Florida Gators’ 2018 class takes hit with loss of four-star DB commitment

Football

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Image Credit: ESPNI

The 2018 recruiting cycle has not been kind thus far to the Florida Gators, and Wednesday’s latest development puts Florida in an even tougher position with seven months to go until National Signing Day. The Gators lost a pledge from four-star defensive back C.J. Smith (West Palm Beach, FL), their second-highest rated commitment in the class.

“After talking it over with my family and coaches I feel like it would be in my best interest to de-commit from the University of Florida,” he wrote in an extended post on Twitter. “Also, I would like to thank coach Jim McElwain and his entire coaching staff for believing in me and my Athletic abilities. It’s nothing personal just business.#Blessed #Humble”

Smith, a safety, committed to Florida in March and was the team’s top verbal at the time of his pledge. He was also the first commitment for new Gators running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider, who served as Smith’s primary recruiter.

UF presently has just two four-star commitments among its seven-member Class of 2018, including safety Amari Burney (Clearwater, FL), the No. 113 player in the nation per the 247Sports Composite.

Florida’s class is ranked 56th nationally, 12th in the SEC and behind both in-state rivals Miami (No. 1) and Florida State (No. 13). The Gators have the third-fewest commitments in the SEC at this time (seven); eight have double-digit pledges, including LSU (21) and Tennessee (16).