Gators score big with East Ridge recruit.
Clermont East Ridge wide receiver Justin
Watkins committed to the Florida Gators’ 2018 recruiting class Saturday during his official visit to the school. His commitment was confirmed by East Ridge head coach Jason Robinson.
Watkins, who was supposed to announce his commitment during the Under Armour All-American Game Jan. 4, postponed his decision after a late push from the Gators new coaching staff under
Dan Mullen. Watkins had narrowed his final choices to Florida and LSU, and the Gators won out.
Watkins had yet to meet the new members of the UF coaching staff and wanted to give them the opportunity to make their pitch. It was also quite important for Watkins and his biggest supporters — his mother and grandmother — that he stay close to home.
“Yeah, it’s [important] because I got a lot of family that will show up, wanna watch me. I just gotta make sure it’s the right fit for me and that I like it,” Watkins said prior to the Under Armour game.
He had previously been committed to FSU and Texas before backing out on those pledges.
“It’s like 20 minutes down the road,” he said of UF.
During the past season, his only year at East Ridge, Watkins put up impressive numbers even though he was hampered near the end of the season with an ankle injury. Watkins played both running back and receiver, rushing for 615 yards and seven touchdowns on 72 carries and he also had 18 catches for 552 yards and seven more touchdowns.
His per-catch average was an impressive 30.7 yards.
He has also played at Ocala Vanguard and Citra North Marion during his high school career.
Watkins, the No. 21-ranked receiver in the country according to 247Sports composite rankings, is the second committed player the Gators expect to have signing when the second National Signing Day rolls around on Feb. 7.
UF had 13 players sign during the early period and eight of those have enrolled early.
Bargnare commits
The quiet, reserved
Davarius Bargnare had even fewer words than usual Sunday to express his excitement for having just committed to Georgia Southern.
The Orlando Dr. Phillips receiver, who committed to the Eagles during his official visit this past weekend with the Statesboro, Ga., school, had trouble searching for the right words to describe his emotions.
“I can even really explain the feeling, to be honest,” said Bargnare, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior who helped Dr. Phillips to the Class 8A state championship this past season. “I’m thankful to finally know where I’m going to be going.”
It was his visit to the school and his relationship with Georgia Southern assistant coach Juston
Wood that sold Bargnare on the Eagles.
“It was just based off of what felt like home and where I felt comfortable,” said Bargnare, who also had offers from 16 other Football Bowl Subdivision schools. “This weekend just made it even better because my parents got to see everything and how the coaches are really honest. It’s amazing. I really enjoyed myself this weekend. .. The first day we stepped on the [campus] it felt like home.
“And I really like [Coach Wood]. He’s really close with my family. He came over for a home visit last week and he talked to my parents about everything and he was honest about everything.”
Bargnare, known as V-Dawg to his teammates, led Dr. Phillips in receiving this past season with 48 catches for 698 yards and eight touchdowns. He also returned kicks for the Panthers, totaling 82 yards on 10 punt returns and 296 yards on 8 kickoff returns. He scored two return touchdowns.
He is the fourth Dr. Phillips senior to commit to a college. Defensive back
Tanner Ingle has already signed with Tennessee and offensive tackle John
Campbell signed with Miami. Linebacker Joe
Gulla is planning to attend Brown University of the Ivy League.
Bargnare is the younger brother of UCF receiver
Jaquarius Bargnare ,a sophomore who was injured and did not play this past season.