There were times in 2018 that it looked like DL Antonneous Clayton was on his way out at Florida. Monday he announced that’s not the case and he’ll be returning for a fourth season at UF.

The Gators’ highest-rated signee of the 2016 recruiting class (0.9823 247Sports Composite score, No. 2 weak-side defensive end, No. 27 prospect overall nationally) it would have been understandable for Clayton to seek a change of scenery after having his head coach, coordinator and position coach change two years into his college career. In his first two seasons, Clayton appeared in 14 games, recording a total of 10 tackles.

Through three games this season, he had not recorded a tackle. Then it was revealed he wasn’t even on the travel roster of 70 players for the trip to Tennessee in Week 4. Clayton is hoping that the fourth year is when it all comes together.

With Cece Jefferson graduating and potentially two more pass-rushers (Jachai Polite and Jabari Zuniga) leaving early for the NFL, there should be more opportunities for Clayton to see the field in 2019. By playing in only three games, Clayton can take a redshirt for 2018 and have two seasons of eligibility remaining.