Billy Napier and Co. have had their hands full this offseason restocking Florida football’s talent pipeline in pursuit of the best prep prospects the nation has to offer. While there have been plenty of coups along the way, the Gators have also fallen short on a few coveted recruits, including one from their own backyard.
Four-star running back [autotag]Jerrick Gibson[/autotag], who started his high school career at Gainesville High and now plays at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, after a stop at Jonesboro (Georgia) Mundy’s Mill. The 5-foot-10-inch, 200-pound ground grinder committed to the Texas Longhorns on June 24 following an official visit and appears to be content with his decision.
However, while his commitment allows him to focus on his senior season at the prestigious academy, he has not shut the door on his recruitment completely. The Gators have not quite given up either, albeit now sparingly reaching out to him just in case he has a change of heart.
“Florida is a school I still hear from now and then,” Gibson told Swamp247. “It’s not like hard recruiting or anything I would say. It’s coach [Jabbar] Juluke that still hits me up. He says he wants to try to get me to one of their games again.”
He also added that “Gainesville is still my hometown. I could always go to a game.”
Can Florida get the coveted blue-chipper back on campus for one last gander at the Gators? Maybe witnessing a major win could change his mind. There are still several months until the official signing period, so anything can happen if Napier and crew make a push.
Gibson is ranked No. 48 overall and No. 2 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 64 and 5, respectively.
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