The high school all-star games are a great opportunity to see the top prospects around the country face off against each other. It’s a higher competition level than most high schools will play, and it’s a good preview for how players will look going up against more talented athletes in the collegiate ranks.
This year, Florida fans will want to tune into the Under Armour All-American game on Jan. 2, as two of the teams top signees will be playing in it. Five-star safety Kamari Wilson from IMG Academy in Bradenton and four-star linebacker Shemar James from Mobile, Alabama, will be playing in this one, and they’re the top-two commits in UF’s 2022 class.
Both were signing day wins for coach Billy Napier, though James was committed under the previous staff and left the class midway through the 2021 season. Wilson was considered a Georgia lean until visiting Florida right before early signing day, while James was considered a UGA or Alabama lean before a late push from the Gators brought him back into the fold.
There is also an uncommitted prospect in this game UF fans will want to keep an eye on. Four-star safety Jacoby Mathews, a former LSU commit, was originally planning to announce his commitment during the All-American game. However, he has decided to visit Florida on Jan. 14, meaning he will likely wait to make his decision until February.
Mathews has a prior relationship with Florida’s cornerbacks coach in Corey Raymond, who was previously the defensive backs coach at LSU and originally recruited Mathews to Baton Rouge. The No. 36 overall player per the 247Sports Composite, stealing a Louisiana prospect out from under LSU’s nose would be a major get for Napier, who has a lot of ties within the state.
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