Mandarin (Jacksonville, Florida) safety [autotag]Hylton Stubbs[/autotag] signed with the Florida Gators at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Stubbs flipped from his Miami commitment on Monday, two days before signing day. He spent Sunday in Gainesville and informed coaches of his decision. Initially, Stubbs pledged his services to USC and then flipped to Miami over the summer before finally landing with Florida. He noted the Gators’ improved defensive performances at the end of the season as a major reason for his decision.
He is an expected January enrollee who figures to make an impact early in his tenure with the Gators. A four-year varsity athlete, Stubbs recorded 286 total tackles (198 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 21 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks at Mandarin.
Stubbs is a threat against the pass and the run who can line up in the box or up high. He’s a strong tackler who enjoys contact but lacks top-end speed. That profile could land him at the STAR position for Florida, or at least in a hybrid role to best utilize his skillset.
Recruiting Summary
Stubbs is a consensus four-star recruit who has earned a fifth star from Rivals, which ranks him 23rd overall in the class of 2025. The 247Sports composite, which considers all four major recruiting services, has him at No. 57 nationally and No. 5 among safeties in the class, while the On3 industry ranking puts him at Nos. 58 and 4, respectively.
“Well-rounded safety prospect that can defend the pass and the run. Added some good mass between junior and senior seasons and doesn’t appear to be done maturing,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in a June report. “Has experience working in a variety of different alignments and can likely do the same at the next level as he’s a spirited competitor in the box and alert in coverage.
“Strikes people as a tackler, oftentimes exploding through the hips. Tracks the football well on the backend and has the ball skills to come down with takeaways. Isn’t the type of defender that’s going to win a ton of foot races, but has the short-area quickness to correct some mistakes.
“Projects as a potential multi-year impact defender at the Power Four level that can add value in a variety of different ways as he can match tight ends, cut down run lanes, and get home on the blitz. Likely to find most success in an aggressive scheme that wants to move him around and put him in position to make plays. NFL upside with his physicality.”
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