Report: Gators will host this 4-star UCF EDGE commit

If you can’t beat ’em, take their commits?

It’s not often we see Florida fighting for the same recruits as UCF, but the Knights steady rise into Power Five relevancy has helped put them on the map with some of the state’s best young talent. Four-star EDGE [autotag]Isaiah Nixon[/autotag] is one of those Florida blue-chippers who is looking at both UCF and UF.

There’s just one hitch: he’s already committed to the Knights.

Normally, Florida looks to steal talent from other Southeastern Conference powerhouses, but an in-state talent like Nixon can’t be ignored, esepcaily when he’s planning on going to play for the little brother program that just handed the Gators a loss on the gridiron three years ahead of schedule (UCF travels to Gainesville in 2024).

With that in mind, Nixon recieved a visit from co-defensive coordinator [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] on Thursday, according to Gators Online, and now has an official visit planned to the Swamp. His last trip to Gainesville came on March 5, a month and some 12 days before he committed to Gus Malzahn’s program. He’ll return on June 10 and already has some pretty positive things to say about the Orange and Blue.

“This school right here (Florida) is one of my top priorities and one of my top choices. It’s a great school. I love the football program, love the coaches and love everything.”

Spencer’s relationship with Nixon goes back to his time with the South Carolina Gamecocks, and there’s faith that the new staff at Florida can develop him into an NFL-ready prospect. The Gators see him as an outside linebacker that can pressure the quarterback on third down.

It’s hardly surprising to see the No. 157 overall player in the class of 2023 take another look at his options after committing well before either signing day. Nixon is also the No. 18 EDGE on the On3 Consensus, so Florida isn’t likely to give up too easily on him, especially with tons of Power Five teams interested in him.

If this race can stay between UF and UCF, Florida should have the upper hand. There’s little that stacks up with playing in the SEC when it comes to college football, and [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] still has that new car smell that makes recruits feel like they’re a part of something never seen before.

An official visit while committed can be a lot like going on the date just to get dinner, but sometimes it’s much, much more. Only time will tell with Nixon, but Napier hardly does anything without purpose.

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