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Trifecta: Florida adds 3 commitments, led by 4-star DB flip
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Billy Napier’s Florida staff closed out July with a bang on the recruiting trail. On Wednesday, the Gators picked up verbal pledges from three prospects spread out over multiple recruiting classes.
The headlining commitment comes from Demetres Samuel Jr. A blue-chip defensive back in the 2026 recruiting class, Samuel has indicated he plans to reclassify to 2025.
Out of Palm Bay (Florida), Heritage High School, Samuel is listed as measuring 6-feet and 185 pounds. He is rated 4-stars, the No. 9 safety, No. 17 recruit in the state of Florida and No. 99 prospect overall in the Class of 2026 on the 247Sports Composite.
Samuel had been committed to Syracuse. He also drew interest from Kentucky, Nebraska and Ole Miss during his recruitment. On Wednesday, he announced his flip to Florida.
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Florida wasn’t done adding to its 2025 class. Peach State defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou also verbally pledged to the Gators.
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Out of Grayson (Georgia) High School, Mbatchou is listed as measuring 6-6 and 285 pounds. Relatively new to playing football, Mbatchou has not been rated by a major recruiting site and is notably light on scholarship offers.
First look at Grayson 2025 DL @JoeMbatchou out here today.
“Big monster.”
Incredible story. It’s about to get even better for the 6-foot-6 and 285-pound prospect. ⌛️
I’m told that this is his first year playing football. The great @CoachGCarswell has found another one. pic.twitter.com/n2zMcw6OHR
— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) July 18, 2024
Mbatchou shared the news of his commitment in a social media post.
@GatorsFB 100% committed@CoachCarswell @CoachTuftsJr @CoachSB_4theG pic.twitter.com/qHQKV3qM7Z
— Joseph Mbatchou (@JoeMbatchou) July 31, 2024
Florida also added a 2026 commitment with a verbal pledge from Devin Jackson.
Out of the Orlando (Florida) First Academy, Jackson currently measures over 6-1 and 195 pounds. He is rated 3-stars, the No. 34 safety, No. 70 player in the state of Florida and No. 388 prospect overall in the Class of 2026 on the 247Sports Composite.
Jackson has collected scholarship offers to 26 schools. Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M are among the programs that showed interest. He announced his UF commitment via social media.
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When Samuel is officially recognized as a 2025 prospect, it will give the Gators 12 verbal commits for their next class. The 2026 class, meanwhile, sits at three verbal pledges.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
