Gators land Georgia transfer CB Kimber
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators have landed Georgia transfer cornerback Jalen Kimber, one of the nation’s top cornerback prospects in 2020 and a projected starter for the Bulldogs.
Kimber announced his decision Saturday on Twitter, less than a week after the Bulldogs won the school’s first national title since 1980.
“This has been a difficult last few days,” Kimber wrote. “The last two years at UGA have been great. The hard work, sweat and tears that lead to bringing the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP back to Athens is something I will cherish the rest of my list.
“Now as I move on to my next destination, it’s time to go to work. The mission is clear and the time is now: let’s get it.”
A redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining, Kimber was a projected starter last summer but last September needed season-ending shoulder surgery.
At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Kimber is slightly built at this stage of his development. Yet he was the ninthrated cornerback in the 2020 class out of Mansfield Timberview in Arlington, Texas, and competing for a starting role with the nation’s top defense — the backbone of the Bulldogs’ title team.
On Friday, new Florida coach Billy Napier said he expected to add a number of transfers during the coming days.
Kimber joins Louisiana transfer running back Montrell Johnson and offensive lineman Kamryn Waites, along with former Ohio State backup quarterback Jack Miller.
Kimber entered the transfer portal within days of Georgia’s win against Alabama in the CFP Championship.
The Gators were among several programs in pursuit of Kimber.
New Florida cornerback coach Corey Raymond was pivotal in landing Kimber. Before joining Napier, Raymond helped build LSU’s secondary into one of the nation’s best.