Florida football’s recruiting efforts have been the topic of attention of late after a late July push that saw the team rise meteorically in the rankings thanks to the commitment of a few of the best that the prep level has to offer. While the Gators are mostly focused on players who are still looking for their collegiate destination, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co. are not shying away from plundering their opponents as well.
Among those the program is looking to poach is four-star safety [autotag]Jordan Pride[/autotag] out of the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, who is currently committed to the Florida State Seminoles. The multi-sport athlete gave his word to FSU back on July 3 but nothing is set in stone quite yet.
The 6-foot-1.5-inch, 175-pound defensive back joined in on Florida’s big recruiting weekend and came away intrigued by what Napier has cooking in the Swamp. “They always treat me like I’m a king,” Pride told Gators Online. “They like my length and how fast I move at my height. Also, my ball skills. They said I’m a ball hawk on the field.”
Florida’s head coach has taken the lead in the rising junior’s recruitment with co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] also carrying a load in the efforts to flip the young student-athlete. After a courtship that dates back to his visit for the Tennessee Volunteers game last season, he finally received an offer from the Gators on June 6 but UF’s Tallahassee rivals won out. For now.
It comes as no surprise that the in-state safety’s talents are a coveted asset, with Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies, Miami Hurricanes, Kentucky Wildcats, Michigan State Spartans and Mississippi State Bulldogs among many vying for his commitment. No official visits have been made nor have any dates been set as of yet, but the highly-sought recruit will get his chance to sample the college football platter this upcoming season.
Pride is ranked No. 74 overall and No. 8 at his position in his class nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 107 and 11, respectively.
[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=88999,88957,88945,88924,88859]
[listicle id=88854]
[listicle id=88493]
[listicle id=88059]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!