Gators’ commitments include top corner, DT
Pledges will fill major needs for Florida’s defense.
GAINESVILLE — The Gators have landed another South Florida recruit, this time from Miami.
C o v e t e d c o r n e r b a c k Shawn Davis of Miami-Southridge joined the class of 2017 on Saturday, committing to Florida over Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee.
Meanwhile, the Gators filled a need for a defensive tackle with the best prospect they’ve landed at the position since 2014.
Fred Hansard, the nation’s N o. 1 1 d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e , picked UF over Rutgers and Tennessee.
Davis’ decision came down to the Gators and hometown Hurricanes, but Davis chose to spend his college years in Gainesville.
“Growing up, Florida was always my favorite school,” Davis said. “A degree from UF holds more weight than other schools. I’m not too far from home, and they have a tradition of DBs going to the NFL.”
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon and secondar y coach Torrian Gray were Davis’ primary recruiters, and on-campus recruiting director John Herron used to coach at his high school. Davis visited UF in March, April, June and July with his Southridge teammate, Gators tight end commit Kemore Gamble.
Davis is eyeing early playing time at Florida but knows he’ll have to earn it.
“They didn’t promise me anything but an opportunity,” Davis said. “It’s up to me to determine how much I play, but they are looking for DBs. I think they can develop me into an NFL player.”
Davis is the state’s No. 9ranked cornerback, but his offer list of more than two dozen schools also includes Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is a versatile defensive back, but he’ll line up at corner for the Gators.
“I’m able to move around in the secondary,” Davis said. “I can play press man, off coverage, safety, anything.”
Hansard’s commitment is important from a depth and talent standpoint. Florida has only signed — and kept — one DT in the previous three recruiting cycles, and that’s Khairi Clark.
Three signees from the 2 0 1 4 a n d 2 0 1 5 c l a s s e s (Thomas Holley, Andrew Ivie and Gerald Willis) are no longer with the team, and the Gators didn’t sign any for 2016. That’s why CeCe Jefferson has slid inside on the defensive line.
The Gators lose senior Joey Ivie after this season and junior Caleb Brantley is expected to turn pro, but their production now can be replaced with three defensive tackles on board.
Florida is also still in contention for recent Michigan de-commitment Aubrey Solomon and Tyrone Truesdell, who visited UF earlier this month.
Hansard, who attends The Hun School of Princeton (N.J.), gives coach Jim McElwain another feather in his cap as he continues to expand Florida’s national recruiting footprint.
Besides New Jersey, he and his assistants have landed out-of-state prospects from Alabama, California, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas.
UF now has 16 class members for 2017 with the additions of Davis and Hansard. Six of the Gators’ pledges are from South Florida.