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Florida QB commit sends message to his fellow Gator pledges following string of decommitments
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Following a string of decommitments this spring from Florida’s 2021 recruiting class, the leader of that group felt it was time to issue a statement to his fellow Gators — things aren’t always better on the other side.
That was the message Carlos Del Rio, the No. 11 pro-style quarterback in the nation in the 2021 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, sent over the weekend as he’s seen a few of his fellow pledges back off their decisions to commit to Dan Mullen’s program this spring.
Four-star defensive back Kamar Wilcoxson decommitted which was followed by a decommitment by three-star athlete Brashard Smith. Wilcoxson later committed to Tennessee and Smith is now being recruited by the Vols.
Those two are not the only decommitments suffered by the Gators in this cycle as five-star linebacker Terrence Lewis and four-star prospects Bryce Langston, Trevonte Rucker and Dink Jackson also decommitted to Florida’s 2021 class. Lewis later committed to Tennessee recently; while Rucker later recommitted to Florida.
Despite those defections, Florida’s recruiting class still ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 4 nationally, which goes to show just how much talent remains in the class, but Del Rio wanted to set the record straight with the following comment issued on Sunday:
“Aye fellas stay focused, grass ain’t always greener on the other side! I see a lot of ya boys wavering and looking around lettin these coaches from other schools sell you a dream. We KNOW what UF going do we going win regardless!! But everybody do what’s best for u! #stayfocused”
While Tennessee was not specifically mentioned in that comment, the theme of the message is the same, join the family and be a Gator otherwise become nothing more than Gator bait.
Note: This article originally had an error as the timeline for Florida’s 2021 decommitments was incorrect. Terrence Lewis decommitted in April of 2019, Bryce Langston decommitted in May of 2019, Trevonte Rucker decommitted in May of 2019, Dink Jackson decommitted in May of 2019, Kamar Wilcoxson decommitted in March of 2020 and Brashard Smith decommitted in May in 2020.
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
