The Florida Gators had a tough start to National Signing Day, but they finished very strong.
Early on, Florida struggled with head-to-head battles for prospects against Auburn.
The biggest domino was five-star DE Byron Cowart committing to Auburn on ESPNU, and shortly thereafter, four-star wide receiver Ryan Davis committed to Auburn, too. The Tigers also flipped three-star O-lineman Mike Horton, who had been committed to the Gators. The Tigers also landed four-star linebacker Jeffrey Holland, although Holland was a given to AU.
The Cowart situation is ongoing and fluid, and he has yet to send in his LOI to Auburn. Reports indicated that Cowart signed two LOIs, although he said that’s not the case, but he reportedly told his coach not to fax his LOI to Auburn and was waiting to see what happened with five-star DE CeCe Jeffrerson…who eventually picked the Gators.
To make matters tougher to stomach, wide receiver commit Derek Dillon flipped to LSU, although that was largely expected.
But things got much better at 11:35 a.m. ET.
Five-star OT Martez Ivey committed to the Gators over the Auburn Tigers, and he was the biggest must-get for McElwain in this recruiting class. He’ll be the cornerstone for Florida’s offensive line, and he could start as a freshman.
Things got even better when five-star DE CeCe Jefferson committed to the Gators over Ole Miss, Auburn and Alabama. Like Ivey and Jefferson will be cornerstones for the Gators’ defensive line in the future.
Florida’s biggest need was to bring in depth along the offensive line. The Gators signed six offensive linemen, headlined by the best tackle in the country in Ivey.
Here is the Gators’ signing class:
Martez Ivey, OT, five-star
CeCe Jefferson, DE, five-star
Jordan Scarlett, RB, four-star
Jordan Cronkrite, RB, four-star
D’anfernee Mcgriff, ATH, four-star
Nick Buchanan, OL, three-star
Antonio Callaway, WR, three-star
Chris Williamson, CB, three-star
Tyler Jordan, OC, three-star
Jabari Zuniga, DE, three-star
Brandon Sandifer, OG, three-star
Camrin Knight, TE, three-star
Andrew Ivie, DT, three-star
Keivonnis Davis, DE, three-star
Richerd Aesir-Jones, OL, three-star
Dylan Johnson, S, three-star
Fredrick Johnson, OT, three-star
Luke Ancrum, DE, three-star
Rayshad Jackson, LB, three-star
Daniel Imatorbhebhe, TE, three-star (early enrollee)
Kalif Jackson, WR, three-star (early enrollee)
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
