Billy Napier is continuing to establish the Gators’ Florida-first identity, and a commitment to an out-of-state program is not going to stop him.
[autotag]Jamari Howard[/autotag], a Hialeah native and current Michigan State commit, is planning to make his second visit to Gainesville during this weekend’s Florida Relays track event. The Westland High School star made his first visit to Florida’s campus back in January. Despite having track obligations, Howard told 247Sports that he is planning to visit with the Florida football staff in between his track events, which could happen on Friday or Saturday.
The four-star defensive back has been committed to the Spartans since Sept. 9, 2022, with 247Sports categorizing him as a “hard commit”. Since his commitment, Howard has visited three of Florida’s four Power Five programs, Florida, Miami and Florida State, with the Seminoles being the most recent visit in March.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 175-pound cornerback has been in consistent contact with defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. It seems Raymond’s incredible reputation is making an impact on Howard, with the prospect telling 247Sports that he values how many players Raymond has developed into elite NFL talent.
If the Gators want to have a chance to flip the No. 15 overall player according to the 247Sports composite in the state of Florida, they’ll have to fight off not just Michigan State, but their biggest in-state rival Florida State. If Howard remains a Spartan, so be it. But if he chooses one of the Seminoles or the Gators, it’ll be another chapter in the long rivalry between the two programs, both in recruiting and on the field.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]
[mm-video type=video id=01gx6bdfset7xyvjpn7j playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx6bdfset7xyvjpn7j/01gx6bdfset7xyvjpn7j-e4c7f75ad0b441d81647d3afb278e32d.jpg]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.