Amid turmoil, Gators land recruit

Somehow, despite a four-game losing streak and the departure of their head coach, the Florida Gators picked up a commitment from wide-receiver prospect Nigel Bethel Jr. on Sunday.

Miami Northwestern’s speedy slot receiver committed to the Gators, joining Northwestern teammate Divaad Wilson, a safety who committed in February. Bethel, a 5-foot-11, 160-pounder, is the brother of former Miami Booker T. Washington star Nigel Bethel II, who signed with Texas Tech in 2014 but is no longer on the roster.

The younger Bethel announced his commitment via his Twitter account. He is the 19th commitment to the Gators 2018 class, which remains intact a week after the ouster of former coach Jim McElwain.

Amid the speculation last Sunday that McElwain would be fired, Delray Beach Atlantic receiver Corey Gammage posted to his Twitter account that he had reopened his recruitment. A day later, however, Gammage remained committed as all of the 2018 UF pledges banded together in a show of solidarity.

Bethel is a track standout at Northwestern and has personal best times of 10.78 seconds in the 100 meters, 21.57 in the 200 and 49.79 in the 400. He led a loaded Northwestern team in receiving this season and in the last four games he had nine catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns.

He was recruited to UF by interim head coach Randy Shannon and the Gators figured Bethel is talented enough to fit in on either side of the ball.

Next game: UF at South Carolina, Saturday, Noon, CBS

Chris Hays