With the calendar turning to July, Florida was eager to welcome 10 new faces to the roster prior to the start of fall camp in Gainesville.
The school officially announced the addition of the remaining 2018 signees that had yet to arrive on campus and now have the entire 2018 class in Gainesville.
Here are the players that arrived at Florida this week, along with the bios provided by the school for each:
Four-star receiver Jacob Copeland
Florida bio: Competed at the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game for Team Highlight… Over the course of his career he recorded 2,261 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 104 receptions… Also recorded 685 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 99 attempts… Finished his career with 3,245 all-purpose yards, including 196 kickoff return yards… Helped Escambia to an 8-3 overall record and a 3-0 district record in 2017… Throughout the season, he registered 29 receptions for 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns, 11 rushing attempts for 125 yards and two touchdowns and 118 combined punt and kickoff return yards… Played for Coach Mike Bennett… Chose Florida over Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Clemson and Georgia.
Three-star defensive back John Huggins
Florida bio: Helped his team to a 7-5 record overall and a 4-0 district record in 2017… Coached by Scott Wilson at Mainland… Chose Florida over Louisville, Miami, FSU and USF.
Two -star Athlete Jaylin Jackson
Florida bio: Played cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback as he helped lead his team to the 2015 FHSAA State Championship Game with a 12-1 overall record… Helped guide his team to the FHSAA State Semifinals as a senior in 2017… Ended his career with a record of 30-5 as the starting QB for the Lancers… Finished high school with 5,621 total passing yards, 66 touchdowns, 1,858 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns… On defense he totaled 40 tackles and six interceptions… Chose to walk-on at Florida over offers from Kentucky, Colorado State, Army, Air force, and Georgia State… Played point guard on his high school team.
Three-star tight end Dante Lang
Florida bio: Started his high school career primarily playing defensive end before switching to tight end for his senior season… Compiled 70 tackles and 20 sacks during his junior season in 2016… Played for Coach Eric Davis… Chose Florida over Georgia, LSU, Virginia Tech, Arkansas and Kentucky.
Four-star defensive lineman Malik Langham
Florida bio: Played three years of varsity football and reached the Alabama State Playoffs in his junior and senior seasons… Named to the 2017 Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A All-State First Team… Totaled 104 tackles and 11 sacks in his senior season as he helped the Generals to an 8-4 record… Recorded 64 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, six sacks and a forced fumble as a junior… Notched 40 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery as a sophomore… Played for Coach Tony Woods… Played basketball all four years of high school… Chose Florida over Tennessee, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Kentucky.
Three-star kicker Evan McPherson
Florida bio: Selected to participate in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game… Went 2-for-2 on PATs and successfully executed an onside kick during the game… Kicked and punted for Fort Payne HS for four seasons… During his senior season, he made a 60-yard field goal, which was one yard shy of the Alabama High School state record. In addition, he recorded an 84-yard punt in a game, which was also one yard shy of the state record… Helped Fort Payne to a berth in the 6A State Playoffs… Selected to the Under Armour All-American Team… Rated as the No. 1 kicker and No. 5 punter by the Kohl’s Kicking Camp… Played for Coach Paul Ellis… Chose Florida over Mississippi State.
Unranked long snapper Marco Ortiz
Florida bio: He is rated as a 5-star prospect and ranked No. 6 player overall at his position by Rubio Long Snapping… Played for Greg Lilly in high school… Went to Benedictine College Preparatory (Catholic Military High School)… State Champions in 2014 and 2015 (freshman and sophomore seasons)
Four-star tight end Kyle Pitts
Florida bio: Selected to participate in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game… Recorded one catch for 11 yards in the game… A 2017 Under Armour All-American selection… Led Archbishop Wood to an overall record of 11-2 and a State Championship… Totaled four tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown reception in the title game… Recorded over 300 receiving yards and five touchdowns during his senior season… A versatile athlete who also spent time at defensive end for the Vikings… Played for Coach Steve Devlin… Chose Florida over Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Unranked Linebacker Umstead Sanders
Florida bio: Played in all 18 games in two seasons for Hinds Community College… Eagles posted an 8-10 record during his career… Totaled 32 tackles, two sacks and 9.5 tackles-for-loss as a freshman in 2016… Recorded 61 tackles, one sack and 10 tackles-for-loss in 2017… Coached by Larry Williams at Hinds Community College (head coach/defensive coordinator)… In high school at Port St. Joe HS, Sanders played in 35 games and racked up 244 total tackles, 15 sacks, 20 tackles-for-loss, three pass deflections, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries… Played in the FHSAA state championship game as a junior (2014) and senior (2015)… Chose to walk-on at Florida over offers from Jackson State and Murray State.
Four-star athlete Justin Watkins
Florida bio: Played three seasons at wide receiver, running back and defensive back in high school… Over the course of his career, he recorded 3,087 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns on 340 attempts… Also registered 866 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 42 receptions… Recorded two punt return touchdowns and four kickoff return touchdowns… Played at three different high schools over the past three years: East Ridge – 2017, Vanguard – 2016, North Marion – 2015… Garnered 2017 Florida All-USA First Team accolades by USA Today.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
