates. My get off is fast, but my hand moves are key.”
An offseason workout plan is in place.
“I am working on my speed,” Bathurst said. “I want to get my speed lower, my vertical up, and improve my lateral movement.”
Offers have been dropped from Buffalo, Duke, Kent State, Louisville, Purdue, Toledo, and USF with the Florida Gators showing interest.
Four teams are laying the early groundwork hoping for a signed National Letter of Intent next year.
“I am in regular contact with Duke, USF, Louisville, and Purdue,” Bathurst stated.
Visits were taken to Purdue, USF, and Duke this fall, the rising talent shared details from each trip.
Purdue: “It was good. They were very welcoming, same with all the others. They made sure they made me feel important; that helped with my family. It was super cool. Their stadium was electric; they have a big fan base. Their coaches, I was thankful they gave me the time. I had a one on one with their d-line coach, coach (Brick) Haley, before the game; that made me feel special.”
USF: “They made me feel like family. I am tight with their d-line coach (Kevin Patrick) and their head coach (Alex Golesh). They have former Plant players; they support the team. It seemed like I had a connection.”
Duke: “Duke was amazing. They treated my mom with respect, and they made sure to make me feel like a top priority. All of their coaches were outgoing. They made sure my family and I felt at home. Coach (Harland) Bower, their d-line coach, he was super cool.”
When visits pick up again, the want for Bathurst is to spend time seeing Florida, FSU, UCF, Texas, Oregon, and Miami among others.