Gators grab another local player
CB Jordan Castell announces he will commit to team
A bit of the surprise was lifted from Jordan Castell’s college commitment announcement Saturday. The West Orange cornerback made his decision public while on the campus of the University of Florida, all but giving away that he was going to be a Gator.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound cornerback picked the Gators over numerous offers from schools such as Miami, Alabama, Auburn and Arkansas.
“What made me feel like it was a good choice for me was how they stayed consistent with me,” Castell said of the Gators coaching staff. “They check in every day and go over film with me.
“I would say Coach [Patrick] Toney and Coach [Corey] Raymond, those two guys had me like, ‘OK, this is home.’ ”
Castell also has been impressed with new Gators head coach Billy Napier.
“I did my homework and looked at his background and what he did at Louisiana and how he helped that program,” Castell said. “I know he’s going to do some big things at UF. We talk a lot.”
Castell was a little-known prospect last summer and he was very active in being his own promoter, always looking for ways to get more stars from recruiting services and more attention from college scouts. Surprisingly, for a cornerback whom his coaches say has never given up a touchdown in his high school career, Castell still sits with a 3-star ranking on most services.
“The process is a lot. I kinda of had let it stress me out, but I got better just not letting it get to me,” he said. “I just kept working on my craft and working hard.”
Last season, Castell had 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and scored 3 defensive touchdowns for the Warriors. His coverage ability and size finally started to grab the attention of coaches such as Nick Saban at Alabama, but it came down to Napier’s staff at UF. They won the prize and Castell is just happy to be a Gator.
“I’m not really like just because it’s ‘Bama that fits me. I’m looking at what they’re going to do for me,” Castell said. “Like Florida, they were letting me know that once I get there they’ll put me in multiple postions just to get me on the field and get my feet wet. They just really talked about developing me as a player and young man.”
He wasn’t necessarily looking to stay close to home, but all the stress was lifted from his shoulders Saturday.
“I’m so ready,” Castell said. “I feel like it’s the best place for me and I feel like it’s just going to help me so much.”
He’s the third Central Florida player in the past three days to commit to the Gators. Castell is ranked No. 7 in the Sentinel’s Central Florida Super60.
Boone receiver Aidan Mizell, who committed to Florida on Friday, is No. 12, and No. 6-ranked cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson picked UF on Thursday night.
“We all play each other around Central Florida so we’re all like kind of friends,” Castell said. “We all stay in contact.
“It’s going to be great [playing on same team], and it’s best if we keep the talent in Florida.”
Within hours of Castell’s commitment, Northwestern Miami receiver Andy Jean selected Florida over Alabama, Arkansas, Miami and Texas A&M. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound speedster caught 40 passes for 733 yards (18.3 average per reception) and 8 scores.
Jean’s decision bumped Napier’s 2023 class to No. 12 in the 247Sports team rankings.