Just two months removed from a dismal 4-7 season where the Gators missed playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2014, Florida wrapped up a top 20 ranking on National Signing Day with 18 recruits including 11 4-star signees.
East Ridge WR Justin Watkins headlined a class that looks to return to the SEC championship game after playing in back-to-back games in 2015-16. The Gators had already received commitments from 5 four-star players including dual threat QB Emory Jones who chose Florida after previously committing to Ohio State.
Florida's recruiting class currently ranks 15th in the nation and 5th-best in the SEC.
Joining Watkins from the Central Florida and Bay Area were S John Huggins from Mainland, OT Richard Gouraige from Cambridge Christian and S Amari Burney from Clearwater Calvary Christian.
Here's a complete list of Florida signees:
NAME | HIGH SCHOOL/JUCO | POSITION |
Jacob Copeland | Escambia | 4-star WR |
*Richard Gouraige | Cambridge Christian | 4-star OT |
Emory Jones | Heard County (GA) | 4-star QB |
*Justin Watkins | East Ridge | 4-star WR |
Kyle Pitts | Archbishop Wood (PA) | 4-star TE |
*Amari Burney | Calvary Christian | 4-star S |
Trey Dean | Dutchtown (GA) | 4-star S |
Dameon Pierce | Bainbridge (GA) | 4-star RB |
Andrew Chatfield | American Heritage | 4-star DE |
David Reese | Vero Beach | 4-star OLB |
Iverson Clement | Rancocas Valley (NJ) | 4-star ATH |
Noah Banks | Iowa Western CC | 3-star OT |
*John Huggins | Mainland | 3-star S |
Chris Bleich | Wyoming Valley (PA) | 3-star OT |
Randy Russell | Carol City | 3-star S |
Dante Lang | Boca Raton | 3-star TE |
Griffin McDowell | Lee County (GA) | 3-star C |
Evan McPherson | Fort Payne (AL) | 3-star K |
*Bay Area & Central Florida recruits